UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 16, 2018

 

FS Energy and Power Fund

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

814-00841

 

27-6822130

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

 

(Commission
File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

201 Rouse Boulevard
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

19112

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (215) 495-1150

 

None

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o             Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o             Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o             Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o             Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

o             Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   o

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01               Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Indenture – 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2023

 

On August 16, 2018, FS Energy and Power Fund (the “Fund” or “we”), U.S. Bank National Association (the “Trustee”) and certain subsidiaries of the Fund entered into an Indenture (the “Indenture”) relating to the Fund’s issuance of $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”). The net proceeds from the sale of the Notes were used, in part, by the Fund to satisfy certain existing indebtedness. Remaining proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including for portfolio investments.

 

The Notes will mature on August 15, 2023, unless repurchased or redeemed in accordance with their terms prior to such date. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.500% per year, calculated on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day periods, accruing from August 16, 2018. The Notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund. Interest on the Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing on February 15, 2019.

 

The Notes are general senior secured obligations of the Fund and rank pari passu in right of payment to all of the Fund’s existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness and other liabilities. The Notes are secured, subject to certain exceptions, by (i) a first priority security interest in (a) certain of the Fund’s portfolio investments, and related assets, designated by the Fund from time to time as Secured Notes First Priority Collateral (as defined in the Indenture) and (b) substantially all of the Fund’s other assets that do not constitute Secured Notes First Priority Collateral or Credit Facility First Priority Collateral (each as defined in the Indenture) (together, the “Shared Collateral”), and (ii) a second priority security interest in certain of the Fund’s portfolio investments, and related assets, designated by the Fund from time to time as Credit Facility First Priority Collateral. The Notes are and will be guaranteed on a secured basis, jointly and severally, by the Fund’s existing and future direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries that guarantee the New Credit Facilities (defined below).

 

The Indenture contains certain covenants, including the requirement that the Fund maintain a Notes Priority Collateral Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Indenture) of at least 1.5x and a debt-to-equity ratio of less than or equal to 1.0x.

 

Upon the occurrence of certain Events of Default (as defined in the Indenture), the Trustee under the Indenture or the holders of at least 25% in the aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding Notes may declare all of the Notes to be due and payable immediately.  Upon the occurrence of certain Events of Default related to bankruptcy, insolvency and similar events, then all of the outstanding Notes, including accrued and unpaid interest thereon and premiums, if any, shall become due and payable automatically. In addition, if a Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture) occurs prior to maturity of the Notes, the Fund will be required to offer to repurchase all of the outstanding Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the applicable Change of Control Payment Date (as defined in the Indenture).

 

The Notes were offered only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

 

The Fund incurred certain customary costs and expenses in connection with the issuance of the Notes, and the Notes were sold subject to certain discounts.

 

New Credit Agreement

 

On August 16, 2018, the Fund entered into that certain Senior Secured Credit Agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”), by and among the Fund, the lenders party thereto (the “Lenders”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”), as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the other parties signatory thereto. The New Credit Agreement provides for borrowings in an aggregate amount of $585 million, consisting of (i) $195 million of term loans in U.S. dollars (the “Term Loan Facility”) and (ii) a $390 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility,” and together with the Term Loan Facility, the “New Credit Facilities”) available in U.S. dollars and certain agreed upon foreign currencies from August 16, 2018 until February 16, 2022 (the “Availability Period”). Obligations under the New Credit Agreement mature on February 16, 2023.

 

Interest on the New Credit Facilities will accrue (i) for loans bearing interest by reference to the eurocurrency rate at a rate equal to 2.75% per annum plus the one-, two-, three- or six-month adjusted eurocurrency rate, as elected by the Fund

 

2



 

from time to time, and (ii) for loans bearing interest by reference to the base rate at a rate equal to 1.75% per annum plus the greater of (w) the rate of interest quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the United States on such date, (x) the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Rate for such day plus 0.50%, (y) the adjusted eurocurrency rate for a one month interest period on such day plus 1%, and (z) 1% per annum. Interest is payable in arrears at the end of each interest period (or at three-month intervals for interest periods longer than three months) for eurocurrency borrowings and quarterly for base rate borrowings. In addition, during the Availability Period, the Fund will pay a commitment fee at a rate equal to 50 basis points on the average daily undrawn revolving commitment.

 

The Fund’s obligations under the New Credit Agreement are secured, subject to certain exceptions, by (i) a first priority security interest in (a) the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral and (b) the Shared Collateral, and (ii) a second priority security interest in the Notes First Priority Collateral.

 

Pursuant to the New Credit Agreement, the Fund has made certain representations and warranties and must comply with various covenants and reporting requirements customary for facilities of this type, including the following financial covenants: (a) the Fund’s minimum consolidated shareholders’ equity measured as of each fiscal quarter-end must be at least equal to the sum of (1) 65% of the difference of the Fund’s shareholders’ equity as of August 16, 2018 less the lesser of amounts paid by the Fund to purchase its shares of common stock in connection with a tender offer upon a listing and $250 million, plus (2) 50% of the net proceeds of any sale of equity interests of the Fund after August 16, 2018; and (b) the Fund must maintain at all times a 200% asset coverage ratio.

 

The New Credit Agreement contains events of default customary for financings of this type as described therein. Upon the occurrence of certain events of default, JPMorgan, at the instruction of the Lenders, may terminate any remaining commitments and declare the outstanding loans and other obligations under the New Credit Agreement immediately due and payable. Upon the occurrence of events of default related to bankruptcy, insolvency and similar events, the commitments will automatically terminate and the outstanding loans and other obligations under the Credit Facilities will become immediately due and payable. During the continuation of certain events of default and subject, in certain cases, to the instructions of the Lenders, the Fund must pay interest at a default rate.

 

The Fund incurred certain customary fees, costs and expenses in connection with the closing of the New Credit Agreement.

 

Guarantee and Security Agreement

 

On August 16, 2018, in connection with the issuance of the Notes and the Fund’s entry into the New Credit Agreement, the Fund and its subsidiary guarantors entered into a guarantee and security agreement (the “Security Agreement”) with JPMorgan, as collateral agent. Pursuant to the Security Agreement, the Fund and each subsidiary guarantor granted to JPMorgan, as collateral agent, a first priority security interest in all of the Notes First Priority Collateral for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, a first priority security interest in all of the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral for the secured parties under the New Credit Facilities and a first priority security interest in all of the Shared Collateral for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes and the secured parties under the New Credit Facilities.

 

Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement

 

On August 16, 2018, in connection with the Fund’s entry into the Indenture, the New Credit Agreement and the Security Agreement, the Fund and its subsidiary guarantors entered into a Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement with JPMorgan, as the initial credit facility representative and collateral agent, and U.S. Bank National Association, as initial Notes representative, pursuant to which JPMorgan agreed to act, pursuant to the terms thereof, as collateral agent for the holders of the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Security Agreement).

 

The foregoing descriptions of the Indenture, the New Credit Agreement, the Security Agreement and the Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Indenture, the New Credit Agreement, the Security Agreement and the Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement, each filed as an exhibit hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 1.02.              Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Termination of the Barclays Credit Facility

 

On August 16, 2018, in connection with the New Credit Agreement and the issuance of the Notes, Bryn Mawr Funding LLC, a wholly-owned financing subsidiary of the Fund, repaid and terminated its revolving credit facility, as amended, originally entered into on May 18, 2016 with Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto.

 

3



 

Termination of the BNP Facility

 

On August 16, 2018, in connection with the New Credit Agreement and the issuance of the Notes, Berwyn Funding LLC, a wholly-owned financing subsidiary of the Fund, repaid and terminated its committed facility arrangement, as amended, originally entered into on December 11, 2013 with BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage International, Ltd, as assignee of BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage, Inc.

 

Termination of the Deutsche Bank Facility

 

On August 16, 2018, in connection with the New Credit Agreement and the issuance of the Notes, FSEP Term Funding, LLC (“FSEP Term Funding”), a wholly-owned, special purpose financing subsidiary of the Fund, repaid and terminated its revolving credit facility (the “Deutsche Bank Credit Facility”), originally entered into on June 24, 2011 with Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch (“Deutsche Bank”), as administrative agent and a lender, and the other lenders party thereto. FSEP Term Funding paid certain fees to Deutsche Bank in connection with the repayment and termination of the Deutsche Bank Credit Facility, including a make whole fee calculated in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

Termination of the Fortress Facility

 

On August 16, 2018, in connection with the New Credit Agreement and the issuance of the Notes, Foxfields Funding LLC (“Foxfields Funding”), a wholly-owned financing subsidiary of the Fund, repaid and terminated the senior secured multiple draw term loan facility, as amended, originally entered into on November 6, 2015 with Fortress Credit Co LLC as administrative agent, the lenders party thereto and the other loan parties from time to time party thereto.

 

Item 2.03.                                         Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

 

The information required by Item 2.03 contained in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01.              Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

4.1

 

Indenture, dated August 16, 2018, by and between the Fund, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, and the guarantors named therein.

 

 

 

10.1

 

Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated August 16, 2018, by and among the Fund, the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent and the other parties signatory thereto.

 

 

 

10.2

 

Guarantee and Security Agreement, dated August 16, 2018, made by the Fund and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as collateral agent.

 

 

 

10.3

 

Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement, dated August 16, 2018, by and among the Fund, the Fund’s subsidiaries parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the initial credit facility representative, U.S. Bank National Association as the initial secured notes representative and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as collateral agent.

 

4



 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

FS Energy and Power Fund

 

 

 

  Date:   August 22, 2018

By:

/s/ Stephen S. Sypherd

 

 

Stephen S. Sypherd

 

 

General Counsel and Secretary

 

5


Exhibit 4.1

 

Execution Version

 

 

INDENTURE

 

dated as of August 16, 2018

 

among

 

FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND,

as Company

 

the Guarantors named herein

 

and

 

U.S. Bank National Association,

as Trustee

 

7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2023

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

ARTICLE I

 

 

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01

Definitions

1

SECTION 1.02

Other Definitions

10

SECTION 1.03

[Reserved]

10

SECTION 1.04

Rules of Construction

10

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

 

 

 

 

THE NOTES

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01

Amount of Notes Unlimited

11

SECTION 2.02

Form and Dating; Denominations

11

SECTION 2.03

Execution and Authentication

12

SECTION 2.04

Registrar and Paying Agent

12

SECTION 2.05

Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust

13

SECTION 2.06

Holder Lists

13

SECTION 2.07

Transfer and Exchange

13

SECTION 2.08

Replacement Notes

14

SECTION 2.09

Outstanding Notes

14

SECTION 2.10

Treasury Notes

15

SECTION 2.11

Temporary Notes

15

SECTION 2.12

Cancellation

15

SECTION 2.13

Defaulted Interest

15

SECTION 2.14

CUSIP and ISIN Numbers

16

SECTION 2.15

Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes

16

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

 

 

 

 

REDEMPTION

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3.01

Notices to Trustee

17

SECTION 3.02

Selection of Notes To Be Redeemed

17

SECTION 3.03

Notice of Redemption

17

SECTION 3.04

Effect of Notice of Redemption

18

SECTION 3.05

Conditions to Redemption

19

SECTION 3.06

Deposit of Redemption Price

20

SECTION 3.07

Notes Redeemed in Part

20

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

 

 

 

 

COVENANTS

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01

Payment of Notes

20

SECTION 4.02

Maintenance of Office or Agency

20

SECTION 4.03

Compliance Certificate; Notice of Default

21

SECTION 4.04

Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

21

SECTION 4.05

Covenant Suspension

21

SECTION 4.06

Change of Control

22

SECTION 4.07

Limitation on Liens

24

 

i



 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 4.08

Maintenance Covenants

24

SECTION 4.09

Reports to Holders

25

SECTION 4.10

Future Guarantees

26

SECTION 4.11

Compliance with Investment Company Act

26

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

 

 

 

 

MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01

Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets

27

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

 

 

 

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01

Events of Default

28

SECTION 6.02

Acceleration

30

SECTION 6.03

Other Remedies

31

SECTION 6.04

Waiver of Past Defaults

31

SECTION 6.05

Control by Majority

31

SECTION 6.06

Limitation on Suits

31

SECTION 6.07

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

32

SECTION 6.08

Collection Suit by Trustee

32

SECTION 6.09

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

32

SECTION 6.10

Priorities

32

SECTION 6.11

Undertaking for Costs

33

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

 

 

 

 

TRUSTEE

 

 

 

 

SECTION 7.01

Duties of Trustee

33

SECTION 7.02

Rights of Trustee

34

SECTION 7.03

Individual Rights of Trustee

35

SECTION 7.04

Trustee’s Disclaimer

35

SECTION 7.05

Notice of Defaults

35

SECTION 7.06

[Reserved]

35

SECTION 7.07

Compensation and Indemnity

35

SECTION 7.08

Replacement of Trustee

36

SECTION 7.09

Successor Trustee by Merger

37

SECTION 7.10

Eligibility; Disqualification

37

SECTION 7.11

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company

38

SECTION 7.12

Security Documents; Collateral Agency Agreement

38

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

 

 

 

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

 

 

 

 

SECTION 8.01

Discharge of Liability on Notes

38

SECTION 8.02

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

39

SECTION 8.03

Conditions to Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

40

SECTION 8.04

Application of Trust Money

41

SECTION 8.05

Repayment to the Company

41

SECTION 8.06

Reinstatement

42

SECTION 8.07

Indemnity for Government Obligations

42

 

ii



 

 

 

Page

 

ARTICLE IX

 

 

 

 

 

AMENDMENTS

 

 

 

 

SECTION 9.01

Without Consent of Holders

42

SECTION 9.02

With Consent of Holders

43

SECTION 9.03

[Reserved]

44

SECTION 9.04

Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers

44

SECTION 9.05

Notation on or Exchange of Notes

45

SECTION 9.06

Trustee To Sign Amendments

45

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

 

 

 

 

 

GUARANTEES

 

 

 

 

SECTION 10.01

Unconditional Guarantee

45

SECTION 10.02

[Reserved]

45

SECTION 10.03

[Reserved]

45

SECTION 10.04

Notation of Guarantee Not Required

45

SECTION 10.05

Release of a Guarantor; Termination of Guarantees

46

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

 

 

 

 

 

COLLATERAL

 

 

 

 

SECTION 11.01

Security Documents

46

SECTION 11.02

[Reserved]

47

SECTION 11.03

Release of Collateral

47

SECTION 11.04

Suits to Protect the Collateral

48

SECTION 11.05

Authorization of the Receipt of Funds by the Trustee Under the Security Documents

48

SECTION 11.06

Purchaser Protected

48

SECTION 11.07

Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee

48

SECTION 11.08

Release Upon Termination of the Company’s Obligations

48

SECTION 11.09

Collateral Agent

49

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII

 

 

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

 

SECTION 12.01

[Reserved]

53

SECTION 12.02

Notices

53

SECTION 12.03

[Reserved]

54

SECTION 12.04

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

54

SECTION 12.05

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

54

SECTION 12.06

Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar

55

SECTION 12.07

Business Day

55

SECTION 12.08

Governing Law

55

SECTION 12.09

No Recourse Against Others

55

SECTION 12.10

Successors

55

SECTION 12.11

Multiple Originals

55

SECTION 12.12

Table of Contents; Headings

56

SECTION 12.13

Force Majeure

56

SECTION 12.14

Severability

56

SECTION 12.15

USA Patriot Act

56

SECTION 12.16

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

56

 

iii



 

 

 

Page

SECTION 12.17

Applicable Tax Law

56

SECTION 12.18

Waiver of Jury Trial

57

SECTION 12.19

Submission to Jurisdiction

57

SECTION 12.20

Third Party Beneficiary

57

 

iv



 

Appendix A

 

 

Transfer Restrictions

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

 

Form of Note

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit B

 

 

Form of Supplemental Indenture

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit C

 

 

Form of Transfer Certificate for Transfer or Exchange from Rule 144A Global Note to Regulation S Global Note prior to the Expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit D

 

 

Form of Transfer Certificate for the Transfer or Exchange from Rule 144A Global Note to Regulation S Global Note after the Expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit E

 

 

Form of Transfer Certificate for Transfer or Exchange from Regulation S Global Note to Rule 144A Global Note prior to the Expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit F

 

 

Form of Transfer Certificate for Other Transfers and Exchanges

 

Note:  This Table of Contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of this Indenture.

 

v



 

INDENTURE dated as of August 16, 2018 (this “ Indenture ”) among FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors named herein and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

 

Each party hereto agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company’s 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 to be issued, from time to time, as provided in this Indenture:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01                                  Definitions .

 

Acquired Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness of a Person or any of its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Company or at the time it merges or consolidates with or into the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or assumed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person and in each case whether or not incurred by such Person in connection with, or in anticipation or contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary of the Company or such merger, consolidation or acquisition.  Acquired Indebtedness shall be deemed to have been incurred on the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Company or merges or consolidates with or into the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the date of the assumption of such Indebtedness by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable.

 

Additional Notes ” means additional 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 issued under this Indenture after the Issue Date (other than pursuant to Section 2.07, Section 2.08 or Section 3.07, in each case, in respect of Initial Notes).

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person.  As used in the immediately preceding sentence and in the definitions of “Investment Advisor,” “Permitted Holder” and “Subsidiary,” the term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative of the foregoing.

 

Agent ” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-Registrar.

 

Bankruptcy Code ” means Title XI of the United States Code, as amended, and any successor law.

 

Bankruptcy Law ” means each of the Bankruptcy Code and any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors and/or rights of creditors.

 

Board of Directors ” means, as to any Person, the board of directors, managers or trustees or other governing body of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership or limited liability company that does not have such a governing body, the board of directors, managers or trustees or other governing body of any direct or indirect general partner of such partnership or of any direct or indirect managing member or other managing Person of such limited liability company) or any duly authorized committee thereof.

 

Business Day ” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

Capital Stock ” means:

 

(1)                                  with respect to any Person other than a business trust, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated and whether or not voting) of or in its corporate stock or, if such Person is not a corporation, its equity; and

 



 

(2)                                  with respect to any Person that is a business trust, any and all beneficial ownership interests (however designated and whether or not voting) in such Person;

 

in each case including each class or series of Common Stock and preferred stock of such Person but in each case excluding any Indebtedness or debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or any options, warrants, contracts or other securities (including derivative instruments) exercisable or exchangeable for, convertible into or otherwise for or relating to the purchase or sale of, any of the items referred to in clause (1) or (2) above.

 

CFC ” means a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Change of Control ” means:

 

(1)                                  the Company becomes aware (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, written notice or otherwise) that any “person” or “group” of related persons (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Issue Date), other than any Permitted Holder, is or has become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Issue Date), directly or indirectly, of Voting Stock of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of all of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company; or

 

(2)                                  the sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (other than sales, transfers, conveyances or other dispositions of securities or assets, in each case in the ordinary course of business) to any Person (other than a Permitted Holder); or

 

(3)                                  the Investment Advisor shall cease to be the Company’s investment advisor.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to be a Change of Control pursuant to clause (1) above if (1) the Company becomes a direct or indirect Wholly Owned Subsidiary of a parent entity and (2) either (A) the direct or indirect holders of the outstanding Voting Stock of such parent entity immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to that transaction or (B) immediately following that transaction no Person (other than a parent entity satisfying the requirements of this sentence or a Permitted Holder) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the combined voting power of all of the outstanding Voting Stock of such parent entity.

 

Collateral ” means all of the assets and properties subject or purported to be subject to liens under any Security Document.

 

Collateral Agent ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.09 .

 

Collateral Agency Agreement ” means the Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Company, the Guarantors, the Credit Agreement Administrative Agent, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent.

 

Common Stock ” means, with respect to (a) any Person other than a business trust, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated and whether voting or non-voting) of or in such Person’s common stock or, if such Person is not a corporation, its common equity or (b) any Person that is a business trust, any and all common beneficial ownership interests (however designated and whether voting or non-voting) in such Person, in each case including, without limitation, all series and classes of such common stock, other common equity or common beneficial ownership interests, as the case may be, but in each case excluding any Indebtedness or debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or any options, warrants, contracts or other securities (including derivative instruments) exercisable or exchangeable for, convertible into or otherwise for or relating to the purchase

 



 

or sale of, any of the foregoing.  The determination of whether any beneficial ownership interests or equity constitute common beneficial ownership interest or common equity, respectively, shall be made by the Company in good faith.

 

Company ” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.

 

Corporate Trust Office ” means the corporate trust office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof for purposes of Section 2.04 only is located at 111 Fillmore Ave., St. Paul, MN 55107, Attention: FS Energy and Power Fund, and for all other purposes is located at One Federal Street, 10 th  Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention: FS Energy and Power Fund, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

 

Credit Agreement ” means the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Company, the “lenders” and “L/C Issuers” party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, and the Collateral Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, refinanced or replaced from time to time.

 

Credit Agreement Administrative Agent ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent under the Credit Agreement, and its successors in such capacity.

 

Credit Agreement Obligations ” means all Obligations in respect of (i) the Credit Agreement and (ii) arising under any derivatives transaction to the extent the Credit Agreement provides for such Obligations to be secured on a pari passu basis with the obligations under the Credit Agreement.

 

Credit Facility Obligations ” means the Credit Agreement Obligations and any Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations.

 

Credit Facility First Priority Collateral ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

 

Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

Default ” means an event or condition the occurrence of which is, or with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Depositary ” means DTC or any successor depositary for the Global Notes.

 

Domestic Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person other than a Foreign Subsidiary.

 

DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company.

 

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

 

fair market value ” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s-length, free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.  Fair market value shall be determined by the Company in good faith.

 

FASB ” means the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any successor thereto.

 



 

Financing Subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in the Security Agreement.

 

Financing Subsidiary Capital Stock ” means all Capital Stock of any Financing Subsidiary other than any such Capital Stock owned by another Financing Subsidiary.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means (a) any Subsidiary of the Company that is not organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and any Subsidiary (including any Subsidiary that would otherwise be a Domestic Subsidiary) of any such Subsidiary of the Company that is a CFC, and (b) any Subsidiary of the Company that has no material assets other than Capital Stock of  one or more Subsidiaries of the Company that are CFCs.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect on the Issue Date .

 

Global Note ” means a Note in registered global form without coupons, registered in the name of a Depositary or its nominee.

 

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, or of any other nation, or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national body exercising such powers or functions, such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

Grantors ” means the Company and each Guarantor.

 

Guarantee ” means, individually, any guarantee of the Notes by a Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and, collectively, all such guarantees of the Notes by Guarantors pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, in each case as any such guarantees may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Guarantor ” means each Domestic Subsidiary of the Company, if any, that guarantees the payment of the Notes pursuant to the terms of this Indenture; provided that upon release or discharge of any such Domestic Subsidiary from its Guarantee of the Notes, or upon the termination of any such Guarantee, in accordance with this Indenture, such Domestic Subsidiary shall cease to be a Guarantor.

 

Holder ” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

 

Indebtedness ” means with respect to any Person, without duplication:

 

(1)                                  the principal amount of indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;

 

(2)                                  the principal amount of indebtedness of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, Notes or other similar debt instruments;

 

(3)                                  all payment obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property and all payment obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to assets purchased by such Person (but, in each case, excluding trade accounts payable and other accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business and any earn-out or similar obligations and also excluding all obligations other than those relating to payment of the purchase price of the applicable property or assets);

 

(4)                                  the principal component of all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction (except in each case to the extent such obligations relate to trade payables or other accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business);

 



 

(5)                                  Indebtedness of other Persons of the types referred to in clauses (1) through (4) above and clauses (7) and (8) below to the extent (and only to the extent) guaranteed by such referent Person;

 

(7)                                  Indebtedness of any other Person of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (6) above which is secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such referent Person, the amount of such Indebtedness of such referent Person being deemed to be the lesser of the fair market value of such property or asset and the amount of the Indebtedness of such other Person so secured;

 

(8)                                  all net payment obligations of such Person under hedge agreements; and

 

(9)                                  all repurchase obligations (excluding accrued interest or any portion of such obligations representing accrued interest) of such Person under repurchase agreements to which it is party.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Indebtedness” shall not include (u) indebtedness of such Person on account of the sale by such Person of the first out tranche of any bank loan that arises solely as an accounting matter under ASC 860, (v) purchase price holdbacks arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset or investment to satisfy unperformed obligations of the seller of such asset or investment, (w) a commitment arising in the ordinary course of business to make a future portfolio investment or fund the delayed draw or unfunded portion of any existing portfolio investment (x) any accrued incentive, management or other fees to an investment manager or its affiliates (regardless of any deferral in payment thereof), (y) non-recourse liabilities for participations sold by any Person in any bank loan, or (z) deposits received in connection with a portfolio investment of such Person in the ordinary course of such Person’s business (including, but not limited to, any deposits or advances in connection with expense reimbursement, prepaid agency fees, other fees, indemnification, work fees, tax distributions or purchase price adjustments).

 

Indenture ” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Initial Purchasers ” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, SG Americas Securities, LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC.

 

interest ” means, with respect to any Note, interest payable on such Note.

 

Interest Payment Date ” means February 15 and August 15 of each year.

 

Investment Advisor ” means FS/EIG Advisor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor investment advisor, so long as such successor investment advisor is a controlled Affiliate of one or more other Permitted Holders.

 

Investment Company Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

Investment Grade Rating ’’ means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P (or, if such Rating Agency ceases to rate the Company or the Notes for reasons outside of the Company’s control, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any Rating Agency selected by the Company as a replacement Rating Agency).

 

Issue Date ” means August 16, 2018.

 

Lien ” means any lien, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, 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). For the avoidance of doubt, in the case of investments that are loans or other debt obligations, customary restrictions on assignments or transfers thereof pursuant to the underlying documentation of

 



 

such investment shall not be deemed to be a “Lien” and, in the case of portfolio investments that are equity securities, excluding customary drag-along, tag-along, right of first refusal, restrictions on assignments or transfers and other similar rights in favor of other equity holders of the same issuer.

 

Moody’s ” means “Moody’s Investor Service, Inc.” or any successor thereto.

 

Noteholder Secured Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the Security Agreement.

 

Notes ” means the Company’s 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Additional Notes) issued under this Indenture, all of which shall be treated as a single class of securities for all purposes (including voting) under this Indenture, as the Notes may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Obligations ” means any principal, interest, fees and expenses (including any interest, fees and other amounts accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest, fees or expenses and other amounts are an allowed claim under applicable state, federal or foregoing law), penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, fees, expenses, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

 

Offering Memorandum ” means the Company’s offering memorandum dated August 2, 2018 relating to the Notes, as the same may have been or may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Officer ” means, with respect to any Person, (1) the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Controller, any Vice President (whether or not the title “Vice President” is preceded or followed by any other title such as “Senior,” “Executive” or otherwise), any Managing Director, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary (a) of such Person or (b) if such Person is a limited or general partnership or limited liability company that does not have officers, of any direct or indirect general partner or managing member, as the case may be, of such Person, and (2) any other individual designated as an “Officer” by the Board of Directors of such Person (or, if applicable, by the Board of Directors of any general partner or managing member referred to in clause (1)(b)).

 

Officers’ Certificate ” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by two Officers of such Person.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion from legal counsel, which may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.  Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, any such opinion of legal counsel may rely, as to factual matters, on a certificate of an Officer (or similar official) of the Company, any Guarantor or any other Person and on certificates and statements of governmental bodies and officials and may include customary qualifications, limitations and exceptions.

 

Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

 

Other Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations ” means any Obligations in respect of Indebtedness (other than Additional Notes) secured by Liens on the Collateral permitted by clause (k) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”.

 

Permitted Holder means each of (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiary of the Company; (iii) the Investment Advisor; (iv) Franklin Square Holdings, L.P., (v) EIG Asset Management, LLC, (vi) any Affiliate of the persons described in (i) through (v) above as of the date of the Offering Memorandum, (vii) any entity that is

 



 

managed or advised by any of the foregoing or any of their respective Affiliates as of the date of the Offering Memorandum that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United States of America and in the business of managing or advising clients or (viii) any controlled Affiliate of any Person described above.

 

Permitted Liens ” means:

 

(a) Liens imposed by any Governmental Authority for taxes, assessments or charges not yet due or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Company or any Guarantor in accordance with GAAP;

 

(b) Liens of clearing agencies, broker-dealers and similar Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Liens (i) attach only to the securities (or proceeds) being purchased or sold and (ii) secure only obligations incurred in connection with such purchase or sale, and not any obligation in connection with margin financing;

 

(c) Liens imposed by law, such as materialmen’s, mechanics’, carriers’, workmens’, landlord, storage and repairmen’s Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money);

 

(d) Liens incurred or pledges or deposits made to secure obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance or other similar social security legislation (other than Liens in respect of employee benefit plans arising under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or to secure public or statutory obligations;

 

(e) Liens securing the performance of, or payment in respect of, bids, insurance premiums, deductibles or co-insured amounts, tenders, government or utility contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money), surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds and other obligations of a similar nature incurred in the ordinary course of business, provided that all Liens on any Secured Notes First Priority Collateral pursuant to this clause (e) shall have a priority that is junior to the Liens securing the Secured Notes Obligations under the Security Documents;

 

(f) Liens arising out of judgments or awards that have been in force for less than the applicable period for taking an appeal so long as such judgments or awards do not constitute an Event of Default;

 

(g) customary rights of setoff, banker’s lien, security interest or other like right upon (i) deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions in which such cash is maintained in the ordinary course of business, (ii) cash and financial assets held in securities accounts in favor of banks and other financial institutions with which such accounts are maintained in the ordinary course of business and (iii) assets held by a custodian in favor of such custodian in the ordinary course of business securing payment of fees, indemnities and other similar obligations;

 

(h) Liens arising solely from precautionary filings of financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code of the applicable jurisdictions in respect of operating leases entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(i) easements, rights of way, zoning restrictions and similar encumbrances on real property and minor irregularities in the title thereto that do not interfere with or affect in any material respect the ordinary course of the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(j) Liens securing the Secured Notes Obligations in respect of the Notes issued on the Issue Date;

 

(k) Liens on the Collateral securing obligations in respect of Additional Notes and/or Other Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations on a pari passu basis with the Liens described in clause (i) above so long as, immediately after giving effect to the issuance of such Additional Notes and/or Other Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations, the Company would be in Pro Forma Covenant Compliance;

 



 

(l) Liens on the Collateral securing Credit Agreement Obligations and/or Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations; provided that any Liens on the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral shall be junior to the Liens securing the Secured Notes Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Person ” means an individual, limited or general partnership, limited liability company, corporation, unincorporated organization, trust, association, joint-stock company or joint venture, or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

Pro Forma Covenant Compliance ” means, with respect to any event, that immediately after giving effect to such event (and all other events in connection therewith) (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) the Company would be in compliance with each of the covenants described under Section 4.08 (for such purpose, assuming that any Compliance Grace Period had expired).

 

Rating Agency ” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P and (2) if Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Company or the Notes for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act  selected by Company as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, or both, as the case may be.

 

Record Date ” means February 1 and August 1 of each year.

 

Redemption Date ” means a date fixed for redemption of Notes as provided pursuant to this Indenture and the Notes.

 

Refinance ” means, in respect of any security or Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, replace or refund (including pursuant to any defeasance, covenant defeasance or satisfaction, discharge or similar mechanism), or to issue a security or incur new Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for such security or Indebtedness in whole or in part.  “ Refinanced ” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

 

Responsible Officer ” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer in the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and shall also mean any officer who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of McGraw-Hill, Inc., or any successor thereto.

 

SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

 

Secured Notes Documents ” means the Notes (including Additional Notes), the Security Documents, the Collateral Agency Agreement and this Indenture.

 

Secured Notes Obligations ” means all Obligations in respect of the Notes, the guarantees of the Notes and this Indenture.

 

Secured Notes First Priority Collateral ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

 

Secured Parties ” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Security Agreement.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Security Agreement ” means the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of the Issue Date among the Company, the Guarantors party thereto, and the Collateral Agent.

 



 

Security Documents ” means the Security Agreement, the Collateral Agency Agreement and any other pledge agreements, intellectual property security agreements, mortgages, collateral assignments and related agreements, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, repaid, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, creating the security interests in any assets or property in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Noteholder Secured Parties (and any other Persons) as contemplated by this Indenture.

 

Senior Officer ” means, with respect to any Person, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Investment Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer or any Executive Vice President (a) of such Person or (b) if such Person is a limited or general partnership or limited liability company that does not have officers, of any direct or indirect general partner or managing member of such Person.

 

Shared Collateral ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person that is a “significant subsidiary” of such Person within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (as such Rule is in effect on the Issue Date), with the calculation of whether such Subsidiary is a “significant subsidiary” within the meaning of such Rule to be made in accordance with GAAP.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person and at any time, any other Person if (a) more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all of such other Person’s outstanding Voting Stock is at the time owned, directly or indirectly, by such referent Person and/or one or more other Subsidiaries of such referent Person or (b) the management and policies of such other Person are otherwise controlled (as determined in good faith by such referent Person), directly or indirectly, by such referent Person and/or one or more other Subsidiary of such referent Person.  As used in the immediately preceding sentence, the term “controlled” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Affiliate.” For the avoidance of doubt, the Company is not a Subsidiary of the Investment Advisor.

 

TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

Total Assets ” means the total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Trustee ” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean such successor Trustee.

 

UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided , however , that, at any time, if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in any item or portion of the Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other that the State of New York, the term “ UCC ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect, at such time, in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions relating to such provisions.

 

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

 

U.S. Government Obligations ” means securities that are (a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or

 



 

the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depositary receipt.

 

U.S. Legal Tender ” means such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

 

Voting Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, all classes and series of Capital Stock of such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote in the election of the directors, managers or trustees (or other persons performing similar functions), as the case may be, of such Person.

 

Wholly Owned Subsidiary ” of any Person means any Subsidiary of such Person of which all the outstanding Voting Stock of such Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares and other than an immaterial amount of Voting Stock required to be owned by other Persons pursuant to applicable law or regulation) is owned by such Person and/or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

SECTION 1.02                                  Other Definitions .

 

Term

 

Defined in Section

“Acceleration”

 

6.01

“Action”

 

11.09

“Applicable Tax Law”

 

12.17

“Certificated Note”

 

Appendix A

“Change of Control Offer”

 

4.06

“Change of Control Payment Date”

 

4.06

“Change of Control Purchase Price”

 

4.06

“Collateral Agent”

 

11.09

“Compliance Grace Period”

 

4.08(a)

“Covenant Defeasance”

 

8.02

“Covenant Suspension Event”

 

4.05(a)

“Covered Debt Amount”

 

4.08

“Debt to Equity Covenant”

 

4.08

“Debt to Equity Ratio”

 

4.08

“delayed Redemption Date”

 

3.05

“Events of Default”

 

6.01

“Global Note Legend”

 

Appendix A

“Initial Notes”

 

2.03

“Legal Defeasance”

 

8.02

“Note Custodian”

 

Appendix A

“Notes Priority Collateral Coverage Ratio”

 

4.08

“Participant”

 

2.15

“Paying Agent”

 

2.04

“Payment Default”

 

6.01

“Registrar”

 

2.04

“Reversion Date”

 

4.05(b)

“Security Document Order”

 

11.09

“Surviving Entity”

 

5.01

“Suspension Period”

 

4.05(b)

“Value”

 

4.08

 

SECTION 1.03                                  [Reserved] .

 

SECTION 1.04                                  Rules of Construction .

 

Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires:

 



 

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

 

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

 

(3)                                  “or” is not exclusive;

 

(4)                                  the words “including,” “includes” and similar words shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation”;

 

(5)                                  “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

 

(6)                                  words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;

 

(7)                                  provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

 

(8)                                  “herein,” “hereof” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section, Appendix, Exhibit, clause or other subdivision;

 

(9)                                  unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Indebtedness; and

 

(10)                           $ ” and “ U.S. dollars ” each refer to U.S. Legal Tender.

 

ARTICLE II

 

THE NOTES

 

SECTION 2.01                                  Amount of Notes Unlimited .

 

The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited and the Company may issue an unlimited principal amount of Additional Notes under this Indenture having identical terms as the Notes initially issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date (other than issue date, and, if applicable, issue price, the first Interest Payment Date and the date from which interest will accrue); provided that if any Additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes initially issued on the Issue Date for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes will have separate CUSIP and ISIN numbers from the Notes initially issued on the Issue Date; provided , further that such Additional Notes shall be in compliance with the provisions of Section 4.07.  The Notes initially issued on the Issue Date, any Additional Notes subsequently issued under this Indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.02                                  Form and Dating; Denominations .

 

The Notes (including Global Notes) and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication thereon shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture.  The Notes shall bear such legends as may be required by Appendix A hereto (which is incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture) and may have such other notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage.  The Company shall approve the forms of the Notes and any notation, legend or endorsement on them.  Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.  The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

Unless otherwise provided in an Officers’ Certificate, Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more Global Notes in registered form without coupons, which shall be deposited with the Note Custodian, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided, and shall bear the applicable legends required by Appendix A.  The aggregate principal amount of a Global Note may from time to time be increased

 



 

or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Registrar and the Note Custodian, and on the “Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note” attached to such Global Note.

 

Notes may be issued in the form of Certificated Notes in registered form without coupons and that do not bear a Global Note Legend, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided, in exchange for interests in Global Notes only in the circumstances and manner set forth in Section 2.15 and in compliance with the provisions, if applicable, of Appendix A.

 

SECTION 2.03                                  Execution and Authentication .

 

An Officer shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual, facsimile or electronic image scan (e.g., pdf) signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note was an Officer at the time of such execution but no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

 

The Trustee shall authenticate Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $500,000,000 (the “ Initial Notes ”) upon receipt by the Trustee of a written order of the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate.  In addition, the Trustee shall from time to time thereafter authenticate Additional Notes in unlimited amount (so long as not otherwise prohibited by the terms of this Indenture, including without limitation, Section 4.07) for original issue, in each case upon receipt by the Trustee of a written order of the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate.

 

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Notes executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a written order of the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate for the authentication and delivery of such Notes, and the Trustee in accordance with such written order of the Company shall authenticate and deliver such Notes.

 

A Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note.  The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Notes.  Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such authenticating agent.  An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company and Affiliates of the Company.

 

SECTION 2.04                                  Registrar and Paying Agent .

 

The Company shall maintain an office or agency in the United States of America where (a) Notes may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”), (b) Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”) and (c) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served.  The Company may also from time to time designate (without notice to Holders) one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and where such notices and demands may be served and may from time to time rescind or change such designations; provided, however, that no such designation, rescission or change shall relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the United States of America for such purposes.  The Company may change or remove any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar without notice to any Holder so long as there is a Paying Agent and Registrar in United States of America.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation, rescission, removal or change referred to in the two immediately preceding sentences.  The Company or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries may act as Registrar, co-Registrar or Paying Agent.  The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange.  The Company, upon notice to the Trustee

 



 

but without notice to Holders, may appoint one or more co-Registrars and one or more additional paying agents reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and may rescind the appointment of and change any such co-Registrars or additional paying agents.  The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

 

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture, which agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent.  The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such Agent.  If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such.

 

The Company hereby appoints the Trustee, acting through its Corporate Trust Office in the United States of America, as initial Paying Agent and Registrar for the Notes.

 

SECTION 2.05                                  Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust .

 

On or prior to 11:00 a.m.  (New York City time) on each Interest Payment Date, any Redemption Date, the Maturity Date or any date on which principal and/or premium, if any, is due, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds a sum sufficient to make cash payments, if any, due on such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, the Maturity Date or any such date on which principal and/or premium, if any, is due; provided , however , to the extent any such funds are received by the Paying Agent after 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on such date, such funds will be deemed deposited within one (1) Business Date of receipt thereof.  The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment.  If the Company or a Domestic Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund.  The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent.  Upon complying with this Section 2.05, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

 

SECTION 2.06                                  Holder Lists .

 

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders.  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders.

 

SECTION 2.07                                  Transfer and Exchange .

 

Subject to Section 2.15 and, if applicable, the provisions of Appendix A, when Notes are presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to register the transfer of such Notes or to exchange such Notes for an equal principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations, the Registrar or co-Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its requirements and any applicable requirements under Appendix A for such transaction are met; provided , however, that the Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar or co-Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his or her attorney duly authorized in writing.  The Company, the Registrar, any co-Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder to furnish such endorsements and transfer documents as any of them may reasonably request in connection with the registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, in addition to any documents that otherwise are required or may be required as provided in this Indenture (including Exhibit A hereto).  A Note may not be transferred or exchanged unless such Note shall have been surrendered at an office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose.  To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and, upon written request from the Company,  the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Notes at the Registrar’s or co-Registrar’s request.  No service charge shall be imposed by the Company, the Trustee or any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-Registrar for any registration of transfer or exchange (other than

 



 

pursuant to Section 2.08), but the Company, the Registrar or any co-Registrar may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of other Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, prior to the due presentment of any Note for registration of transfer or exchange, the Company, the Trustee and any Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name such Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal, premium, if any, and (subject to the Record Date provisions of the Notes) interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any Agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

The Registrar or any co-Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note (i) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the mailing (or, if not mailed, other transmittal) of a notice of redemption of Notes and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing (or other transmittal), (ii) selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article 3, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, or (iii) tendered for repurchase pursuant to a Change of Control Offer and not validly withdrawn.

 

Any Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such beneficial interest, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Notes may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by the Depositary for such Global Note (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Note shall be required to be reflected in a book-entry system.

 

SECTION 2.08                                  Replacement Notes .

 

If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or if the Holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or stolen, and if the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the ownership and loss, destruction or theft of such Note, the Company shall issue and, upon written request from the Company, the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met and subject to satisfaction of any additional requirements, if applicable, as may be set forth in Appendix A hereto.  Such Holder must provide an indemnity bond and/or other indemnity and/or security, sufficient in the judgment of both the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee and any Agent from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced.  The Company and/or the Trustee may charge such Holder for the reasonable expenses of the Company, the Trustee and any Agent in replacing a Note pursuant to this Section 2.08, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Company, the Trustee or any Agent, as well as any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

Every replacement Note shall constitute a contractual obligation of the Company.

 

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the provisions of this Section 2.08 shall be exclusive and shall preclude all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.

 

SECTION 2.09                                  Outstanding Notes .

 

Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes that have been authenticated by the Trustee except those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions and increases in the interests in Global Notes effected by the Trustee, the Registrar or the Note Custodian in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section as not outstanding.  A Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or any of its Affiliates holds the Note (subject to the provisions of Section 2.10).

 

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08 (other than a mutilated Note surrendered for replacement), it ceases to be outstanding unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced

 



 

Note is held by a protected purchaser, as such term is defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York.  A mutilated Note ceases to be outstanding upon surrender of such Note and replacement thereof pursuant to Section 2.08.  If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest ceases to accrue.  If on any Redemption Date, maturity date, Change of Control Payment Date or any other date on which a payment of principal of a Note is due, the Trustee or Paying Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate thereof) holds U.S. Legal Tender in an amount sufficient to pay all of the principal, premium, if any, and interest due on such Note payable on that date, then on and after that date such Note ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

 

SECTION 2.10                                  Treasury Notes .

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be disregarded, except that, for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in conclusively relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be disregarded.

 

SECTION 2.11                                  Temporary Notes .

 

Until definitive Notes are prepared and ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and, upon written request from the Company, the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes.  Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes.  Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and, upon written request from the Company, the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.  Until such exchange, Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to the same rights, benefits and privileges as Holders of definitive Notes.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Notes may be in typewritten form.

 

SECTION 2.12                                  Cancellation .

 

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation.  The Registrar, any co-Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment.  The Trustee, at the written direction of the Company, and no one else, shall cancel and dispose of all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation in accordance with its customary procedures and deliver a certificate of such disposal to the Company upon its written request therefor unless the Company directs the Trustee to deliver canceled Notes to the Company.  The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.  If the Company or any Affiliate shall acquire any of the Notes, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to this Section 2.12.

 

SECTION 2.13                                  Defaulted Interest .

 

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, the Company shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent lawful, any interest payable on the defaulted interest at the rate provided in the last paragraph of Section 4.01, in any lawful manner.  The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date.  The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and the related payment date and shall promptly mail or cause the Trustee (at the request and expense of the Company) to mail (or, in the case of Global Notes, otherwise transmit in accordance with the Depositary’s applicable procedures) to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee (if mailed or transmitted by the Company), a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

 



 

SECTION 2.14                                  CUSIP and ISIN Numbers .

 

The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP and/or ISIN numbers, and if so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP and/or ISIN numbers in notices of redemption, repurchase, Change of Control Offers or exchanges and on checks or advice of payment as a convenience to Holders; provided , however , that neither the Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any defect in the CUSIP or ISIN numbers that appear on any Note or any such notice, check or advice of payment, and any such notice or advice of payment may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of such CUSIP or ISIN numbers and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and no such redemption, repurchase, Change of Control Offer, exchange, advice or payment shall be affected by any defect in or omission of any such numbers.

 

SECTION 2.15                                  Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes .

 

(a)                                  Unless otherwise specified in an Officers’ Certificate or as provided in 2.15(b) below, the Global Notes shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of such Depositary, (ii) be delivered to the Note Custodian for such Depositary and (iii) bear such legends as may be required by Appendix A hereto.

 

Members of, or participants in, the Depositary ( Participants ”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or the Note Custodian, or under the Global Notes, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any Agent as the absolute owner of the Global Note for all purposes whatsoever.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Participants, the operation of Depositary’s customary procedures governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder or beneficial owner of any Note.

 

(b)                                  Transfers of Global Notes shall be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees.  Interests of beneficial owners in the Global Notes may be exchanged for Certificated Notes only as follows and subject, if applicable, to the further requirements set forth in this Indenture, including Appendix A hereto.  Certificated Notes shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in Global Notes if (1) the Depositary notifies the Company that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Notes or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act (if such registration is required by applicable law) and the Company does not appoint a successor Depositary for the Notes within 90 days after the Company receives such notification or becomes aware that the Depositary has ceased to be so registered, as the case may be, (2) the Company, at its option and subject to the Depositary’s procedures, notifies the Trustee in writing that the Company elects to cause the issuance of Certificated Notes or (3) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default.  The Trustee and the Registrar shall have no obligation to effect an exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes pursuant to clause (3) of the immediately preceding sentence until receipt of a written request from the Company.  In all cases, Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any authorized denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures) and, if applicable, will bear the applicable restrictive legends referred to in Appendix A hereto unless the Company determines otherwise or such legend shall have been removed as provided in Appendix A hereto, and in any event subject, if applicable, to the requirements set forth in Appendix A hereto.

 

(c)                                   The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in, the Depositary or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of DTC or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or purchase) or the payment of any amount or delivery of any Notes (or other security or property) under or with respect to such Notes.  All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders in respect of the Notes shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note).  The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary.  The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

 



 

(d)                                  The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among the Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.  Neither the Trustee nor any of its agents shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01                                  Notices to Trustee .

 

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 5 of the Notes, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date, the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and whether the redemption is being made pursuant to paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of Section 5 of the Notes.

 

The Company shall give each notice to the Trustee provided for in this Section 3.01 at least five days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed (or otherwise transmitted) to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee in writing); provided that such notice may be revoked by the Company by written notice to the Trustee at any time prior to the time on the date specified by the Company for the Trustee to forward notice of such redemption to Holders as provided in Section 3.03 or, if the Company does not request the Trustee to forward notice of such redemption to Holders, at any time prior to the Company’s giving of the notice of such redemption to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03.

 

SECTION 3.02                                  Selection of Notes To Be Redeemed .

 

If less than all the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee pro rata or by lot; provided that, in the case of Notes represented by one or more Global Notes, interests in such Global Notes will be selected for redemption by the Depositary in accordance with its applicable procedures therefor.  Notes shall be redeemed in a minimum principal amount of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; provided that the remaining principal amount of any Note redeemed in part shall be $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.  Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.  The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of the Notes or portions of Notes to be redeemed.

 

SECTION 3.03                                  Notice of Redemption .

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 3.05, notice of any redemption of the Notes will be mailed by the Company by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or, if the Notes are represented by one or more Global Notes and if the Depositary’s applicable procedures so provide, transmitted in accordance with the Depositary’s applicable procedures therefor, at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the applicable Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address (or at such other address or in such other manner as may be provided by the Depositary’s applicable procedures).  Each notice for redemption shall identify the Notes (including the CUSIP number) to be redeemed and include statements to substantially the following effect (with such changes therein or additions thereto as the Company in its sole discretion may deem appropriate):

 

(1)                                  the Redemption Date;

 

(2)                                  the redemption price (or, if not then ascertainable at the time, a general statement regarding how the redemption price will be calculated) and that accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes to be redeemed shall be paid to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date (subject to the right of the Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on any Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to such Redemption Date);

 



 

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

 

(4)                                  that the Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price plus accrued interest, if any;

 

(5)                                  if less than all the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the identification and principal amounts of the particular Notes to be redeemed and stating that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of that Note, the Holder will receive, without charge, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for the principal amount of the Note remaining unredeemed (or, in the case of Global Notes, appropriate adjustments of the principal amount of a Global Note will be made, as applicable);

 

(6)                                  that, on and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption as long as the Company has deposited with a Paying Agent, on or before the applicable Redemption Date, funds in an amount sufficient to pay the redemption price of the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on such Redemption Date and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on any Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to such Redemption Date), and the only remaining right of the Holders of the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption will be to receive payment of the redemption price and such accrued and unpaid interest, if any, upon surrender of the Notes to be redeemed to the Paying Agent; and

 

(7)                                  any conditions to such redemption as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, and, if such redemption is subject to conditions, the Company may at its option also include a statement to the effect that the Redemption Date may be delayed, on one or more occasions and in the Company’s sole discretion, either (at the Company’s option) to a date specified by the Company in such notice or in a subsequent notice to Holders (subject, if the Company shall so elect, to the satisfaction of any or all such conditions or the Company’s written waiver of any such conditions that are not satisfied) or until such time as any or all such conditions have been satisfied or waived by the Company in writing, and that, if any such condition shall not have been satisfied as and when required (as determined by the Company in its sole discretion and taking into account any election by the Company to delay such Redemption Date), then (unless the Company shall have waived in writing any such conditions that are not satisfied), the Company shall have no obligation to redeem the Notes called for redemption on such Redemption Date (as the same may have been delayed by the Company as aforesaid) and may cancel such proposed redemption and rescind such notice of redemption, or any other statement that the Company in its sole discretion may deem necessary or advisable concerning matters described in Section 3.05 or to implement any provision of Section 3.05.

 

At the Company’s written request (which shall specify the date and, at the option of the Company, the time at which the notice of redemption shall be given), the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense unless the Company shall have revoked such notice of redemption as provided in Section 3.01.  In such event, the Company shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this Section 3.03 at least five days prior to the Trustee giving the notice of redemption, unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period.

 

The notice, if mailed (or otherwise transmitted) in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice.  In any case, failure to give such notice by mail (or to transmit such notice in accordance with the Depositary’s applicable procedures) or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note d esignated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note.

 

SECTION 3.04                                  Effect of Notice of Redemption .

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed (or otherwise transmitted) in accordance with Section 3.03 and all conditions (if any) to such redemption are satisfied as and when required (as determined by the Company in its sole

 



 

discretion and taking into account any election by the Company to delay the applicable Redemption Date as provided in Section 3.05) or the Company waives in writing any such conditions that are not satisfied, (i) Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date (or, if the Company has delayed such Redemption Date, the applicable delayed Redemption Date (as defined in Section 3.05), as the case may be) and at the applicable redemption price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date (or delayed Redemption Date, as applicable) (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on any Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to such Redemption Date), (ii) upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes or portions thereof called for redemption shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date (or, if the Company has delayed such Redemption Date, to, but excluding, the applicable delayed Redemption Date, as the case may be), except that the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to such Redemption Date (or delayed Redemption Date, as the case may be) shall be paid to the Persons who were the Holders of record at the close of business on the applicable Record Date, and (iii) on and after the applicable Redemption Date (or, if the Company has delayed such Redemption Date, the applicable delayed Redemption Date, as the case may be) interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

SECTION 3.05                                  Conditions to Redemption .

 

(a)                                  Any redemption of the Notes may, in the Company’s sole discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, which shall be described in the related notice of redemption to Holders of Notes, which conditions may include, without limitation, completion of one or more equity offerings or other securities offerings or other financings, transactions or events.  If such redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice to Holders of Notes may (at the option of the Company) include a statement to the effect that the Redemption Date may be delayed, on one or more occasions and in the Company’s sole discretion, either (at the Company’s option) to a date specified by the Company in such notice or in a subsequent notice to such Holders (subject, if the Company shall so elect, to satisfaction of any or all such conditions or the Company’s written waiver of any such conditions that are not satisfied) or until such time as any or all of such conditions have been satisfied or waived by the Company in writing, and that, if any such conditions shall not have been satisfied as and when required (as determined by the Company in its sole discretion and taking into account any election by the Company to delay such Redemption Date), then (unless the Company shall have waived in writing any such conditions that are not satisfied), the Company shall have no obligation to redeem the Notes called for redemption on such Redemption Date (as the same may have been delayed by the Company as aforesaid) and may cancel such proposed redemption and rescind any notice of such redemption.  In order to delay any Redemption Date (or to further delay any delayed Redemption Date (as defined below)), the Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee at least two Business Days before such Redemption Date (or such delayed Redemption Date, as the case may be), to the effect that the Company has elected to delay such Redemption Date (or such delayed Redemption Date, as the case may be) and specifying the new Redemption Date (a “ delayed Redemption Date ”) (which may, at the Company’s option, be specified as the date on which any or all conditions to such redemption are satisfied (as determined by the Company in its sole discretion) or waived by the Company), and the Trustee shall provide such notice to each Holder of the Notes that were to be redeemed in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.  The Company may delay any Redemption Date on one or more occasions.

 

(b)                                  If all conditions precedent (if any) to any redemption of the Notes shall not have been satisfied as and when required (as determined by the Company in its sole discretion and taking into account any election by the Company to delay such Redemption Date) or waived by the Company in writing and the Company has not elected to delay (or further delay) the applicable Redemption Date (or the applicable delayed Redemption Date, as the case may be), the Company shall provide written notice to the effect that the Company has elected to cancel such redemption to the Trustee prior to close of business two Business Days prior to such Redemption Date (or such delayed Redemption Date, as the case may be).  Upon the Trustee’s receipt of such notice, the notice of such redemption shall be automatically rescinded and such redemption shall be automatically cancelled and the Company shall have no obligation to redeem the Notes called for redemption.  Promptly after receipt of such notice, the Trustee shall provide such notice to each Holder of the Notes that were to have been redeemed in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.

 



 

SECTION 3.06                                  Deposit of Redemption Price .

 

Prior to or on the Redemption Date, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions specified in the applicable notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.05, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Domestic Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to the Redemption Date (or delayed Redemption Date, as applicable)), on all Notes and portions of Notes to be redeemed on the Redemption Date (or delayed Redemption Date, as applicable), other than Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption that have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

SECTION 3.07                                  Notes Redeemed in Part .

 

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee, upon written request from the Company, shall authenticate and mail or deliver (including by book-entry transfer) to the applicable Holder (at the Company’s expense) a new Note registered in the same name and bearing the same legends, if any, as the Notes surrendered for redemption, equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered (it being understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, no Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel will be required for the Trustee to authenticate and mail or deliver any such new Note).

 

ARTICLE IV

 

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01                                  Payment of Notes .

 

The Company shall pay the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and in this Indenture.  Principal, premium and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds money sufficient to pay the principal, premium and interest due on such date.  Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

The Company shall pay the principal of and premium, if any, on, and may pay interest on, any Certificated Notes at the office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose in the United States of America as required by Section 4.02, upon surrender of such Certificated Notes by the Holders thereof at such office or agency.  Interest on any Certificated Notes may also be paid, at the Company’s option, by check mailed to the addresses of the Holders entitled thereto appearing in the registry books of the Registrar or by wire transfer to accounts in the United States of America specified by such Holders.

 

The Company will pay principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Global Notes registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder of such Global Note.

 

The Company will pay interest on overdue principal of, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on overdue premium, if any, and overdue installments of interest on, the Notes at a per annum rate equal to the interest per annum otherwise borne by the Notes, to, but excluding, the date on which such overdue principal, premium or interest, as the case may be, is considered paid or provided for as provided in the first paragraph of this Section 4.01 or is otherwise paid or provided for.

 

SECTION 4.02                                  Maintenance of Office or Agency .

 

The Company shall maintain in the United States of America the office or agency required under Section 2.04.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency in the United States of America (unless such office or agency is an office of the Trustee).  If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency in the United States of America or

 



 

shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, the presentations, surrenders, notices and demands referred to in Section 2.04 may be made or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in Section 12.02.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind or change such designations, all as further provided in Section 2.04.

 

The Company hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of U.S. Bank National Association in Boston, Massachusetts, which on the date hereof is located at One Federal Street 10 th  Floor, Boston, MA 02110, as such office of the Company in accordance with this Section 4.02 and Section 2.04.

 

SECTION 4.03                                  Compliance Certificate; Notice of Default .

 

(a)                                  The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company (which fiscal year ends on December 31), an Officers’ Certificate signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company and one other Officer of the Company and also signed by two Officers of each Guarantor, if any, stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company and each Guarantor, if any, has complied with all conditions and covenants applicable to it under this Indenture and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to such Officers’ knowledge, the Company and each Guarantor, if any, during such preceding fiscal year has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each such covenant and condition and no Default or Event of Default occurred during such year and at the date of such certificate there is no Default or Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing or, if such signers do know of any such Default or Event of Default, the certificate shall describe such Default or Event of Default and the status thereof.

 

(b)                                  The Company shall deliver to the Trustee promptly, and in any event within 30 days, after any Senior Officer of the Company obtains knowledge of a Default or Event of Default an Officers’ Certificate specifying the Default or Event of Default and describing its status and the action taken or proposed to be taken in respect thereof.

 

SECTION 4.04                                  Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws .

 

To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company and each Guarantor, if any, covenants that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other similar law that would prohibit or forgive the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable, from paying all or any portion of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes or the Guarantee of any such Guarantor, as applicable, as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company and each Guarantor, if any, hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

SECTION 4.05                                  Covenant Suspension .

 

(a)                                  If on any date following the Issue Date, (i) either the Company or the Notes has Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to the “ Covenant Suspension Event ”), then, beginning on the first day following the Covenant Suspension Event, the Debt to Equity Covenant will not be applicable.

 

(b)                                  If, on any subsequent date (the “ Reversion Date ”), one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraw their Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the rating assigned to the Company or the Notes below an Investment Grade Rating, such that neither the Company nor the Notes has Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies, then beginning on the Reversion Date, the Company will thereafter again be subject to the Debt to

 



 

Equity Covenant.  The period of time between the Covenant Suspension Event and the Reversion Date is referred to as the “ Suspension Period .” The Company will provide the Trustee with written notice of each Covenant Suspension Event and each Reversion Date within five Business Days of the occurrence thereof. The Trustee will have no duty to monitor or provide notice to the holders of Notes of any Covenant Suspension Event or Reversion Date.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding that the Debt to Equity Covenant may be reinstated, no Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind shall be deemed to exist under this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees with respect to the Debt to Equity Covenant, and neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries shall bear any liability for any actions taken or events occurring during the Suspension Period, or any actions taken at any time pursuant to any contractual obligation arising prior to the Reversion Date, as a result of a failure to comply with the Debt to Equity Covenant during the Suspension Period (or upon termination of the Suspension Period or after that time based solely on events that occurred during the Suspension Period solely to the extent arising from the failure to comply with the Debt to Equity Covenant during the Suspension Period).

 

SECTION 4.06                                  Change of Control .

 

(a)                                  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder of Notes will have the right (unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem all of the then outstanding Notes pursuant to Section 5 of the Notes by sending (or causing the Trustee to send at the Company’s expense) a notice of redemption) to require that the Company purchase all or a portion of such Holder’s Notes pursuant to the offer described below (a “ Change of Control Offer ”) at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the applicable Change of Control Payment Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on any Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date) (the “ Change of Control Purchase Price ”).

 

(b)                                  Within 30 days following the date upon which the Change of Control shall have occurred, the Company must (unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem all of the Notes pursuant to Section 5 of the Notes by sending (or causing the Trustee to send at the Company’s expense) a notice of redemption) send, by first class mail, a notice to each Holder of Notes (or, in the case of Global Notes, send such notice in accordance with the applicable procedures, if any, of the Depositary), with a copy to the Trustee, which notice shall govern the terms of the Change of Control Offer.  Such notice shall state:

 

(1)                                  that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Indenture and that all Notes that are validly tendered and not withdrawn will be accepted for payment;

 

(2)                                  the Change of Control Purchase Price and the purchase date, which must be a Business Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (or otherwise transmitted), other than as may be required by law (the “ Change of Control Payment Date ”) ;

 

(3)                                  that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest;

 

(4)                                  that any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest on and after the Change of Control Payment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Change of Control Purchase Price of the Notes) and the only remaining right of the Holder will be to receive payment of the Change of Control Purchase Price upon surrender of the applicable Note to the Paying Agent;

 

(5)                                  that Holders electing to have a portion of a Note purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer may only elect to have such Note purchased in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; provided that the remaining principal amount of any such Note surrendered for repurchase in part shall be $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

(6)                                  that if a Holder elects to have a Note purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer it will be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of or attached to the Note duly completed, to the Person and at the address specified in the notice

 



 

(or, in the case of Global Notes, to surrender the Note and provide the information required by such form in accordance with the applicable procedures, if any, of the Depositary) prior to the close of business on the third Business Day prior to the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

(7)                                  that a Holder will be entitled to withdraw its election if the Company receives, not later than the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Notes such Holder delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Notes purchased; and

 

(8)                                  that if any Note is purchased only in part a new Note will be issued in principal amount equal to the unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.

 

(c)                                   On or before the Change of Control Payment Date for the Notes, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

 

(1)                                  accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes (in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Change of Control Offer; provided that if, following repurchase of a portion of a Note, the remaining principal amount thereof would be less than $2,000, then the portion of such Note so repurchased shall be reduced so that the remaining principal amount of such Note outstanding immediately after such repurchase is $2,000;

 

(2)                                  deposit with a Paying Agent an amount equal to the payment due in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered and not withdrawn;

 

(3)                                  deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes so accepted for payment; and

 

(4)                                  deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

(d)                                  The Company, the depositary, if any, appointed by the Company for such Change of Control Offer or a Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly mail or deliver (or, in the case of Global Notes, deliver in accordance with the applicable procedures, if any, of the Depositary) to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the Change of Control Purchase Price of the Notes validly tendered by such Holder and not withdrawn and accepted by the Company for purchase.  Further, the Company shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Company, shall authenticate and mail or deliver (including by book-entry transfer) such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note accepted for payment (it being understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, no Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel will be required for the Trustee to authenticate and mail or deliver any such new Note).  Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered (including by book-entry transfer) by the Company or the Trustee to the Holder thereof.

 

(e)                                   Interest on Notes (or portions thereof) validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue on and after the applicable Change of Control Payment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Change of Control Purchase Price of the Notes).

 

(f)                                    If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after a Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date for the Notes, any accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to, but excluding, the Change of Control Payment Date will be paid to the Persons in whose names the applicable Notes are registered at the close of business on the applicable Record Date.

 

(g)                                   The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer for the Notes upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture that are applicable to a Change of Control Offer made

 



 

by the Company and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.  Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control conditioned upon the occurrence of such a Change of Control, if a definitive agreement regarding such Change of Control is in effect at the time of making the Change of Control Offer.

 

(h)                                  The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer.  To the extent that any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture relating to a Change of Control Offer, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under such provisions of this Indenture by virtue thereof.

 

(i)                                      The provisions of this Indenture relating to the Company’s obligation to make an offer to repurchase the Notes as a result of a Change of Control (including the definitions relating thereto) and the terms of any such offer may, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9.02, be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

 

SECTION 4.07                                  Limitation on Liens .

 

(a)                                  The Company will not, and will not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) on any Secured Notes First Priority Collateral.

 

(b)                                  The Company will not, and will not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any of its assets other than the Collateral to secure Credit Facility Obligations or Other Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations.

 

(c)                                   The Company will not, and will not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create, incur or suffer to exist any Liens on any Financing Subsidiary Capital Stock to secure Indebtedness other than Indebtedness of a Financing Subsidiary except for any Liens under the Security Documents.

 

SECTION 4.08                                  Maintenance Covenants .

 

The Company will maintain:

 

(a)                                  at all times, a Secured Notes First Priority Collateral Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.50 to 1.00; provided that the Company shall not be deemed to have failed to have complied with this covenant until the Notes Priority Collateral Coverage Ratio has been less than 1.50 to 1.00 for a period of 30 consecutive Business Days (such 30 Business Day period, the “ Compliance Grace Period ”); and

 

(b)                                  a Debt to Equity Ratio less than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00 (the “ Debt to Equity Covenant ”).

 

The Debt to Equity Ratio shall be tested at the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Company.

 

Notes Priority Collateral Coverage Ratio ” means the ratio, determined on a consolidated basis, without duplication, in accordance with GAAP, of (a) the sum of the Value of the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral, to (b) the Covered Debt Amount.

 

Covered Debt Amount ” means the sum of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Notes plus the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Other Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations.

 

Debt to Equity Ratio ” means the ratio, determined on a consolidated basis, without duplication, in accordance with GAAP, of (a) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries, to (b) the value of Total Assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, less all liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 



 

Value ” means the value of the applicable portfolio investments determined by the Company in a manner consistent with the Company’s valuation policy (it being understood that, on any date for which a valuation has not been approved by the Company’s board of trustees, “Value” shall be based on the carrying value as set forth in the Company’s accounting records); provided that (i) the “Value” of portfolio investments for which market quotations are not readily available shall be based on third-party valuations performed at least once per quarter in a manner substantially consistent with the Company’s policies in effect on the Issue Date, (ii)  the “Value” of that portion of common stock included in the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral that would otherwise cause the aggregate Value of all common  stock included in the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral to exceed 20% of the aggregate Value (after giving effect to this proviso) of all Secured Notes First Priority Collateral shall be deemed to be $0 and (iii)  the “Value” of that portion of preferred stock included in the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral that, when aggregated with the aggregate Value of all other common stock and preferred stock  included in the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral, would otherwise cause the Value of all common stock and preferred stock included in the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral to exceed 33% of the aggregate Value (after giving effect to this proviso) of all Secured Notes First Priority Collateral shall be deemed to be $0..

 

SECTION 4.09                                  Reports to Holders .

 

(a)                                  whether or not required by the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Holders and beneficial owners of Notes, or file electronically with the SEC through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (or any successor system), within the time periods that would be applicable to the Company if it were subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act:

 

(1)                                  all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file these forms (excluding information required by Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X or any successor provisions thereof), including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Company’s certified independent accountants; and

 

(2)                                  all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file these reports.

 

(b)                                  No later than the date of any required filing of quarterly or annual financial information pursuant to clause (1) of Section 4.09(a)  (unless such information is otherwise included in such quarterly or financial information), the Company shall also either:

 

(1)                                  file (or furnish) electronically with the SEC through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (or any successor system), within the time periods that would be applicable to the Company if it were subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or

 

(2)                                  make available on a website (which may be password protected) that is available to beneficial owners of the Notes, potential investors in the Notes and securities analysts upon request, a calculation of the Notes Priority Collateral Coverage Ratio as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter covered by the relevant quarterly or annual financial report and a list of the portfolio investments included in the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral and the Value (without regard to the proviso to the definition of “Value”) thereof as of the last day of such most recent fiscal quarter.

 

(c)                                   In addition, whether or not required by the SEC, the Company will file a copy of all of the information and reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) of Section 4.09(a) with the SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations (unless the SEC will not accept the filing) and make the information available to securities analysts and prospective investors upon request. The Company and the Guarantors will also agree that, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 



 

(d)                                  If any financial report or other information required by this Section 4.09 (or any other document referred to in Section 4.09(c) above) is not filed, mailed, posted, transmitted or otherwise furnished within the applicable time period specified above and such financial report or other information (or other document) is subsequently mailed, filed, posted, transmitted or otherwise furnished, the Company will be deemed to have satisfied its obligations under this Section 4.09 with respect to such financial report or other information (or other document), as the case may be, and any Default or Event of Default with respect thereto or resulting therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured and any acceleration of the Notes resulting therefrom shall be deemed to have been rescinded so long as such rescission would not conflict with any applicable judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

If delivered to the Trustee, such delivery of any such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the same shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder.

 

SECTION 4.10                                  Future Guarantees .

 

The Company will cause any Domestic Subsidiary that provides a Guarantee of any Credit Facility Obligations or any Other Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations, to execute and deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after such other guarantee is provided, a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Domestic Subsidiary will unconditionally guarantee the payment of the Notes, jointly and severally with all other Guarantors of the Notes and will grant liens on any assets of such Subsidiary pursuant to the Security Documents to secure the Secured Notes Obligations to the extent such assets secure any Credit Agreement Obligations, any Other Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations or any Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations.

 

SECTION 4.11                                  Compliance with Investment Company Act .

 

So long as the Notes are outstanding,

 

(a)                                  the Company will not violate, whether or not it is subject to, Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provisions thereto of the Investment Company Act, as such obligation may be amended or superseded but giving effect to any exemptive relief that may be granted to the Company by the SEC; and

 

(b)                                  the Company will not declare any dividend (except a dividend payable in the Company’s Capital Stock), or declare any other distribution, upon a class of the Company’s Capital Stock, or purchase any such Capital Stock, unless, in every such case, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution, or at the time of any such purchase, the Company has an asset coverage (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of at least the threshold specified in Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Section 61(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act or any successor provisions thereto of the Investment Company Act, as such obligation may be amended or superseded (regardless of whether we are subject thereto), after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and giving effect, in each case, (i) to any exemptive relief granted to the Company by the SEC and (ii) to any no-action relief granted by the SEC to another Business Development Company (as defined in the Investment Company Act) (or to us if we determine to seek such similar no-action or other relief) permitting the Business Development Company (as defined in the Investment Company Act) to declare any cash dividend or distribution notwithstanding the prohibition contained in Section 18(a) (1)(B) as modified by Section 61(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act, as such obligation may be amended or superseded, in order to maintain such Business Development Company’s (as defined in the Investment Company Act) status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code.

 



 

ARTICLE V

 

MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION

 

SECTION 5.01                                  Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets .

 

(a)                                  The Company will not, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, consolidate or merge with or into any Person, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Company’s properties and assets determined on a consolidated basis (other than sales, assignments, transfers, leases, conveyances or other dispositions of securities or assets, in each case in the ordinary course of business) to any Person, unless:

 

(1)                                  either

 

(A)                                the Company shall be the surviving or continuing Person; or

 

(B)                                the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition all or substantially all of the Company’s properties and assets (the “ Surviving Entity ”):

 

(i)                                      shall be an entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia; and

 

(ii)                                   shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on all of the Notes and the performance of every covenant in the Notes and this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

 

(2)                                  immediately after giving effect to such transaction and, if applicable, the assumption contemplated by Section 5.01(a)(1)(B)(ii) above (including giving pro forma effect to any Indebtedness and Acquired Indebtedness incurred and any repayment, repurchase, defeasance, redemption or other discharge of Indebtedness by the Company or the Surviving Entity, as the case may be, or any of their respective Subsidiaries in connection with such transaction), the Company or such Surviving Entity, as the case may be, is in Pro Forma Covenant Compliance;

 

(3)                                  immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Company or the Surviving Entity, as the case may be, or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Company or the Surviving Entity, as the case may be, or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, and any Indebtedness to be repaid, repurchased, defeased, redeemed or otherwise discharged by the Company or the Surviving Entity or any of their respective Subsidiaries in connection with such transaction as having been repaid, repurchased, defeased, redeemed or otherwise discharged at the time of such transaction), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(4)                                  if the Surviving Entity is not the Company, each Guarantor (unless it is the Surviving Entity, in which case Section 5.01(a)(1)(B) above shall apply) shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Guarantee of the Notes shall apply to such Surviving Entity’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; and

 

(5)                                  the Company or the Surviving Entity shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, limitations and exceptions), each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 



 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.01(a), any Subsidiary of the Company may merge or consolidate with or into or transfer all or any part of its properties and assets to the Company or the Surviving Entity or any other Subsidiary of the Company or the Surviving Entity and Section 5.01(a) and, except in the case of a merger or consolidation with or into the Company or the Surviving Entity, Section 5.01(e), shall not apply to any such transaction.

 

(c)                                   For purposes of the foregoing, the sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company (other than sales, assignments, transfers, leases, conveyances or other dispositions of securities or assets, in each case in the ordinary course of business), the Capital Stock of which constitutes all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company.

 

(d)                                  Upon any consolidation or merger or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company in accordance with the foregoing in which the Company is not the surviving or continuing entity, as the case may be, the Surviving Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture and the Notes with the same effect as if such Surviving Entity had been named as the “Company” herein and therein, and the Company shall be released from all of its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; provided that, in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company, the Company will not be released from its obligation to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes.

 

(e)                                   If the Surviving Entity in any transaction described in, and made in compliance with, this Section 5.01 shall be a Guarantor of the Notes, or if a Guarantor shall merge or consolidate with or into the Company or the Surviving Entity, as the case may be, in any transaction described in, and made in compliance with this Section 5.01, such Guarantor’s Guarantee of the Notes will automatically terminate and be released and such Guarantor will automatically be released from all of its obligations under its Guarantee of the Notes and all of its obligations as a Guarantor under this Indenture contemporaneously with such transaction.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01                                  Events of Default .  Each of the following events shall be an “ Event of Default ”:

 

(1)                                  the failure to pay interest on any of the outstanding Notes when the same becomes due and payable and the default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

(2)                                  the failure to pay the principal of and premium, if any, on any of the outstanding Notes when such principal becomes due and payable, at maturity, upon redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

 

(3)                                  failure by the Company or any Guarantor to comply with any of its other covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture (other than covenants or agreements a default in whose performance would constitute an Event of Default under clause (1) or (2) above) and such default continues for a period of 60 days after the Company receives written notice (with a copy to the Trustee if given by Holders) specifying the default (and demanding that such default be remedied) from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes (except in the case of a default with respect to (i) Section 5.01, which will constitute an Event of Default when the Company receives the written notice specified in this clause (3) (with a copy to the Trustee if given by Holders) but without any requirement that such default continue for 60 days) and (ii) the Notes Priority Collateral Coverage Ratio described under Section 4.08, which will constitute an Event of Default when such default continues for a period of 30 days after the Company receives written notice (with a copy to the Trustee if given by Holders) specifying the default (and demanding that such default be remedied) from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% of

 



 

the outstanding principal amount of the Notes and, in the case of this clause (ii), which notice may not be delivered prior to the end of the applicable Compliance Grace Period);

 

(4)                                  the failure to pay at final stated maturity (giving effect to any applicable grace periods and any extensions thereof) the principal amount of any Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than non-recourse Indebtedness) of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company and such payment shall not have been made, waived or extended within 30 days after such final stated maturity (giving effect to any applicable grace periods and any extensions thereof) (a “ Payment Default ”) , or the acceleration of the final stated maturity of any Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than non-recourse Indebtedness) of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company and such acceleration shall not have been rescinded, annulled, waived or otherwise cured within 30 days after receipt by the Company or such Subsidiary of the Company of written notice of any such acceleration (an “ Acceleration ”) , if the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the aggregate principal amount of any other Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company as to which a Payment Default or an Acceleration shall have occurred and shall be continuing, aggregates $50.0 million or more at any time;

 

(5)                                  (a) the Company or a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(i)                                 commences a voluntary case or proceeding;

 

(ii)                                 consents to the entry of judgment, decree or order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding;

 

(iii)                                  consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property;

 

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

 

(v)                                consents to or acquiesces in the institution of a bankruptcy or an insolvency proceeding against it; or

 

(vi)                                takes any corporate action to authorize or effect any of the foregoing; or

 

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

 

(i)                                 is for relief in an involuntary case against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(ii)                                 appoints a Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law; or

 

(iii)                                  orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law;

 

and in the case of each of (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph (b), such order, decree or relief remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;

 

(6)                                  any Guarantee of the Notes by a Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company ceases (or the Guarantees of the Notes by a group of Guarantors that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company cease) to be in full force and effect for a period of 30 days, or a Guarantor of the Notes that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company (or a group of Guarantors of the Notes that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company) denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Guarantee (or their obligations under their Guarantees, as the case may be) of the Notes unless

 



 

such denial or disaffirmation, as applicable, is rescinded, canceled or terminated within 30 days, in each case other than by reason of the release, termination or discharge of any such Guarantees or Guarantors in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or as a result of the discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Section 8.01 or as a result of Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 8.02;

 

(7)                                  the occurrence of any of the following:  (a) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Security Document ceases for any reason to be fully enforceable, in each case, on any material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby; (b) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Lien purported to be granted under any Security Document on any material portion of the Collateral, individually or in the aggregate, ceases to be a valid, enforceable and perfected Lien with the priority required by the Security Documents; or (c) the Company or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any of them, denies or disaffirms, in any pleading in any court of competent jurisdiction, any material obligation of the Company or any Guarantor set forth in or arising under any Security Document and in the case of clauses (a) and (b) hereof, such failure or such assertion shall be continued uncured or rescinded for a period of 30 days; or

 

(8)                                  one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $50.0 million (net of any amounts which are covered by enforceable insurance policies) shall be rendered against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any combination thereof and (i) the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 60 consecutive days following the entry of such judgment during which 60 day period such judgment shall not have been vacated, stayed, discharged or bonded pending appeal, or liability for such judgment amount shall not have been admitted by an insurer of reputable standing, or (ii) any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to enforce any such judgment.

 

SECTION 6.02                                  Acceleration .

 

If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (5) of the first paragraph of Section 6.01 with respect to the Company) shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes may, and the Trustee at the request of such Holders shall, declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the outstanding Notes to be due and payable by notice in writing to the Company and (if the notice is given by Holders) to the Trustee specifying the Event of Default and that it is a “notice of acceleration,” and, upon such a declaration, such principal and accrued and unpaid interest shall become immediately due and payable.  If an Event of Default specified in clause (5) of the first paragraph of Section 6.01 with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, then all unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all of the outstanding Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

 

At any time after any such acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee and the Company may rescind and cancel any such acceleration and its consequences if (i) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, (ii) all existing Events of Default, other than nonpayment of principal of or interest on the Notes that have become due solely because of the acceleration, have been cured or waived, (iii) to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, in each case which have become due otherwise than by such acceleration, at the per annum rate specified in the last paragraph of Section 4.01, has been paid; and (iv) the Company has paid the Trustee its reasonable compensation and reimbursed the Trustee for its reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances in connection with such acceleration and rescission.

 

In the event of acceleration of the Notes because an Event of Default specified in clause (4) of the first paragraph of Section 6.01 has occurred and is continuing, the acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded and cancelled if (a) within 60 days after such acceleration of the Notes as a result of such Event of Default, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company as to which a Payment Default or an Acceleration shall have occurred and shall be continuing shall be less than $50.0 million, whether as a result of any such Payment Default or Payment Defaults or Acceleration or Accelerations, as the case may be, having been remedied or cured or waived by the holders of the relevant Indebtedness, the relevant Indebtedness having been repaid, redeemed, defeased or otherwise discharged, or otherwise, (b) the rescission

 



 

would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (c) all existing Events of Default, other than nonpayment of the principal, premium or interest on the Notes that shall have become due solely because of the acceleration, have been cured or waived.

 

No rescission of acceleration of the Notes pursuant to this Section 6.02 shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

SECTION 6.03                                  Other Remedies .

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture and may take any necessary action requested by the Holders of a majority of the principal amount outstanding of the Notes to settle, compromise, adjust or otherwise conclude any proceedings to which it is a party.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, a delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default, no remedy is exclusive of any other remedy and all available remedies are cumulative.

 

SECTION 6.04                                  Waiver of Past Defaults .

 

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may waive, by their consent (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes), any Default or Event of Default and its consequences except a continuing default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes held by any non-consenting Holder (excluding a default in payment resulting from an acceleration that has been or is being waived or rescinded or that has been cured).  Upon any such waiver, such Default or Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

SECTION 6.05                                  Control by Majority .

 

Subject to Section 7.02(g) and the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee or the Collateral Agent under this Indenture.  Subject to Section 7.01, however, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee or the Collateral Agent determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to the other Holders) or would involve the Trustee or the Collateral Agent in personal liability; provided , however, that the Trustee or the Collateral Agent may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent that is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

SECTION 6.06                                  Limitation on Suits .

 

Subject to Section 6.07, a Holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes or any Guarantees, unless:

 

(1)                                  such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;

 



 

(2)                                  the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding shall have made a written request, and such Holder or Holders shall have offered security and/or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee to pursue a remedy or against any cost, liability or expense; and

 

(3)                                  the Trustee has failed to comply with such request and has not received from the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request within 60 days after such notice, request and offer of security and/or indemnity.

 

SECTION 6.07                                  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment .

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes held by such Holder on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in the Notes, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

SECTION 6.08                                  Collection Suit by Trustee.

 

If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of the first paragraph of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of unpaid principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest remaining unpaid (together with interest on any overdue interest (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the rate per annum specified in the last paragraph of Section 4.01) and such further amounts as shall be sufficient to cover the reasonable costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

SECTION 6.09                                  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .

 

The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relating to the Company, its creditors or its property and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders (it being understood it shall be under no obligation to do so), to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.  Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to, or accept or adopt, on behalf of any Holder, any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 6.10                                  Priorities .

 

If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

 

FIRST:  pro rata to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07 and to the Collateral Agent for amounts due under the Security Documents or hereunder;

 

SECOND:  to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal.  premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest; and

 

THIRD:  to the Company.

 

The Trustee, upon prior notice to the Company, may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.  Promptly after any record date or payment date is set pursuant to this Section

 



 

6.10, the Trustee shall cause notice of such record date or payment date or both, as the case may be, to be given to the Company and each Holder in the manner set forth in Section 12.02.

 

SECTION 6.11                                  Undertaking for Costs .

 

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.  This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

 

SECTION 6.12               Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

 

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01                                  Duties of Trustee .

 

(a)                                  If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

(b)                                  Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(1)                                  the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2)                                  in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture.  However, in the case of certificates or opinions specifically required by any provision hereof to be furnished to it, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations stated therein).

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(1)                                  This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01.

 

(2)                                  The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

 

(3)                                  The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.

 



 

(d)                                  Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.

 

(e)                                   The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.

 

(f)                                    Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(g)                                   No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or to take or omit to take any action under this Indenture or take any action at the request or direction of Holders if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds is not assured to it.

 

(h)                                  The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of a Default or an Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice thereof from the Company or any Holder and such notice references the Notes, the Company and this Indenture.

 

SECTION 7.02                                  Rights of Trustee .

 

Subject to Section 7.01:

 

(a)                                  The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person.  The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(b)                                  Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel.  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

 

(c)                                   The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

 

(d)                                  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it reasonably believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided , however , that, subject to paragraph (b) of Section 7.01, the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.

 

(e)                                   The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Notes shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

 

(f)                                    The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty unless so specified herein.

 

(g)                                   The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of the Notes, unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee security and/or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

(h)                                  The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate (including any Officers’ Certificate), statement, instrument, opinion (including any Opinion of Counsel), notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, or other paper or document, but the Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

 



 

(i)                                      The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

(j)                                     In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

(k)                                  The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

 

(l)                                      The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

 

(m)                              The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

 

SECTION 7.03                                  Individual Rights of Trustee .

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  Any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar may do the same with like rights.  However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

SECTION 7.04                                  Trustee’s Disclaimer .

 

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity, priority or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Notes or any statement in the Notes other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication.

 

SECTION 7.05                                  Notice of Defaults .

 

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives written notice of such Default or Event of Default, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after written notice of it is received by the Trustee.  Except in the case of an Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as its Board of Directors or a committee thereof or a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders.

 

SECTION 7.06                                  [Reserved] .

 

SECTION 7.07                                  Compensation and Indemnity .

 

The Company and the Guarantors shall, jointly and severally, pay to the Trustee from time to time such reasonable compensation as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing for the Trustee’s services hereunder.  The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust.  The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services, except any such expenses as shall have been caused by the Trustee’s own negligence,

 



 

fraud or willful misconduct.  Such expenses shall include the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the Trustee’s agents, counsel and accountants.  The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder.  The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim of which a Responsible Officer has received notice or of which a Responsible Officer has otherwise become aware for which the Trustee or any Trustee Party (as defined below) may seek indemnity, provided , that, failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company and/or the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder.  The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate and shall cause all Trustee Parties to cooperate in the defense.  The Trustee and all Trustee Parties may have one firm of separate counsel selected by the Trustee in connection with the defense of such claim and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of such counsel; provided , however , that the Company will not be required to pay such fees and expenses if, subject to the approval of the Trustee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), it assumes the Trustee’s defense and there is no conflict of interest between the Company, on the one hand, and the Trustee and any Trustee Parties subject to the claim, on the other hand, in connection with such defense as reasonably determined by the Trustee or there may be legal defenses available to the Trustee and the Trustee Parties subject to the claim, on the one hand, which are different from or additional to those available to the Company, on the other hand, in connection with such defense as reasonably determined by the Trustee.  The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, damage, claim, liability or expense caused by or resulting from the willful misconduct, fraud or negligence of the Trustee or a Trustee Party.  The Company need not pay for any settlement made by the Trustee or any Trustee Party without the Company’s written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.  Any settlement which affects the Trustee may not be entered into without the written consent of the Trustee, unless the Trustee is given a full and unconditional release from liability with respect to the claims covered thereby and such settlement does not include a statement or admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of the Trustee.  All indemnifications and releases from liability granted hereunder to the Trustee shall extend to its officers, directors, employees, agents and successors (collectively, “ Trustee Parties ”).

 

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture, other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, or other amounts payable to Holders under, the Notes or the Guarantees.

 

The Company’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section 7.07 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the discharge or termination of this Indenture.  Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in clause (5) of the first paragraph of Section 6.01 with respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under applicable Insolvency Law.

 

SECTION 7.08                                  Replacement of Trustee .

 

The Trustee may resign at any time by giving 30 days prior written notice of such resignation to the Company.  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may, upon 30 days prior written notice to the Company and the Trustee, remove the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee; provided that so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall have the right to consent to the successor Trustee, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.  The Company may remove the Trustee if:

 

(1)                                  the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

(2)                                  the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

 

(3)                                  a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(4)                                  the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 



 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall notify each Holder of such event and shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.  Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer, after payment of all sums then owing to the retiring Trustee pursuant to Section 7.07, all money and property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided in Section 7.07, whereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture.  The successor Trustee shall cause to be delivered a notice of its succession to all Holders.

 

Anything in this Section 7.08 to the contrary notwithstanding but subject to the provisions of Section 7.09, no resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08 shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08.

 

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the expense of the Company), the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.09                                  Successor Trustee by Merger .

 

If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business to, another corporation or bank, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or bank, without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided that such corporation or bank shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article 7.

 

In case at the time such successor or successors (by merger, conversion, transfer of all or substantially all of its corporate trust business or consolidation) to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any such successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the same full force and effect as if they had been authenticated by the predecessor Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.10                                  Eligibility; Disqualification .

 

The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5).  The Trustee shall have (or, in the case of a corporation included in a bank holding company system, the related bank holding company shall have) a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its (or its related bank holding company’s) most recent published annual report of condition.  In addition, if the Trustee is a corporation or bank included in a bank holding company system, the Trustee, independently of the bank holding company, shall meet the capital requirements of TIA § 310(a)(2).  The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b), subject to the penultimate paragraph thereof; provided , however , that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA § 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other

 



 

securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA § 310(b)(1) are met.

 

SECTION 7.11                                  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company .

 

The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 311(a)(1) and 310(a)(5), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated.

 

SECTION 7.12                                  Security Documents; Collateral Agency Agreement .

 

By their acceptance of the Notes, the Holders hereby authorize and direct the Trustee and Collateral Agent, as the case may be, to execute and deliver the Collateral Agency Agreement and any other Security Document in which the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, is named as a party, including any Security Documents executed after the Issue Date.  It is hereby expressly acknowledged and agreed that, in doing so, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent are (a) expressly authorized to make the representations attributed to Holders in any such agreements and (b) not responsible for the terms or contents of such agreements, or for the validity or enforceability thereof, or the sufficiency thereof for any purpose.  Whether or not so expressly stated therein, in entering into, or taking (or forbearing from) any action under, the Collateral Agency Agreement or any other Security Documents, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent each shall have all of the rights, immunities, indemnities and other protections granted to it under this Indenture (in addition to those that may be granted to it under the terms of such other agreement or agreements).

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 8.01                                  Discharge of Liability on Notes .

 

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer as expressly provided for in this Indenture and except for the Trustee’s right to reimbursement of fees and expenses and indemnification as expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes, and all of the Guarantees, if any, of the Notes shall be discharged, terminated and released, when:

 

(1)                                  either

 

(a)                                  all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(b)                                  all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by giving of a notice of redemption, upon stated maturity or otherwise, will become due and payable within one year (upon stated maturity or otherwise), or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee cash in such amount as will be sufficient, U.S. Government Obligations the scheduled payments of principal of and interest on which will be sufficient (without any reinvestment of such interest), or a combination thereof in such amounts as will be sufficient, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Notes to the date of maturity or redemption, as the case may be, together with irrevocable instructions from the Company directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption;

 



 

(2)                                  the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by the Company under this Indenture; and

 

(3)                                  the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, exceptions and limitations) stating that all conditions precedent under this Section 8.01 relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph, the provisions of Sections 8.04, 8.05, 8.06, 8.07 and 12.08 and, if the outstanding Notes have been or are to be called for redemption, Article 3 shall survive until the Notes have been cancelled or are no longer outstanding.

 

After such delivery or irrevocable deposit, the Trustee upon request shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the discharge of this Indenture and the Company’s obligations under the Notes and this Indenture and, if applicable, the obligations of all Guarantors under the Guarantees and this Indenture, except for those surviving obligations specified above.

 

SECTION 8.02                                  Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance .

 

(a)                                  The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02(b) or (c) be applied to the Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 8.03.

 

(b)                                  Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.02(a) of the option under this Section 8.02(b), the Company and the Guarantors, if any, shall be discharged from all of their obligations under the Notes, the Guarantees, if any, and this Indenture (“ Legal Defeasance ”) on the date that the applicable conditions set forth in Section 8.03 shall have been satisfied, and on or after that date any omission to comply with any such obligations shall no longer constitute a Default or Event of Default.  Such Legal Defeasance shall mean that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (which shall thereafter be deemed to be outstanding only for purposes of the provisions of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) through (4) below), the Guarantors, if any, shall be released from all of their obligations under this Indenture and their Guarantees of the Notes, and the Company shall be released from all of its other obligations under this Indenture and the Notes, except that the following provisions of this Indenture shall survive:

 

(1)                                  the rights of Holders to receive, solely from the trust fund described in clause (1) of the first paragraph of Section 8.03, payments in respect of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when such payments are due;

 

(2)                                  the Company’s obligations with respect to the Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payments on the Notes;

 

(3)                                  the rights, powers, trust, duties and immunities of the Trustee and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith; and

 

(4)                                  the provisions of this Section 8.02, Sections 8.04, 8.05, 8.06, 8.07 and 12.08 and, if the outstanding Notes have been or are to be called for redemption, Article 3.

 

On and after the date of Legal Defeasance, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default and, upon such Legal Defeasance, the Guarantees, if any, of the Notes and all obligations of the Guarantors under this Indenture and the Guarantees shall automatically terminate.

 

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02(b) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.01(c).

 



 

(c)                                   Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.02(a) of the option under this Section 8.02(c), the Company and the Guarantors, if any, shall be released and discharged from all of their covenants and agreements under Sections 4.06 through 4.10, inclusive, and clauses (2) and (4) of Section 5.01(a) on the date that the applicable conditions set forth in Section 8.03 shall have been satisfied (“ Covenant Defeasance ”), and on or after that date the foregoing covenants and agreements shall no longer apply, and the Notes shall be deemed not to be outstanding for purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with any such covenants or agreements, but shall continue to be deemed outstanding for all other purposes hereunder, and the Company and the Guarantors, if any, may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition, obligation or limitation set forth in any of the Sections, clauses and other provisions set forth above in this Section 8.02(c), whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section, clause or other provision or by reason of any reference in any such Section, clause or other provision to any other Section, clause or provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply with any covenant or agreement set forth in any such Section, clause or other provision shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under this Indenture.  On and after the date that Covenant Defeasance occurs, (x) the Events of Default described in clauses (1) and (2) (solely insofar as such clauses relate to any failure to pay amounts due in connection with a Change of Control Offer), clause (3) (solely insofar as it relates to the covenants and agreements as to which Covenant Defeasance has occurred), clause (4), clause (5) (except with respect to Company) and clause (6) of the first paragraph of Section 6.01 will no longer constitute Events of Default or otherwise apply, (y) the Guarantors, if any, of the Notes shall be automatically released from all of their obligations under their Guarantees of the Notes and this Indenture and such Guarantees will be automatically released, terminated and discharged and (z) all Liens securing the Secured Notes Obligations under the Security Documents shall be automatically be released.

 

(d)                                  Subject to compliance with Section 8.02(b) or (c), the Trustee, upon request shall execute proper instruments acknowledging such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance and the release, termination and/or discharge of the instruments, agreements and other provisions referred to in such Section 8.02(b) or (c), as applicable.

 

SECTION 8.03                                  Conditions to Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance .

 

The following shall be the conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

 

(1)                                  the Company shall have irrevocably deposited with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes cash in U.S. Legal Tender in such amount as will be sufficient, U.S. Government Obligations the scheduled payments of principal of and interest on which will be sufficient (without any reinvestment of such interest), or a combination thereof in such amounts as will be sufficient, as confirmed, certified or attested by an independent financial advisor of recognized standing selected by the Company in writing to the Trustee, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the stated maturity date thereof or any earlier Redemption Date;

 

(2)                                  in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, exceptions and limitations) confirming that:

 

(a)                                  the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

 

(b)                                  since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law;

 

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 



 

(3)                                  in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, exceptions and limitations) confirming that the Holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(4)                                  no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit pursuant to clause (1) of this Section 8.03 (other than a Default and Event of Default resulting from borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar or substantially contemporaneous transactions and, in each case, the granting of any Liens in connection therewith);

 

(5)                                  such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument that, in the judgment of the Company, is material with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (excluding this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

 

(6)                                  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, exceptions and limitations), each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Section 8.03 to such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with; and

 

(7)                                  the Company shall have delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes on the stated maturity date thereof or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be (which instructions may be contained in the Officers’ Certificate referred to in clause (6) of this Section 8.03).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by clause (2) of this Section 8.03 with respect to a Legal Defeasance need not be delivered if all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (1) have become due and payable or (2) will become due and payable on their maturity date or any earlier Redemption Date within one year and, in the case of any such redemption, under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

 

SECTION 8.04                                  Application of Trust Money .

 

The Trustee shall hold in trust the U.S. Legal Tender and U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article 8 and any principal, interest or other proceeds in respect of such U.S. Government Obligations.  It shall apply the deposited money and the proceeds from U.S. Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes.

 

Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the Company’s request any U.S. Legal Tender and U.S. Government Obligations or proceeds therefrom held by it as provided in Section 8.01 or 8.03 which are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Section 8.01 or an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 8.02, as evidenced by a written confirmation, certification or attestation by an independent financial advisor of recognized standing selected by the Company in writing to the Trustee.

 

SECTION 8.05                                  Repayment to the Company .

 

The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly deliver to the Company upon request any excess U.S. Legal Tender and U.S. Government Obligations and proceeds therefrom held by them at any time and thereupon shall be relieved from all liability with respect to such money, securities and proceeds.  Subject to any applicable

 



 

abandoned property law, any money, U.S. Government Obligations or proceeds therefrom deposited with or received by the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in trust for the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) shall be discharged from such trust and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Company as a general creditor for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such money, U.S. Government Obligations and proceeds, and all liability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

 

SECTION 8.06                                  Reinstatement .

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. Legal Tender and U.S. Government Obligations (or proceeds therefrom) deposited pursuant to Section 8.01 or 8.03 in accordance with Section 8.04 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01 or 8.03, as applicable, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such U.S. Legal Tender and U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.04; provided that if the Company or any Guarantor has made any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable, shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the U.S. Legal Tender and U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 8.07                                  Indemnity for Government Obligations .

 

The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.01 or 8.03 or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

AMENDMENTS

 

SECTION 9.01                                  Without Consent of Holders .

 

From time to time, the Company, the Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, may modify, amend or supplement the Notes, any Guarantees, the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Security Documents or this Indenture (in the case of the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Security Documents, with any required approvals required by the New Credit Facility and the documentation governing any Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations or Other Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations):

 

(1)                                  to cure any ambiguity or omission; or to correct any defect or inconsistency;

 

(2)                                  to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of Certificated Notes;

 

(3)                                  to provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes by a successor to the Company pursuant to the terms of this Indenture;

 

(4)                                  to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect in any material respect the rights of any Holder of the Notes;

 

(5)                                  to provide for any Domestic Subsidiary of the Company to provide a Guarantee of the Notes, to add, novate, confirm or assume a Guarantee of the Notes, to add security to or for the benefit of the Notes or any Guarantee of the Notes, or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any Guarantor, Guarantee, other guarantor or other guarantee of the Notes or any Lien with respect to or securing the Notes or any Guarantee, in each case when such release, termination or discharge is provided

 



 

for under this Indenture, under any Guarantee or under any instrument or agreement creating or evidencing any such Lien, as the case may be;

 

(6)                                  to conform the provisions of the Notes, any Guarantees, the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Security Documents or this Indenture to the “Description of the Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum;

 

(7)                                  to comply with the rules of any applicable Depositary;

 

(8)                                  to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under this Indenture of a successor trustee;

 

(9)                                  to add to the covenants of the Company or any Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, to add Events of Default or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or any Guarantor pursuant to this Indenture;

 

(10)                           to provide for the issuance and delivery of Additional Notes;

 

(11)                           to make, complete or confirm any grant of Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent in any property or assets, including any Collateral permitted or required by this Indenture or any of the Security Documents or any release of Collateral that becomes effective as set forth in this Indenture or any of the Security Documents;

 

(12)                           to enter into additional or supplemental Security Documents or supplements to the Collateral Agency Agreement or to add representatives of any holders of Other Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations or Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations; or

 

(13)                           to release Collateral in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

The Company shall not be required to notify Holders of modifications, amendments, or supplements made pursuant to this Section 9.01.

 

SECTION 9.02                                  With Consent of Holders .

 

(a)                                  Without limitation to the provisions of Section 9.01, modifications, amendments and supplements of the Notes, any Guarantees, the Security Documents, the Collateral Agency Agreement or this Indenture may be made with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or a tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes), and compliance with any provision of the Notes, any Guarantees, the Security Documents, the Collateral Agency Agreement or this Indenture may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or a tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes) (and, in each case, in the case of the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Security Documents, with any required approvals required by the Credit Agreement and the documentation governing any Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations or Other Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations), except that, without the consent of each affected Holder of Notes, no amendment, supplement or waiver may:

 

(1)                                  reduce the amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(2)                                  reduce the rate of or change or have the effect of changing the time for payment of interest, including defaulted interest, on any Notes, except pursuant to Section 9.02(a)(6);

 

(3)                                  reduce the principal of or change or have the effect of changing the final stated maturity of any Notes;

 



 

(4)                                  make any Notes payable in currency other than that stated in the Notes;

 

(5)                                  make any change in provisions of this Indenture providing that the right of each Holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on or after the due dates thereof or to bring suit to enforce such payment shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder, or permitting Holders of a majority in principal amount of Notes to waive Defaults or Events of Default; or

 

(6)                                  amend, supplement, waive or modify the Company’s obligation to make an offer to repurchase the Notes pursuant to Section 4.06, or reduce the premium payable upon any such repurchase or change the time at which any Notes may be repurchased pursuant to Section 4.06, whether through an amendment, supplement, waiver or modification of provisions in such covenant or any definitions or other provisions in this Indenture or otherwise, unless such amendment, supplement waiver or modification shall be in effect prior to the occurrence of the applicable Change of Control;

 

(7)                                  waive a Default or Event of Default with respect to the nonpayment of principal, premium or interest (except pursuant to a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration); or

 

(8)                                  make any change in the amendment or waiver provisions which require the Holders’ consent described in this sentence.

 

In addition, any amendment to, or waiver of, the provisions of this Indenture or any Security Document that has the effect of (a) releasing all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Liens securing the Secured Notes Obligations or (b) making any change in the Collateral Agency Agreement, any Security Document or the provisions in this Indenture dealing with the Collateral or the Security Documents or the application of proceeds of the Collateral that taken as a whole would materially adversely affect the Holders will require the consent of the Holders of at least 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

 

A consent to any modification, amendment, supplement or waiver under this Indenture by any Holder of Notes given in connection with a tender or exchange of such Holder’s Notes will not be rendered invalid by such tender or exchange.

 

(b)                                  It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed modification, amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed modification, amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

(c)                                   After a modification, amendment, supplement, or waiver under Section 9.02(a) becomes effective, the Company shall mail (or otherwise transmit) to the Holders affected thereby at their registered addresses a notice briefly describing the modification, amendment, supplement or waiver.  Any failure of the Company to mail (or transmit) such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such modification, amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.03                                  [Reserved] .

 

SECTION 9.04                                  Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers .

 

Until an amendment, waiver, modification or supplement becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the amendment, waiver, modification or supplement is not made on any Note.  However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Note or any portion of its Note by notice to the Trustee and the Company received before the date on which such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver becomes effective.  An amendment, supplement, modification or waiver becomes effective in accordance with the terms thereof.

 



 

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described in this Article 9 or required or otherwise permitted to be given or taken pursuant to this Indenture.  If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at the close of business on such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give any consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date.  No such consent or action shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.

 

After an amendment, supplement, modification or waiver becomes effective, it shall be conclusive and binding on every Holder.

 

SECTION 9.05                                  Notation on or Exchange of Notes .

 

If an amendment, supplement, modification or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Company may require each Holder of a Note to deliver it to the Trustee.  The Company shall provide the Trustee with an appropriate notation on the Note about the changed terms and cause the Trustee to return it to the Holder at the Company’s expense.  Alternatively, if the Company so determines, the Company in exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee, upon written request from the Company, shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms.  Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity of such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.06                                  Trustee To Sign Amendments .

 

The Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall execute any modification, amendment, supplement or waiver of any Note Document to which it is a party authorized pursuant to this Article 9; provided that the Trustee or the Collateral Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, execute any such modification, amendment, supplement or waiver which adversely affects the Trustee’s or Collateral Agent’s, as applicable, own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture.  The Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate each stating that the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized or permitted pursuant to this Article 9 and, if applicable, constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (subject to customary exceptions).  Such Opinion of Counsel shall be at the expense of the Company.

 

ARTICLE X

 

GUARANTEES

 

SECTION 10.01                           Unconditional Guarantee .

 

The Notes shall be guaranteed by each of the Guarantors as set forth in the Security Agreement.

 

SECTION 10.02                           [Reserved] .

 

SECTION 10.03                           [Reserved] .

 

SECTION 10.04                           Notation of Guarantee Not Required .

 

Neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall be required to make a notation on the Notes to reflect any Guarantee or any release, termination or discharge thereof.

 



 

SECTION 10.05                           Release of a Guarantor; Termination of Guarantees .

 

(a)                                  A Guarantor’s Guarantee of the Notes will automatically terminate and be released, all other obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture will terminate and such Guarantor will be released from all of its obligations under its Guarantee of the Notes and this Indenture:

 

(1)                                  upon the sale or other disposition of all of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor (to a Person that is not the Company or a Guarantor), or any merger or consolidation of such Guarantor with or into any Person (that is not the Company or a Guarantor), which results in such Guarantor no longer being a Subsidiary of the Company so long as such sale, disposition, merger or consolidation is permitted (or not prohibited) by this Indenture and immediately after giving effect to such release the Company is in Pro Forma Covenant Compliance;

 

(2)                                  upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Guarantor is a Foreign Subsidiary (it being understood that the Company may deliver such Officers’ Certificate in respect of any Domestic Subsidiary that is a Guarantor if such Domestic Subsidiary subsequently becomes a Foreign Subsidiary) so long as immediately after giving effect to such release the Company is in Pro Forma Covenant Compliance;

 

(3)                                  upon Legal Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance or discharge of the Notes as provided in Section 8.02 or Section 8.01, as applicable; and

 

(4)                                  if such Guarantor is no longer providing a guarantee of, or is otherwise obligated in respect of, any Credit Facility Obligations or Other Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations so long as immediately after giving effect to such release the Company is in Pro Forma Covenant Compliance.

 

(b)                                  The Trustee and/or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall execute an appropriate instrument prepared by the Company evidencing the release of a Guarantor from, and the termination of, its obligations under its Guarantee and this Indenture upon receipt of a request by the Company or such Guarantor accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which opinion may include customary assumptions, limitations and exceptions) certifying as to the compliance with the applicable conditions under Section 10.05(a), as applicable; provided, however, that the legal counsel delivering such Opinion of Counsel may rely as to matters of fact on one or more Officers’ Certificates of the Company.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

COLLATERAL

 

SECTION 11.01                           Security Documents .

 

The due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium and interest on the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether on an interest payment date, at maturity, by acceleration, repurchase, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium and interest on the Notes and performance of all other Obligations of the Company and the Guarantors to the Holders or the Trustee under this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees, the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Security Documents, according to the terms hereunder or thereunder, shall be secured as provided in the Security Documents, which define the terms of the Liens that secure the Obligations, subject to the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

The Trustee and the Company hereby acknowledge and agree that the Collateral Agent holds the Collateral in trust for the benefit of the Holders and the Trustee and pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents and the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Each Holder, by accepting a Note, consents and agrees to the terms of the Security Documents (including the provisions providing for the possession, use, release and foreclosure of Collateral) and the Collateral Agency Agreement as the same may be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and

 



 

this Indenture and the Collateral Agency Agreement, and authorizes and directs the Collateral Agent to enter into the Security Documents and the Collateral Agency Agreement and to perform its obligations and exercise its rights thereunder in accordance therewith.

 

The Company shall deliver to the Collateral Agent copies of all documents required to be filed pursuant to the Security Documents, and will do or cause to be done all such acts and things as may be reasonably required by the next sentence of this Section 11.01 , to assure and confirm to the Collateral Agent the security interest in the Collateral contemplated hereby, by the Security Documents or any part thereof, as from time to time constituted, so as to render the same available for the security and benefit of this Indenture and of the Notes secured hereby, according to the intent and purposes herein expressed.  The Company shall take, and shall cause the Guarantors to take, any and all actions and make all filings (including the filing of UCC financing statements, continuation statements and amendments thereto) required to cause the Security Documents to create and maintain, as security for the Obligations of the Company and the Guarantors to the Noteholder Secured Parties under this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees, the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Security Documents, a valid and enforceable perfected Lien and security interest in and on all of the Collateral (subject to the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Security Documents), in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Holders and the Trustee subject to no Liens other than Permitted Liens.

 

SECTION 11.02                           [Reserved] .

 

SECTION 11.03                           Release of Collateral .

 

(a)                                  The Company and the Guarantors will be entitled to the releases of property and other assets included in the Collateral from the Liens securing the Secured Notes Obligations, under any one or more of the following circumstances:

 

(i)                                      subject to either (i) Pro Forma Covenant Compliance or (ii) during a Compliance Grace Period, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing, the Notes Priority Collateral Coverage Ratio after giving effect to such release being at least 1.0 to 1.0 and the Company or the applicable Guarantor’s receipt of consideration that is at least equal to the fair market value of the property so disposed of (as determined in good faith by the Company),  to enable the disposition of such property or assets (other than to the Company or a Guarantor);

 

(ii)                                   in the case of a Guarantor that is released from its Guarantee, the release of the property and assets of such Guarantor shall be permitted;

 

(iii)                                as to any Credit Facility First Priority Collateral or Shared Collateral, upon the prior or concurrent release of such Collateral as collateral for the Credit Facility Obligations and any Other Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations;

 

(iv)                               as to any Secured Notes First Priority Collateral upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of a certificate identifying the Collateral to be released and certifying that, after giving effect to that release, the Company is in Pro Forma Covenant Compliance;

 

(v)                                  as set forth in Section 9.01; and

 

(vi)                               as set forth in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

(b)                                  The security interests in all Collateral securing the Secured Notes Obligations also will be released upon (i) payment in full of the principal of, together with accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes and all other obligations other than contingent unasserted obligations under this Indenture that are due and payable at or prior to the time such principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest, is paid or (ii) a Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under this Indenture as set forth under Article VIII.

 



 

(c)                                   With respect to any release of Collateral, upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture and the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, to such release have been met and that it is proper for the Trustee or Collateral Agent to execute and deliver the documents requested by the Issuer in connection with such release, and any instruments of termination, satisfaction, discharge or release prepared by the Issuer, the Trustee shall instruct the Collateral Agent in accordance with the Collateral Agency Agreement to execute, deliver or acknowledge (at the Issuer’s expense) such instruments or releases to evidence the release and discharge of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Indenture or the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement.  Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be liable for any such release undertaken in reliance upon any such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel, and notwithstanding any term hereof or in any Security Document or in the Intercreditor Agreement to the contrary, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall not be under any obligation to release any such Lien and security interest, or execute and deliver any such instrument of release, satisfaction, discharge or termination, unless and until it receives such Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.

 

SECTION 11.04                           Suits to Protect the Collateral .  Subject to the provisions of Article VII hereof and the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Trustee, without the consent of the Holders, on behalf of the Holders, may direct the Collateral Agent to take all actions it determines in order to:

 

(a)                                  enforce any of the terms of the Security Documents; and

 

(b)                                  collect and receive any and all amounts payable in respect of the Obligations hereunder.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Security Documents and the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall have power to institute and to maintain such suits and proceedings as the Trustee may determine to prevent any impairment of the Collateral by any acts which may be unlawful or in violation of any of the Security Documents or this Indenture, and such suits and proceedings as the Trustee may determine to preserve or protect its interests and the interests of the Holders in the Collateral.  Nothing in this Section 11.04 shall be considered to impose any such duty or obligation to act on the part of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent.

 

SECTION 11.05                           Authorization of the Receipt of Funds by the Trustee Under the Security Documents .  Subject to the provisions of the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Trustee is authorized to receive any funds for the benefit of the Holders distributed under the Security Documents, and to make further distributions of such funds to the Holders according to the provisions of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 11.06                          Purchaser Protected .  In no event shall any purchaser in good faith of any property purported to be released hereunder be bound to ascertain the authority of the Collateral Agent or the Trustee to execute the release or to inquire as to the satisfaction of any conditions required by the provisions hereof for the exercise of such authority or to see to the application of any consideration given by such purchaser or other transferee; nor shall any purchaser or other transferee of any property or rights permitted by this Article XI to be sold be under any obligation to ascertain or inquire into the authority of the Company or the applicable Guarantor to make any such sale or other transfer.

 

SECTION 11.07                          Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee .  In case the Collateral shall be in the possession of a receiver or trustee, lawfully appointed, the powers conferred in this Article XI upon the Company or a Guarantor with respect to the release, sale or other disposition of such property may be exercised by such receiver or trustee, and an instrument signed by such receiver or trustee shall be deemed the equivalent of any similar instrument of the Company or a Guarantor or of any Officer or Officers thereof required by the provisions of this Article XI ; and if the Trustee shall be in the possession of the Collateral under any provision of this Indenture, then such powers may be exercised by the Trustee.

 

SECTION 11.08                      Release Upon Termination of the Company’s Obligations .  In the event that the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate certifying that (i) payment in full of the principal of, together with accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes and all other Obligations under this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees and the Security Documents that are due and payable at or prior to the time such principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest, are paid or (ii) the Company shall have exercised its Legal Defeasance option or their

 



 

Covenant Defeasance option, in each case in compliance with the provisions of Article VIII , and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent to the execution and delivery of such notice by the Trustee have been satisfied, the Trustee shall deliver to the Company and the Collateral Agent a notice, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, stating that the Trustee, on behalf of the Holders, disclaims and gives up any and all rights it has in or to the Collateral (other than with respect to funds held by the Trustee pursuant to Article VIII ), and any rights it has under the Security Documents, and upon receipt by the Collateral Agent of such notice that complies with the requirements of Section 6.12(a)  of the Collateral Agency Agreement , the Collateral Agent shall be deemed not to hold a Lien in the Collateral on behalf of the Trustee and shall do or cause to be done (at the expense of the Company) all acts reasonably requested by the Company to release and discharge such Lien as soon as is reasonably practicable.

 

SECTION 11.09                      Collateral Agent .

 

(a)                                  The Trustee and each of the Holders by acceptance of the Notes hereby designates and appoints JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as collateral agent under the Security Documents and the Collateral Agency Agreement (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”), and the Trustee and each of the Holders by acceptance of the Notes hereby irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of the Security Documents and the Collateral Agency Agreement and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms of this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Collateral Agency Agreement, and consents and agrees to the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement and each Security Document, as the same may be in effect or may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with their respective terms.  The Collateral Agent agrees to act as such on the express conditions contained in this Section 11.09 .  The provisions of this Section 11.09 are solely for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and none of the Trustee, any of the Holders nor any of the Grantors shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions contained herein other than as expressly provided in Section 11.04 .  Each Holder agrees that any action taken by the Collateral Agent in accordance with the provision of the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Security Documents, and the exercise by the Collateral Agent of any rights or remedies set forth herein and therein shall be authorized and binding upon all Holders.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Collateral Agency Agreement, the duties of the Collateral Agent shall be ministerial and administrative in nature, and the Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth in the Security Documents to which the Collateral Agent is a party, nor shall the Collateral Agent have or be deemed to have any trust or other fiduciary relationship with the Trustee, any Holder or any Grantor, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Collateral Agency Agreement or otherwise exist against the Collateral Agent.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term “agent” in this Indenture with reference to the Collateral 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 an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

 

(b)                                  The Collateral Agent may perform any of its duties under the Security Documents or the Collateral Agency Agreement by or through receivers, agents, employees, attorneys-in-fact or with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates, and the respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors and attorneys-in-fact of such Person and its Affiliates, (a “ Related Person ”) and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties, and shall be entitled to act upon, and shall be fully protected in taking action in reliance upon any advice or opinion given by legal counsel.  The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or willful misconduct of any receiver, agent, employee, attorney-in-fact or Related Person that it selects as long as such selection was made in good faith.

 

(c)                                   None of the Collateral Agent or any of its respective Related Persons shall (i) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or under or in connection with any Security Document or the Collateral Agency Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or (ii) be responsible in any manner to any of the Trustee or any Holder for any recital, statement, representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Company or any other Grantor

 



 

or Affiliate of any Grantor, or any Officer or Related Person thereof, contained in this Indenture, or any other Secured Notes Documents, or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Collateral Agent under or in connection with, this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Collateral Agency Agreement, or the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Collateral Agency Agreement, or for any failure of any Grantor or any other party to this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Collateral Agency Agreement to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.  None of the Collateral Agent or any of its respective Related Persons shall be under any obligation to the Trustee or any Holder to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Collateral Agency Agreement or to inspect the properties, books, or records of any Grantor or any Grantor’s Affiliates.

 

(d)                                  The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile, certification, telephone message, statement, or other communication, document or conversation (including those by telephone or e-mail) 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, without limitation, counsel to the Company or any other Grantor), independent accountants and other experts and advisors selected by the Collateral Agent.  The Collateral Agent shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, or other paper or document.  The Collateral Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Collateral Agency Agreement unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the applicable Secured Parties as it determines and, if it so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Holders against any and all liability, loss and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.  Subject to the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Collateral Agency Agreement in accordance with a request, direction, instruction or consent of the Trustee or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of the Holders.

 

(e)                                   The Collateral Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, unless the Collateral Agent shall have received written notice from the Trustee or the Company in accordance with the Collateral Agency Agreement referring to this Indenture, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.”  The Collateral Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as may be requested in accordance with the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

(f)                                    The Collateral Agent may resign at any time in accordance with the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

(g)                                   The Collateral Agent shall be authorized to appoint co-Collateral Agents as necessary in its sole discretion.  Except as otherwise explicitly provided herein or in the Security Documents or the Collateral Agency Agreement, neither the Collateral Agent nor any of its respective officers, directors, employees or agents or other Related Persons shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof.  The Collateral Agent shall be accountable only for amounts that it actually receives as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither the Collateral Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

(h)                                  The Collateral Agent is authorized and directed to (i) enter into the Security Documents to which it is party, whether executed on or after the Issue Date, (ii) enter into the Collateral Agency Agreement, (iii) make the representations of the Holders set forth in the Security Documents and Collateral Agency Agreement, (iv) bind the Holders on the terms as set forth in the Security Documents and the Collateral Agency Agreement and (v) perform and observe its obligations under the Security Documents and the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

(i)                                      The Collateral Agent is each Holder’s agent for the purpose of perfecting the Holders’ security interest in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code can be perfected only by

 



 

possession.  Should the Trustee obtain possession of any such Collateral, upon a written request from the Company, the Trustee shall notify the Collateral Agent thereof and promptly shall deliver such Collateral to the Collateral Agent or otherwise deal with such Collateral in accordance with the Collateral Agent’s instructions.

 

(j)                                     The Collateral Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to the Trustee or any of the Holders to assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by any Grantor or is cared for, protected, or insured or has been encumbered, or that the Collateral Agent’s Liens have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected, maintained or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, or to determine whether all or the Grantor’s property constituting collateral intended to be subject to the Lien and security interest of the Security Documents has been properly and completely listed or delivered, as the case may be, or the genuineness, validity, marketability or sufficiency thereof or title thereto, or to exercise at all or in any particular manner or under any duty of care, disclosure, or fidelity, or to continue exercising, any of the rights, authorities, and powers granted or available to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Indenture, any Security Document or the Collateral Agency Agreement other than pursuant to the instructions of the Trustee or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes or as otherwise provided in the Security Documents, it being understood and agreed that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission, or event related thereto, the Collateral Agent shall have no other duty or liability whatsoever to the Trustee or any Holder as to any of the foregoing.

 

(k)                                  No provision of this Indenture, the Collateral Agency Agreement or any Security Document shall require the Collateral Agent (or the Trustee) to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or thereunder or to take or omit to take any action hereunder or thereunder or take any action at the request or direction of Holders (or the Trustee in the case of the Collateral Agent) if it shall have received indemnity satisfactory to the Collateral Agent against potential costs and liabilities incurred by the Collateral Agent relating thereto.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, the Collateral Agency Agreement or the Security Documents, in the event the Collateral Agent is entitled or required to commence an action to foreclose or otherwise exercise its remedies to acquire control or possession of the Collateral, the Collateral Agent shall not be required to commence any such action or exercise any remedy or to inspect or conduct any studies of any property under the mortgages or take any such other action if the Collateral Agent has determined that the Collateral Agent may incur personal liability as a result of the presence at, or release on or from, the Collateral or such property, of any hazardous substances unless the Collateral Agent has received security or indemnity from the Holders in an amount and in a form all satisfactory to the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion, protecting the Collateral Agent from all such liability.  The Collateral Agent shall at any time be entitled to cease taking any action described in this paragraph (n) if it no longer reasonably deems any indemnity, security or undertaking from the Company or the Holders to be sufficient.

 

(l)                                      The Collateral Agent (i) shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in connection with the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Security Documents or instrument referred to herein or therein, except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its own gross negligence or willful misconduct, (ii) shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Collateral Agent may agree in writing with the Company (and money held in trust by the Collateral Agent need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law) and (iii) may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice or opinion of such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.  The grant of permissive rights or powers to the Collateral Agent shall not be construed to impose duties to act.

 

(m)                              Neither the Collateral Agent nor the Trustee shall be liable for delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its control.  Such acts shall include but not be limited to accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services.  Neither the Collateral Agent nor the Trustee shall be liable for any indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages (included but not limited to lost profits) whatsoever, even if it has been informed of the likelihood thereof and regardless of the form of action.

 

(n)                                  The Collateral Agent does not assume any responsibility for any failure or delay in performance or any breach by the Company or any other Grantor under this Indenture, the Collateral Agency Agreement and the

 



 

Security Documents.  The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible to the Holders or any other Person for any recitals, statements, information, representations or warranties contained in any Secured Notes Documents or in any certificate, report, statement, or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Collateral Agent under or in connection with, this Indenture, the Collateral Agency Agreement or any Security Document; the execution, validity, genuineness, effectiveness or enforceability of the Collateral Agency Agreement and any Security Documents of any other party thereto; the genuineness, enforceability, collectability, value, sufficiency, location or existence of any Collateral, or the validity, effectiveness, enforceability, sufficiency, extent, perfection or priority of any Lien therein; the validity, enforceability or collectability of any Obligations; the assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations, business, creditworthiness or legal status of any obligor; or for any failure of any obligor to perform its Obligations under this Indenture, the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Security Documents.  The Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to any Holder or any other Person to ascertain or inquire into the existence of any Default or Event of Default, the observance or performance by any obligor of any terms of this Indenture, the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Security Documents, or the satisfaction of any conditions precedent contained in this Indenture, the Collateral Agency Agreement and any Security Documents.  The Collateral Agent shall not be required to initiate or conduct any litigation or collection or other proceeding under the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Security Documents unless expressly set forth thereunder.  The Collateral Agent shall have the right at any time to seek instructions in accordance with the Collateral Agency Agreement with respect to the administration of the Security Documents.

 

(o)                                  The parties hereto and the Holders hereby agree and acknowledge that the Collateral Agent shall not assume, be responsible for or otherwise be obligated for any liabilities, claims, causes of action, suits, losses, allegations, requests, demands, penalties, fines, settlements, damages (including foreseeable and unforeseeable), judgments, expenses and costs (including but not limited to, any remediation, corrective action, response, removal or remedial action, or investigation, operations and maintenance or monitoring costs, for personal injury or property damages, real or personal) of any kind whatsoever, pursuant to any environmental law as a result of this Indenture, the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Security Documents or any actions taken pursuant hereto or thereto.  Further, the parties hereto and the Holders hereby agree and acknowledge that in the exercise of its rights under this Indenture, the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Security Documents, the Collateral Agent may hold or obtain indicia of ownership primarily to protect the security interest of the Collateral Agent in the Collateral and that any such actions taken by the Collateral Agent shall not be construed as or otherwise constitute any participation in the management of such Collateral.

 

(p)                                  Upon the receipt by the Collateral Agent of a written request of the Company signed by one Officer of the Company (a “ Security Document Order ”), the Collateral Agent is hereby authorized to execute and enter into, and shall execute and enter into, without the further consent of any Holder or the Trustee, any Security Document to be executed after the Issue Date.  Such Security Document Order shall (i) state that it is being delivered to the Collateral Agent pursuant to, and is a Security Document Order referred to in, this Section 11.09(p) , and (ii) instruct the Collateral Agent to execute and enter into such Security Document.  Any such execution of a Security Document shall be at the direction and expense of the Company, upon delivery to the Collateral Agent of an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent to the execution and delivery of the Security Document have been satisfied.  The Holders, by their acceptance of the Notes, hereby authorize and direct the Collateral Agent to execute such Security Documents.

 

(q)                                  For the avoidance of doubt, the Collateral Agent shall have no discretion under this Indenture, the Collateral Agency Agreement or the Security Documents and shall not be required to make or give any determination, consent, approval, request or direction without the written direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes or the Trustee, as applicable.

 

(r)                                     The Collateral Agent is authorized to receive any funds for the benefit of itself, the Trustee and the Holders distributed under the Security Documents or the Collateral Agency Agreement and to the extent not prohibited under the Collateral Agency Agreement, for turnover to the Trustee to make further distributions of such funds to itself, the Trustee and the Holders in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.10 hereof and the other provisions of this Indenture.

 



 

(s)                                    Subject to the terms of the Security Documents, in each case that the Collateral Agent may or is required hereunder or under any other Notes Document to take any action (an “ Action ”), including without limitation to make any determination, to give consents, to exercise rights, powers or remedies, to release or sell Collateral or otherwise to act hereunder or under any other Notes Document, the Collateral Agent may seek direction in accordance with the Collateral Agency Agreement.  The Collateral Agent shall not be liable with respect to any Action taken or omitted to be taken by it in accordance with such direction.  Subject to the terms of the Security Documents, if the Collateral Agent shall request direction in accordance with the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such Action unless and until the Collateral Agent shall have received such direction, and the Collateral Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining.

 

(t)                                     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or any other Notes Document, in no event shall the Collateral Agent or the Trustee be responsible for, or have any duty or obligation with respect to, the recording, filing, registering, perfection, protection or maintenance of the security interests or Liens intended to be created by this Indenture or the other Secured Notes Documents, including without limitation the filing, amendment or continuation of any UCC financing or continuation statements or similar documents or instruments, nor shall the Collateral Agent or the Trustee be responsible for, and neither the Collateral Agent nor the Trustee makes any representation regarding, the validity, effectiveness or priority of any of the Security Documents or the security interests or Liens intended to be created thereby.

 

(u)                                  Before the Collateral Agent acts or refrains from acting in each case at the request or direction of the Company or the Guarantors, it may require an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, which shall conform to the provisions of Section 12.04 .  The Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion.

 

(v)                                  The Company shall pay compensation to, reimburse expenses of and indemnify the Collateral Agent in accordance with Section 7.07 .

 

ARTICLE XII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 12.01                           [Reserved] .

 

SECTION 12.02                           Notices .

 

Any notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be sufficiently given if made by hand delivery, by overnight courier service, by telecopier or registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed as follows:

 

if to the Company or a Guarantor: 
FS Energy and Power Fund
 201 Rouse Boulevard,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19112
Attention of:  Edward T. Gallivan, Jr., Chief Financial Officer

Facsimilie: (215) 339-1931
Email:  credit.notices@fsinvestments.com; FSEP_Team@fsinvestments.com

if to the Trustee:

 

U.S. Bank National Association
One Federal Street, 10
th  Floor
Boston, MA 02110
Attention of:  Karen Beard
Facsimile: (617) 603-6667

Email: karen.beard@usbank.com

 



 

Each of the Company, the Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee by written notice to each other such Person may designate additional or different addresses for notices to such Person.  Any notice or communication to the Company, the Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee, shall be deemed to have been given or made as of the date so delivered if personally delivered; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; five calendar days after mailing if sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid (except that a notice of change of address shall not be deemed to have been given until actually received by the addressee); the next Business Day if by overnight courier service; and where this Indenture expressly permits notice to be given by email, when such notice is transmitted without the sender having been notified by return email that it is undeliverable.

 

The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, pdf, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided , however , that the Trustee shall have received an incumbency certificate listing persons designated to give such instructions or directions and containing specimen signatures of such designated persons, which incumbency certificate shall be amended and replaced whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing.  If the Company elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling.  The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions.  The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

 

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed to it by first class mail or other equivalent means or delivered by telecopy, hand delivery or overnight courier service at its address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar or sent by email or other electronic means (or, in the case of Global Notes, given in accordance with any applicable procedures of the Depositary) and shall be sufficiently given to it if so mailed within the time prescribed or, if telecopied, when receipt is acknowledged, or, in the case of hand delivery, when delivered or, in the case of overnight courier, on the next Business Day or, in the case of email, when transmitted to the applicable email address or, if given in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary, when given.

 

Failure to send or deliver a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.  If a notice or communication is mailed or sent in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

SECTION 12.03                           [Reserved] .

 

SECTION 12.04                           Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

 

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at the request of the Trustee:

 

(1)                                  an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(2)                                  if requested by the Trustee, an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with; provided , however , that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials and may be subject to other customary exceptions, limitations and qualifications.

 

SECTION 12.05                           Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture, other than the Officers’ Certificate required by Section 4.03, shall include:

 

(1)                                  a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 



 

(2)                                  a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(3)                                  a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; or satisfied; and

 

(4)                                  a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided , however , that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials and may be subject to other customary exceptions, limitations and qualifications.

 

SECTION 12.06                           Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar .

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders.  The Trustee, Registrar and the Paying Agent or co-Registrar may make reasonable rules for their functions.

 

SECTION 12.07                           Business Day .

 

If any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Change of Control Payment Date, maturity date or any other date on which payment on any Notes is due is not a Business Day, the required payment will be postponed and made on the next succeeding Business Day as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Change of Control Payment Date, maturity date or other date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next succeeding Business Day.  If a Record Date or other record date is not a Business Day, it shall not be affected.

 

SECTION 12.08                           Governing Law .

 

THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

SECTION 12.09                           No Recourse Against Others .

 

A director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder, partner or member of, or owner of an equity interest in, the Company or any Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Notes, this Indenture or the Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note shall be deemed to have waived and released all such liability.  Such waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

SECTION 12.10                           Successors .

 

All agreements of the Company and the Guarantors in this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees shall bind their respective successors.  All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

SECTION 12.11                           Multiple Originals .

 

All parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.  Each signed copy or counterpart shall be an original, but all of them together shall represent the same agreement.  One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture.  The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or pdf transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture and signature pages for all purposes.

 



 

SECTION 12.12                           Table of Contents; Headings .

 

The table of contents and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture (including, without limitation, Appendix A and the Exhibits hereto) and the Notes have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof or thereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof or thereof.

 

SECTION 12.13                           Force Majeure .

 

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

SECTION 12.14                           Severability .

 

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes or any Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, it being intended that all of the provisions hereof shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

SECTION 12.15                           USA Patriot Act .

 

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee.  The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.

 

SECTION 12.16                           No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .

 

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and except as expressly provided herein, this Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of any of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture except as expressly provided herein.

 

SECTION 12.17                           Applicable Tax Law .

 

In order to enable the Trustee to comply with its obligations under applicable tax laws, rules and regulations (including directives, guidelines and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) in effect from time to time (“ Applicable Tax Law ”), the Company agrees (i) to provide to the Trustee, following written request from the Trustee delivered to the Company in accordance with Section 12.02 of this Indenture, such information concerning the Holders of the Notes as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to determine whether the Trustee has any tax-related obligations under Applicable Tax Law with respect to the payments made to Holders of the Notes under this Indenture, but only to the extent (a) such information is in the Company’s possession, (b) such information is not subject to any confidentiality or similar agreement or undertaking or otherwise deemed by the Company to be confidential and (c) providing such information to the Trustee does not, in the judgment of the Company, breach or violate or constitute a default under any applicable law, rules or regulations or any instrument or agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound, and (ii) that the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments made to Holders of Notes under this Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with the Trustee’s obligations under Applicable Tax Law.  Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note shall be deemed to have agreed to the foregoing provisions of this Section 12.17 and to

 



 

provide to the Trustee or the Company such information concerning such Holder as the Trustee or the Company may reasonably request in order to determine whether the Trustee or the Company has any tax-related obligations under Applicable Tax Law with respect to the payments made to such Holder under this Indenture; and such agreement by each Holder is part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

 

SECTION 12.18                           Waiver of Jury Trial .

 

EACH OF THE COMPANY, EACH GUARANTOR, IF ANY, EACH HOLDER (BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF NOTES) AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

SECTION 12.19                           Submission to Jurisdiction .

 

The parties hereto submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or U.S. federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York over any legal action or legal proceeding with respect to this Indenture and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the parties hereto waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the bringing of any such action or proceeding in any such court or any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

SECTION 12.20                           Third Party Beneficiary .

 

The parties hereto acknowledged and agree that the Collateral Agent shall be an express third party beneficiary of and shall be entitled to rely upon Sections 6.05, 6.10, 7.12, 9.01, 9.06 and Article XI of this Indenture.

 

[Signatures on following pages]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

BERWYN FUNDING LLC

 

BRYN MAWR FUNDING LLC

 

FOXFIELDS FUNDING LLC

 

FSEP TERM FUNDING, LLC

EP AMERICAN ENERGY INVESTMENTS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

Name: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

EP ALTUS INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

EP BURNETT INVESTMENTS, INC.

 

EP SYNERGY INVESTMENTS, INC.

 

FS ENERGY INVESTMENTS, LLC

FSEP INVESTMENTS, INC.

FSEP-BBH, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

Name: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]

 



 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Karen R. Beard

 

 

Name: Karen R. Beard

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]

 



 

TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

 

ARTICLE 1

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1                                     Definitions

 

Terms used in this Appendix A which are defined in the Indenture dated as of August 16, 2018 between FS Energy and Power Fund and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), to which Indenture this Appendix A is attached and of which this Appendix A forms a part, shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Indenture.  In addition, for the purposes of this Appendix A the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

 

Certificated Note ” means a certificated Initial Note or Additional Note (bearing, in the case of an Initial Note or Additional Note, a Restricted Notes Legend unless such Legend has been removed in accordance with the provisions of this Appendix A or, in the case of any Additional Note, unless such Additional Note is a Registered Additional Note) that is registered in the name of a Holder other than the Depositary or its nominee and that does not bear the Global Note Legend.

 

Clearstream ” means Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, or any successor.

 

Distribution Compliance Period ” means, with respect to any Regulation S Note, the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (a) the day on which such Note is first offered to Persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S, and (b) the date of original issuance of such Note or any predecessor Note.

 

Euroclear ” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear systems, or any successor.

 

Global Notes Legend ” means the legends set forth under that caption in Exhibit A to this Indenture.

 

Note Custodian ” means the custodian with respect to a Global Note, which shall initially be the Trustee, or any successor thereto.

 

Purchase Agreement ” means the Purchase Agreement dated August 2, 2018 between the Company and the Initial Purchasers relating to the Initial Notes.

 

QIB ” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

 

Registered Additional Notes ” means Additional Notes that were originally issued and sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act permitting such Additional Notes to be publicly offered and sold.

 

Regulation S ” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Restricted Global Note ” means any Global Note that bears or is required to bear a Restricted Notes Legend.

 

Restricted Period ”, with respect to any Regulation S Notes, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (a) the day on which such Regulation S Notes are first offered to persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S, notice of which day shall be promptly given by the Company to the Trustee, and (b) the Issue Date with respect to such Regulation S Notes.

 

A- 1



 

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144A ” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Transfer Restricted Notes ” means any Notes that bear or are required to bear a Restricted Notes Legend.

 

Unrestricted Global Note ” means any Global Note that does not bear or is not required to bear a Restricted Notes Legend.

 

U.S. person ” means a “U.S. person” as defined in Regulation S.

 

Section 1.2                                     Other Definitions

 

Term

 

Defined in Section

“Regulation S Global Note”

 

2.1(b)

“Regulation S Notes”

 

2.1(a)

“Restricted Notes Legend”

 

2.2(d)(i)

“Rule 144A Global Note”

 

2.1(b)

“Rule 144A Notes”

 

2.1(a)

“Schedule”

 

2.1(b)

“U.S. Resale Restriction Termination Date”

 

2.2(a)

 

ARTICLE 2

 

THE NOTES

 

Section 2.1                                     Forms of Notes

 

(a)                                  Offering and Sale of Initial Notes and Additional Notes .  The Initial Notes will be offered and sold by the Company to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.  The Company may offer and sell Additional Notes from time to time, including, without limitation, offers and sales pursuant to one or more purchase agreements or underwriting agreements between the Company and one or more initial purchasers or underwriters.  The Initial Notes will be resold, and Additional Notes (other than Registered Additional Notes) may be resold, initially only (i) to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A (Notes so resold in reliance on Rule 144A, the “ Rule 144A Notes ”) and (ii) to Persons other than U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S (Notes so resold in reliance on Regulation S, the “ Regulation S Notes ”).  Initial Notes or any such Additional Notes (other than Registered Additional Notes) may thereafter be transferred only to, among others, QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein and the other applicable requirements of the Indenture.

 

(b)                                  Global Notes .  Unless otherwise provided in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, the Initial Notes and Additional Notes that are initially resold pursuant to Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the form of one or more Global Notes (each a “ Rule 144A Global Note ”), and Initial Notes and Additional Notes that are initially resold pursuant to Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more Global Notes (each a “ Regulation S Global Note ”), in each case bearing the Global Notes Legend and the applicable Restricted Notes Legend.  Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note” (or a similar schedule) attached thereto (the “ Schedule ”).  The aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented by a Global Note may be increased or decreased, as applicable, from time to time to reflect transfers, exchanges, redemptions, repurchases and cancellation of Notes represented thereby.  Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Note Custodian, at the direction of the Registrar, in accordance with Section 2.2 of this Appendix A and any applicable provisions of the Indenture.

 

(c)                                   Book-Entry Provisions .  This Section 2.1(c) shall apply only to a Global Note deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary.

 

A- 2



 

Prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period with respect to a Regulation S Global Note, beneficial interests in such Regulation S Global Note may be held only through Clearstream and Euroclear, as Participants in the Depositary, provided, that if DTC is not the Depositary for such Regulation S Global Note during such Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial interests in such Regulation S Global Note shall be held in accordance with the customary procedures of whomsoever shall be the Depositary.  After the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period with respect to a Regulation S Global Note, holders of beneficial interests in such Regulation S Global Note may also hold interests in such Regulation S Global Note through Participants in the Depositary other than Clearstream and Euroclear, provided, that if DTC is not the Depositary for such Regulation S Global Note after such Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note shall be held in accordance with the customary procedures of whomsoever shall be the Depositary.

 

(d)                                  Certificated Notes .  Except as provided in Section 2.15 of the Indenture, owners of beneficial interests in Global Notes will not be entitled to receive Certificated Notes in exchange for their interests in such Global Notes.

 

Section 2.2                                     Transfer and Exchange .

 

(a)                                  Transfer Restrictions .  So long as they are Transfer Restricted Notes, the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes (other than Registered Additional Notes) may not be offered, sold or disposed of except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and the securities laws of any other applicable jurisdiction.

 

Neither a Rule 144A Note nor any interest or participation therein may be offered, sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of at any time prior to (x) the date which is six months (assuming the Company satisfies the current public reporting requirements of Rule 144) or one year (if the Company does not) after the later of the date of original issue of such Rule 144A Note (or any predecessor thereto) and the last date on which the Company or any “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company was the owner of such Rule 144A Note (or any predecessor thereto) or any interest or participation in such Rule 144A Note or (y) such later date, if any, as may be required by any subsequent change in applicable law (the “ U.S. Resale Restriction Termination Date ”), except (a) to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) pursuant to a registration statement which is effective under the Securities Act, (c) for so long as such Rule 144A Note is eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, to a Person the transferor reasonably believes is a QIB acquiring such Rule 144A Note or such interest or participation for its own account or for the account of another QIB to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, (d) to a non-U.S. person in an offshore transaction within the meaning of, and in compliance with, Regulation S or (e) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, subject to, in each of the foregoing cases, any requirement of law that the disposition of such Rule 144A Note or such interest or participation be at all times within the transferor’s control, and to compliance with the securities laws of any other applicable jurisdiction and with the procedures specified in the Indenture (including this Appendix A).

 

Until the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period with respect to a Regulation S Note, such Regulation S Note or any interest or participation therein (i) may not be offered, sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed within the United States (within the meaning of Regulation S) or to, or for the account or benefit of, a U.S. person, except to a Person that the transferor reasonably believes to be a QIB acquiring such Regulation S Note or such interest or participation for its own account or for the account of another QIB to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and (ii) except as provided in clause (i) above, may not be offered, sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or disposed of except to a non-U.S. person in an offshore transaction within the meaning of, and in compliance with, Regulation S, and in each case such offer, sale, assignment, transfer, pledge or disposition must comply with the securities laws of any other applicable jurisdiction and with the procedures specified in the Indenture (including this Appendix A).  In addition, during such Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Note may only be held through Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective direct or indirect participants.

 

The remaining provisions of this Section 2.2 are intended to implement the forgoing restrictions.  To the extent that any transfer or exchange of Transfer Restricted Notes (including, without limitation, beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes) is not covered by a specific procedure in the remaining provisions of this Section 2.2,

 

A- 3



 

the Company may implement such procedures and impose such conditions to such exchange or transfer (including, without limitation, the delivery of certificates, legal opinions and other documents) as the Company in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to implement the foregoing restrictions.

 

(b)                                  Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Notes .  If Certificated Notes are issued in exchange for beneficial interests in Global Notes pursuant to Section 2.15(b) of the Indenture, such Certificated Notes will be registered in the names, and issued in any authorized denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures) and, if any such Global Notes are Transfer Restricted Notes, the Certificated Notes issued in exchange for interests therein will bear the Restricted Notes Legend, unless otherwise determined by the Company.  If Certificated Notes are issued in exchange for beneficial interests in Global Notes, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the applicable Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interests being exchanged for Certificated Notes and the Registrar shall instruct the Note Custodian to decrease or reflect on its records a decrease in the principal amount of such Global Note (and to record such decrease by endorsement on the Schedule attached to such Global Note) in a principal amount equal to the principal amount of such interests being exchanged.  If Certificated Notes are issued in exchange for beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note, then, unless the Company shall otherwise advise the Trustee and the Registrar in writing, such interests may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.2 (including the certification and other requirements set forth in this Section 2.2 intended to ensure that such exchanges comply with Rule 144A, Regulation S or another applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Company.

 

When Certificated Notes are presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request:

 

(x)                                  to register the transfer of such Certificated Notes; or

 

(y)                                  to exchange such Certificated Notes for an equal principal amount of Certificated Notes of other authorized denominations,

 

the Registrar or co-Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met and if the requirements for such registration of transfer or exchange set forth in this Appendix A and of the Indenture shall have been satisfied; provided , however , that if a Certificated Note surrendered for transfer or exchange bears a Restricted Notes Legend, the Registrar or co-Registrar shall not register the transfer or exchange of such Certificated Note (including any such transfer or exchange to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) unless (A) such transferor shall have delivered to the Registrar or co-Registrar a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit F to the Indenture, appropriately completed and signed by such transferor, (B) in the case of any transfer or exchange pursuant to any transaction that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act (other than a transfer to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or a transaction pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S), such transferor shall have also delivered to the Registrar or co-Registrar (i) if such transfer or exchange is being made pursuant to Rule 144, a legal opinion addressed to the Company and the Registrar or co-Registrar, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such transfer or exchange is being made in reliance on Rule 144, that the Holder may transfer such Certificated Note without registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 144 and that, accordingly, the Restricted Note Legend on such Certificated Note may be removed or (ii) if such transfer or exchange is not being made pursuant to Rule 144, a legal opinion addressed to the Company and the Registrar or co-Registrar, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such transfer or exchange may be effected without registration under the Securities Act and (C) such transferor shall have also delivered to the Company and the Registrar or co-Registrar, as the case may be, any additional certifications, legal opinions and other information as may be required by the Company to determine that the proposed transfer or exchange is being made in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable state or other securities laws.  In the case of any such proposed transfer or exchange that requires the delivery of a legal opinion as provided for above, the Registrar or co-Registrar shall notify the Company of such proposed transfer or exchange in order to provide the Company with an opportunity to review such legal opinion and request such additional certifications, legal opinions and other information the Company may require.

 

(c)                                   Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes .  (i) The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the Indenture (including this Appendix A)

 

A- 4



 

and the procedures of the Depositary and, if applicable, Clearstream and Euroclear.  In the case of any exchange of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note for a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, and any transfer of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note to a Person who wishes to take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, in each case being made prior to expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period with respect to such Regulation S Global Note, the beneficial interests in such Regulation S Global Note must be held through an account with a participant in either Euroclear or Clearstream, or both, as the case may be.

 

(i)                                 Subject to compliance with the other applicable requirements of this Section 2.2(c), if the proposed transfer is a transfer of a beneficial interest in one Global Note to a beneficial interest in another Global Note, (A) the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Global Note to which such interest is being transferred in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interest to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a corresponding decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note from which such interest is being transferred; and (B) the Registrar shall instruct the Note Custodian to increase or reflect on its records an increase in the principal amount of the Global Note to which such interest is being transferred (and to record such increase by endorsement on the Schedule attached to such Global Note) in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interest to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall instruct the Note Custodian, concurrently with such increase, to decrease or reflect on its records a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note from which such interest is being transferred by a corresponding amount (and to record such decrease by endorsement on the Schedule attached to such Global Note).

 

(ii)                                 If the proposed transfer is an exchange of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note for a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note or the transfer of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note to a Person who wishes to take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, the transferor of such beneficial interest shall deliver to the Registrar prior to any such exchange or transfer (A) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C to the Indenture if such exchange or transfer is to occur prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period with respect to such Regulation S Global Note or (B) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture if such exchange or transfer is to occur after the expiration of such Distribution Compliance Period, in each case appropriately completed and signed by the transferor.

 

(iii)                                  If the proposed transfer is an exchange of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note for a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note or the transfer of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note to a Person who wishes to take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note and such exchange or transfer is to occur prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period with respect to such Regulation S Global Note, the transferor of such beneficial interest shall deliver to the Registrar prior to any such exchange or transfer a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E to the Indenture, appropriately completed and signed by such transferor.

 

(iv)                                Any beneficial interest in one of the Global Notes that is transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in another Global Note will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in such original Global Note and will become an interest in the other Global Note and, accordingly, will thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions and other procedures applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global Note for so long as it remains such an interest.

 

(v)                                Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Appendix A, a Global Note may not be transferred except as provided in the first sentence of Section 2.15(b) of the Indenture.

 

(d)                                  Legend.

 

(i)                                      Each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes and the Certificated Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (the “ Restricted Notes Legend ”):

 

A- 5



 

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ SECURITIES ACT ”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.

 

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER

 

(1)           REPRESENTS THAT:

 

(A)        IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “ QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER ” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT,

 

(B)        IT ACQUIRED THIS NOTE OR SUCH BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A TRANSACTION THAT DID NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

 

(C)        IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON (WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND IT ACQUIRED THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, AND

 

(2)           AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND ONLY:

 

(A)        TO THE COMPANY,

 

(B)        PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,

 

(C)        TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,

 

(D)        IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

 

(E)         PURSUANT TO ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION (OTHER THAN AS PROVIDED BY RULE 144) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2)(E) ABOVE, THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, NO TRANSFERS WILL BE PERMITTED IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144, REGARDLESS OF ITS AVAILABILITY AS AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

[IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES:  BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.]

 

BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS SECURITY, THE HOLDER THEREOF WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (1) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY SUCH HOLDER TO ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY CONSTITUTES THE ASSETS OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ ERISA ”), OF A PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “ CODE ”) OR PROVISIONS UNDER ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE

 

A- 6



 

(“ SIMILAR LAWS ”), OR OF AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “ PLAN ASSETS ” OF ANY SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT, OR (2) THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS, AND NONE OF THE COMPANY, THE INITIAL PURCHASERS NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES HAS ACTED AS SUCH HOLDER’S FIDUCIARY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THE NOTES.

 

(ii)                                Upon a sale or transfer after the expiration of the Restricted Period of any Note acquired pursuant to Regulation S, all requirements that such Note bear the Restricted Notes Legend shall cease to apply and the requirements requiring any such Notes be issued in global form shall continue to apply.

 

(iii)                                Any Additional Notes sold in a registered offering shall not be required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

(e)                                   Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note .  At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Note have either been exchanged for Certificated Notes or transferred in exchange for interests in an Unrestricted Global Note, or all of the outstanding Notes shall have been redeemed, repurchased or canceled, such Global Note shall be returned by the Depositary to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture.  At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Certificated Notes, transferred in exchange for an interest in another Global Note or redeemed, repurchased or canceled or if a beneficial interest in another Global Note is transferred in exchange for an interest in such Global Note or if Additional Notes are issued and are to be evidenced by such Global Note, then the Registrar shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note or Global Notes to be reduced or increased, as applicable, and shall instruct the Note Custodian to decrease or increase, or reflect on its records a decrease or increase, as the case may be, in the principal amount of such Global Note or Global Notes (and to record such decrease or increase, as the case may be, by endorsement on the Schedule attached to each such Global Note in the applicable principal amount).

 

A- 7



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

 

[Global Notes Legend]

 

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“ DTC ”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

 

[[FOR REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE ONLY] UNTIL 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF COMMENCEMENT OR COMPLETION OF THE OFFERING, AN OFFER OR SALE OF SECURITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES BY A DEALER (AS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT (AS DEFINED BELOW)) MAY VIOLATE THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IF SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS MADE OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A THEREUNDER.]

 

[ THIS NOTE HAS BEEN ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT (“OID”) FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF OID, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY OF THIS NOTE MAY BE OBTAINED BY WRITING TO THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE ISSUER AT FOLLOWING ADDRESS: 201 ROUSE BOULEVARD, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19112.]

 

[Restricted Notes Legend]

 

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ SECURITIES ACT ”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.

 

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER

 

(1)          REPRESENTS THAT:

 

(A)        IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT,

 

(B)        IT ACQUIRED THIS NOTE OR SUCH BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A TRANSACTION THAT DID NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

 

(C)        IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON (WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND IT ACQUIRED THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, AND

 

(2)          AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND ONLY:

 

Exh A- 1



 

(A)        TO THE COMPANY,

 

(B)        PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,

 

(C)        TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,

 

(D)        IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR

 

(E)         PURSUANT TO ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION (OTHER THAN AS PROVIDED BY RULE 144) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2)(E) ABOVE, THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, NO TRANSFERS WILL BE PERMITTED IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144, REGARDLESS OF ITS AVAILABILITY AS AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

[IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES:  BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.]

 

BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS SECURITY, THE HOLDER THEREOF WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (1) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY SUCH HOLDER TO ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY CONSTITUTES THE ASSETS OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ ERISA ”), OF A PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “ CODE ”) OR PROVISIONS UNDER ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (“ SIMILAR LAWS ”), OR OF AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT, OR (2) THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS, AND NONE OF THE COMPANY, THE INITIAL PURCHASERS NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES HAS ACTED AS SUCH HOLDER’S FIDUCIARY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THE NOTES.

 

Exh A- 2



 

No.:

 

FS Energy and Power Fund
 

7.500% Senior Note due 2023

 

CUSIP No.:                                  [ · ](4)

 

ISIN No.:                                             [ · ](5)

 

FS Energy and Power Fund , a Maryland corporation, promises to pay to [                             ], or registered assigns, the principal sum [of [ ] Dollars](6) [set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto (as the same may be revised from time to time)](7) on August 15, 2023.

 

Interest Payment Dates:  February 15 and August 15, commencing on February 15, 2019. 
Record Dates:  February 1 and August 1.

 

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which will for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

(4)                                  Rule 144A Note CUSIP:  30264D AA7
Regulation S Note CUSIP:  U34835 AA3

 

(5)                                  Rule 144A Note ISIN:  US30264DAA72
Regulation S Note ISIN:  USU34835AA35

 

(6)                                  Insert for Certificated Notes.

 

(7)                                  Insert for Global Notes.  If the Note is to be issued in global form, also include the attachment hereto captioned “SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE.”

 

Exh A- 3



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by one of its duly authorized Officers.

 

 

FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Exh A- 4



 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

This is one of the 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Dated: August 16, 2018

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

Exh A- 5



 

(REVERSE OF NOTE)

 

7.500% Senior Note due 2023

 

Section 1.                                            Interest

 

FS Energy and Power Fund (the “ Company ,” which term includes its successors under the Indenture referred to below), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at a rate of 7.500% per annum until August 15, 2023 or such earlier date on which the principal of this Note shall have been paid or duly provided for.  The Company will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year (each an “ Interest Payment Date ”) or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day, commencing February 15, 2019.  Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from and including August 16, 2018; provided that if this Note is authenticated between a Record Date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest on this Note shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date.  Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

Section 2.                                            Method of Payment

 

Interest on the Notes payable on any Interest Payment Date will be paid to the Persons who are the Holders of record of the Notes at the close of business on the Record Date (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.13 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest.  Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to receive payments of principal and premium, if any.  The Company will pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes in U.S. Legal Tender.  The Company will pay the principal and premium, if any, on, and may pay interest on, any Certificated Notes at the office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose in the United States of America, upon surrender of such Certificated Notes by the Holders thereof at such office or agency.  Interest on any Certificated Notes may also be paid, at the Company’s option, by check mailed to the registered addresses of the Holders entitled thereto or by wire transfer to accounts in the United States of America specified by such Holders.  The Company will pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on Global Notes registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as Holder of such Global Notes.

 

Section 3.                                            Paying Agent and Registrar

 

Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar.  The Company may replace or change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar so long as there is a Paying Agent and Registrar in the United States of America, and may appoint additional Paying Agents and co-Registrars, in each case without notice to Holders.  The Company or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries may act as Registrar, co Registrar or Paying Agent.

 

Section 4.                                            Indenture

 

The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of August 16, 2018 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “ Indenture ”) between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Trustee ”).  The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture.  The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms.  Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined in this Note have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture.

 

Section 5.                                            Optional Redemption

 

(a)                                  At any time on or after May 15, 2023 (the “ Par Call Date ”), the Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at the Company’s option from time to time at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date (subject to the right of the

 

Exh A- 6



 

Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on any interest payment date falling on or prior to such Redemption Date).

 

(b)                                  At any time prior to the Par Call Date, the Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at the Company’s option from time to time at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date (subject to the right of the Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on any Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to such Redemption Date).

 

Applicable Premium ” means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date for such Note, the greater of:  (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value as of such Redemption Date of (i) 100% of the principal amount of such Note on the Par Call Date and (ii) all required remaining scheduled principal and interest payments due on such Note to, but excluding, the Par Call Date, excluding accrued but unpaid interest to such Redemption Date, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (b) the principal amount of such Note.  Calculation of the Applicable Premium and the Treasury Rate will be made by the Company or on behalf of the Company by such Person as the Company shall designate; provided, however, that such calculation shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee.

 

Treasury Rate ” means, with respect to a Redemption Date for any Note, the weekly average rounded to the nearest 1/100th of a percentage point (for the most recently completed week for which such information is available as of the date that is at least two Business Days prior to the first day on which the Company mails or otherwise transmits the notice of redemption or, in the case of redemption in connection with Legal Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance or satisfaction and discharge pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.01 of the Indenture, as applicable, at least two Business Days prior to the deposit of trust funds with the Trustee in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture) of the yield to maturity of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 with respect to each applicable day during such week (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published or available, any publicly available source of similar market data selected by the Company) most nearly equal to the period from the applicable redemption date to the maturity date; provided , however , that if such period is not equal to the constant maturity of the United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if such period is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

 

(b)                                  Any redemption of the Notes pursuant to this Section 5 may, in the Company’s sole discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent and, in such case, if any such condition is not satisfied as and when required or waived by the Company, the applicable Redemption Date may be delayed by the Company in its sole discretion and the Company in its sole discretion may cancel such redemption and rescind any notice of redemption, all as further provided in the Indenture.

 

Section 6.                                            Sinking Fund

 

Except as described in Section 8 below, the Company is not required to make any mandatory redemption, mandatory repurchase or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.  The Company may at any time and from time to time acquire Notes by means other than redemption or a repurchase pursuant to Section 8 below, whether by tender offer, open market purchases, negotiated transactions or otherwise.

 

Section 7.                                            Selection of Notes for Redemption; Notice of Redemption

 

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee pro rata or by lot; provided that, in the case of Notes represented by one or more Global Notes, interests in such Global Notes will be selected for redemption by the Depositary in accordance with its applicable procedures therefor.

 

Exh A- 7



 

Notes shall be redeemed in a minimum principal amount of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; provided that the remaining principal amount of any Note redeemed in part shall be $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.  Notice of any redemption will be given as provided in the Indenture at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the applicable Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed.

 

On and after a Redemption Date (or, if the Company has delayed such Redemption Date as provided in the Indenture, on and after the applicable delayed Redemption Date, as the case may be), interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption as long as the Company has deposited with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Domestic Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, the Company or such Domestic Subsidiary has segregated and holds in trust), on or before such Redemption Date (or delayed Redemption Date, as applicable), funds in an amount sufficient to pay the redemption price of the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on such Redemption Date (or delayed Redemption Date, as applicable), other than Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption that have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, such Redemption Date (or delayed Redemption Date, as applicable) (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on any Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to such Redemption Date (or delayed Redemption Date, as applicable)), and the only remaining right of the Holders of the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption will be to receive payment of the redemption price and such accrued and unpaid interest, if any, upon surrender of the Notes to be redeemed to the Paying Agent.

 

Section 8.                                            Repurchase of Notes at the Option of Holders upon Change of Control

 

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder of Notes will have the right (unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem all of the Notes then outstanding pursuant to Section 5 above by sending (or causing the Trustee to send) a notice of redemption as provided in Article 3 of the Indenture) to require that the Company purchase all or a portion of such Holder’s Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the applicable Change of Control Payment Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on any Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date).

 

Interest on Notes (or portions thereof) validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue on and after the applicable Change of Control Payment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Change of Control Purchase Price of the Notes).

 

Section 9.                                            Guarantees

 

In the event that one or more Guarantors shall guarantee payment of the Notes as provided in Article 10 of the Indenture, the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes will be unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed, jointly and severally, by such Guarantors on the terms, to the extent and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in the Indenture, including provisions for the release and termination of such Guarantees and the obligations of each Guarantor from its obligations under its Guarantee of the Notes and the Indenture.

 

Section 10.                                     Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

 

The Notes are issued in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged for an equal principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations as requested by the Holder if the Registrar’s or co-Registrar’s requirements and the requirements under the Indenture (including, if applicable, Appendix A of the Indenture) for such transaction are met.  The Company, the Registrar, any co-Registrar and the Trustee may also require a Holder to furnish endorsements and transfer documents as any of them may reasonably request in connection with the registration of transfer or exchange of Notes in addition to any documents that are required or may be required as provided in the Indenture (including, without limitation, Appendix A thereto), and the Company, the Registrar, any co-Registrar and the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.  The Registrar or any co-Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note (i) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the mailing (or, if not mailed, other transmittal) of a notice of redemption of Notes and ending at the close of business

 

Exh A- 8



 

on the day of such mailing (or other transmittal), (ii) selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article 3 of the Indenture, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, (iii) between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (iv) tendered for repurchase pursuant to a Change of Control Offer and not validly withdrawn.

 

Section 11.                                     Persons Deemed Owners

 

Subject to the provisions of the Indenture and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Holder of a Note may be treated as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes.

 

Section 12.                                     Unclaimed Money

 

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, if money for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Company at its request.  After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Company as a general creditor and not to the Trustee or Paying Agent for payment.

 

Section 13.                                     Discharge, Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance; Covenant Termination

 

Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time may terminate some of or all its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money and/or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.  Subject to certain conditions, certain of the Company’s covenants and obligations under the Indenture may be permanently terminated.  Upon any such termination, any Guarantees of the Notes, and the obligations of any Guarantors under the Indenture and their Guarantees, will also be terminated.

 

Section 14.                                     Amendment, Waiver, Deemed Consents, Releases

 

The Indenture, the Notes, any Guarantees, the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Security Documents may be modified, amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture, and compliance with any provision of the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees may be waived, as provided in the Indenture.  Any modification, amendment, supplement or waiver shall be conclusive and binding on all present and future Holders of Notes, whether or not notation of such modification, amendment, supplement or waiver is made upon the Notes.

 

Section 15.                                     Defaults and Remedies

 

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency relating to the Company) shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, and the Trustee at the request of such Holders shall, declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the outstanding Notes to be due and payable by notice in writing to the Company as provided in the Indenture.  If an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency relating to the Company occurs and is continuing, then all unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all of the outstanding Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may rescind and cancel any such acceleration and its consequences on the terms and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture, and an acceleration of the Notes may, under certain limited circumstances provided for in the Indenture, also be automatically rescinded and cancelled.

 

Section 16.                                     Individual Rights of Trustee

 

The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  Any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar may do the same with like rights.  However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11 of the Indenture.

 

Exh A- 9



 

Section 17.                                     No Recourse Against Others

 

A director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder, partner or member of, or owner of an equity interest in, the Company or any Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture or the Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note shall be deemed to have waived and released all such liability.  Such waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

Section 18.                                     Successors

 

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, when a successor assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the predecessor will be released from those obligations.

 

Section 19.                                     Authentication

 

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the face of this Note.

 

Section 20.                                     Abbreviations

 

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

 

Section 21.                                     Governing Law .

 

This Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, as applied to contracts made and performed within the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

 

Section 22.                                     CUSIP and ISIN Numbers .

 

The Company has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices to Holders as a convenience to Holders.  No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

Exh A- 10



 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

I or we assign and transfer this Note to

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

 

and irrevocably appoint                       as agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company.  The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature(s):

 

 

 

 

 

Sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on the face of this Note.

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee.

 

Exh A- 11



 

[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

 

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $[           ].  The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

 

Amount of decrease
in principal amount
of this Global Note

 

Amount of increase in 
principal amount of
this Global Note

 

Principal amount of
this Global Note
following such decrease
or increase

 

Signature of
authorized signatory
of Trustee or Note
Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exh A- 12



 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, check this box:  ¨

 

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 of the Indenture, state the principal amount of this Note you elect to have purchased (if no amount is specified below it means you are electing to have this Note purchased by the Company in its entirety):

 

$                               *

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature(s):

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on the face of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee.

 


*Must be $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof; provided that the unpurchased portion of a Note must be a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

Exh A- 13



 

EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”) dated as of              among [GUARANTOR] (the “ New Guarantor ”), a subsidiary of FS Energy and Power Fund [or name of its successor] (the “ Company ”), [the Guarantors (the “ Existing Guarantors ”) under the Indenture referred to below as of the date hereto,] and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “ Trustee ”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of August 16, 2018 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (the “ Notes ”);

 

WHEREAS Section 4.10 of the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Company is required to cause the New Guarantor to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee the payment of the Notes on the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee[, the Existing Guarantors] and the Company are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture;

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Guarantor, the Company[, the Existing Guarantors] and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

1.                                       Agreement to Guarantee .  The New Guarantor hereby agrees to be a Guarantor under the Indenture and, jointly and severally with all other Guarantors (if any), to unconditionally guarantee the due and punctual payment of the Guarantee Obligations (as defined in the Indenture) on the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture and to be bound by (and the New Guarantor shall be entitled to the benefits of) all other provisions of the Indenture applicable to a Guarantor, including, without limitation, provisions of the Indenture providing for the release and termination of the New Guarantor’s obligations under its Guarantee of the Notes and the Indenture.

 

2.                                       Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture .  Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect.  This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

 

3.                                       Governing Law THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

4.                                       Trustee Makes No Representation .  The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture and shall not be responsible for the recitals contained herein, all which recitals are made solely by the other parties hereto.

 

5.                                       Counterparts .  The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture.  Each signed copy or counterpart shall be an original, but all of them together shall represent the same agreement.  The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or pdf transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture and signature pages for all purposes.

 

Exh B- 1



 

6.                                       Effect of Headings .  The Section headings herein are for convenience only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof, shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof and shall not affect the construction thereof.

 

Exh B- 2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

 

FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

[NEW GUARANTOR]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

[NAMES OF EXISTING GUARANTORS]

 

 

 

[By:

 

 

 

[Name:]

 

 

[Title:]

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Exh B- 3



 

EXHIBIT C

 

FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE FOR TRANSFER OR EXCHANGE FROM RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE TO REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD

 

U.S. Bank National Association

One Federal Street, 10 th  Floor
Boston, MA 02110
Attention of:  Karen Beard

 

Re:  FS Energy and Power Fund

$[ ] 7.500% Notes due 2023 (the “ Notes ”)

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture dated as of August 16, 2018 between FS Energy and Power Fund (the “ Company ”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”) (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “ Indenture ”).  Capitalized terms not defined in this Certificate shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

This Certificate relates to $[ ] aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note (CUSIP No. 30264D AA7/ ISIN No. US30264DAA72) held through DTC by or on behalf of [TRANSFEROR], as beneficial owner (the “ Transferor ”).  The Transferor has requested an exchange or transfer of the foregoing principal amount of its beneficial interest for an interest in the Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP No. U34835 AA3 / ISIN No. USU34835AA35) to be held by [[Euroclear] [Clearstream] through DTC.

 

In connection with such request and in respect of such Notes, the Transferor hereby certifies that such exchange or transfer is being effected in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Notes and the Indenture and pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 (as applicable) of Regulation S (“ Regulation S ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and accordingly the Transferor hereby represents, covenants or agrees as follows:

 

(1)                                  the offer of such Notes was not made to a Person in the United States (as defined in Regulation S);

 

(2)                                  either:  (A) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or the Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States, or (B) the transaction was executed in, on or through (i) a physical trading floor of an established foreign securities exchange that is located outside the United States in the case of an exchange or transfer pursuant to Rule 903 of Regulation S or (ii) the facilities of a designated offshore securities market (as defined in Regulation S) in the case of an exchange or transfer pursuant to Rule 904 of Regulation S and neither the Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, and in each of the foregoing cases such transfer or exchange is otherwise being made in an offshore transaction within the meaning of, and in compliance with, Regulation S;

 

(3)                              no directed selling efforts (as defined in Regulation S) have been or will be made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(a) or 904(a) of Regulation S, as applicable;

 

(4)                                  if the Transferor is a dealer in securities or has received a selling concession, fee or other remuneration in respect of the Notes covered by this Certificate, then the requirements of Rule 904(b)(1) of Regulation S have been satisfied;

 

(5)                                  the transfer or exchange, as applicable, is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person;

 

Exh C- 1



 

(6)                                  the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act; and

 

(7)                                  upon completion of the transfer or exchange, as applicable, the beneficial interest being exchanged or transferred as described above will be held with DTC through Euroclear or Clearstream or both.

 

This Certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

[TRANSFEROR]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

Exh C- 2



 

EXHIBIT D

 

FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE FOR THE TRANSFER OR EXCHANGE FROM RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE TO REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD

 

U.S. Bank National Association

One Federal Street, 10 th  Floor
Boston, MA 02110
Attention of:  Karen Beard

 

Re:  FS Energy and Power Fund

$[ ] 7.500% Notes due 2023 (the “ Notes ”)

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture dated as of August 16, 2018 between FS Energy and Power Fund (the “ Company ”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”) (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “ Indenture ”).  Capitalized terms not defined in this Certificate shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

This Certificate relates to $[ ] aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note (CUSIP No. 30264D AA7/ ISIN No. US30264DAA72) held through DTC by or on behalf of [TRANSFEROR], as beneficial owner (the “ Transferor ”).  The Transferor has requested an exchange or transfer of the foregoing principal amount of its beneficial interest for an interest in the Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP No. U34835 AA3 / ISIN No. USU34835AA35) to be held by [[Euroclear] [Clearstream] through DTC.

 

In connection with such request and in respect of such Notes, the Transferor hereby certifies that such exchange or transfer is being effected in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Notes and the Indenture and pursuant to and in accordance with either (1) Regulation S (“ Regulation S ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), or (2) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and accordingly the Transferor hereby represents, covenants or agrees as follows:

 

(1)                                  with respect to transfers and exchanges made in reliance on Regulation S (including any such transfers and exchanges made after the U.S. Resale Restriction Termination Date):

 

(A)                                the offer of such Notes was not made to a Person in the United States (as defined in Regulation S);

 

(B)                                either:  (a) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or the Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States, or (b) the transaction was executed in, on or through (i) a physical trading floor of an established foreign securities exchange that is located outside the United States in the case of an exchange or transfer pursuant to Rule 903 of Regulation S or (ii) the facilities of a designated offshore securities market (as defined in Regulation S) in the case of an exchange or transfer pursuant to Rule 904 of Regulation S and neither the Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States,

 

and in each of the foregoing cases such transfer or exchange is otherwise being made in an offshore transaction within the meaning of, and in compliance with, Regulation S;

 

(C)                                no directed selling efforts (as defined in Regulation S) have been or will be made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(a) or 904(a) of Regulation S, as applicable; and

 

Exh D- 1



 

(D)                                the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act; or

 

(2)                                  with respect to transfers and exchanges made after the U.S. Resale Restriction Termination Date:  such Notes are being transferred in a transaction permitted by, and in compliance with, Rule 144 under the Securities Act and the Transferor is contemporaneously delivering the legal opinion required pursuant to Sections 2.2(b) and 2.2(d)(v) of Appendix A to the Indenture in connection with such transfer or exchange, as applicable.

 

This Certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

[TRANSFEROR]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

Exh D- 2



 

EXHIBIT E

 

FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE
FOR TRANSFER OR EXCHANGE FROM REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE
TO RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE PRIOR TO THE
EXPIRATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD

 

U.S. Bank National Association

One Federal Street, 10 th  Floor
Boston, MA 02110
Attention of:  Karen Beard

 

Re:  FS Energy and Power Fund

$[ ] 7.500% Notes due 2023 (the “ Notes ”)

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture dated as of August 16, 2018 between FS Energy and Power Fund (the “ Company ”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”) (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “ Indenture ”).  Capitalized terms not defined in this Certificate shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

This Certificate relates to $[ ] aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note (CUSIP No. 30264D AA7/ ISIN No. US30264DAA72) held through DTC by or on behalf of [TRANSFEROR], as beneficial owner (the “ Transferor ”).  The Transferor has requested an exchange or transfer of the foregoing principal amount of its beneficial interest for an interest in the Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP No. U34835 AA3 / ISIN No. USU34835AA35) to be held by [[Euroclear] [Clearstream] through DTC.

 

In connection with such request, and in respect of such Notes, the Transferor hereby certifies that such transfer or exchange, as applicable, is being effected in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Notes and the Indenture and pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A (“ Rule 144A ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), to a transferee that the Transferor reasonably believes is acquiring such Notes for its own account or an account with respect to which the transferee exercises sole investment discretion and the transferee and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A to whom notice has been given that such transfer or exchange, as applicable, is being made pursuant to Rule 144A, in each case in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or any other jurisdiction.  The Transferor does further certify that it has notified the transferee that it has relied on Rule 144A as a basis for the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act used in connection with the transfer or exchange, as applicable.

 

This Certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

[TRANSFEROR]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

Exh E- 1



 

EXHIBIT F

 

FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE FOR OTHER TRANSFERS AND EXCHANGES

 

U.S. Bank National Association

One Federal Street, 10 th  Floor
Boston, MA 02110
Attention of:  Karen Beard

 

Re:  FS Energy and Power Fund

$[ ] 7.500% Notes due 2023 (the “ Notes ”)

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture dated as of August 16, 2018 between FS Energy and Power Fund (the “ Company ”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”) (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “ Indenture ”).  Capitalized terms not defined in this Certificate shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

This Certificate relates to $[ ] aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by [a Certificated Note, with serial no. [          ], held by[TRANSFEROR] (the “ Transferor ”)][a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note (CUSIP No. 30264D AA7 / ISIN No. US30264DAA72) held through DTC by or on behalf of [TRANSFEROR], as beneficial owner (the “ Transferor ”)][a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP No. [     ] / ISIN No. [     ]) held through DTC by or on behalf of [TRANSFEROR], as beneficial owner (the “ Transferor ”)].  The Transferor has requested a transfer or an exchange of the foregoing principal amount of [such Note to [TRANSFEREE][its beneficial interest for an interest in an Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP No. U34835 AA3 / ISIN No. USU34835AA35) to be held through DTC].

 

In connection with such request and in respect of such Notes, the Transferor does hereby certify that such exchange or transfer is being effected in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Notes and the Indenture (including Appendix A thereto), and accordingly the Transferor does hereby represents, covenants or agrees as follows:

 

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

 

(1)                                  -                                             such Notes are being transferred to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company; or

 

(2)                                  -                                             such Notes are being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”); or

 

(3)                                  -                                             such Notes are being transferred or exchanged, as applicable, pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A (“ Rule 144A ”) under the Securities Act, to a transferee that the Transferor reasonably believes is acquiring such Notes for its own account or an account with respect to which the transferee exercises sole investment discretion and the transferee and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A to whom notice has been given that such transfer is being made pursuant to Rule 144A, in each case in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or any other jurisdiction.  The Transferor does further certify that it has notified the transferee that it has relied on Rule 144A as a basis for the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act used in connection with the transfer; or

 

(4)                                  -                                             [ Regulation S Transfers prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period] such Notes are being transferred or exchanged, as applicable, pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 (as applicable) of Regulation S (“ Regulation S ”) under the Securities Act, and (i) the offer of such Notes was not made to a Person in the United States (as defined in Regulation S); (ii) either:  (A) at the time the buy order

 

Exh F- 1



 

was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or the Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States, or (B) the transaction was executed in, on or through (x) a physical trading floor of an established foreign securities exchange that is located outside the United States in the case of an exchange or transfer pursuant to Rule 903 of Regulation S or (y) the facilities of a designated offshore securities market (as defined in Regulation S) in the case of an exchange or transfer pursuant to Rule 904 of Regulation S and neither the Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, and in each of the foregoing cases such transfer or exchange is otherwise being made in an offshore transaction within the meaning of, and in compliance with, Regulation S; (iii) no directed selling efforts (as defined in Regulation S) have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(a) or 904(a) of Regulation S, as applicable; (iv) if the Transferor is a dealer in securities or has received a selling concession, fee or other remuneration in respect of the Notes covered by this Certificate, then the requirements of Rule 904(b)(1) of Regulation S have been satisfied; (v) the transfer or exchange, as applicable, is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person; (vi) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (vii) if such Notes are being transferred or exchanged, as applicable, for interests in a Regulation S Global Note, upon completion of the transfer or exchange, the beneficial interest being exchanged or transferred as described above will be held with DTC through Euroclear or Clearstream or both; or

 

(5)                                  -                                             [Regulation S Transfers after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period] such Notes are being transferred or exchanged, as applicable, pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S, and (i) the offer of such Notes was not made to a Person in the United States (as defined in Regulation S); (ii) either:  (A) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or the Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States, or (B) the transaction was executed in, on or through (x) a physical trading floor of an established foreign securities exchange that is located outside the United States in the case of an exchange or transfer pursuant to Rule 903 of Regulation S or (y) the facilities of a designated offshore securities market (as defined in Regulation S) in the case of an exchange or transfer pursuant to Rule 904 of Regulation S and neither the Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States, and in each of the foregoing cases such transfer or exchange is otherwise being made in an offshore transaction within the meaning of, and in compliance with, Regulation S; (iii) no directed selling efforts (as defined in Regulation S) have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(a) or 904(a) of Regulation S, as applicable; and (iv) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act; or

 

(6)                                  -                                             such Notes are being transferred or exchanged, as applicable, pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933 or another available exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Transferor is contemporaneously delivering the legal opinion required pursuant to Section 2.2(b) and/or Section 2.2(d)(v) of Appendix A to the Indenture in connection with such transfer.

 

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Registrar or co-Registrar will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any Person other than the registered Holder thereof; provided , however , that if box (6) is checked, the Transferor shall be required to deliver to the Registrar or co-Registrar the legal opinion referred to in Section 2.2(b) of Appendix A to the Indenture; and provided, further, that in any such case the Transferor may be required to deliver such additional certifications, legal opinions and other information as may be required by the Company to determine that the proposed transfer or exchange is being made in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable state or other securities laws.

 

Exh F- 2



 

This Certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

[TRANSFEROR]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

Exh F- 3


Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

SENIOR SECURED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

 

August 16, 2018

 

Among

 

FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND

 

The LENDERS Party Hereto

 

and

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 

SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE ,
as Co-Collateral Agent and Syndication Agent

 

BANK OF MONTREAL (“BMO”),
as Documentation Agent

 


 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
SG AMERICAS SECURITIES, LLC

and

BMO
as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers

 

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Defined Terms

1

SECTION 1.02.

Classification of Loans and Borrowings

34

SECTION 1.03.

Terms Generally

34

SECTION 1.04.

Accounting Terms; GAAP

35

SECTION 1.05.

Currencies; Currency Equivalents

35

SECTION 1.06.

Interest Rates

36

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

THE CREDITS

SECTION 2.01.

The Commitments

37

SECTION 2.02.

Loans and Borrowings

37

SECTION 2.03.

Requests for Borrowings

38

SECTION 2.04.

Letters of Credit

39

SECTION 2.05.

Funding of Borrowings

43

SECTION 2.06.

Interest Elections

44

SECTION 2.07.

Termination, Reduction or Increase of the Commitments

45

SECTION 2.08.

Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt

47

SECTION 2.09.

Prepayment of Loans

48

SECTION 2.10.

Fees

51

SECTION 2.11.

Interest

52

SECTION 2.12.

Market Disruption and Alternate Rate of Interest

53

SECTION 2.13.

Computation of Interest

54

SECTION 2.14.

Increased Costs

55

SECTION 2.15.

Break Funding Payments

56

SECTION 2.16.

Taxes

56

SECTION 2.17.

Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs

59

SECTION 2.18.

Defaulting Lenders

61

SECTION 2.19.

Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders

63

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

 

 

SECTION 3.01.

Organization; Powers

64

SECTION 3.02.

Authorization; Enforceability

64

SECTION 3.03.

Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts

64

SECTION 3.04.

Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change

65

SECTION 3.05.

Litigation; Actions, Suits and Proceedings

65

SECTION 3.06.

Compliance with Laws and Agreements

65

SECTION 3.07.

Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions

65

SECTION 3.08.

Taxes

65

 

i



 

 

 

Page

SECTION 3.09.

ERISA

66

SECTION 3.10.

Disclosure

66

SECTION 3.11.

Investment Company Act; Margin Regulations

66

SECTION 3.12.

Material Agreements and Liens

67

SECTION 3.13.

Subsidiaries and Investments

67

SECTION 3.14.

Properties

67

SECTION 3.15.

Affiliate Agreement

68

SECTION 3.16.

Security Documents

68

SECTION 3.17.

EEA Financial Institutions

68

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

CONDITIONS

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

Effective Date

68

SECTION 4.02.

Each Credit Event

70

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

Financial Statements and Other Information

71

SECTION 5.02.

Notices of Material Events

73

SECTION 5.03.

Existence; Conduct of Business

74

SECTION 5.04.

Payment of Obligations

74

SECTION 5.05.

Maintenance of Properties; Insurance

74

SECTION 5.06.

Books and Records; Inspection Rights

74

SECTION 5.07.

Compliance with Laws

74

SECTION 5.08.

Certain Obligations Respecting Subsidiaries; Further Assurances

75

SECTION 5.09.

Use of Proceeds

77

SECTION 5.10.

Status of RIC and BDC

77

SECTION 5.11.

Investment and Valuation Policies

77

SECTION 5.12.

Portfolio Valuation and Diversification, Etc.

77

SECTION 5.13.

Calculation of Borrowing Base

80

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

 

 

SECTION 6.01.

Indebtedness

86

SECTION 6.02.

Liens

87

SECTION 6.03.

Fundamental Changes and Dispositions of Assets

88

SECTION 6.04.

Investments

90

SECTION 6.05.

Restricted Payments

90

SECTION 6.06.

Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries

92

SECTION 6.07.

Certain Financial Covenants

92

SECTION 6.08.

Transactions with Affiliates

92

SECTION 6.09.

Lines of Business

93

SECTION 6.10.

No Further Negative Pledge

93

SECTION 6.11.

Modifications of Certain Documents

93

SECTION 6.12.

Payments of Other Indebtedness

94

 

ii



 

 

 

Page

ARTICLE VII

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

ARTICLE IX

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

SECTION 9.01.

Notices; Electronic Communications

103

SECTION 9.02.

Waivers; Amendments

104

SECTION 9.03.

Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver

106

SECTION 9.04.

Successors and Assigns

108

SECTION 9.05.

Survival

111

SECTION 9.06.

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution

112

SECTION 9.07.

Severability

112

SECTION 9.08.

Right of Setoff

112

SECTION 9.09.

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

112

SECTION 9.10.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

113

SECTION 9.11.

Judgment Currency

113

SECTION 9.12.

Headings

114

SECTION 9.13.

Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality

114

SECTION 9.14.

USA PATRIOT Act

115

SECTION 9.15.

No Fiduciary Duty

116

SECTION 9.16.

Termination

116

SECTION 9.17.

Conduit Lenders and Conduit Support Providers

116

SECTION 9.18.

Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions

117

 

SCHEDULE I

 

 

Commitments

SCHEDULE II

 

 

Material Agreements and Liens

SCHEDULE III

 

 

[Reserved]

SCHEDULE IV

 

 

Subsidiaries and Investments

SCHEDULE V

 

 

Transactions with Affiliates

SCHEDULE VII

 

 

Approved Dealers and Approved Pricing Services

SCHEDULE VIII

 

 

Excluded Subsidiaries

SCHEDULE IX

 

 

[Reserved]

SCHEDULE X

 

 

Notices

 

EXHIBIT A

 

 

Form of Assignment and Assumption

EXHIBIT B

 

 

Form of Guarantee and Security Agreement

EXHIBIT C

 

 

Form of Opinion of Counsel to the Borrower

EXHIBIT D

 

 

[Reserved]

EXHIBIT E

 

 

Form of Borrowing Base Certificate

EXHIBIT F

 

 

Form of Borrowing Request

EXHIBIT G

 

 

Form of Interest Election Request

EXHIBIT H

 

 

Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates

 

iii



 

SENIOR SECURED CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of August 16, 2018 (this “ Agreement ”), between FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND, the LENDERS and CONDUIT SUPPORT PROVIDERS party hereto, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE as Co-Collateral Agent.

 

The Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide the credit facilities described herein under this Agreement to extend credit to the Borrower (i) in the form of Revolving Loans in Dollars or an Agreed Foreign Currency (each as defined below) during the Availability Period (as defined below) with an initial maximum credit amount of $390,000,000 and (ii) in the form of Term Loans in Dollars in an initial aggregate principal amount of $195,000,000, the proceeds of which will be used in accordance with Section 5.09.  The Lenders are prepared to extend such credit upon the terms and conditions hereof, and, accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

SECTION 1.01.                               Defined Terms .  As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

ABR ,” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan is, or the Loans constituting such Borrowing are, denominated in Dollars and bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

 

Additional Debt Amount ” means, as of any date, the greater of (i) $50,000,000 and (ii) an amount equal to 2.0% of Shareholders’ Equity.

 

Adjusted Asset Coverage Ratio ” means, on any date, the Asset Coverage Ratio on such date recalculated by treating all undrawn commitments to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in effect on such date that, if funded, would result as indebtedness constituting Senior Securities as though such commitments were fully funded.

 

Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate ” means, for the Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Borrowing, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to (a) the Eurocurrency Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate for such Interest Period.

 

Administrative Agent ” means JPMCB, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.

 

Administrative Agent’s Account ” means, for each Currency, an account in respect of such Currency designated by the Administrative Agent in a notice to the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

Administrative Questionnaire ” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

 

Advance Rate ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the term “Affiliate” shall not include

 



 

any Person that constitutes an Investment held by any Obligor or any Designated Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business.

 

Affiliate Agreement ” means the Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Agreement dated as of April 9, 2018 by and between the Borrower and FS/EIG Advisor, LLC.

 

Agreed Foreign Currency ” means (i) at any time, any of Canadian Dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling and AUD and (ii) with the agreement of each Multicurrency Revolving Lender, any other Foreign Currency, so long as, in respect of any such specified Foreign Currency or other Foreign Currency, at such time (a) such Foreign Currency is dealt with in the London interbank deposit market or another interbank market reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (b) such Foreign Currency is freely transferable and convertible into Dollars in the London foreign exchange market and (c) no central bank or other governmental authorization in the country of issue of such Foreign Currency (including, in the case of the Euro, any authorization by the European Central Bank) is required to permit use of such Foreign Currency by any Multicurrency Revolving Lender for making any Loan hereunder and/or to permit the Borrower to borrow and repay the principal thereof and to pay the interest thereon, unless such authorization has been obtained and is in full force and effect.

 

Alternate Base Rate ” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate for such day plus ½ of 1%, (c) the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate for a one month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1%, provided that for the purpose of this definition, the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate for any day shall be based on the LIBO Screen Rate (or if the LIBO Screen Rate is not available for such one month Interest Period, the Interpolated Rate) at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day and (d) 1.00%.  Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate, respectively.  If the Alternate Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.12 hereof, then the Alternate Base Rate shall be the greater of clauses (a), (b) and (d) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above.

 

Anti-Corruption Laws ” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption , including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, (15 U.S.C. § 78dd-1, et seq.) and the U.K. Bribery Act 2010.

 

Applicable Dollar Percentage ” means, with respect to any Dollar Revolving Lender, the percentage of the total Dollar Revolving Commitments represented by such Dollar Revolving Lender’s Dollar Revolving Commitment.  If the Dollar Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Dollar Percentages shall be determined based upon the Dollar Revolving Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments pursuant to Section 9.04(b).

 

Applicable Margin ” means, for any day, with respect to any ABR Loan, 1.75% and in the case of any Eurocurrency Loan, 2.75%.

 

Applicable Multicurrency Percentage ” means, with respect to any Multicurrency Revolving Lender, the percentage of the total Multicurrency Revolving Commitments represented by such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment.  If the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Multicurrency Percentages shall be determined based upon the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments pursuant to Section 9.04(b).

 

2



 

Applicable Percentage ” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the total Revolving Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment.  If the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments pursuant to Section 9.04(b).

 

Approved Dealer ” means (a) in the case of any Portfolio Investment that is not a U.S. Government Security, a bank or a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of nationally recognized standing or an Affiliate thereof, (b) in the case of a U.S. Government Security, any primary dealer in U.S. Government Securities, and (c) in the case of any foreign Portfolio Investment, any foreign broker-dealer of internationally recognized standing or an Affiliate thereof, in the case of each of clauses (a), (b) and (c) above, as set forth on Schedule VII or any other bank or broker-dealer acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable determination.

 

Approved Pricing Service ” means a pricing or quotation service as set forth in Schedule VII or any other pricing or quotation service approved by the board of trustees (or appropriate committee thereof with the necessary delegated authority) of the Borrower and designated in writing to the Administrative Agent (which designation shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the board of trustees (or appropriate committee thereof with the necessary delegated authority) of the Borrower that such pricing or quotation service has been approved by the Borrower).

 

Approved Third Party Appraiser ” means each of Murray, Devine & Co., Houlihan Lokey, Duff & Phelps, Lincoln Advisors, Valuation Research Corporation, Alvarez & Marsal, and any other third party appraiser selected by the Borrower in its reasonable discretion.

 

Asset Coverage Ratio ” means, on any date, with respect to the Borrower, on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, the ratio which the value of total assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by Senior Securities, bears to the aggregate amount of Senior Securities representing indebtedness, in each case, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (all as determined pursuant to the Investment Company Act in effect on the Effective Date and any orders of the SEC issued to the Borrower) on such date.  The calculation of the Asset Coverage Ratio with respect to the Borrower shall be made in accordance with any exemptive order issued by the SEC under Section 6(c) of the Investment Company Act relating to the exclusion of any Indebtedness of any SBIC Subsidiary of the Borrower from the definition of “Senior Securities” of the Borrower only so long as (a) such order is in effect, and (b) no obligations have become due and owing pursuant to the terms of any Permitted SBIC Guarantee to which the Borrower is a party.  For the avoidance of doubt, the outstanding utilized notional amount of any total return swap, in each case less the value of the margin posted by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries thereunder at such time shall be treated as a Senior Security of the Borrower for the purposes of calculating the Asset Coverage Ratio.

 

Asset Sale ” means a sale, lease or sub lease (as lessor or sublessor), sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition to, or any exchange of property with, any Person, in one transaction or a series of transactions, of all or any part of any Obligor’s assets or properties of any kind, whether real, personal, or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter acquired; provided , however , the term “Asset Sale” as used in this Agreement shall not include the disposition of Portfolio Investments originated by the Borrower and promptly transferred to a Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of Section 6.03(d) hereof.

 

Assignment and Assumption ” means an Assignment and Assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted

 

3



 

by the Administrative Agent as provided in Section 9.04, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form (including electronic records generated by the use of an electronic platform) reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Assuming Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(e).

 

AUD ” means the lawful currency of The Commonwealth of Australia.

 

AUD Screen Rate ” means with respect to any Interest Period,  the average bid reference rate administered by the Australian Financial Markets Association (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate) for Australian dollar bills of exchange with a tenor equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on page BBSY of the Reuters screen (or, in the event such rate does not appear on such Reuters page, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate as shall be selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion) at or about 11:00 a.m. (Sydney, Australia time) on the first day of such Interest Period: provided that if the AUD Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for such Interest Period then the AUD Screen Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate; provided that if such rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Availability Period ” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Facility Commitment Termination Date and the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments.

 

Average COF Rate ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(a).

 

Bail-In Action ” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

 

Bail-In Legislation ” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

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.

 

Benefit Plan ” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code to which Section 4975 of the Code applies, and (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of the Plan Asset Regulations or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

 

BMO ” has the meaning set forth on the cover of this Agreement.

 

Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

 

Borrower ” means FS Energy and Power Fund, a Delaware statutory trust.

 

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Borrowing ” means (a) all ABR Loans of the same Class made, converted or continued on the same date and/or (b) all Eurocurrency Loans of the same Class denominated in the same Currency that have the same Interest Period.

 

Borrowing Base ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

 

Borrowing Base Certificate ” means a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit E and appropriately completed.

 

Borrowing Base Deficiency ” means, at any date on which the same is determined, the amount, if any, that (a) the aggregate Covered Debt Amount as of such date exceeds (b) the Borrowing Base as of such date.

 

Borrowing Request ” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03 substantially in the form of Exhibit F or any other form reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; and when used in connection with a Eurocurrency Loan for a LIBOR Quoted Currency, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in such currency in London; and in addition, with respect to any date for the payment or purchase of, or the fixing of an interest rate in relation to, any Non-LIBOR Quoted Currency, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for general business in the Principal Financial Center of the country of such Non-LIBOR Quoted Currency and, if the Borrowings or LC Disbursements which are the subject of a borrowing, drawing, payment, reimbursement or rate selection are denominated in Euros, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which the TARGET2 payment system is not open for the settlement of payments in Euros.

 

Canadian Dollar ” means the lawful money of Canada.

 

Canadian Prime Rate ” means, on any day, the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the higher of (i) the rate equal to the PRIMCAN index rate that appears on the Bloomberg screen at 10:15 a.m. Toronto time on such day (or, in the event  that the PRIMCAN index is not published by Bloomberg, any other information services that publishes such index from time to time, as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) and (ii) the CDOR Screen Rate for thirty (30) days, plus 1% per annum.  Any change in the Canadian Prime Rate due to a change in the PRIMCAN index or the  CDOR Screen Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the PRIMCAN Index or CDOR Screen Rate, respectively.

 

Capital Lease Obligations ” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.  Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, any change in GAAP that becomes effective after the Effective Date that would require an operating lease to be treated similar to a capital lease (including as a “finance lease”) shall not be given effect hereunder.

 

Cash ” means any immediately available funds in Dollars or in any currency other than Dollars (measured in terms of the Dollar Equivalent thereof) which is a freely convertible currency.

 

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Cash Equivalents ” means investments (other than Cash) that are one or more of the following obligations:

 

(a)                                  U.S. Government Securities, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(b)                                  investments in commercial paper or other short-term corporate obligations maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, a credit rating of at least A-1 from S&P and at least P-1 from Moody’s;

 

(c)                                   investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof (i) issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or under the laws of the jurisdiction or any constituent jurisdiction thereof of any Agreed Foreign Currency, provided that such certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits are held in a securities account (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) through which the Collateral Agent can perfect a security interest therein and (ii) having, at such date of acquisition, a credit rating of at least A- 1 from S&P and at least P-1 from Moody’s;

 

(d)                                  fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days from the date of acquisition thereof for U.S. Government Securities and entered into with (i) a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) of this definition or (ii) an Approved Dealer having (or being a member of a consolidated group having) at such date of acquisition, a credit rating of at least A-1 from S&P and at least P-1 from Moody’s;

 

(e)                                   investments in money market funds and mutual funds, which invest substantially all of their assets in Cash or assets of the types described in clauses (a) through (d) above or have, at all times, credit ratings of “AAAm” or “AAAm-G” by S&P and “Aaa” and “MR+1” by Moody’s; and

 

(f)                                    a guaranteed reinvestment agreement from a bank (if treated as a deposit by such bank), insurance company or other corporation or entity, in each case, at the date of such acquisition having a credit rating of at least A-1 from S&P and at least P-1 from Moody’s; provided that such agreement provides that it may be unwound at the option of the purchaser at any time without penalty;

 

provided , that (i) in no event shall Cash Equivalents include any obligation that provides for the payment of interest alone (for example, interest-only securities or “IOs”); (ii) if any of Moody’s or S&P changes its rating system, then any ratings included in this definition shall be deemed to be an equivalent rating in a successor rating category of Moody’s or S&P, as the case may be; (iii) Cash Equivalents (other than U.S. Government Securities, certificates of deposit or repurchase agreements) shall not include any such investment representing more than 10% of total assets of the Obligors in any single issuer; and (iv) in no event shall Cash Equivalents include any obligation that is not denominated in Dollars or an Agreed Foreign Currency.

 

CDOR Screen Rate means, on any day and for any period, an annual rate of interest equal to the average rate applicable to Canadian Dollar bankers’ acceptances for the applicable period that appears on the Reuters Screen CDOR Page (or, in the event such rate does not appear on such page or screen, on any successor or substitute page or screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time, as selected by the Administrative Agent in

 

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its reasonable discretion ), rounded to the nearest 1/100 th  of 1% (with .005% being rounded up), at approximately 10:15 a.m. Toronto time on such day, or if such day is not a Business Day, then on the immediately preceding Business Day; provided that if the CDOR Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for such Interest Period that is in excess of one month then the CDOR Screen Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate; provided , further, that if such CDOR Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Change in Control ” means with respect to any Person (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any other Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the Effective Date), of shares representing more than 35% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding common stock of such Person or (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of such Person by other Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the requisite members of the board of directors of such Person nor (ii) appointed by a majority of the directors so nominated; other than, in the case of this clause (b), in connection with an initial public offering.

 

Change in Law ” means (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty after the Effective Date, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Effective Date or (c) compliance by any Lender or the Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.14(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the Effective Date; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or 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, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law,” regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

 

Class ,” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans constituting such Borrowing, are Dollar Revolving Loans, Multicurrency Revolving Loans or Term Loans; when used in reference to any Lender, refers to whether such Lender is a Dollar Revolving Lender, a Multicurrency Revolving Lender or a Term Loan Lender; and, when used in reference to any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Dollar Revolving Commitment, Multicurrency Revolving Commitment or a Term Loan Commitment.

 

Co-Collateral Agent ” means Société Générale, in its capacity as co-collateral agent.

 

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

 

COF Rate ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(a).

 

Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Guarantee and Security Agreement.

 

Collateral Agency Agreement ” means that certain collateral agency and intercreditor agreement dated as of the Effective Date between the Borrower, the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent and U.S. Bank National Association, as the representative of the holders of Secured Notes.

 

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Collateral Agent ” means JPMCB in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Guarantee and Security Agreement, and includes any successor Collateral Agent under such Guarantee and Security Agreement.

 

Collateral Pool ” means, at any time, each Portfolio Investment that is Credit Facility First Priority Collateral that has been Delivered (as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement) to the Collateral Agent and is subject to the Lien of the Guarantee and Security Agreement, and then only for so long as such Portfolio Investment continues to be Delivered as contemplated therein and in which the Collateral Agent has a first-priority perfected Lien as security for the Credit Facility Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement), (subject to any Lien permitted by Section 6.02 hereof), provided that in the case of any Portfolio Investment in which the Collateral Agent has a first-priority perfected security interest as security for the Credit Facility Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement) pursuant to a valid Uniform Commercial Code filing, such Portfolio Investment may be included in the Borrowing Base so long as all remaining actions to complete “Delivery” are satisfied in full within 7 days of such inclusion.

 

Commitment ” means, collectively, the Revolving Commitments and the Term Loan Commitments.

 

Commitment Increase ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(e).

 

Commitment Increase Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(e).

 

Conduit Lender ” means (i) initially, Mountcliff Funding LLC, and (ii) any other commercial paper conduit as may from time to time become a Lender hereunder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the extent, in the case of this clause (ii) that the Borrower and the Administrative Agent have consented in writing to such Lender being treated as a “Conduit Lender” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Conduit Lender Obligations ” means, with respect to any Conduit Lender, all such Conduit Lender’s obligations (for purposes of this definition, such obligations being determined without giving effect to Section 9.17(a) ) to make any payment to the Borrower, any Lender, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Issuing Bank under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to which such Conduit Lender is a party.

 

Conduit Shortfall Borrowing ” means an ABR Borrowing requested by the Borrower following the failure of a Conduit Lender to pay a Conduit Lender Obligation when due in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (but prior to payment of such Conduit Lender Obligation by such Conduit Lender’s Conduit Support Provider), in an amount not to exceed such Conduit Lender Obligation.

 

Conduit Support Provider ” means, with respect to any Conduit Lender, (i) in the case of Mountcliff Funding LLC, Société Générale (or, to the extent agreed in writing by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, any other Person that has executed a supplement to this Agreement in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent agreeing to be Mountcliff Funding LLC’s Conduit Support Provider for purposes of this Agreement and including a supplement to Schedule X containing such Person’s notice details) and (ii) in the case of any other Conduit Lender, the Person that has, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, executed a supplement to this Agreement in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent agreeing to be such Conduit Lender’s Conduit Support Provider for purposes of this Agreement and including a supplement to Schedule X containing such Person’s notice details.

 

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Confidential Rate ” means, each COF Rate, collectively or individually as the context may require.

 

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.  “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

 

Controlled Foreign Corporation ” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower which is a “controlled foreign corporation” (within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code).

 

Covered Debt Amount ” means, on any date, (a) all of the Revolving Credit Exposures and all outstanding Term Loans of all Lenders on such date plus (b) the aggregate amount of outstanding Permitted Indebtedness (including Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness but excluding Notes Priority Secured Indebtedness) on such date plus (c) the aggregate amount of any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(g)  minus (d) the LC Exposures fully cash collateralized on such date pursuant to Section 2.04(k) and the last paragraph of Section 2.08(a) or otherwise backstopped in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the relevant Issuing Bank; provided that all Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness shall be excluded from the calculation of the Covered Debt Amount, in each case, until the date that is 9 months prior to the scheduled maturity or amortization payment date of such Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness; plus (e) Hedging Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement) (other than Hedging Obligations arising from Hedging Agreements entered into pursuant to Section 6.04(c)).

 

CP Senior Obligations ” means, with respect to any Conduit Lender, the commercial paper notes and any other senior indebtedness owing by such Conduit Lender from time to time.

 

Credit Default Swap ” means any credit default swap entered into as a means to (i) invest in bonds, notes, loans, debentures or securities on a leveraged basis or (ii) hedge the default risk of bonds, notes, loans, debentures or securities.

 

Credit Facility First Priority Collateral ” has the meaning set forth in the Guarantee and Security Agreement.

 

Currency ” means Dollars or any Foreign Currency.

 

Custodian ” means each of State Street Bank and Trust Company, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and/or any other financial institution mutually agreeable to the Collateral Agent and the Borrower, as custodian holding documentation for Portfolio Investments and accounts of the Borrower and/or any other Obligor holding Portfolio Investments, on behalf of the Borrower or such Obligor or any successor in such capacity, pursuant to a Custodian Agreement.  The term “Custodian” includes any agent or sub-custodian acting on behalf of the Custodian.

 

Custodian Agreement ” means so long as such agreement is in full force and effect, (a) with respect to the Borrower, the Custodian Agreement dated as of November 14, 2011 by and among the Borrower and State Street Bank and Trust Company, (b) with respect to Foxfields Funding LLC, Berwyn Funding LLC, Bryn Mawr Funding LLC, EP American Energy Investments, Inc. and each Designated REI Subsidiary Guarantor, the Custodian Agreement dated as of December 10, 2013 by and among such Obligors and State Street Bank and Trust Company, (c) with respect to FSEP Term Funding, LLC, a custodian agreement by and among FSEP Term Funding, LLC and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent or (d) any other custodian agreement by and among an Obligor and a Custodian in form and substance substantially similar to a Custodian Agreement described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) or otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent.

 

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Default ” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

 

Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender that has, as determined by the Administrative Agent, (a) failed to fund any portion of its Loans or participations in Letters of Credit within two (2) Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, unless, in the case of any Loan, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such Lender’s failure is based on such Lender’s reasonable determination that the conditions precedent to funding such Loan under this Agreement have not been met, such conditions have not otherwise been waived in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and such Lender has advised the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing (with reasonable detail of those conditions that have not been satisfied) prior to the time at which such funding was to have been made, (b) notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder or generally under other agreements to which it commits to extend credit, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s commercially reasonable determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default shall be specifically identified in such writing or such public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) failed, within three (3) Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit ( provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), (d) otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within two (2) Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, (e) (i) become or is insolvent or has a parent company that has become or is insolvent or (ii) become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business 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, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business 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 (f) become the subject of a Bail-in Action or has a parent company that has become the subject of a Bail-in Action (unless in the case of any Lender referred to in this clause (f) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall be satisfied in the exercise of their respective reasonable discretion that such Lender intends, and has all approvals required to enable it, to continue to perform its obligations as a Lender hereunder); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of (i) the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in such Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority or (ii) in the case of a solvent Person, the precautionary appointment of an administrator, guardian, custodian or other similar official by a Governmental Authority under or based on the law of the country where such Person is subject to home jurisdiction supervision if applicable law requires that such appointment not be publicly disclosed, in each case of clauses (i) and (ii), where such action does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.

 

Designated REI Subsidiary Guarantor ” means each of EP Altus Investments, LLC, EP Burnett Investments, Inc., EP Synergy Investments, Inc., FS Energy Investments, LLC, FSEP Investments, Inc.,

 

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FSEP-BBH, Inc. and any other direct or indirect subsidiary of the Borrower designated from time to time as a “Designated REI Subsidiary Guarantor”.

 

Designated Subsidiary ” means:

 

(a)                                  (1) Gladwyne Funding LLC and (2) any other direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower designated by the Borrower as a “Designated Subsidiary,” which, in the case of any entity in clause (1) or (2), meets the following criteria:

 

(i)                                 to which any Obligor sells, conveys or otherwise transfers (whether directly or indirectly) Cash or Portfolio Investments, and which engages in no material activities other than in connection with the purchase or financing of such assets;

 

(ii)                                 no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of such Subsidiary (A) is Guaranteed by any Obligor (other than Guarantees in respect of Standard Securitization Undertakings), (B) is recourse to or obligates any Obligor in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings or (C) subjects any property of any Obligor (other than property that has been contributed or sold, purported to be sold or otherwise transferred to such Subsidiary or any equity of such Subsidiary), directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings or any Guarantee thereof;

 

(iii)                                  with which no Obligor has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms no less favorable to such Obligor than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of any Obligor, other than fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with servicing receivables or financial assets; and

 

(iv)             to which no Obligor has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings; or

 

(b)                                  a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower designated by the Borrower as a “Designated Subsidiary” and which satisfies each of the foregoing criteria set forth in clauses (a)(ii), (iii) and (iv);

 

(c)                                   any passive holding company that is designated by the Borrower as a Designated Subsidiary, so long as:

 

(i)                                 such passive holding company is the direct parent of a Designated Subsidiary referred to in clause (a);

 

(ii)                                 such passive holding company engages in no activities and has no assets (other than in connection with the transfer of assets to and from a Designated Subsidiary referred to in clause (a), and its ownership of all of the Equity Interests of a Designated Subsidiary referred to in clause (a)) or liabilities;

 

(iii)                                  all of the Equity Interests of such passive holding company are owned directly by the Borrower or such other Obligor and are pledged as Collateral for the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement) and the Collateral

 

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Agent has a first-priority Lien (subject to no Liens other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02) on such Equity Interests to the extent constituting Credit Facility First Priority Collateral  or Shared Collateral to secure the Credit Facility Obligations and (ii) a second-priority Lien (subject to no Liens other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02) on such Equity Interests to the extent constituting Secured Notes Priority Collateral to secure the Credit Facility Obligations;

 

(iv)            neither the Borrower nor such other Obligor has any contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding with such passive holding company; and

 

(v)                                  neither the Borrower nor such other Obligor has any obligation to maintain or preserve such passive holding company’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results;

 

(d)                                  any SBIC Subsidiary;

 

(e)                                   any Immaterial Subsidiary;

 

(f)                                    Subsidiaries that are (i) Controlled Foreign Corporations, (ii) Subsidiaries of Controlled Foreign Corporations, or (iii) FSHCOs; or

 

(g)                                   any Subsidiary to the extent a guarantee of the Credit Facility Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement) and a pledge of the assets thereof in support of such guarantee is contractually prohibited by applicable law, rule or regulations or by any contractual obligations existing on the Effective Date or on the date such Subsidiary is acquired or which would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization or the consent of any third-party holder of the Equity Interests thereof.

 

Any such designation under clause (a)(2), (b) or (c) by the Borrower shall be effected pursuant to a certificate of a Financial Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent, which certificate shall include a statement to the effect that, to the best of such officer’s knowledge, such designation complied with the foregoing conditions set forth in clause (a)(2), (b) or (c), as applicable and, in the case of any designation pursuant to clause (a), that after giving effect to such designation, the Borrower is in compliance with Section 6.03(d).  Each Subsidiary of a Designated Subsidiary shall be deemed to be a Designated Subsidiary and shall comply with the foregoing requirements of this definition.  The parties hereby agree that the Subsidiaries identified as Designated Subsidiaries on Schedule IV hereto shall each constitute a Designated Subsidiary so long as they comply with the foregoing requirements of this definition.

 

Disqualified Equity Interests ” means stock of the Borrower that after its issuance is subject to any agreement between the holder of such stock and the Borrower where the Borrower is required to purchase, redeem, retire, acquire, cancel or terminate all such stock, other than (x) as a result of a change of control or asset sale or (y) in connection with any purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination with, or in exchange for, shares of stock.

 

Disqualified Lenders ” means, (i) those Persons that have been identified by the Borrower in writing to the Lead Arrangers prior to the Effective Date, (ii) any Person that is identified by the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent and approved by the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and (iii) Affiliates of any Person identified in clauses (i) or (ii) above that are either identified in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower from time to time or readily identifiable solely based on similarity of such Affiliate’s name.  The identification of a Disqualified Lender after the Effective Date shall not apply to retroactively disqualify any Person that has

 

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previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in any Loan or Commitment (or any Person that, prior to such identification, has entered into a bona fide and binding trade for either of the foregoing and has not yet acquired such assignment or participation); provided , that (i) no designation or a Person as a Disqualified Lender may be made at any time a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) any designation of a Person as a Disqualified Lender shall not be effective until the Business Day after written notice thereof by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the next succeeding sentence.  Any supplement or other modification to the list of Persons identified as Disqualified Lenders shall be e-mailed to the Administrative Agent at JPMDQcontact@JPMorgan.com.

 

Dollar Equivalent ” means, for any amount, at the time of determination thereof, (a) if such amount is expressed in Dollars, such amount, (b) if such amount is expressed in an Agreed Foreign Currency, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars determined by using the rate of exchange for the purchase of dollars with the Agreed Foreign  Currency in the London foreign exchange market at or about 11:00 a.m. London time (or New York time, as applicable) on a particular day as displayed by ICE Data Services  as the “ask price”, or as displayed on such other information service which publishes that rate of exchange from time to time in place of ICE Data Services (or if such service ceases to be available, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent or applicable Issuing Bank using any method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion) and (c) if such amount is denominated in any other currency, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank using any method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion.

 

Dollar Revolving Commitment ” means, with respect to each Dollar Revolving Lender, the commitment of such Dollar Revolving Lender to make Loans denominated in Dollars hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Dollar Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.07 or as otherwise provided in this Agreement and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04.  The initial amount of each Lender’s Dollar Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule I, or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Dollar Revolving Commitment, as applicable.  The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Dollar Revolving Commitments is $106,666,666.66.

 

Dollar Revolving Lender ” means the Persons listed on Schedule I as having Dollar Revolving Commitments and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption that provides for it to assume a Dollar Revolving Commitment or to acquire Revolving Dollar Credit Exposure, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or otherwise in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Dollar Revolving Loan ” means a Loan denominated in Dollars made by a Dollar Revolving Lender pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

 

Dollars ” or “ $ ” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

 

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

EEA Financial Institution ” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an

 

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institution described in clause (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

EEA Member Country ” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

 

EEA Resolution Authority ” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

 

Effective Date ” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).

 

Equity Interests ” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest.  As used in this Agreement, “Equity Interests” shall not include convertible debt unless and until such debt has been converted to capital stock.

 

ERISA ” means the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

ERISA Affiliate ” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

 

ERISA Event ” means (a) any “reportable event,” as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) any failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standards (set forth in Sections 412 and 430 of the Code or Sections 302 and 303 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan under Section 4041(c) of ERISA or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA; (f) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to a withdrawal from a Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer” (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA or a “complete withdrawal” or “partial withdrawal” (within the meanings of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from any Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any notice from any Multiemployer Plan concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability on the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is “insolvent” (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) or in “reorganization” (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA).

 

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule ” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.

 

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Euro ” refers to the lawful money of the Participating Member States.

 

Eurocurrency ,” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan is, or the Loans constituting such Borrowing are, denominated in Dollars or an Agreed Foreign Currency and are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate.

 

Eurocurrency Rate ” means, with respect to (A) any Eurocurrency Borrowing in any LIBOR Quoted Currency and for any applicable Interest Period, the LIBO Screen Rate at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period and (B) any Eurocurrency Borrowing in any Non-LIBOR Quoted Currency and for any applicable Interest Period, the applicable Local Screen Rate as of the Specified Time and on the Quotation Day for such Non-LIBOR Quoted Currency and Interest Period.

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

 

Excluded Entities ” means any Subsidiary covered by clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) of the definition of “Designated Subsidiary.”

 

Excluded Subsidiaries ” means the entities identified as Excluded Subsidiaries in Schedule VIII hereto and each Designated Subsidiary.

 

Excluded Taxes ” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder, (a) income or franchise Taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by any jurisdiction as a result of such recipient being organized under the laws of or having its principal office located or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in such jurisdiction, or that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) any branch profits Taxes under Section 884(a) of the Code, or any similar Tax, in each case, imposed by any jurisdiction described in clause (a), (c) in the case of a Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 2.19(b)), any United States federal withholding Tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Lender pursuant to a law in effect at the time such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office), except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding Tax pursuant to Section 2.16(a), (d) any United States federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA and (e) any Tax imposed as a result of the Administrative Agent’s or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s failure to comply with Sections 2.16(e).

 

Extraordinary Receipts ” means any cash received by or paid to or for the account of any Obligor not in the ordinary course of business, including any foreign, United States, state or local tax refunds, pension plan reversions, judgments, proceeds of settlements or other consideration of any kind in connection with any cause of action, condemnation awards (and payments in lieu thereof), indemnity payments and any purchase price adjustment received in connection with any purchase agreement and proceeds of insurance (excluding, however , for the avoidance of doubt, proceeds of any issuance of Equity Interests by the Borrower or proceeds of any Asset Sale of, Return of Capital received by or issuances of Indebtedness by, any Obligor); provided , however , that Extraordinary Receipts shall not include any (v) taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable by such Obligor as a result of such cash receipts (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions), (w) amounts such Obligor receives from the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16(h),  (x) cash receipts to the extent received from proceeds of insurance, condemnation awards (or payments in lieu thereof), indemnity payments or payments in respect of judgments or settlements of claims, litigation or proceedings to the extent that such proceeds, awards or payments are received by any Person in respect of any unaffiliated third party claim against or

 

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loss by such Person and promptly applied to pay (or to reimburse such Person for its prior payment of) such claim or loss and the costs and expenses of such Person with respect thereto, (y) any costs, fees, commissions, premiums and expenses incurred by such Obligor directly incidental to such cash receipts, including reasonable legal fees and expenses or (z) proceeds of business interruption insurance to the extent such proceeds constitute compensation for lost earnings.

 

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the Effective Date (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 into pursuant to current Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code (or any amended or successor version described above), and any intergovernmental agreement (and any related fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or official guidance) implementing the foregoing.

 

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions, as determined in such manner as the NYFRB shall set forth on its public website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the effective federal funds rate, provided that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

Federal Reserve Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

 

FSHCO ” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that has no material assets other than equity in one or more Subsidiaries of the Borrower that are Controlled Foreign Corporations.

 

Final Maturity Date ” means the earliest to occur of (a) February 16, 2023 and (b) the date on which the Commitments have been terminated in full and the aggregate amount of Loans outstanding has been repaid in full and all other obligations of the Borrower hereunder have been paid in full (other than any Unasserted Contingent Obligations).

 

Financial Officer ” means the chief executive officer, chief operating officer, president, co-president, executive vice president, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, chief accounting officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer, controller, assistant controller, chief legal officer or chief compliance officer of the Borrower.

 

Foreign Currency ” means at any time any Currency other than Dollars.

 

Foreign Currency Equivalent ” means, with respect to any amount in Dollars, the amount of any Foreign Currency that could be purchased with such amount of Dollars using the reciprocal of the foreign exchange rate(s) specified in the definition of the term “Dollar Equivalent,” as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

Foreign Lender ” means any Lender or Issuing Bank that is not a “United States person” as defined under Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

 

Gladwyne Facility ” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2017, among Gladwyne Funding LLC, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as lender, sole lead arranger and administrative agent, Citibank, N.A., as collateral agent, and Virtus Group, LP, as collateral administrator.

 

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Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, or of any other nation, or any political subdivision thereof, whether state, local or otherwise, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national body exercising such powers or functions, such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

Guarantee ” of or by any Person (the “ guarantor ”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided , that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or customary indemnification agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business in connection with obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness.  The amount of any Guarantee at any time shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the maximum stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee is incurred, unless the terms of such Guarantee expressly provide that the maximum amount for which such Person may be liable thereunder is a lesser amount (in which case the amount of such Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to such lesser amount).

 

Guarantee and Security Agreement ” means that certain Guarantee and Security Agreement dated as of the Effective Date between the Borrower, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Administrative Agent, each holder (or a representative or trustee therefor) from time to time of any Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness, and the Collateral Agent.

 

Guarantee Assumption Agreement ” means a Guarantee Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit B to the Guarantee and Security Agreement (or such other form as is approved by the Collateral Agent) between the Collateral Agent and an entity that, pursuant to Section 5.08 is required to become a “Subsidiary Guarantor” under the Guarantee and Security Agreement (with such changes as the Collateral Agent shall request, consistent with the requirements of Section 5.08).

 

Hedging Agreement ” means any interest rate protection agreement, Credit Default Swap, total return swap, foreign currency exchange protection agreement, commodity price protection agreement or other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging arrangement.

 

Immaterial Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of any Obligor that owns (A) legally or beneficially, assets (including, without limitation, Portfolio Investments) which in the aggregate have a value of $5,000,000 or less provided that, in the aggregate, Immaterial Subsidiaries of the Borrower may not own, legally or beneficially, assets with a value greater than $25,000,000 or (B) that primarily owns portfolio investments (other than Portfolio Investments) that are Restricted Equity Interests, unless, in the case of any such Subsidiary, such Subsidiary is an Designated REI Subsidiary Guarantor or the Borrower otherwise designates in writing to the Collateral Agent that such Subsidiary is not to be an Immaterial Subsidiary and that such Borrower will comply with the requirements of Section 5.08 with respect to such Subsidiary.

 

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Increasing Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.07(e).

 

Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or (ii) with respect to deposits or advances of any kind that are required to be accounted for under GAAP as a liability on the financial statements of such Person (other than deposits received in connection with a Portfolio Investment of such Person in the ordinary course of such Person’s business (including, but not limited to, any deposits or advances in connection with expense reimbursement, prepaid agency fees, other fees, indemnification, work fees, tax distributions or purchase price adjustments)), (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar debt instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding accounts payable and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by any Lien (other than a Lien permitted by Section 6.02(c)) on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed (with the value of such debt being the lower of the outstanding amount of such debt and the fair market value of the property subject to such Lien), (f) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (g) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances and (j) all Disqualified Equity Interests.  The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor (or such Person is not otherwise liable for such Indebtedness).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Indebtedness” shall not include (v) indebtedness of such Person on account of the sale by such Person of the first out tranche of any First Lien Bank Loan that arises solely as an accounting matter under ASC 860, (w) purchase price holdbacks arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset or Investment to satisfy unperformed obligations of the seller of such asset or Investment, (x) a commitment arising in the ordinary course of business to make a future Portfolio Investment or fund the delayed draw or unfunded portion of any existing Portfolio Investment, (y) any accrued incentive, management or other fees to an investment manager or its affiliates (regardless of any deferral in payment thereof), or (z) non-recourse liabilities for participations sold by any Person in any Bank Loan.

 

Indemnified Taxes ” means all (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.

 

Independent Valuation Provider ” means an independent third-party valuation firm, including, Murray, Devine & Co., Houlihan Lokey, Duff & Phelps, Lincoln Advisors, Valuation Research Corporation, Alvarez & Marsal and any other person reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

Interest Election Request ” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.06 substantially in the form of Exhibit G or such other form as is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

Interest Payment Date ” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, each Quarterly Date and (b) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, the last day of each Interest Period therefor and, in the case of any Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at three-month intervals after the first day of such Interest Period.

 

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Interest Period ” means (a) with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing in a LIBOR Quoted Currency, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect, (b) with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing in Canadian Dollars, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month and (c) with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing in AUD, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, or, with respect to such portion of any Loan or Borrowing made to the Borrower that is scheduled to be repaid on the Maturity Date, a period of less than one month’s duration commencing on the date of such Loan or Borrowing and ending on the Maturity Date, as specified in the applicable Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request, as the Borrower may elect; provided , that any Interest Period (other than an Interest Period that ends on the Maturity Date that is permitted to be of less than one month’s duration as provided in this definition), (i) that would end on a day other than a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (ii) pertaining to a Eurocurrency Borrowing that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period.  For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Loan is made and, thereafter, shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Loan, and the date of a Borrowing comprising Loans that have been converted or continued shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Loans.

 

Interpolated Rate ” means, at any time, for any Interest Period for any Borrowing, the rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the applicable Screen Rate) determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between:  (a) the applicable Screen Rate for the longest period for which the applicable Screen Rate is available for the applicable Currency) that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period; and (b) the applicable Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which that applicable Screen Rate is available for the applicable Currency) that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time (it being understood that, in the case of the CDOR Screen Rate, no Interpolated Rate shall be available for a period of less than one month).

 

Investment ” means, for any Person:  (a) Equity Interests, bonds, notes, debentures, royalty interests, net profit interests or other securities of any other Person or any agreement to acquire any Equity Interests, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities of any other Person (including any “short sale” or any sale of any securities at a time when such securities are not owned by the Person entering into such sale); (b) deposits, advances, loans or other extensions of credit made to any other Person (including purchases of property from another Person subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to resell such property to such Person, but excluding any advances to employees, officers, directors and consultants of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for travel, entertainment, business and moving expenses and other similar expenses in the ordinary course of business); or (c) Hedging Agreements.

 

Investment Company Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.

 

Investment Policies ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.11(c).

 

Issuing Bank ” means (i) each of JPMCB and Société Générale, each in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.04(j) and (ii) any other Lender reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that agrees to issue

 

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Letters of Credit pursuant hereto, in each case in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.04(j).  Each reference herein to the “Issuing Bank” in connection with a Letter of Credit or other matter shall be deemed to be a reference to the relevant Issuing Bank with respect thereto or a reference to each Issuing Bank, as the context may require.

 

Issuing Bank Sublimit ” shall mean, for each Issuing Bank, an amount equal to $25,000,000 (or such lesser or greater amount as may be agreed among the Borrower and the applicable Issuing Bank from time to time (but only in respect of such Issuing Bank)).

 

Joint Lead Arrangers ” means JPMCB, SG Americas Securities, LLC and BMO.

 

JPMCB ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

LC Disbursement ” means a payment made by the Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

 

LC Exposure ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate Dollar Equivalent undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time (including any Letter of Credit for which a draft has been presented but not yet honored by the Issuing Bank) plus (b) the aggregate Dollar Equivalent amount of all LC Disbursements in respect of such Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time.  The LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Multicurrency Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time.

 

Lenders ” means, collectively, the Dollar Revolving Lenders, the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders and the Term Loan Lenders.

 

Letter of Credit ” means any letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Letter of Credit Collateral Account ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.04(k).

 

Letter of Credit Documents ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, collectively, any application therefor and any other agreements, instruments, guarantees or other documents (whether general in application or applicable only to such Letter of Credit) governing or providing for (a) the rights and obligations of the parties concerned or at risk with respect to such Letter of Credit or (b) any collateral security for any of such obligations, each as the same may be modified and supplemented and in effect from time to time.

 

Letter of Credit Sublimit ” means $50,000,000.

 

LIBO Screen Rate ” means, for any day and time, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any applicable LIBOR Quoted Currency and for any Interest Period, the London interbank offered rate as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate) for such LIBOR Quoted Currency for a period equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on such day and time on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters screen that displays such rate (or, in the event such rate does not appear on a Reuters page or screen, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion); provided that if the LIBO Screen Rate shall not be available at such time then the LIBO Screen Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate; provided that if the LIBO Screen Rate as so determined shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

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LIBOR ” means, for any Currency, the rate at which deposits denominated in such Currency are offered to leading banks in the London interbank market (or, in the case of Pounds Sterling, in the eurocurrency market).

 

LIBOR Quoted Currency ” means Dollars, Euros and Pounds Sterling.

 

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities (other than on market terms at fair value so long as in the case of any Portfolio Investment, the Value used in determining the Borrowing Base is not greater than the call price), except in favor of the issuer thereof (and, for the avoidance of doubt, in the case of Investments that are loans or other debt obligations, customary restrictions on assignments or transfers thereof pursuant to the underlying documentation of such Investment shall not be deemed to be a “Lien” and, in the case of Portfolio Investments that are equity securities, excluding customary drag-along, tag-along, right of first refusal, restrictions on assignments or transfers and other similar rights in favor of other equity holders of the same issuer).

 

Loan Documents ” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Letter of Credit Documents and the Security Documents.

 

Loans ” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01.

 

Local Screen Rate ” means the CDOR Screen Rate and the AUD Screen Rate.

 

Mandatory Prepayment Commencement Date ” means the Revolving Facility Commitment Termination Date.

 

Margin Stock ” means “margin stock” within the meaning of Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, Portfolio Investments and other assets, liabilities and financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (excluding in any case a decline in the net asset value of the Borrower or a change in general market conditions or values of the Investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries), or (b) the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereunder.

 

Material Indebtedness ” means (a) Indebtedness (other than the Loans, Letters of Credit, Hedging Agreements and total return swaps), of any one or more of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate outstanding principal amount exceeding $25,000,000, (b) obligations in respect of one or more Hedging Agreements (other than total return swaps) under which the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Borrower and the Subsidiaries would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement(s) were terminated at such time would exceed $25,000,000, and (c) obligations in respect of any total return swap under which the outstanding notional value less all of the collateral supporting such total return swap at such time would exceed $25,000,000.

 

making a “ Modification Offer ” as required by the definition of Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness, Notes Priority Secured Indebtedness or Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness, means, that at least 10 Business Days (or such shorter period as is practicable if 10 Business Days is not practicable)

 

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prior to the incurrence of such Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness or Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness, the Borrower shall have provided notice to the Administrative Agent of the terms thereof that do not satisfy the requirements for such type of Indebtedness set forth in the respective definitions herein, which notice shall contain reasonable detail of the terms thereof and an unconditional offer by the Borrower to amend this Agreement to the extent necessary such that the financial covenants and Events of Default, as applicable, in this Agreement shall be as restrictive as such provisions in such Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness, Notes Priority Secured Indebtedness or Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness, as applicable.  If any such Modification Offer is accepted by the Required Lenders within 10 Business Days of receipt of such offer, this Agreement shall be deemed automatically amended (and, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, the Borrower shall promptly enter into a written amendment evidencing such amendment), mutatis mutandis, solely to reflect all or some of such more restrictive financial covenants or events of default as elected by the Required Lenders.

 

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor thereto.

 

Multicurrency Revolving Commitment ” means, with respect to each Multicurrency Revolving Lender, the commitment of such Multicurrency Revolving Lender to make Loans, and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars and in Agreed Foreign Currencies hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.07 or as otherwise provided in this Agreement and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04.  The initial amount of each Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule I, or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Multicurrency Revolving Commitment, as applicable.  The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Multicurrency Revolving Commitments is $283,333,333.34.

 

Multicurrency Revolving Lender ” means the Persons listed on Schedule I as having Multicurrency Revolving Commitments and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption that provides for it to assume a Multicurrency Revolving Commitment or to acquire Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Multicurrency Revolving Loan ” means a Loan denominated in Dollars or in an Agreed Foreign Currency under the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.01(b).

 

Multiemployer Plan ” means a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates makes any contributions.

 

National Currency ” means the currency, other than the Euro, of a Participating Member State.

 

Net Asset Sale Proceeds ” means, with respect to any Asset Sale, an amount equal to (i) the sum of Cash payments and Cash Equivalents received by the Obligors from such Asset Sale (including any Cash or Cash Equivalents received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received), minus (ii) (w) payments of unassumed liabilities relating to the assets sold or otherwise disposed of at the time, or within 30 days after, the date of such Asset Sale, (x) any costs, fees, commissions, premiums and expenses incurred by any Obligor directly incidental to such Asset Sale, including reasonable legal fees and expenses, (y) all taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable by any Obligor as a result of such Asset Sale (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions), and (z) reserves for indemnification, purchase price adjustments

 

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or analogous arrangements reasonably estimated by any Obligor in connection with such Asset Sale; provided that, if the amount of any estimated reserves pursuant to this clause (z) exceeds the amount actually required to be paid in cash in respect of indemnification, purchase price adjustments or analogous arrangements for such Asset Sale, the aggregate amount of such excess shall constitute Net Asset Sale Proceeds (as of the date the Borrower determines such excess exists).

 

Non-LIBOR Quoted Currency ” means Canadian Dollars and AUD.

 

Notes Priority Secured Indebtedness ” means (i) the Secured Notes and (ii) any Indebtedness of an Obligor (which may be Guaranteed by one or more other Obligors) that, in each case, (a) is secured pursuant to the Security Documents as described in clause (d) of this definition, (b) has no amortization prior to (other than for amortization in an amount not greater than 1% of the aggregate initial principal amount of such Indebtedness per year), and a final maturity date not earlier than six months after the Final Maturity Date, except to the extent such mandatory redemption is contingent upon the happening of an event that is not certain to occur (including, without limitation, a change of control or bankruptcy) (it being understood that neither the conversion features into Permitted Equity Interests under convertible notes (as well as the triggering of such conversion and/or settlement thereof), nor any mandatory prepayment provisions as a result of any borrowing base or collateral base deficiency, in any case shall constitute “amortization” for the purposes of this definition, (c) is incurred pursuant to documentation that, taken as a whole, is not materially more restrictive than market terms for substantially similar debt of other similarly situated borrowers as determined by the chief financial officer of the Borrower in his or her reasonable judgment or, if such transaction is not one in which there are market terms for substantially similar debt of other similarly situated borrowers, on terms that are negotiated in good faith on an arm’s length basis (except, in each case, other than financial covenants, covenants governing the borrowing base and events of default (other than events of default customary in indentures or similar instruments that have no analogous provisions in credit agreements generally and provisions relating to requirements with respect to the value of the Secured Notes Priority Collateral), which shall be not materially more restrictive upon the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, while any Commitments or Loans are outstanding, than those set forth in this Agreement; provided that, the Borrower may incur any Notes Priority Secured Indebtedness that otherwise would not meet the requirements set forth in this parenthetical of this clause (c) if it has duly made a Modification Offer (it being understood that put rights or repurchase or redemption obligations arising out of circumstances that would constitute a “fundamental change” (as such term is customarily defined in convertible note offerings) or an Event of Default shall not be deemed to be more restrictive for purposes of this definition), and (d) is not secured by any assets of any Obligor other than pursuant to the Security Documents and the holders of which, or the agent, trustee or representative of such holders have agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Security Documents applicable to Notes Priority Secured Indebtedness.

 

NYFRB ” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 

NYFRB Rate ” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate for such day (or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further , that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Obligor ” means, collectively, the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

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Other Connection Taxes ” means, with respect to any recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

 

Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness ” means, as at any date, Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness under this Agreement) of an Obligor (which may be Guaranteed by one or more other Obligors) that (a) is secured pursuant to the Security Documents as described in clause (d) of this definition, (b) has no amortization prior to (other than for amortization in an amount not greater than 1% of the aggregate initial principal amount of such Indebtedness per year), and a final maturity date not earlier than six months after the Final Maturity Date (it being understood that neither the conversion features into Permitted Equity Interests under convertible notes (as well as the triggering of such conversion and/or settlement thereof), nor any mandatory prepayment provisions as a result of any borrowing base or collateral base deficiency, in any case shall constitute “amortization” for the purposes of this definition, provided that if any mandatory prepayment is required under such Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness, the Borrower shall offer to repay Loans (and provide cover for Letters of Credit) in an amount at least equal to the Lenders ratable share of such payment, (c) is incurred pursuant to documentation that, taken as a whole, is not materially more restrictive than market terms for substantially similar debt of other similarly situated borrowers as determined by the chief financial officer of the Borrower in his or her reasonable judgment or, if such transaction is not one in which there are market terms for substantially similar debt of other similarly situated borrowers, on terms that are negotiated in good faith on an arm’s length basis (except, in each case, other than financial covenants, covenants governing the borrowing base and events of default (other than events of default customary in indentures or similar instruments that have no analogous provisions in this Agreement or credit agreements generally), which shall be no more restrictive upon the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, while any Commitments or Loans are outstanding, than those set forth in this Agreement; provided that, the Borrower may incur any Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness that otherwise would not meet the requirements set forth in this parenthetical of this clause (c) if it has duly made a Modification Offer (it being understood that put rights or repurchase or redemption obligations arising out of circumstances that would constitute a “fundamental change” (as such term is customarily defined in convertible note offerings) or an Event of Default shall not be deemed to be more restrictive for purposes of this definition)), and (d) is not secured by any assets of any Obligor other than pursuant to the Security Documents and the holders of which, or the agent, trustee or representative of such holders have agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Security Documents applicable to Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness.

 

Other Permitted Indebtedness ” means (a) accrued expenses and current trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of any Obligor’s business which are not overdue for a period of more than 90 days or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money) arising in connection with transactions in the ordinary course of any Obligor’s business in connection with its purchasing of securities, derivatives transactions, reverse repurchase agreements or dollar rolls to the extent such transactions are permitted under the Investment Company Act and the Investment Policies, provided that such Indebtedness does not arise in connection with the purchase of Portfolio Investments other than Cash Equivalents and U.S. Government Securities and (c) Indebtedness in respect of judgments or awards so long as such judgments or awards do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (l) of Article VII.

 

Other Taxes ” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or any other excise or property Taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made under

 

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any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, receipt of payments under, 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 2.19(b)).

 

Overnight Bank Funding Rate ” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight Eurodollar transactions by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions, as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on its public website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate (from and after such date as the NYFRB shall commence to publish such composite rate).

 

Participating Member State ” means any member state of the European Community that adopts or has adopted the Euro as its lawful currency in accordance with the legislation of the European Union relating to the European Monetary Union.

 

Participation Interest ” means a participation interest in a loan (and not an “instrument” or “security” for purposes of the Uniform Commercial Code) that at the time of acquisition satisfies each of the following criteria: (a) such loan would constitute a Portfolio Investment were it acquired directly by the Borrower or any other Obligor, (b) the seller of the participation is an Excluded Subsidiary of the Borrower, (c) the entire purchase price for such participation is paid in full at the time of its acquisition, and (d) the participation provides the participant all of the economic benefit and risk of the whole or part of such Portfolio Investment that is the subject of such participation.

 

Patriot Act ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.14.

 

PBGC ” means the U.S. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation as referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

 

Permitted Equity Interests ” means stock of the Borrower that after its issuance is not subject to any agreement between the holder of such stock and the Borrower where the Borrower is required to purchase, redeem, retire, acquire, cancel or terminate any such stock unless such Permitted Equity Interests satisfy the applicable requirements set forth in the definition of “Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness” and are treated as Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness.

 

Permitted Indebtedness ” means, collectively, Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness, Notes Priority Secured Indebtedness and Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness.

 

Permitted Liens ” means:  (a) Liens imposed by any Governmental Authority for taxes, assessments or charges not yet due or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP; (b) Liens of clearing agencies, broker-dealers and similar Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Liens (i) attach only to the securities (or proceeds) being purchased or sold and (ii) secure only obligations incurred in connection with such purchase or sale, and not any obligation in connection with margin financing; (c) Liens imposed by law, such as materialmen’s, mechanics’, carriers’, workmens’, landlord, storage and repairmen’s Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money); (d) Liens incurred or pledges or deposits made to secure obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance or other similar social security legislation (other than Liens in respect of employee benefit plans arising under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or to secure public or statutory obligations; (e) Liens securing the performance of, or payment in respect of, bids, insurance premiums, deductibles or co-insured amounts, tenders, government or utility contracts

 

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(other than for the repayment of borrowed money), surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds and other obligations of a similar nature incurred in the ordinary course of business; (f) Liens arising out of judgments or awards that have been in force for less than the applicable period for taking an appeal so long as such judgments or awards do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (l) of Article VII; (g) customary rights of setoff, banker’s lien, security interest or other like right upon (i) deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions in which such cash is maintained in the ordinary course of business, (ii) cash and financial assets held in securities accounts in favor of banks and other financial institutions with which such accounts are maintained in the ordinary course of business and (iii) assets held by a custodian in favor of such custodian in the ordinary course of business securing payment of fees, indemnities, charges for returning items and other similar obligations; (h) Liens arising solely from precautionary filings of financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code of the applicable jurisdictions in respect of operating leases entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; (i) easements, rights of way, zoning restrictions and similar encumbrances on real property and minor irregularities in the title thereto that do not interfere with or affect in any material respect the ordinary course conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; (j) Liens in favor of any escrow agent solely on and in respect of any cash earnest money deposits made by any Obligor 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); and (k) precautionary Liens, and filings of financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code, covering assets sold or contributed to any Person not prohibited hereunder.

 

Permitted SBIC Guarantee ” means a guarantee by the Borrower of SBA Indebtedness of an SBIC Subsidiary on SBA’s then applicable form (or the applicable form at the time such guarantee was entered into).

 

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

Plan ” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

Plan Asset Regulations ” means 29 CFR § 2510.3-101 et seq. , as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA, as amended from time to time.

 

Portfolio Investment ” means any investment (which, for the avoidance of doubt, may be in the form of a direct investment by an Obligor or in the form of a Participation Interest) held by the Obligors in their asset portfolio or consisting of an equity interest in an Excluded Subsidiary (and solely for purposes of determining the Borrowing Base, and of Sections 6.02(d), 6.03(d) and 6.04(d) and clause (p) of Article VII, Cash and Cash Equivalents, excluding Cash pledged as cash collateral for Letters of Credit).  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that any Portfolio Investments that have been contributed or sold, purported to be contributed or sold or otherwise transferred to any Excluded Subsidiary, or held by any Controlled Foreign Corporation, Subsidiary of a Controlled Foreign Corporation or FSHCO, shall not be treated as Portfolio Investments.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall limit the provisions of Section 5.12(b)(i), which provides that, for purposes of this Agreement, all determinations of whether an investment is to be included as a Portfolio Investment shall be determined on a settlement-date basis (meaning that any investment that has been purchased will not be treated as a Portfolio Investment until such purchase has settled, and any Portfolio Investment which has been sold will not be excluded as a Portfolio Investment until such sale has settled), provided

 

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that no such investment shall be included as a Portfolio Investment to the extent it has not been paid for in full.

 

Pounds Sterling ” means the lawful currency of England.

 

Prime Rate ” means the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent).  Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective.

 

Principal Financial Center ” means, in the case of any Currency, the principal financial center where such Currency is cleared and settled, as determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

PTE ” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

 

Quarterly Dates ” means the last Business Day of March, June, September and December in each year, commencing on September 30, 2018.

 

Quotation Day ” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period, (i) if the Currency is Canadian Dollars, AUD or Pounds Sterling, the first day of such Interest Period, (ii) if the Currency is Euro, two TARGET Days before the first day of such Interest Period, and (iii) for any other Currency, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period the Business Day (unless, in each case, market practice differs in the relevant market where the Eurocurrency Rate for such Currency is to be determined, in which case the Quotation Day will be determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with market practice in such market (and if quotations would normally be given on more than one day, then the Quotation Day will be the last of those days).

 

Quoted Investments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.12(b)(ii)(A).

 

Refinancing ” means the refinancing of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Gladwyne Facility) outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date other than Indebtedness permitted to remain outstanding pursuant to Sections 6.01(d), (e), (f), (j) and (k).

 

Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04.

 

Regulations D, T, U and X ” means, respectively, Regulations D, T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor), as the same may be modified and supplemented and in effect from time to time.

 

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, partners, trustees, administrators, employees, agents, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

 

Required Lenders ” means, at any time, Lenders having outstanding Term Loans, Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the total outstanding Term Loans, Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments at such time.  The Required Lenders of a Class (which shall include the terms “Required Dollar Revolving Lenders” and “Required

 

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Multicurrency Revolving Lenders”) means Lenders having outstanding Term Loans, Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments of such Class representing more than 50% of the sum of the total outstanding Term Loans, Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments of such Class at such time; provided that the Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments of any Defaulting Lenders shall be disregarded in the determination of Required Lenders of a Class to the extent provided for in Section 2.18.

 

Responsible Officer ” means the president, Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower.

 

Restricted Equity Interests ” means any Equity Interests if  the grant of a security interest therein would constitute or result in a breach or termination pursuant to the terms of, or a default under, the terms thereunder or under any contract, property rights, obligation, instrument or agreement related thereto.

 

Restricted Payment ” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any shares of any class of capital stock of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such shares of capital stock of the Borrower or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such shares of capital stock of the Borrower (other than any equity awards granted to employees, officers, directors and consultants of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates), provided , for clarity, neither the conversion of convertible debt into capital stock nor the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of convertible debt made solely with capital stock (other than interest or expenses or fractional shares, which may be payable in cash) shall be a Restricted Payment hereunder.

 

Return of Capital ” means any return of capital received by the Obligors in respect of the outstanding principal of any Portfolio Investment (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) and any net cash proceeds of the sale of any property or assets pledged as collateral in respect of such Portfolio Investment to the extent the Obligor is permitted to retain all such proceeds (under law or contract) minus all taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable by the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiaries as a result of such return of capital or receipt of proceeds (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions) minus any costs, fees, commissions, premiums and expenses incurred the Obligors directly incidental to such return of capital or receipt of proceeds, including reasonable legal fees and expenses.

 

Revaluation Date ” means (a) with respect to any Loan, each of the following: (i) each date of a Borrowing of a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in an Agreed Foreign Currency, (ii) each date of a continuation of a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in an Agreed Foreign Currency and (iii) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably and in good faith determine or the Required Lenders shall reasonably and in good faith require; and (b) with respect to any Letter of Credit, each of the following: (i) each date of issuance of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Agreed Foreign Currency, (ii) each date of an amendment of any such Letter of Credit having the effect of increasing the amount thereof, (iii) each date of any payment by the applicable Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit denominated in an Agreed Foreign Currency and (iv) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably and in good faith determine or the Required Lenders shall reasonably and in good faith require.

 

Revolving Commitment ” means, collectively, the Dollar Revolving Commitments and the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments.

 

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Revolving Credit Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Dollar Credit Exposure and Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure at such time.

 

Revolving Dollar Credit Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Loans at such time made or incurred under the Dollar Revolving Commitments.

 

Revolving Facility Commitment Termination Date ” means February 16, 2022.

 

Revolving Loan ” means the Dollar Revolving Loans and the Multicurrency Revolving Loans.

 

Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding Dollar Equivalent of such Lender’s Loans at such time, made or incurred under the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments, and its LC Exposure.

 

RIC ” means a person qualifying for treatment as a “regulated investment company” under Sub-chapter M of the Code.

 

S&P ” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., a New York corporation, or any successor thereto.

 

Sanctioned Country ” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself, or whose government is, the subject or target of comprehensive Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Cuba, Iran, North Korea,  Syria and Crimea).

 

Sanctioned Person ” means, at any time, (a) any Person subject of any Sanctions administered or enforced by, or listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority having jurisdiction over the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any Lender, (b) any Person located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clause (a) or (b).” Sanctions ” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority having jurisdiction over the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any Lender.

 

SBA ” means the United States Small Business Administration or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions thereof.

 

SBIC Equity Commitment ” means a commitment by the Borrower to make one or more capital contributions to an SBIC Subsidiary.

 

SBIC Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower (or such Subsidiary’s general partner or manager entity) that is (x) either (i) a small business investment company licensed by the SBA (or that has applied for such a license and is actively pursuing the granting thereof by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted) pursuant to the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended or (ii) any wholly-owned, directly or indirectly, Subsidiary of an entity referred to in clause (i)

 

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of this definition and (y) designated by the Borrower (as provided below) as an SBIC Subsidiary, so long as:

 

(a)                                  other than pursuant to a Permitted SBIC Guarantee or the requirement by the SBA that the Borrower make an equity or capital contribution to the SBIC Subsidiary in connection with its incurrence of SBA Indebtedness ( provided that such contribution is permitted by Section 6.03(d) and is made substantially contemporaneously with such incurrence), no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of such Person (i) is Guaranteed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any SBIC Subsidiary), (ii) is recourse to or obligates the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any SBIC Subsidiary) in any way, or (iii) subjects any property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any SBIC Subsidiary) to the satisfaction thereof, other than Equity Interests in any SBIC Subsidiary pledged to secure such Indebtedness;

 

(b)                                  other than pursuant to a Permitted SBIC Guarantee, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding with such Person other than on terms no less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Borrower or such Subsidiary;

 

(c)                                   neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries (other than any SBIC Subsidiary) has any obligation to such Person to maintain or preserve its financial condition or cause it to achieve certain levels of operating results; and

 

(d)                                  such Person has not Guaranteed or become a co-borrower under, and has not granted a security interest in any of its properties to secure, and the Equity Interests it has issued are not pledged to secure, in each case, any indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of any one or more of the Obligors.

 

Any designation by the Borrower under clause (y) above shall be effected pursuant to a certificate of a Financial Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent, which certificate shall include a statement to the effect that, to the best of such Financial Officer’s knowledge, such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

 

Screen Rate ” means the LIBO Screen Rate and the Local Screen Rates collectively and individually as the context may require.

 

SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions thereof.

 

Secured Notes ” means $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes due 2023 issued by the Borrower on the Effective Date under the Secured Notes Indenture.

 

Secured Notes Priority Collateral ” has the meaning set forth in the Guarantee and Security Agreement.

 

Secured Notes Indenture ” means that certain indenture, dated as of the Effective Date, by and between the Borrower and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.

 

Secured Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the Guarantee and Security Agreement.

 

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Security Documents ” means, collectively, the Guarantee and Security Agreement, the Collateral Agency Agreement, all Uniform Commercial Code financing statements filed with respect to the security interests in personal property created pursuant to the Guarantee and Security Agreement and all other assignments, pledge agreements, security agreements, intercreditor agreements, control agreements and other instruments executed and delivered at any time by any of the Obligors pursuant to the Guarantee and Security Agreement or otherwise providing or relating to any collateral security for any of the Secured Obligations under and as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement.

 

Senior Securities ” means senior securities (as such term is defined and determined pursuant to the Investment Company Act and any orders of the SEC issued to the Borrower thereunder).

 

Shared Collateral ” has the meaning set forth in the Guarantee and Security Agreement.

 

Shareholders’ Equity ” means, at any date, the amount determined on a consolidated basis, without duplication, in accordance with GAAP, of shareholders’ equity for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date.

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means, at any time of determination, any (a) Obligor or (b) any other Subsidiary that, on a consolidated basis with its Subsidiaries, has aggregate assets or aggregate revenues greater than 10% of the aggregate assets or aggregate revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, at such time.

 

Special Equity Interest ” means any Equity Interest that is subject to a Lien in favor of creditors of the issuer of such Equity Interest or such issuer’s affiliates, provided that (a) such Lien was created to secure Indebtedness owing by such issuer to such creditors, (b) such Indebtedness was (i) in existence at the time the Obligors acquired such Equity Interest, (ii) incurred or assumed by such issuer substantially contemporaneously with such acquisition or (iii) already subject to a Lien granted to such creditors and (c) unless such Equity Interest is not intended to be included in the Collateral, the documentation creating or governing such Lien does not prohibit the inclusion of such Equity Interest in the Collateral.

 

Specified Time ” means (i) in relation to a Loan in Canadian Dollars, as of 11:00 a.m. Toronto, Ontario time, (ii) in relation to a Loan in a LIBOR Quoted Currency, as of 11:00 a.m., London time, and (iii) in relation to a Loan in AUD, as of 11:00 a.m., Sydney, Australia time.

 

Standard Securitization Undertakings ” means, collectively, (a) customary arms-length servicing obligations (together with any related performance guarantees), (b) obligations (together with any related performance guarantees) to refund the purchase price or grant purchase price credits for dilutive events or misrepresentations (in each case unrelated to the collectability of the assets sold or the creditworthiness of the associated account debtors) and (c) representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities (together with any related performance guarantees) of a type that are reasonably customary in commercial loan securitizations.

 

Statutory Reserve Rate ” means, for the Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Borrowing, a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the arithmetic mean, taken over each day in such Interest Period, of the aggregate of the applicable maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is subject for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency liabilities” in Regulation D).  Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to Regulation D.  Eurocurrency Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any

 

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Lender under Regulation D or any comparable regulation.  The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person (the “ parent ”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the term “Subsidiary” shall not include any Person that constitutes an Investment held by any Obligor in the ordinary course of business and that is not, under GAAP, consolidated on the financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.  Unless otherwise specified, “Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor ” means any Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a guarantor under the Guarantee and Security Agreement.  It is understood and agreed that Excluded Subsidiaries shall not be required to be Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

Syndication Agent ” means Société Générale, in its capacity as syndication agent hereunder.

 

TARGET Day ” means any day on which the TARGET2 is open.

 

TARGET2 ” means the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET2) payment system (or, if such payment system ceases to be operative, such other payment system reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be a suitable replacement) for the settlement of payments in Euros.

 

Taxes ” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments or fees imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

Tender Offer ” means an all-cash tender offer for the Borrower’s shares of common stock that may be proposed to be commenced in connection with the initial listing of the Borrower’s shares of common stock.

 

Term Loan ” means a Loan denominated in Dollars made by a Term Lender pursuant to Section 2.01(c).

 

Term Loan Commitment ” means, with respect to each Term Loan Lender, the commitment of such Term Loan Lender to make Term Loans hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.07 or as otherwise provided in this Agreement and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04.  The initial amount of each Lender’s Term Loan Commitment is set forth on Schedule I, or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Term Loan Commitment, as applicable.  The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Term Loan Commitments is $195,000,000.

 

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Term Loan Lender ” means the Persons listed on Schedule I as having Term Loan Commitments and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption that provides for it to assume a Term Loan Commitment, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or otherwise.

 

Termination Date ” means the date on which the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and accrued interest on each Loan and all fees and other amounts payable hereunder (other than Unasserted Contingent Obligations) shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have (v) expired, (w) terminated, or (x) been cash collateralized, or otherwise been backstopped, in each case, in a manner reasonably acceptable to the relevant Issuing Bank and all LC Disbursements then outstanding shall have been reimbursed.

 

Transactions ” means (i) the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder on the Effective Date, (ii) the issuance and sale of the Secured Notes, (iii) the consummation of the Refinancing and (iv) the payment of all fees, costs and expenses in connection with the foregoing.

 

Type ,” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans constituting such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.

 

Unasserted Contingent Obligations ” means all (i) unasserted contingent indemnification obligations not then due and payable and (ii) unasserted expense reimbursement obligations not then due and payable.  For the avoidance of doubt, “Unasserted Contingent Obligations” shall not include any reimbursement obligations in respect of any Letter of Credit.

 

Uniform Commercial Code ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York.

 

Unquoted Investments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.12(b)(ii)(B).

 

Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness of an Obligor (which may be Guaranteed by one or more other Obligors) that (a) has no amortization prior to, and a final maturity date not earlier than, six months after the Final Maturity Date except to the extent such mandatory redemption is contingent upon the happening of an event that is not certain to occur (including, without limitation, a change of control or bankruptcy) (it being understood that the conversion features into Permitted Equity Interests under convertible notes (as well as the triggering of such conversion and/or settlement thereof solely with Permitted Equity Interests, except in the case of interest or expenses or fractional shares (which may be payable in cash)) shall not constitute “amortization” for the purposes of this definition), (b) is incurred pursuant to terms that are substantially comparable (or more favorable than market) to market terms for substantially similar debt of other similarly situated borrowers as reasonably determined in good faith by the Borrower, or, if such transaction is not one in which there are market terms for substantially similar debt of other similarly situated borrowers, on terms that are negotiated in good faith on an arm’s length basis (in each case, other than financial covenants, covenants governing the borrowing base and events of default (other than events of default customary in indentures or similar instruments that have no analogous provisions to this Agreement or credit agreements generally), which shall be no more restrictive upon the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, while any Commitments or Loans are outstanding, than those set forth in this Agreement; provided that, the Borrower may incur any Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness that otherwise would not meet the requirements set forth in this parenthetical of this clause (b) if it has duly made a Modification Offer (it being understood that put rights or repurchase or

 

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redemption obligations arising out of circumstances that would constitute a “fundamental change” (as such term is customarily defined in convertible note offerings) or be Events of Default shall not be deemed to be more restrictive for purposes of this definition)), and (c) is not secured by any assets of any Obligor.  For the avoidance of doubt, Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness shall also include any refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of any Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness so long as such refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended Indebtedness continues to satisfy the requirements of this definition.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Unsecured Longer-Term Indebtedness shall include any Disqualified Equity Interests and Permitted Equity Interests so long as the Borrower is not permitted or required to purchase, redeem, retire, acquire, cancel or terminate any such Equity Interest (other than (x) as a result of a change of control or asset sale or (y) in connection with any purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination with, or in exchange for, Equity Interest) prior to the date that is six months after the Maturity Date.

 

U.S. Government Securities ” means securities that are direct obligations of, and obligations the timely payment of principal and interest on which is fully guaranteed by, the United States or any agency or instrumentality of the United States the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States and in the form of conventional bills, bonds, and notes.

 

Valuation Policy ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.12(b)(ii)(B).

 

Value ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

 

Withdrawal Liability ” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a “complete withdrawal” or “partial withdrawal” from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA.

 

Write-Down and Conversion Powers ” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

SECTION 1.02.                               Classification of Loans and Borrowings .  For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “ Term Loan ,” “ Dollar Revolving Loan ” or “ Multicurrency Revolving Loan ”), by Type (e.g., an “ ABR Loan ”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “ Multicurrency Eurocurrency Loan ”).  Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “ Dollar Borrowing ” or “ Multicurrency Borrowing ”), by Type (e.g., an “ ABR Borrowing ”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “ Multicurrency Eurocurrency Borrowing ”).  Loans and Borrowings may also be identified by Currency.

 

SECTION 1.03.                               Terms Generally .  The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”  The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.”  Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, renewed or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements, renewals or modifications set forth herein or therein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on such successors and assigns set forth herein), (c) the words “herein,” “hereof’ and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and

 

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not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.  For the avoidance of doubt, any cash payment (other than any cash payment on account of interest) made by the Borrower in respect of any conversion features in any convertible securities that may be issued by the Borrower shall constitute a “regularly scheduled payment, prepayment or redemption of principal and interest” within the meaning of clause (a) of Section 6.12.  Solely for purposes of this Agreement,  any references to “obligations” owed by any Person under any Hedging Agreement shall refer to the amount that would be required to be paid by such Person if such Hedging Agreement were terminated at such time (after giving effect to any netting agreement).

 

SECTION 1.04.                               Accounting Terms; GAAP .  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Effective Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then the Borrower, Administrative Agent and Lenders agree to enter into negotiations in good faith in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to equitably reflect such change to comply with GAAP with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Borrower’s financial condition shall be the same after such change to comply with GAAP as if such change had not been made; provided , however , until such amendments to equitably reflect such changes are effective and agreed to by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, the Borrower’s compliance with such financial covenants shall be determined on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith.  The Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that whether or not the Borrower may at any time adopt Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 820 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect), Financial Accounting Standard No. 159 (or successor standard solely as it relates to fair valuing liabilities) or accounts for liabilities acquired in an acquisition on a fair value basis pursuant to Financial Accounting Standard No. 141(R) (or successor standard solely as it relates to fair valuing liabilities), all determinations of compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be made on the basis that the Borrower has not adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 820, Financial Accounting Standard No. 159 (or such successor standard solely as it relates to fair valuing liabilities) or, in the case of liabilities acquired in an acquisition, Financial Accounting Standard No. 141(R) (or such successor standard solely as it relates to fair valuing liabilities).  The Borrower shall at all times continue to account for total return swaps as they are accounted for in the Borrower’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

SECTION 1.05.                               Currencies; Currency Equivalents .

 

(a)                                  Currencies Generally .  At any time, any reference in the definition of the term “Agreed Foreign Currency” or in any other provision of this Agreement to the Currency of any particular nation means the lawful currency of such nation at such time whether or not the name of such Currency is the same as it was on the Effective Date.  For purposes of determining (i) the Covered Debt Amount and (ii) the Borrowing Base or the Value of any Portfolio Investment, the outstanding principal amount of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit that is denominated in any Foreign Currency or the Value of any Portfolio Investment that is denominated in any Foreign Currency shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of the Foreign Currency of such Borrowing, Letter of Credit or Portfolio Investment, as the

 

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case may be, determined as of the date of such Borrowing or Letter of Credit (determined in accordance with the last sentence of the definition of the term “Interest Period”) or the date of valuation of such Portfolio Investment, as the case may be.  Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a Borrowing or Loan an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such Borrowing or Loan is denominated in a Foreign Currency, such amount shall be the relevant Foreign Currency Equivalent of such Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest 1,000 units of such Foreign Currency).  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any basket in this Agreement, in no event shall the Borrower or any Obligor be deemed to not be in compliance with any such basket solely as a result of a change in exchange rates.

 

(b)                                  The Administrative Agent (or, in the case of an LC Disbursement, the applicable Issuing Bank), shall determine the exchange rate to be used in determining the Dollar Equivalent Amount of outstanding Loans and Letters of Credit as of each Revaluation Date. Such exchange rates shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall, except as contemplated by paragraph (a) above, be the exchange rates employed in converting any amounts between the applicable currencies until the next Revaluation Date to occur.

 

(c)                                   Special Provisions Relating to Euro .  Each obligation hereunder of any party hereto that is denominated in the National Currency of a state that is not a Participating Member State on the Effective Date shall, effective from the date on which such state becomes a Participating Member State, be redenominated in Euro in accordance with the legislation of the European Union applicable to the European Monetary Union; provided that, if and to the extent that any such legislation provides that any such obligation of any such party payable within such Participating Member State by crediting an account of the creditor can be paid by the debtor either in Euros or such National Currency, such party shall be entitled to pay or repay such amount either in Euros or in such National Currency.  If the basis of accrual of interest or fees expressed in this Agreement with respect to an Agreed Foreign Currency of any country that becomes a Participating Member State after the date on which such currency becomes an Agreed Foreign Currency shall be inconsistent with any convention or practice in the interbank market for the basis of accrual of interest or fees in respect of the Euro, such convention or practice shall replace such expressed basis effective as of and from the date on which such state becomes a Participating Member State; provided that, with respect to any Borrowing denominated in such currency that is outstanding immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall take effect at the end of the Interest Period therefor.

 

Without prejudice to the respective liabilities of the Borrower to the Lenders and the Lenders to the Borrower under or pursuant to this Agreement, each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time, in consultation with the Borrower, reasonably specify to be necessary or appropriate to reflect the introduction or changeover to the Euro in any country that becomes a Participating Member State after the Effective Date; provided that the Administrative Agent shall provide the Borrower and the Lenders with prior notice of the proposed change with an explanation of such change in sufficient time to permit the Borrower and the Lenders an opportunity to respond to such proposed change.

 

SECTION 1.06.                               Interest Rates .  The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of “Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate” or with respect to any comparable or successor rates thereto, or replacements rate therefor.

 

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ARTICLE II

 

THE CREDITS

 

SECTION 2.01.                               The Commitments .  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein:

 

(a)                                  each Dollar Revolving Lender severally agrees to make Loans in Dollars to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) such Lender’s Revolving Dollar Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Dollar Revolving Commitment, (ii) the aggregate Revolving Dollar Credit Exposure of all of the Lenders exceeding the Dollar Revolving Commitments, or (iii) the total Covered Debt Amount exceeding the Borrowing Base then in effect;

 

(b)                                  each Multicurrency Revolving Lender severally agrees to make Multicurrency Revolving Loans to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) such Lender’s Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment, (ii) the aggregate Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure of all of the Lenders exceeding the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments, or (iii) the total Covered Debt Amount exceeding the Borrowing Base then in effect;

 

(c)                                   each Term Loan Lender severally agrees to make a Term Loan to the Borrower in a single draw on the Effective Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment; and

 

(d)                                  The Borrower may reallocate all or a portion (in an amount of at least $10,000,000) of any Lender’s Dollar Revolving Commitments to Multicurrency Revolving Commitments or all or a portion (in an amount of at least $10,000,000) of any Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitments to Dollar Revolving Commitments, by written notice to the Administrative Agent, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and with the written consent of any Lender whose commitment is being reallocated.  Upon such reallocation, (i) the specified amount of such Lender’s Dollar Revolving Commitments or Multicurrency Revolving Commitments, as applicable, shall be deemed to be converted to an increase in such Multicurrency Revolving Commitments or Dollar Revolving Commitments, as applicable, for all purposes hereof and (ii) each Revolving Lender shall purchase or sell Dollar Revolving Loans and/or Multicurrency Revolving Loans, as applicable, at par to the other Lenders as specified by the Administrative Agent in an amount necessary such that, after giving effect to all such purchases and sales, each Revolving Lender shall have funded its pro rata share of the entire amount of the then outstanding Dollar Revolving Loans and Multicurrency Revolving Loans.

 

Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.  Term Loans that are prepaid may not be reborrowed.

 

SECTION 2.02.                               Loans and Borrowings .

 

(a)                                  Obligations of Lenders .  Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class, Currency and Type made by the applicable Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the same Class.  The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to

 

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be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

 

(b)                                  Type of Loans .  Subject to Section 2.12, (i) each Borrowing of a Class shall be constituted entirely of ABR Loans or of Eurocurrency Loans of such Class denominated in a single Currency as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith.  Each Borrowing denominated in an Agreed Foreign Currency shall be constituted entirely of Eurocurrency Loans.  Each Lender at its option may make any Eurocurrency Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   Minimum Amounts .  Each Borrowing (whether Eurocurrency or ABR), other than a Conduit Shortfall Borrowing, shall be in an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or a larger multiple of $100,000 or, with respect to any Agreed Foreign Currency, such smaller minimum amount as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent; provided that a Borrowing of a Class may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Commitments of such Class or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement of such Class as contemplated by Section 2.04(f).  Borrowings of more than one Class, Currency and Type may be outstanding at the same time.

 

(d)                                  Limitations on Interest Periods .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request (or to elect to convert to or continue as a Eurocurrency Borrowing) any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested therefor would end after the Final Maturity Date.

 

SECTION 2.03.                               Requests for Borrowings .

 

(a)                                  Notice by the Borrower .  To request a Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by submitting a Borrowing Request (i) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars or Canadian Dollars, not later than 12:00 p.m. noon, New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing, (ii) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than Canadian Dollars), not later than 12:00 p.m. noon, New York City time, four Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing and (iii) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 12:00 p.m. noon, New York City time, (or 2:00 p.m., New York City time in the case of a Conduit Shortfall Borrowing) on the date of the proposed Borrowing.  Each such Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

(b)                                  Content of Borrowing Requests .  Each Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

 

(i)                   whether such Borrowing is to be made under the Term Loan Commitments, the Dollar Revolving Commitments or the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments;

 

(ii)                the aggregate amount and Currency of the requested Borrowing;

 

(iii)             the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(iv)            in the case of a Borrowing denominated in Dollars, whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing;

 

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(v)        in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period therefor, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period” and permitted under Section 2.02(d); and

 

(vi)        the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.05.

 

(c)                                   Notice by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders .  Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each applicable Lender of the details thereof and of the amounts of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

 

(d)                                  Failure to Elect .  If no election as to the Class of a Revolving Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be a Dollar Revolving Loan.  If no election as to the Currency of a Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be denominated in Dollars.  If no election as to the Type of a Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be a Eurocurrency Borrowing.  If a Eurocurrency Borrowing is requested (or a Borrowing will be a Eurocurrency Borrowing pursuant to the preceding sentence), but no Interest Period is specified, Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

 

(e)                                   Waiver of Notice of Initial Borrowing .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby waive the notice requirements set forth in Section 2.03(a) in respect of any Borrowing to be made on the Effective Date.  For the avoidance of doubt, such waiver shall not affect any future obligations of Borrower to comply with the obligations of Section 2.03(a) in connection with any Borrowing request.

 

SECTION 2.04.                               Letters of Credit .

 

(a)                                  General .  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, in addition to the Loans provided for in Section 2.01, the Borrower may request any Issuing Bank to issue, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period and under the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments, Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars or in any Agreed Foreign Currency for its own account or the account of its designee ( provided the Obligors shall remain primarily liable to the Lenders hereunder for payment and reimbursement of all amounts payable in respect of such Letter of Credit hereunder) in such form as is acceptable to the Issuing Bank in its reasonable determination and for the benefit of such named beneficiary or beneficiaries as are specified by the Borrower.  Letters of Credit issued hereunder shall constitute utilization of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments up to the aggregate amount then available to be drawn thereunder.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Issuing Bank shall have any obligation hereunder to issue, and shall not issue, any Letter of Credit the proceeds of which would be made available to any Person (i) to fund any activity or business of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of any Sanctions, (ii) in any manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any party to this Agreement or (iii) in any manner that would result in a violation of one or more policies of such Issuing Bank applicable to letters of credit generally.

 

(b)                                  Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal or Extension .  To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by e-mail, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice requesting

 

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the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (d) of this Section), the amount and Currency of such Letter of Credit, stating that such Letter of Credit is to be issued under the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit.  The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders following the issuance of any Letter of Credit.  If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit.  In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, an Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

 

(c)                                   Limitations on Amounts .  A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the aggregate LC Exposure of the Issuing Bank (determined for these purposes without giving effect to the participations therein of the Lenders pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section) shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit, (ii) the total Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposures shall not exceed the aggregate Multicurrency Revolving Commitment, (iii) the total Covered Debt Amount shall not exceed the Borrowing Base then in effect and (iv) the aggregate LC Exposure of the applicable Issuing Bank (determined for these purposes without giving effect to the participations therein of the Lenders pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section) shall not exceed its Issuing Bank Sublimit.

 

(d)                                  Expiration Date .  Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the date twelve months after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, twelve months after the then-current expiration date of such Letter of Credit, so long as such renewal or extension occurs within three months of such then-current expiration date); provided that any Letter of Credit with a one-year term may provide for the renewal thereof for additional one-year periods; provided further , that (x) in no event shall a Letter of Credit expire after the Revolving Facility Commitment Termination Date unless the Borrower (1) deposits, on or prior to the Revolving Facility Commitment Termination Date, into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account Cash, an amount equal to 102% of the undrawn face amount of all Letters of Credit that remain outstanding as of the close of business on the Revolving Facility Commitment Termination Date and (2) pays in full, no later than the Revolving Facility Commitment Termination Date, all commissions required to be paid by the Borrower with respect to any such Letter of Credit through the then-current expiration date of such Letter Credit and (y) no Letter of Credit shall have an expiry date after the Final Maturity Date.

 

(e)                                   Participations .  By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) by an Issuing Bank, and without any further action on the part of such Issuing Bank or the Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Multicurrency Revolving Lender, and each Multicurrency Revolving Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Multicurrency Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit.  Each Multicurrency Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the applicable Commitments, provided that no Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall be required to purchase a participation in a Letter of Credit pursuant to this Section 2.04(e) if (x) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 would not be satisfied in respect of a

 

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Borrowing at the time such Letter of Credit was issued and (y) the Required Multicurrency Revolving Lenders shall have so notified the Issuing Bank in writing and shall not have subsequently determined that the circumstances giving rise to such conditions not being satisfied no longer exist.

 

In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Multicurrency Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent in Dollars, for account of the Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Multicurrency Percentage of the Dollar Equivalent of each LC Disbursement made by the Issuing Bank in respect of Letters of Credit promptly upon the request of the Issuing Bank at any time from the time of such LC Disbursement until such LC Disbursement is reimbursed by the Borrower or at any time after any reimbursement payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason.  Such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.  Each such payment shall be made in the same manner as provided in Section 2.05 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.05 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the payment obligations of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders.  Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to the next following paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Issuing Bank or, to the extent that the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and the Issuing Bank as their interests may appear.  Any payment made by a Multicurrency Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

 

(f)                                    Reimbursement .  If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse the Issuing Bank in respect of such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount in Dollars equal to the Dollar Equivalent such LC Disbursement not later than 2:00 p.m. noon, New York City time, on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice of such LC Disbursement, if such notice is received prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time, provided that, if such LC Disbursement is not less than $1,000,000, the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 that such payment be financed with a Eurocurrency Borrowing having an Interest Period of one month’s duration of either Class in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting Eurocurrency Borrowing having an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

 

If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each applicable Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Multicurrency Percentage thereof.

 

(g)                                   Obligations Absolute .  The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (f) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by an Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply strictly with the terms of such Letter of Credit, and (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.

 

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Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor any Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit by any Issuing Bank or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of any Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse any Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s gross negligence or willful misconduct when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof.  The parties hereto expressly agree that:

 

(i)        each Issuing Bank may accept documents that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and may make payment upon presentation of documents that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit;

 

(ii)        each Issuing Bank shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to decline to accept such documents and to make such payment if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit; and

 

(iii)        this sentence shall establish the standard of care to be exercised by each Issuing Bank when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof (and the parties hereto hereby waive, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any standard of care inconsistent with the foregoing).

 

(h)                                  Disbursement Procedures .  The applicable Issuing Bank shall, within a reasonable time following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit.  Each Issuing Bank shall promptly after such examination notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy or e-mail) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank and the applicable Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

 

(i)                                      Interim Interest .  If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall be converted to Dollars based on the Dollar Equivalent amount thereof and shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to Eurocurrency Loans having an Interest Period of one month’s duration; provided that, if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement within two Business Days following the date when due pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section, then the provisions of Section 2.11(c) shall apply.  Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section to reimburse the Issuing Bank shall be for account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

 

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(j)                                     Replacement of the Issuing Bank .  An Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement between the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Bank.  At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.10(b).  From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter by such successor Issuing Bank and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to include such successor and any previous Issuing Bank, as the context shall require.  After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

 

(k)                                  Cash Collateralization .  If the Borrower shall be required to provide cover for LC Exposure pursuant to Section 2.08(a), Section 2.09(c), Section 2.09(d) or the last paragraph of Article VII, the Borrower shall immediately deposit into a segregated collateral account or accounts (herein, collectively, the “ Letter of Credit Collateral Account ”) in the name and under the dominion and control of the Administrative Agent, Cash denominated in the Currency of the Letter of Credit under which such LC Exposure arises in an amount equal to the amount required under Section 2.08(a), Section 2.09(c), Section 2.09(d) or the last paragraph of Article VII, as applicable.  Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral in the first instance for the LC Exposure under this Agreement and thereafter for the payment of the “Credit Facility Obligations” under and as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement, and for these purposes the Borrower hereby grants a security interest to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account and in any financial assets (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) or other property held therein.

 

SECTION 2.05.                               Funding of Borrowings .

 

(a)                                  Funding by Lenders .  Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 1:00 p.m., New York City Time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders.  The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that ABR Borrowings made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.04(f) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank.

 

(b)                                  Presumption by the Administrative Agent .  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount.  In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in the corresponding Currency with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the NYFRB Rate or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable at the time to ABR Loans (in the case of a Loan denominated in an Agreed Foreign Currency, based on the Dollar Equivalent Amount thereof).  If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.  Nothing in this paragraph shall

 

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relieve any Lender of its obligation to fulfill its commitments hereunder, and shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 2.06.                               Interest Elections .

 

(a)                                  Elections by the Borrower for Borrowings .  Subject to Section 2.03(d), the Loans constituting each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall have the Interest Period specified in such Borrowing Request.  Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a Borrowing of a different Type or to continue such Borrowing as a Borrowing of the same Type and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, may elect the Interest Period therefor, all as provided in this Section; provided , however , that (i) a Borrowing of a Class may only be continued or converted into a Borrowing of the same Class, (ii) a Borrowing denominated in one Currency may not be continued as, or converted to, a Borrowing in a different Currency, (iii) no Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency may be continued if, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposures would exceed the aggregate Multicurrency Revolving Commitments and (iv) a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency may not be converted to a Borrowing of a different Type.  The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders of the respective Class holding the Loans constituting such Borrowing, and the Loans constituting each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

 

(b)                                  Notice of Elections .  To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by delivery of a signed Interest Election Request by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election.  Each such Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

(c)                                   Content of Interest Election Requests .  Each Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

 

(i)        the Borrowing (including the Class) to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) of this paragraph shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

 

(ii)        the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(iii)        whether, in the case of a Borrowing denominated in Dollars, the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing; and

 

(iv)        if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period therefor after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period” and permitted under Section 2.02(d).

 

(d)                                  Notice by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders .  Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each applicable Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

 

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(e)                                   Failure to Elect; Events of Default .  If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely and complete Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period therefor, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, (i) if such Borrowing is denominated in Dollars, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to a Eurocurrency Borrowing of the same Class having an Interest Period of one month, and (ii) if such Borrowing is denominated in a Foreign Currency, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing no outstanding Eurocurrency Borrowing may have an Interest Period of more than one month’s duration.

 

SECTION 2.07.                               Termination, Reduction or Increase of the Commitments .

 

(a)                                  Scheduled Termination .  Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Facility Commitment Termination Date.  The Term Loan Commitments in effect on the Effective Date shall terminate upon the making of the Term Loans on the Effective Date.

 

(b)                                  Voluntary Termination or Reduction .  The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments of any Class; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments shall be in an amount that is $5,000,000 (or, if less, the entire remaining amount of the Commitments of any Class) or a larger multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.09, the total Revolving Credit Exposures of either Class would exceed the total Commitments of such Class.

 

(c)                                   Notice of Voluntary Termination or Reduction .  The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof.  Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the applicable Lenders of the contents thereof.  Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments of a Class delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.

 

(d)                                  Effect of Termination or Reduction .  Any termination or reduction of the Commitments of a Class shall be permanent.  Each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments of such Class.

 

(e)                                   Increase of the Commitments .

 

(i)           Requests for Increase by Borrower .  The Borrower shall have the right, at any time after the Effective Date but prior to the Revolving Facility Commitment Termination Date, to propose that the Commitments of a Class hereunder be increased on a pro rata basis between the Revolving Commitments (of the Class or Classes selected by the Borrower) and the Term Loan Commitments based on the respective amounts of Revolving Commitments and Term Loans outstanding at such time (each such proposed increase being a “ Commitment Increase ”) by notice to the Administrative Agent, specifying each existing Lender (each an “ Increasing Lender ”) and/or each additional lender (each an “ Assuming Lender ”) that shall have agreed to an additional Commitment and the date on which such increase is to be effective (the “ Commitment Increase Date ”), which shall be a Business Day at least three Business Days (or such lesser period as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree) after delivery of such notice; provided that:

 

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(A)                                each increase shall be in a minimum amount of at least $25,000,000 or a larger multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof (or such lesser amounts as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree);

 

(B)                                the aggregate amount of all such Commitment Increases shall not exceed $292,500,000;

 

(C)                                each Assuming Lender shall be consented to by the Administrative Agent and with respect to any Commitment Increase in the form of Multicurrency Revolving Commitments, each Issuing Bank (in each case, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed);

 

(D)                                no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such Commitment Increase Date or shall result from the proposed Commitment Increase;

 

(E)                                 the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless the relevant representation and warranty already contains a materiality qualifier or, in the case of the representations and warranties in Sections 3.01 (first sentence with respect to the Obligors), 3.02, 3.04, 3.11 and 3.15 of this Agreement and Sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.4 through 3.8 of the Guarantee and Security Agreement, in each such case, such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the Commitment Increase Date as if made on and as of such date (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific date, as of such specific date);

 

(F)                                  no Lender shall be obligated to provide any increased Commitment; and

 

(G)                                on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Commitment Increase (calculated for this purpose assuming such Commitment Increase was fully drawn), the Adjusted Asset Coverage Ratio would be at least 2.25 to 1.00.

 

(ii)           Effectiveness of Commitment Increase by Borrower .  The Assuming Lender, if any, shall become a Lender hereunder as of such Commitment Increase Date and the Commitments of the respective Class of any Increasing Lender and such Assuming Lender shall be increased as of such Commitment Increase Date; provided that:

 

(x)                                  the Administrative Agent shall have received on or prior to 12:00 p.m. noon, New York City time, on such Commitment Increase Date a certificate of a duly authorized officer of the Borrower stating that each of the applicable conditions to such Commitment Increase set forth in the foregoing paragraph (i) has been satisfied; and

 

(y)                                  each Assuming Lender or Increasing Lender shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, on or prior to 12:00 p.m. noon, New York City time, on such Commitment Increase Date, an agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, pursuant to which such Lender shall, effective as of such Commitment Increase Date, undertake a Commitment or an increase of Commitment in each case of the respective Class, duly executed by such Assuming Lender or Increasing Lender, as applicable, and the Borrower and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent.

 

(iii)           Recordation into Register .  Upon its receipt of an agreement referred to in clause (ii)(y) above executed by an Assuming Lender or an Increasing Lender, together with the certificate referred to in clause (ii)(x) above, the Administrative Agent shall, if such agreement has been completed, (x) accept

 

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such agreement, (y) record the information contained therein in the Register and (z) give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower.

 

(iv)           Adjustments of Revolving Borrowings upon Effectiveness of Increase .  On the Commitment Increase Date, the Borrower shall (A) prepay the outstanding Revolving Loans (if any) of the affected Class in full, (B) simultaneously borrow new Revolving Loans of such Class hereunder in an amount equal to such prepayment (in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, with Eurocurrency Rates equal to the outstanding Eurocurrency Rate and with Interest Period(s) ending on the date(s) of any then outstanding Interest Period(s)); provided that with respect to subclauses (A) and (B), (x) the prepayment to, and borrowing from, any existing Lender shall be effected by book entry to the extent that any portion of the amount prepaid to such Lender will be subsequently borrowed from such Lender and (y) the existing Lenders, the Increasing Lenders and the Assuming Lenders shall make and receive payments among themselves, in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent, so that, after giving effect thereto, the Loans of such Class are held ratably by the Lenders of such Class in accordance with the respective Commitments of such Class of such Lenders (after giving effect to such Commitment Increase) and (C) pay to the Lenders of such Class the amounts, if any, payable under Section 2.15 as a result of any such prepayment.  Concurrently therewith, the Lenders of such Class shall be deemed to have adjusted their participation interests in any outstanding Letters of Credit of such Class so that such interests are held ratably in accordance with their Commitments of such Class as so increased.

 

SECTION 2.08.                               Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt .

 

(a)                                  Repayment .  The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for account of the applicable Lenders the outstanding principal amount of each Class of the Loans and all other amounts due and owing hereunder and under the other Loan Documents on the Final Maturity Date.

 

In addition, on the Revolving Facility Commitment Termination Date, to the extent any Letter of Credit is outstanding (notwithstanding the requirements of Section 2.04(d)), the Borrower shall deposit into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account Cash in the Currencies in which such Letters of Credit are denominated in an amount equal to 102% of the undrawn face amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding on the close of business on the Revolving Facility Commitment Termination Date, such deposit to be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral security for the LC Exposure under this Agreement in respect of the undrawn portion of such Letters of Credit.

 

(b)                                  Manner of Payment .  Subject to Section 2.09(d), prior to any repayment or prepayment of any Borrowings hereunder, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings to be paid and shall notify the Administrative Agent by telecopy or e-mail of such selection not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the scheduled date of such repayment; provided that, each repayment of Borrowings within a Class shall be applied to repay any outstanding ABR Borrowings of such Class before any other Borrowings of such Class.  If the Borrower fails to make a timely selection of the Borrowing or Borrowings to be repaid or prepaid, such payment shall be applied, first, to pay any outstanding ABR Revolving Borrowings pro rata between any such Borrowings comprising outstanding Dollar Revolving Loans and any such Borrowings comprising outstanding Multicurrency Revolving Loans, second, to pay any outstanding Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowings, in the order of the remaining duration of their respective Interest Periods (the Borrowing with the shortest remaining Interest Period to be repaid first) and pro rata between any such Borrowings with the applicable Interest Period comprising outstanding Dollar Revolving Loans and any such Borrowings with the applicable Interest Period comprising outstanding Multicurrency Revolving Loans and third, to the repayment of Term Loans.  Each payment of a Borrowing of a Class shall be applied ratably to the Loans of such Class included in such

 

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Borrowing.  Each payment of a Term Loan shall be applied to scheduled amortization of such Term Loan (if any) as the Borrower shall direct.

 

(c)                                   Maintenance of Records by Lenders .  Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice records evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts and Currency of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

 

(d)                                  Maintenance of Records by the Administrative Agent .  The Administrative Agent shall maintain records in which it shall record (i) the amount and Currency of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and each Interest Period therefor, (ii) the amount and Currency of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender of such Class hereunder and (iii) the amount and Currency of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

(e)                                   Effect of Entries .  The entries made in the records maintained pursuant to paragraph (c) or (d) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence, absent obvious error, of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such records or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(f)                                    Promissory Notes .  Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note.  In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent.  Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).

 

SECTION 2.09.                               Prepayment of Loans .

 

(a)                                  Optional Prepayments .  The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time (but subject to Sections 2.09(e) and (f)) to prepay any Borrowing of any Class in whole or in part, without premium or penalty except for payments under Section 2.15, subject to the requirements of this Section.

 

(b)                                  Mandatory Prepayments due to Changes in Exchange Rates .

 

(i)           [Reserved]

 

(ii)           Prepayment .  If, on the date of such determination the aggregate Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure minus the LC Exposure fully cash collateralized pursuant to Section 2.04(k) on such date exceeds 105% of the aggregate amount of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments as then in effect, the Borrower shall prepay the Multicurrency Revolving Loans (and/or provide cover for LC Exposure as specified in Section 2.04(k)) within 15 Business Days following such date of determination in such amounts as shall be necessary so that after giving effect thereto the aggregate Revolving Multicurrency Credit Exposure does not exceed the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments.

 

Any prepayment pursuant to this clause (b) shall be applied, first , to Multicurrency Revolving Loans outstanding and second , as cover for LC Exposure.

 

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(c)                                   Mandatory Prepayments due to Borrowing Base Deficiency .  In the event that any Financial Officer of the Borrower shall on any date have actual knowledge that there is a Borrowing Base Deficiency  (such date, the “ Notice Date ”), the Borrower shall prepay the Loans pursuant to Section 2.09(a) (or provide cover for Letters of Credit as contemplated by Section 2.04(k)), or reduce Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness that is included in the Covered Debt Amount, in such amounts as shall be necessary so that such Borrowing Base Deficiency is promptly cured, provided that (i) the aggregate amount of such prepayment of Loans (and cover for Letters of Credit) shall be at least equal to the Revolving Credit Exposure’s and Term Loans’ ratable share of the aggregate prepayment and reduction of Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness and (ii) if, within five Business Days of the Notice Date (and/or at such other times as the Borrower has knowledge of such Borrowing Base Deficiency), the Borrower shall present the Administrative Agent with a reasonably feasible plan to enable such Borrowing Base Deficiency to be cured within 30 Business Days of the Notice Date, then such prepayment (and cover for Letters of Credit) or reduction shall not be required to be effected immediately but may be effected in accordance with such plan (with such modifications as the Borrower may reasonably determine), so long as such Borrowing Base Deficiency is cured within such 30-Business Day period.

 

(d)                                  Mandatory Prepayments due to Certain Events Following Mandatory Prepayment Commencement Date .  Subject to Sections 2.09(d)(vi), (d)(vii), (d)(viii), (e) and (f):

 

(i)                                 Asset Sales .  In the event that any Obligor shall receive any Net Asset Sale Proceeds at any time after the Mandatory Prepayment Commencement Date, the Borrower shall, no later than the third Business Day following the receipt of such Net Asset Sale Proceeds, prepay the Loans and/or cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit in an amount equal to such Net Asset Sale Proceeds, provided that the Borrower shall only be required to apply such Net Asset Sale Proceeds to prepay the Loans and/or cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit in respect of non-Portfolio Investments if and to the extent the cumulative aggregate amount of all Net Asset Sale Proceeds relating to non-Portfolio Investments, from time to time, exceeds $5,000,000.

 

(ii)           Extraordinary Receipts .  In the event that any Obligor shall receive any Extraordinary Receipts at any time after the Mandatory Prepayment Commencement Date, the Borrower shall, no later than the third Business Day following the receipt of such Extraordinary Receipts, prepay the Loans and/or cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit in an amount equal to such Extraordinary Receipts, provided that the Borrower shall only be required to apply such Extraordinary Receipts to prepay the Loans and/or cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit if the cumulative aggregate amount of such Extraordinary Receipts, from time to time, exceeds $5,000,000.

 

(iii)                                  Returns of Capital .  In the event that any Obligor shall receive any Return of Capital at any time after the Mandatory Prepayment Commencement Date, the Borrower shall, no later than the third Business Day following the receipt of such Return of Capital, prepay the Loans and/or cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit in an amount equal to such Return of Capital.

 

(iv)           Equity Issuances .  In the event that the Borrower shall receive any Cash proceeds from the issuance of Equity Interests of the Borrower at any time after the Mandatory Prepayment Commencement Date, the Borrower shall, no later than the third Business Day following the receipt of such Cash proceeds, prepay the Loans and/or cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit in an amount equal to seventy-five percent (75%) of such Cash proceeds, net of (1) underwriting discounts and commissions or similar payments and other costs, fees, commissions, premiums and expenses incurred by any Obligor incidental to such Cash receipts, including reasonable legal fees and expenses and (2) all taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable by any Obligor as a result of such Cash receipts (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions).

 

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(v)                                Indebtedness .  In the event that any Obligor shall receive any Cash proceeds from the issuance of Indebtedness (excluding Hedging Agreements to which such Obligor is a party permitted by Section 6.01 and other Indebtedness permitted by Sections 6.01(a), (d), (e), (f) and (i))  at any time after the Mandatory Prepayment Commencement Date, such Obligor shall, no later than the third Business Day following the receipt of such Cash proceeds, prepay the Loans and/or cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit in an amount equal to ninety percent (90%) of such Cash proceeds, net of (1) underwriting discounts and commissions or other similar payments and other costs, fees, commissions, premiums and expenses incurred by any Obligor directly incidental to such Cash receipts, including reasonable legal fees and expenses and (2) all taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable by the Borrower or such other Obligor as a result of such Cash receipts (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions).

 

(vi)           Prepayment of Eurocurrency Loans .  To the extent the Loans to be prepaid from proceeds from any of the events described in subsections (i) through (v) above are Eurocurrency Loans, the Borrower may defer such prepayment until the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loans, so long as the Borrower deposits an amount equal to the amount of such prepayment, no later than the third Business Day following the receipt of such proceeds, into a segregated collateral account in the name and under the dominion and control of the Administrative Agent pending application of such amount to the prepayment of the Loans on the last day of such Interest Period.

 

(vii)                                 Prepayments Generally .  To the extent the Loans are to be prepaid from proceeds from any of the events described in subsections (i) through (v) above, such prepayment shall be made on a pro rata basis between the Term Loans and the Revolving Loans.

 

(viii)                                  RIC Tax Distributions .  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any amount attributable to Net Asset Sale Proceeds, Extraordinary Receipts, Return of Capital or other Cash receipts required to be applied to the prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this Section 2.09(d) shall exclude any portion thereof estimated in good faith by the Borrower to be necessary for the Borrower to make distributions sufficient in amount to achieve the objectives set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 6.05(b) hereof.

 

(e)                                   Payments Following the Mandatory Prepayment Commencement Date .  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in Section 2.08 or this Section 2.09, following the Mandatory Prepayment Commencement Date:

 

(i)          no optional prepayment of the Loans of any Class shall be permitted unless at such time, the Borrower also prepays the Loans of each other Class or, to the extent no Loans of any other Class are outstanding, provides cash collateral as contemplated by Section 2.04(k) for outstanding Letters of Credit, which prepayment (and cash collateral) shall be made on a pro-rata basis between each outstanding Class of Loans and Letters of Credit;

 

(ii)          any prepayment of Loans required to be made pursuant to clause (c) above shall be applied to prepay Loans and cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit on a pro-rata basis between each outstanding Class of Loans and Letters of Credit; and

 

(iii)          if, in connection with any of the events specified in Section 2.09(d), the Borrower receives any proceeds from a Return of Capital in an Agreed Foreign Currency, the Borrower shall pay the then outstanding Loans denominated in such Agreed Foreign Currency on a pro-rata basis among just the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders, and, if after such payment, the balance of the Loans denominated in such currency is zero, then if there are any remaining proceeds from such Return of Capital, the Borrower shall prepay the Loans and cash collateralize outstanding

 

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Letters of Credit on a pro-rata basis between each outstanding Class of Loans and Letters of Credit.

 

(f)                                    Notices, Etc .  The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy or electronic communication) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days before (or, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency, four Business Days) the date of prepayment or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of prepayment.  Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date, the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid and, in the case of a mandatory prepayment, a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Commitments of a Class as contemplated by Section 2.07, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.07.  Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the affected Lenders of the contents thereof.  Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02, except as necessary to apply fully the required amount of a mandatory prepayment or scheduled payment.  Each prepayment of a Borrowing of a Class shall be applied ratably to the Loans of such Class included in the prepaid Borrowing.  Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.11 and shall be made in the manner specified in Section 2.08(b).

 

SECTION 2.10.                               Fees .

 

(a)                                  Commitment Fee .  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue for the period beginning on the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the date such Commitment terminates and the Revolving Facility Commitment Termination Date, at a rate equal to 0.50% per annum on the average daily unused amount of the Dollar Revolving Commitment and Multicurrency Revolving Commitment, as applicable.  Accrued commitment fees shall be payable within one Business Day after each Quarterly Date and on the earlier of the date the Commitments of the respective Class terminate and the Revolving Facility Commitment Termination Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date.  All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).  For purposes of computing commitment fees, the Commitment of any Class of a Lender shall be deemed to be used to the extent of the outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure of such Class of such Lender.

 

(b)                                  Letter of Credit Fees .  The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for account of each Multicurrency Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its participation in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin applicable to interest on Eurocurrency Loans on the average daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to each Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.25% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure in respect of Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as such Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder.  Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including

 

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each Quarterly Date shall be payable on the third Business Day following such Quarterly Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that, all such fees with respect to the Letters of Credit shall be payable on the date on which the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments terminate (the “ termination date ”), the Borrower shall pay any such fees that have accrued and that are unpaid on the termination date and, in the event any Letters of Credit shall be outstanding that have expiration dates after the termination date, the Borrower shall prepay on the termination date the full amount of the participation and fronting fees that will accrue on such Letters of Credit subsequent to the termination date through but not including the date such outstanding Letters of Credit are scheduled to expire (and in that connection, the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders agree not later than the date two Business Days after the date upon which the last such Letter of Credit shall expire or be terminated to rebate to the Borrower the excess, if any, of the aggregate participation and fronting fees that have been prepaid by the Borrower over the amount of such fees that ultimately accrue through the date of such expiration or termination).  Any other fees payable to any Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand.  All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

 

(c)                                   Administrative Agent Fees .  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

(d)                                  Payment of Fees .  All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in Dollars and immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders entitled thereto.  Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances absent obvious error.  Any fees representing the Borrower’s reimbursement obligations of expenses, to the extent the requirements of an invoice are not otherwise specified in this Agreement, shall be due (subject to the other terms and conditions contained herein) within ten Business Days of the date that the Borrower receives from the Administrative Agent a reasonably detailed invoice for such reimbursement obligations.

 

SECTION 2.11.                               Interest .

 

(a)                                  ABR Loans .  The Loans constituting each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

 

(b)                                  Eurocurrency Loans .  The Loans constituting each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate for the related Interest Period for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Margin.

 

(c)                                   Default Interest .  Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when due (after giving effect to any grace period), whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration, by mandatory prepayment or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided above or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus (x) if such other amount is denominated in Dollars, the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section or (y) if such other amount is denominated in a Foreign Currency, the rate applicable to Eurocurrency Loans with a one month Interest Period as provided in paragraph (b) of this Section.

 

(d)                                  Payment of Interest .  Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan in the Currency in which such Loan is denominated and upon the

 

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Final Maturity Date; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of a Revolving ABR Loan prior to the Revolving Commitment Date), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars prior to the end of the Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Borrowing shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

 

SECTION 2.12.                               Market Disruption and Alternate Rate of Interest .

 

(a)                                  If, at the time that the Administrative Agent shall seek to determine the relevant Screen Rate on the Quotation Day for any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the applicable Screen Rate shall not be available for such Interest Period and/or for the applicable Currency with respect to such Eurocurrency Borrowing for any reason and the Administrative Agent shall determine that it is not possible to determine the Interpolated Rate (which conclusion shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error), then for purposes of determining the Eurocurrency Rate for such Eurocurrency Borrowing, (i) if such Borrowing shall be requested in Dollars, then such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing at the Alternate Base Rate, (ii) if such Borrowing shall be requested in any Agreed Foreign Currency (other than Canadian Dollars) then either, at the Borrower’s election, (A) any Borrowing Request that requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in the affected Currency shall be deemed ineffective or (B) the Eurocurrency Rate shall be equal to the weighted average of the cost to each applicable Lender to fund its pro rata share of such Eurocurrency Borrowing (from whatever source and using whatever methodologies as such Lender may select in its reasonable discretion and as notified in writing by each applicable Lender to the Administrative Agent) (with respect to a Lender, the “ COF Rate ” and with  respect to the weighted average of the COF Rate applicable to each Lender for any Borrowing, the “ Average COF Rate ” ) and (iii) if such Borrowing shall be requested in  Canadian Dollars, then the Eurocurrency Rate shall be equal to the Canadian Prime Rate.

 

(b)                                  If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing:

 

(i)        the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate for any applicable Currency (including because the Screen Rate for such Currency is not available or published on a current basis), for a Loan in such Currency or for the applicable Interest Period; or

 

(ii)        the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders of the applicable Class that the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate for a Loan in the applicable Currency or for the applicable Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period,

 

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders in writing or by telephone or e-mail as promptly as practicable thereafter setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for such determination and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, if the Borrower delivers (x) an Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Eurocurrency Borrowing to, or continuation of any Eurocurrency Borrowing in, the applicable Currency or for the applicable Interest Period, as the case may be, or (y) a Borrowing Request that requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing for the applicable Currency or for the applicable Interest Period then either, at the Borrower’s election, (1) such Interest Election Request or Borrowing Request shall be ineffective, or (2) the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate for the applicable Eurocurrency

 

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Borrowing shall be (i) in the case of Dollars, the Alternate Base Rate, (ii) in the case of Canadian Dollars, the Canadian Prime Rate or (iii) in the case of any other applicable Currency, the Average COF Rate.

 

(c)                                   If at any time the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that (i) the circumstances set forth in clause (b)(i) have arisen and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary or (ii) the circumstances set forth in clause (b)(i) have not arisen but either (w) the supervisor for the administrator of the applicable Screen Rate has made a public statement that the administrator of such Screen Rate is insolvent (and there is no successor administrator that will continue publication of such Screen Rate), (x) the administrator of such Screen Rate has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which such Screen Rate will permanently or indefinitely cease to be published by it (and there is no successor administrator that will continue publication of such Screen Rate), (y) the supervisor for the administrator of such Screen Rate has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which such Screen Rate will permanently or indefinitely cease to be published or (z) the supervisor for the administrator of such Screen Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which such Screen Rate shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans in the applicable Currency, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall endeavor to agree upon an alternate rate of interest to such Screen Rate that gives due consideration to the then prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest for syndicated loans in the United States at such time, and, if an alternate rate is agreed, shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement to reflect such alternate rate of interest and such other related changes to this Agreement as may be applicable (but for the avoidance of doubt, such related changes shall not include a reduction of the Applicable Margin); provided that if such alternate rate of interest as so determined would be less zero percent, such replacement rate be deemed to be zero percent.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9.02, such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement so long as the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five Business Days of the date notice of such alternate rate of interest is provided to the Lenders, a written notice from the Required Lenders of each Class to which such Screen Rate was applicable stating that such Required Lenders object to such amendment.  Until an alternate rate of interest shall be determined in accordance with this clause (c) (but, in the case of the circumstances described in clause (ii) of the first sentence of this clause (c), only to the extent the Screen Rate for the applicable Currency and such Interest Period is not available or published at such time on a current basis), (x) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be ineffective and (y) if the applicable Screen Rate was for Dollars any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing in Dollars, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing.

 

SECTION 2.13.                               Computation of Interest .  All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that (a) Eurocurrency Borrowings in Canadian Dollars or AUD shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year) and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day) and (b) Eurocurrency Borrowings in Pounds Sterling and ABR Borrowings, at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate, shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).  The applicable Alternate Base Rate or Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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SECTION 2.14.                               Increased Costs .

 

(a)                                  If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)        impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, compulsory loan, insurance charge, special deposit, liquidity or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate) or any Issuing Bank; or

 

(ii)        impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London or other applicable interbank market any other condition, cost or expense, affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost (other than costs which are (A) Indemnified Taxes, or (B) Excluded Taxes) to such Lenders of making, continuing, converting into or maintaining any Eurocurrency Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost (other than costs which are Taxes) to such Lender or such Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, in Dollars, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered on behalf of the Borrower.

 

(b)                                  Capital Requirements .  If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), by an amount deemed to be material by such Lender or Issuing Bank, then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, in Dollars, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c)                                   Certificates from Lenders .  A certificate of a Lender or Issuing Bank (i) setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for and the calculation of the amount or amounts, in Dollars, necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section and (ii) certifying that such Lender has a general policy of claiming similar compensation from its other similar customers in similar circumstances to the extent it is entitled to do so shall be promptly delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error; provided , that no Lender shall be required to disclose confidential, price sensitive, or other information in each case to extent prohibited by applicable law.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

(d)                                  Delay in Requests .  Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than six months prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of

 

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the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the six-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

SECTION 2.15.                               Break Funding Payments .  In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period therefor (including as a result of the occurrence of any Commitment Increase Date or an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period therefor, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (including, in connection with any Commitment Increase Date, and regardless of whether such notice is permitted to be revocable under Section 2.09(f) and is revoked in accordance herewith), or (d) the assignment as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.19(b) of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period therefor, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each affected Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event (excluding loss of anticipated profits).  In the case of a Eurocurrency Loan, the loss to any Lender attributable to any such event shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be equal to the excess, if any, of

 

(i)        the amount of interest that such Lender would pay for a deposit equal to the principal amount of such Loan denominated in the Currency of such Loan for the period from the date of such payment, conversion, failure or assignment to the last day of the then current Interest Period for such Loan (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the duration of the Interest Period that would have resulted from such borrowing, conversion or continuation) if the interest rate payable on such deposit were equal to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate for such Currency for such Interest Period, over

 

(ii)        the amount of interest that such Lender would earn on such principal amount for such period if such Lender were to invest such principal amount for such period at the interest rate that would be bid by such Lender (or an affiliate of such Lender) for deposits denominated in such Currency from other banks in the relevant interbank market at the commencement of such period.

 

Payment under this Section shall be made upon request of a Lender delivered not later than ten Business Days following the payment, conversion, or failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay that gives rise to a claim under this Section accompanied by a certificate of such Lender setting forth the amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section, which certificate shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

SECTION 2.16.                               Taxes .

 

(a)                                  Payments Free of Taxes .  All payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law.  If any applicable law requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by any applicable withholding agent, then (i) the applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions or withholding, (ii) the applicable withholding agent shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and (iii) if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after all required deductions and withholdings have been made by any applicable withholding agent (including deductions and withholdings in respect of additional sums payable under this Section 2.16) the applicable Lender or Issuing Bank (or, in the case of payments made

 

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to the Administrative Agent for its own account, the Administrative Agent) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no deductions or withholdings of Indemnified Taxes been made.

 

(b)                                  Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower .  In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(c)                                   Indemnification by the Borrower .  The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Issuing Bank for, and within 30 Business Days after written demand therefor, pay, the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.16) paid or payable by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority, except for any Indemnified Taxes that are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d)                                  Evidence of Payments .  As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.16, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(e)                                   Lenders .  Any Lender or Issuing Bank that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding.

 

In addition, any Lender or Issuing Bank, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender or Issuing Bank is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,

 

(i)        each Lender and Issuing Bank that is not a Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prior to the date on which such Issuing Bank or Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, and at times reasonably requested by the Borrower, two duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or any successor form.

 

(ii)        each Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent  on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) two of whichever of the following is applicable:

 

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A.        duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or any successor form claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party,

 

B.        duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or any successor form certifying that the income receivable pursuant to this Agreement and any other Loan Document is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States,

 

C.        in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (A) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (1) a “bank” within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower as described in section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (3) a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (2) no payments under any Loan Document are effectively connected with the Foreign Lender’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (B) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or any successor form) certifying that the Foreign Lender is not a United States Person,

 

D.        to the extent such Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner (for example, where the Foreign Lender is a partnership or a participating Lender), executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-2 or H-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the applicable Lender is a partnership (and not a participating Lender) and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-4 on behalf of such partner(s), or

 

E.        any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States Federal withholding Tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

 

(iii)                    FATCA .  If any payment made to a Lender or an Issuing Bank under any Loan Document would be subject to United States federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender or Issuing Bank 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 or Issuing Bank shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA, to determine whether such Lender or Issuing Bank has complied with such Lender’s  or Issuing Bank’s obligations under FATCA and to determine the amount, if any, to deduct and withhold from such payment.  Solely for purposes of this clause (iii), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

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(iv)        Each Lender and Issuing Bank shall deliver updated documentation promptly upon the expiration or invalidity of any documentation previously delivered by such Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 2.16(e), or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal ineligibility to do so at the time.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.16, a Lender and Issuing Bank will not be required to deliver any documentation that such Lender or Issuing Bank is not legally eligible to deliver.  Each Lender and Issuing Bank hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to deliver to the Borrower and to any successor Administrative Agent any documentation provided by the Lender or Issuing Bank to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.16(e).

 

(f)                                    Treatment of Certain Refunds .  If the Administrative Agent, any Lender or an Issuing Bank determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund  (in cash or as an offset against other cash Taxes otherwise due and payable) of any Indemnified Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Loan Party or with respect to which any Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.16, it shall pay to such Loan Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Loan Party under this Section with respect to the Indemnified Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or an Issuing Bank, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Loan Party, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or an Issuing Bank, shall repay the amount paid over to such  Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or an Issuing Bank in the event the Administrative Agent, any Lender or an Issuing Bank is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), in no event will the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank be required to pay any amount to the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph (f) the payment of which would place the Administrative Agent or such Lender or Issuing Bank in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid.  This subsection shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent, any Lender or an Issuing Bank to make available its tax returns or its books or records (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

 

(g)                                   Survival .  Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.16 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

 

SECTION 2.17.                             Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs .

 

(a)                                  Payments by the Borrower .  The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or under Section 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16, or otherwise) or under any other Loan Document (except to the extent otherwise provided therein) prior to 2:00 p.m., Local Time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim.  Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon.  All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Account, except as otherwise expressly provided in the relevant Loan Document and except payments to be made directly to an Issuing Bank as expressly provided herein and payments pursuant to Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03, which shall be made directly to the Persons entitled

 

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thereto.  The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof.  If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension.  All amounts owing under this Agreement (including commitment fees, payments required under Section 2.14, and payments required under Section 2.15 relating to any Loan denominated in Dollars, but not including principal of, and interest on, any Loan denominated in any Foreign Currency or payments relating to any such Loan required under Section 2.15 or any reimbursement or cash collateralization of any LC Exposure denominated in any Foreign Currency, which are payable in such Foreign Currency) or under any other Loan Document (except to the extent otherwise provided therein) are payable in Dollars.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or LC Disbursement when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, by mandatory prepayment or otherwise), the unpaid portion of such Loan or LC Disbursement shall, if such Loan or LC Disbursement is not denominated in Dollars, automatically be redenominated in Dollars on the due date thereof (or, if such due date is a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor, on the last day of such Interest Period) in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent thereof on the date of such redenomination and such principal shall be payable on demand; and if the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or LC Disbursement that is not denominated in Dollars, such interest shall automatically be redenominated in Dollars on the due date therefor (or, if such due date is a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor, on the last day of such Interest Period) in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent thereof on the date of such redenomination and such interest shall be payable on demand.

 

(b)                                  Application of Insufficient Payments .  If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, to pay interest and fees of each Class then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, to pay principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements of each Class then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.

 

(c)                                   Pro Rata Treatment .  Except to the extent otherwise provided herein:  (i) each Borrowing of a Class shall be made from the Lenders of such Class, and each termination or reduction of the amount of the Commitments of a Class under Section 2.07 shall be applied to the respective Commitments of the Lenders of such Class, pro rata according to the amounts of their respective Commitments of such Class; (ii) each Borrowing of a Class shall be allocated pro rata among the Lenders of such Class according to the amounts of their respective Commitments of such Class (in the case of the making of Loans) or their respective Loans of the Class that are to be included in such Borrowing (in the case of conversions and continuations of Loans); (iii) each payment of commitment fees under Section 2.10 shall be made for account of the Lenders pro rata according to the average daily unused amounts of their respective Commitments; (iv) each payment or prepayment of principal of Loans of a Class by the Borrower shall be made for the account of the Lenders of such Class pro rata in accordance with the respective unpaid principal amounts of the Loans of such Class held by them; and (v) each payment of interest on Loans of a Class by the Borrower shall be made for account of the Lenders of such Class pro rata in accordance with the amounts of interest on such Loans then due and payable to such Lenders.

 

(d)                                  Sharing of Payments by Lenders .  If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participation in LC Disbursements resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and accrued interest thereon

 

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then due than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and participations in LC Disbursements of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and participation in LC Disbursements; provided that (i) if any such participation are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply).  The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

(e)                                   Presumptions of Payment .  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for account of the Lenders or an Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due.  In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or such Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the NYFRB Rate.

 

(f)                                    Certain Deductions by the Administrative Agent .  If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(e), 2.05(b) or 2.17(e), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.

 

SECTION 2.18.                               Defaulting Lenders .  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

 

(a)                                  commitment fees pursuant to Section 2.10(a) shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender;

 

(b)                                  the Commitment and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders, all Lenders of a Class, two-thirds of the Lenders, two-thirds of the Lenders of a Class, the Required Lenders or the Required Lenders of a Class have taken or may take any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to Section 9.02), provided that any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders (or all Lenders of a Class), two-thirds of the Lenders (or two-thirds of the Lenders of a Class) or each affected Lender, which affects such Defaulting Lender differently than the other Lenders or affected Lenders (as applicable) including as set forth in Section 9.02(b)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v), shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender;

 

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(c)                                   if any LC Exposure exists at the time a Multicurrency Revolving Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

 

(i)        all or any part of such LC Exposure shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Multicurrency Revolving Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Multicurrency Percentages but only to the extent (x) the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Multicurrency Revolving Credit Exposures plus such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Multicurrency Revolving Commitments, (y) no non-Defaulting Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Credit Exposure will exceed such Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment, and (z) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied at such time (and unless the Borrower has notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time);

 

(ii)        if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under law, within three Business Days following notice by the Administrative Agent cash collateralize such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.04(k) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;

 

(iii)        if the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.10(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;

 

(iv)        if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Multicurrency Revolving Lenders is reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.10(a) and Section 2.10(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Multicurrency Revolving Lenders’ Applicable Multicurrency Percentages;

 

(v)        if any Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.18(c), then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any Lender hereunder, all commitment fees that otherwise would have been payable to such Defaulting Lender (solely with respect to the portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment that was utilized by such LC Exposure) and letter of credit fees payable under Section 2.10(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Bank until such LC Exposure is cash collateralized and/or reallocated; and

 

(vi)        no reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation; and

 

(d)                                  so long as any Multicurrency Revolving Lender is a Defaulting Lender, no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure will be 100% covered by the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance

 

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with Section 2.18(c), and participating interests in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Multicurrency Revolving Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.18(c)(i) (and Defaulting Lenders shall not participate therein).

 

In the event that the Administrative Agent and the Borrower agree in writing that a Defaulting Lender that is a Dollar Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then, on the date of such agreement, such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans made to the Borrower of the other Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for the Lenders to hold such Loans in accordance with their Applicable Dollar Percentage in effect immediately after giving effect to such agreement.  In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and each Issuing Bank each agrees in writing that a Defaulting Lender that is a Multicurrency Revolving Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then, on the date of such agreement, such Lender shall no longer be deemed a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower shall no longer be required to cash collateralize any portion of such Lender’s LC Exposure cash collateralized pursuant to Section 2.18(c)(ii) above and the LC Exposure of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Multicurrency Revolving Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Multicurrency Percentage in effect immediately after giving effect to such agreement.

 

SECTION 2.19.                               Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders .

 

(a)                                  Designation of a Different Lending Office .  If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, then such Lender shall (at the request of the Borrower) use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.14 or 2.16, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any cost or expense not required to be reimbursed by the Borrower and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender.  The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

(b)                                  Replacement of Lenders .  If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14, 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 2.16, and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with clause (a) above, or if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender or is a non-consenting Lender (that the Borrower is permitted to replace as provided in Section 9.02(d)), then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.14 and Section 2.16) and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and, if a Multicurrency Revolving Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Bank), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal) or the Borrower (in the case of

 

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accrued interest and fees and all other amounts, including, without limitation, any amounts under Section 2.15), (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.14 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.16, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments and (iv) in the case of any assignment as a result of a non-consenting Lender (that the Borrower is permitted to replace as provided in Section 9.02(d)), the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.  A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

(c)                                   Defaulting Lender .  If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(e), 2.05 or 9.03(c), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion and notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender for the benefit of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid, and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under such Sections; in the case of each of (i) and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.

 

ARTICLE III

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

 

SECTION 3.01.                               Organization; Powers .  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is duly organized or incorporated, as applicable, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation, as applicable, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable.

 

SECTION 3.02.                               Authorization; Enforceability .  The Transactions are within the Borrower’s corporate powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, by all necessary stockholder action.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes, and each of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party when executed and delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general applicability affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and (b) the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

SECTION 3.03.                               Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts .  The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except for (i) such as have been or will be obtained or made and are in full force and effect and (ii) filings and recordings in respect of the Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents, (b) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Borrower or any other Obligors or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any such Person, except where such violation or default could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse

 

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Effect, and (d) except for the Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents, will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any other Obligors.

 

SECTION 3.04.                               Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change .

 

(a)                                  Financial Statements .  The Borrower has heretofore delivered the audited consolidated balance sheet and statements of operations, assets and liabilities, changes in net assets and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017, reported on by RSM US LLP, independent public accountants.  Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis, subject to, in the case of such interim statements, year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.  None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has on the Effective Date any material contingent liabilities, material liabilities for taxes, material unusual forward or material long-term commitments or material unrealized or material anticipated losses from any unfavorable commitments not reflected in the financial statements referred to above.

 

(b)                                  No Material Adverse Change .  Since December 31, 2017, there has not been any event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.05.                               Litigation; Actions , Suits and Proceedings .  There are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority now pending against or, to the knowledge of any Financial Officer of the Borrower, threatened in writing against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that directly involve this Agreement or the Transactions.

 

SECTION 3.06.                               Compliance with Laws and Agreements .  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property (including applicable environmental laws, regulations and orders), except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  None of the Obligors is subject to any contract or other arrangement, the performance of which by them could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.07.                               Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions .  The Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects, and (a) the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers and employees and (b) to the knowledge of the Borrower their respective  agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects.  None of (a) the Borrower, any Subsidiary, any of their respective directors or officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of the Borrower, any agent of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person.  No Borrowing or Letter of Credit, use of proceeds or the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement will violate any Anti-Corruption Law or applicable Sanctions.

 

SECTION 3.08.                               Taxes .  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all material Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all material Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith

 

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by appropriate proceedings and for which such Person has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  The Borrower has qualified as a RIC under the Code for all taxable periods since its inception.

 

SECTION 3.09.                               ERISA .  No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.10.                               Disclosure .  The Borrower has disclosed to the Administrative Agent (or filed with the SEC) all agreements and instruments to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, that if terminated prior to its term, and all other matters known to it that have occurred, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  None of the written reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information (other than projections, other forward looking information, information of a general economic or industry specific nature or information relating to third parties) furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Lenders in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or delivered hereunder or thereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished), when taken as a whole, contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading at the time made; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed in good faith to be reasonable at the time of the preparation thereof (it being understood that projections are subject to significant and inherent uncertainties and contingencies which may be outside of the Borrower’s control and that no assurance can be given that projections will be realized, and are therefore not to be viewed as fact, and that actual results for the periods covered by projections may differ from the projected results set forth in such projections and that such differences may be material).

 

SECTION 3.11.                               Investment Company Act; Margin Regulations .

 

(a)                                  Status as Business Development Company .  The Borrower is a “closed-end fund” that has elected to be regulated as a “business development company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act and qualifies as a RIC.

 

(b)                                  Compliance with Investment Company Act .  The business and other activities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the making of the Loans hereunder, the application of the proceeds and repayment thereof by the Borrower and the consummation of the Transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not result in a material violation or breach in any respect of the provisions of the Investment Company Act or any rules, regulations or orders issued by the SEC thereunder, in each case, that are applicable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

 

(c)                                   Investment Policies .  The Borrower is in compliance with all written investment policies, restrictions and limitations for the Borrower delivered (to the extent not otherwise publicly filed with the SEC) to the Lenders prior to the Effective Date (as such investment policies have been amended, modified or supplemented in a manner not prohibited by clause (r) of Article VII, the “ Investment Policies ”), except to the extent that the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)                                  Use of Credit .  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying Margin Stock, and no part of the proceeds of any extension of credit hereunder will be used to buy or carry any Margin Stock ( provided that so long as no violation of

 

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Regulation U by any party hereto would result therefrom the Borrower may use proceeds of the Loans to purchase its common stock in connection with a Tender Offer).

 

SECTION 3.12.                               Material Agreements and Liens .

 

(a)                                  Material Agreements .  Part A of Schedule II is a complete and correct list of each credit agreement, loan agreement, indenture, note purchase agreement, guarantee, letter of credit or other arrangement providing for or otherwise relating to any Indebtedness for borrowed money or any extension of credit (or commitment for any extension of credit) to, or guarantee for borrowed money, by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries outstanding on the Effective Date (other than any such agreements that will be repaid in connection with the Refinancing), and the aggregate principal or face amount outstanding or that may become outstanding under each such arrangement in each case as of the Effective Date is correctly described in Part A of Schedule II.

 

(b)                                  Liens .  Part B of Schedule II is a complete and correct list of each Lien securing Indebtedness of any Person outstanding on the Effective Date covering any property of the Borrower or any Obligors (other than any such Lien that will be released on the Effective Date), and the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness secured (or that may be secured) by each such Lien and the property covered by each such Lien as of the Effective Date is correctly described in Part B of Schedule II.

 

SECTION 3.13.                               Subsidiaries and Investments .

 

(a)                                  Subsidiaries .  Set forth in Part A of Schedule IV is a complete and correct list of all of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower on the Effective Date together with, for each such Subsidiary, (i) the jurisdiction of organization of such Subsidiary, (ii) each Person holding ownership interests in such Subsidiary, (iii) the nature of the ownership interests held by each such Person and the percentage of ownership of such Subsidiary represented by such ownership interests and (iv) whether such Subsidiary is a Designated Subsidiary or an Excluded Subsidiary.  Except as disclosed in Part A of Schedule IV, as of the Effective Date, (x) the Borrower owns, free and clear of Liens (other than any lien permitted by Section 6.02 hereof), and has (and will have) the unencumbered right to vote, all outstanding ownership interests in each Person shown to be held by it in Part A of Schedule IV, (y) all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each such Person organized as a corporation is validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable (to the extent such concepts are applicable) and (z) there are no outstanding Equity Interests with respect to such Person.  Each Subsidiary identified on said Part A of Schedule IV as a “Designated Subsidiary” qualifies as such under the definition of “Designated Subsidiary” set forth in Section 1.01.

 

(b)                                  Investments .  Set forth in Part B of Schedule IV is a complete and correct list of all Investments (other than Investments of the types referred to in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of Section 6.04) held by any of the Obligors in any Person on the Effective Date and, for each such Investment, (x) the identity of the Person or Persons holding such Investment and (y) the nature of such Investment.  Except as disclosed in Part B of Schedule IV, as of the Effective Date, each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries owns, free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents and other Liens permitted hereunder), all such Investments.

 

SECTION 3.14.                               Properties .

 

(a)                                  Title Generally .  Each of the Borrower and the other Obligors has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes.

 

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(b)                                  Intellectual Property .  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.15.                               Affiliate Agreement .  As of the Effective Date, the Borrower has heretofore delivered (to the extent not otherwise publicly filed with the SEC) to each of the Lenders true and complete copies of the Affiliate Agreement as in effect as of the Effective Date (including any amendments, supplements or waivers executed and delivered thereunder and any schedules and exhibits thereto).  As of the Effective Date, the Affiliate Agreement is in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 3.16.                               Security Documents .  The provisions of the Security Documents are effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Credit Facility Secured Parties (as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement) (i) a legal, valid and enforceable first-priority Lien (subject to no Liens other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02) on all right, title and interest of the respective Obligors in the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral and the Shared Collateral to secure the Credit Facility Obligations and (ii) a legal, valid and enforceable second-priority Lien (subject to no Liens other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02) on all right, title and interest of the respective Obligors in the Secured Notes Priority Collateral to secure the Credit Facility Obligations, except, in each case for any failure that would not constitute an Event of Default under clause (p) of Article VII.  Except for filing of UCC financing statements and filings and other perfection actions contemplated hereby and by the Security Documents, no filing or other action will be necessary to perfect such Liens to the extent required thereunder, except for the failure to make any filing that would not constitute an Event of Default under clause (p) of Article VII.

 

SECTION 3.17.                               EEA Financial Institutions .  No Obligor is an EEA Financial Institution.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

CONDITIONS

 

SECTION 4.01.                               Effective Date .  This Agreement shall become effective on the date on which the Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following documents, each of which shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (and to the extent specified below, to each Lender) in form and substance (or such condition shall have been waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

 

(a)                                  Executed Counterparts .  From each party hereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy or electronic transmission of a signed signature page to this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Fees and Expenses .  The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence of the payment by the Borrower of all fees payable to the Lenders on the Effective Date that the Borrower has agreed to pay in connection with this Agreement (including any fee letter or commitment letter entered into between the Borrower and JPMCB).  The Borrower shall have paid all reasonable expenses (including the legal fees of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP) for which invoices have been presented prior to the Effective Date that the Borrower has agreed to pay in connection with this Agreement.

 

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(c)                                   Opinion of Counsel to the Obligors .  A favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of Dechert LLP, counsel for the Obligors, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit C, and in each case covering such other matters relating to the Obligors, this Agreement or the Transactions as the Required Lenders shall reasonably request (and the Borrower hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinion to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent).

 

(d)                                  Corporate Documents .  Such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the Obligors, the authorization of the Transactions and any other legal matters relating to the Obligors, this Agreement or the Transactions, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

 

(e)                                   Officer’s Certificate .  A certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of the Borrower, confirming compliance with the conditions set forth in the lettered clauses of the first sentence of Section 4.02.

 

(f)                                    Liens .  Results of a recent lien search in each relevant jurisdiction with respect to the Borrower and such search shall reveal no liens on any of the assets of the Borrower except for liens permitted under Section 6.02 or liens to be discharged on or prior to the Effective Date pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(g)                                   Guarantee and Security Agreement .  The duly executed Guarantee and Security Agreement and evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that all actions required hereunder and under the other Security Documents to have been taken to perfect the Liens (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include those actions contemplated by Section 5.08(c)(viii)), have been completed.

 

(h)                                  Borrowing Base Certificate .  A Borrowing Base Certificate as of a date not more than five days prior to the Effective Date.

 

(i)                                      Valuation Policy .  A copy of the Valuation Policy.

 

(j)                                     Know Your Customer documentation .  The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least five days prior to the Effective Date, all documentation and other information regarding the Borrower requested by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of any Lender in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act, to the extent requested in writing of the Borrower at least 10 days prior to the Effective Date.

 

(k)                                  Refinancing .  Evidence that the Refinancing will occur substantially concurrently with the effectiveness of this Agreement and following the initial borrowing of the Loans.

 

(l)                                      Financial Statements . (i) audited financial statements of the Borrower for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017 and (ii) quarterly unaudited financial statements of the Borrower for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018; provided that the requirements of this clause (l) may be fulfilled by the Borrower if such financial statements are furnished as part of the Borrower’s reports filed with the SEC for such periods.

 

(m)                              Collateral Agency Agreement .  The duly executed Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

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(n)                                  Secured Notes .  Evidence that the Secured Notes shall have been or shall substantially concurrently with the effectiveness of this Agreement be funded in an aggregate principal amount of not less than $500,000,000.

 

(o)                                  Other Documents .  Such other documents as the Administrative Agent or any Lender or special New York counsel to JPMCB may reasonably request.

 

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.

 

SECTION 4.02.                               Each Credit Event .  The obligation of each Lender to make any Loan, and of the Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is additionally subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(a)                                  the representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless the relevant representation and warranty already contains a materiality qualifier or, in the case of the representations and warranties in Sections 3.01 (first sentence with respect to the Obligors), 3.02, 3.04, 3.11 and 3.15 of this Agreement, and in Sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.4 through 3.8 of the Guarantee and Security Agreement, in each such case, such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date of such Loan or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, or, as to any such representation or warranty that refers to a specific date, as of such specific date;

 

(b)                                  at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Loan or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(c)                                   either (i) the aggregate Covered Debt Amount (after giving effect to such extension of credit) shall not exceed the Borrowing Base reflected on the Borrowing Base Certificate most recently delivered to the Administrative Agent or (ii) the Borrower shall have delivered an updated Borrowing Base Certificate demonstrating that the Covered Debt Amount (after giving effect to such extension of credit) shall not exceed the Borrowing Base after giving effect to such extension of credit as well as any concurrent acquisitions of Portfolio Investments or payment of outstanding Loans or Permitted Indebtedness or Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(g).

 

Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in the preceding sentence.  For the avoidance of doubt, the conversion or continuation of a Borrowing as the same or a different Type (without increase in the principal amount thereof) shall not be considered to be the making of a Loan.

 

ARTICLE V

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Until the Termination Date, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

 

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SECTION 5.01.                               Financial Statements and Other Information .  The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent for distribution to each Lender:

 

(a)                                  within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, assets and liabilities, changes in net assets and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by RSM US LLP or any other independent public accountants of recognized national standing to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

 

(b)                                  within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, assets and liabilities, changes in net assets and cash flows and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the corresponding period or periods of the previous fiscal year, all certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

 

(c)                                   concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) of this Section, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower (i) certifying as to whether the Borrower has knowledge that a Default has occurred and is continuing during the applicable period and, if a Default has occurred and is continuing, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Sections 6.01(b) and (g), 6.02(d), 6.04(d), 6.05(b) and (e) and 6.07 and (iii) to the extent not previously disclosed on a Form 10-K or Form 10-Q previously filed by the Borrower with the SEC, stating whether any change in GAAP as applied by (or in the application of GAAP by) the Borrower has occurred since the Effective Date (but only if the Borrower has not previously reported such change to the Administrative Agent and if such change has had a material effect on the financial statements) and, if any such change has occurred (and has not been previously reported to the Administrative Agent), specifying the effect as determined by the Borrower of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;

 

(d)                                  as soon as available and in any event not later than the last Business Day of the calendar month following each monthly accounting period (ending on the last day of each calendar month) of the Borrower, a Borrowing Base Certificate as at the last day of such accounting period presenting the Borrower’s computation (and including a comparison to show changes from the Borrowing Base Certificate from the immediately prior period) as well as a list of each Portfolio Investment in the Borrowing Base that is a Participation Interest (identifying the Obligor holding such Participation Interest, the Excluded Subsidiary that sold the Participation Interest to such Obligor and the underling Portfolio Investment) and including a certification of a Financial Officer as to compliance with Section 6.03(d) and 6.04(d) during the period covered by such Borrowing Base Certificate;

 

(e)                                   promptly but no later than five Business Days after any Financial Officer of the Borrower shall at any time have actual knowledge that there is a Borrowing Base Deficiency, a Borrowing Base Certificate, as at the date the Borrower has knowledge of such Borrowing Base

 

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Deficiency, indicating the amount of the Borrowing Base Deficiency as at the date the Borrower obtained knowledge of such deficiency and the amount of the Borrowing Base Deficiency, as of the date not earlier than three Business Days prior to the date the Borrowing Base Certificate is delivered pursuant to this paragraph;

 

(f)                                    promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of (x) all significant and non-routine written reports and (y) written reports stating that material deficiencies exist in the Borrower’s internal controls or procedures or any other matter that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect submitted to management or the board of trustees of Borrower by the Borrower’s independent public accountants in connection with each annual, interim or special audit or review of any type of the financial statements or related internal control systems of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries delivered by such accountants to the management or board of trustees of the Borrower;

 

(g)                                   promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by any of the Obligors with the SEC, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of the SEC, or with any national securities exchange, as the case may be;

 

(h)                                  promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request;

 

(i)                                      within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, all external valuation reports relating to the Portfolio Investments delivered by the Approved Third-Party Appraiser in connection with the quarterly appraisals of Unquoted Investments included in the Borrowing Base ( provided that any recipient of such reports executes and delivers any non-reliance letter, release, confidentiality agreement or similar agreements required by such Approved Third-Party Appraiser);

 

(j)                                     within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, any report that the Borrower receives from a Custodian listing the Portfolio Investments, as of the end of such fiscal quarter, held through such Custodian; provided that the Borrower shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Custodian to provide such report;

 

(k)                                  within forty-five (45) days after the end of the first three (3) fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower and ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a schedule setting forth in reasonable detail with respect to each Portfolio Investment where there has been a realized gain or loss in the most recently completed fiscal quarter, (i) the cost basis of such Portfolio Investment, (ii) the proceeds received with respect to such Portfolio Investment representing repayments of principal during the most recently ended fiscal quarter, and (iii) any other amounts received with respect to such Portfolio Investment representing exit fees or prepayment penalties during the most recently ended fiscal quarter;

 

(l)                                      within forty-five (45) days after the end of the first three (3) fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower and ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a schedule setting forth in reasonable detail with respect to each Portfolio Investment, (i) the aggregate amount of all capitalized paid-in-kind interest for such Portfolio Investment during the most recently ended fiscal quarter and (ii) the aggregate amount of all paid-in-kind interest collected in respect of such Portfolio Investment during the most recently ended fiscal quarter;

 

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(m)                              within forty-five (45) days after the end of the first three (3) fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower and ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a schedule setting forth in reasonable detail with respect to each Portfolio Investment, (i) the amortized cost of each Portfolio Investment as of the end of such fiscal quarter, (ii) the fair market value of each Portfolio Investment as of the end of such fiscal quarter, and (iii) the unrealized gains or losses as of the end of such fiscal quarter;

 

(n)                                  within forty-five (45) days after the end of the first three (3) fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower and ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a schedule setting forth in reasonable detail with respect to each Portfolio Investment the change in unrealized gains and losses for such quarter.  Such schedule will report the change in unrealized gains and losses by Portfolio Investment by showing the unrealized gain or loss for each Portfolio Investment as of the last day of the preceding fiscal quarter compared to the unrealized gain or loss for such Portfolio Investment as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter; and

 

(o)                                  promptly following any request therefor, information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.01 to the contrary, the Borrower shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of this Section 5.01 (other than Sections 5.01(c), (d) and (e)) if the reports, documents and other information of the type otherwise so required are publicly available when required to be filed on EDGAR at the www.sec.gov website or any successor service provided by the SEC; provided that with respect to Section 5.01(f) and (g), notice of such availability is provided to the Administrative Agent at or prior to the time period required by this Section 5.01.

 

SECTION 5.02.                               Notices of Material Events .  Upon the Borrower becoming aware of any of the following, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent for distribution to each Lender prompt written notice of the following:

 

(a)                                  the occurrence of any Default (unless the Borrower first became aware of such Default from a notice delivered by the Administrative Agent);

 

(b)                                  the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)                                   the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(d)                                  any other development (excluding matters of a general economic, financial or political nature to the extent that they could not reasonably be expected to have a disproportionate effect on the Borrower) that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

 

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SECTION 5.03.                               Existence; Conduct of Business .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03.

 

SECTION 5.04.                               Payment of Obligations .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations, including Tax liabilities and material contractual obligations, that, if not paid, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.05.                               Maintenance of Properties; Insurance .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar business operating in the same or similar locations.  All such insurance shall name the Collateral Agent as additional insured or loss payee, as applicable.

 

SECTION 5.06.                               Books and Records; Inspection Rights .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep books of record and account in accordance with GAAP.  The Borrower will, and will cause each other Obligor to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties during business hours, to examine and make extracts from its books and records (including books and records maintained by it in its capacity as a “servicer” in respect of any Designated Subsidiary or other Excluded Subsidiaries, or in a similar capacity with respect to any other Designated Subsidiary, but only to the extent the Borrower is not prohibited from disclosing such information or providing access to such information, and any books, records and documents held by the Custodian), and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested, in each case, to the extent such inspection or requests for such information are reasonable and such information can be provided or discussed without violation of law, rule, regulation or contract; provided that the Borrower shall be entitled to have its representatives and advisors present during any inspection of its books and records and during any discussion with its independent auditors; provided further that Borrower shall not be responsible for the costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for more than two such visits and inspections in any calendar year unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

SECTION 5.07.                               Compliance with Laws .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations, including the Investment Company Act, any applicable rules, regulations or orders issued by the SEC thereunder and orders of any other Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  The Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects.

 

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SECTION 5.08.                               Certain Obligations Respecting Subsidiaries; Further Assurances .

 

(a)                                  Subsidiary Guarantors .  In the event that any Obligor shall form or acquire any new Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary), the Borrower will cause, within 30 days of the formation or acquisition thereof, such new Subsidiary to become a “Subsidiary Guarantor” (and, thereby, an “ Obligor ”) under a Guarantee Assumption Agreement and to deliver such proof of corporate or other action, incumbency of officers, opinions of counsel (only upon the Administrative Agent’s reasonable request), and other documents as is consistent with those delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 4.01 upon the Effective Date or as the Administrative Agent shall have requested.

 

(b)                                  Ownership of Subsidiaries .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, take such action from time to time as shall be necessary to ensure that each of its Subsidiaries is a wholly owned Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary that is an Excluded Subsidiary); provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any transaction permitted under Section 6.03 or 6.04 so long as after giving effect to such permitted transaction each of the remaining Subsidiaries of the Borrower is a wholly-owned Subsidiary.

 

(c)                                   Further Assurances .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, take such action from time to time as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent to effectuate the purposes and objectives of this Agreement.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, take such action from time to time (including filing appropriate Uniform Commercial Code financing statements and executing and delivering such assignments, security agreements and other instruments) as shall be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent:

 

(i)                          to create, in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders (and any affiliate thereof that is a party to any Hedging Agreement entered into with the Borrower) and the holders of any Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness, perfected security interests and Liens in the Collateral; provided that any such security interest or Lien shall be subject to the relevant requirements of the Security Documents; provided further , that in the case of any Collateral consisting of voting stock of any Controlled Foreign Corporation or FSHCO, such security interest shall be limited to 65% of the issued and outstanding voting stock of such Controlled Foreign Corporation or FSHCO,

 

(ii)                       subject to Section 7.04 of the Guarantee and Security Agreement, to cause any bank or securities intermediary (within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code) to enter into such arrangements with the Collateral Agent as shall be appropriate in order that the Collateral Agent has “control” over each bank account or securities account of the Obligors (other than Excluded Accounts (as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement)) and in that connection, the Borrower agrees to cause all cash and other proceeds of Portfolio Investments received by any Obligor to be promptly deposited into such an account (or otherwise delivered to, or registered in the name of, the Collateral Agent) and, until such deposit, delivery or registration such cash and other proceeds shall be held in trust by the Borrower for and as the property of the Collateral Agent and shall not be commingled with any other funds or property of such Obligor or of any Designated Subsidiary or other Person (including with any money or financial assets of any Obligor in its capacity as “servicer” for any Designated Subsidiary or any other Excluded Subsidiary, or any money or financial assets of any Excluded Subsidiary),

 

(iii)                    in the case of any portfolio investment held by an Excluded Subsidiary that is subject to a Participation Interest, including any cash collection related thereto, ensure that such portfolio investment shall not be held in the account of any Obligor subject to a control agreement

 

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among such Obligor, the Collateral Agent and the Custodian delivered in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document ,

 

(iv)                   in the case of any Portfolio Investment consisting of a Bank Loan that does not constitute all of the credit extended to the underlying borrower under the relevant underlying loan documents and an Excluded Subsidiary holds any interest in the loans or other extensions of credit under such loan documents, (x) cause such Excluded Subsidiary to be party to such underlying loan documents as a “lender” having a direct interest (or a participation not acquired from an Obligor) in such underlying loan documents and the extensions of credit thereunder and (y) ensure that, subject to Section 5.08(c)(v) below, all amounts owing to such Obligor or Excluded Subsidiary by the underlying borrower or other obligated party are remitted by such borrower or obligated party (or the applicable administrative agents, collateral agents or equivalent Person) directly to the accounts of such Obligor and such Excluded Subsidiary,

 

(v)                      in the event that any Obligor is acting as an agent or administrative agent (or analogous capacity) under any loan documents with respect to any Bank Loan that does not hold all of the credit extended to the underlying borrower under the relevant underlying loan documents, ensure that all funds held by such Obligor in such capacity as agent or administrative agent are segregated from all other funds of such Obligor and clearly identified as being held in an agency capacity,

 

(vi)                   cause all credit or loan agreements, any notes and all assignment and assumption agreements relating to any Portfolio Investment constituting part of the Collateral to be held by (x) the Collateral Agent, (y) the Custodian pursuant to the terms of the applicable Custodian Agreement (or another custodian reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), or (z) pursuant to an appropriate intercreditor agreement, so long as the Custodian (or custodian) has agreed to grant access to such loan and other documents to the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent pursuant to an access or similar agreement between the Borrower and such Custodian (or custodian) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided that Borrower’s obligation to deliver underlying documentation may be satisfied by delivery of copies of such agreements; provided further that the Borrower shall not be deemed to be in default under this clause (vi) with respect to any Portfolio Investment held by FSEP Term Funding LLC prior to the earlier of (1) the 30 th  day following the Effective Date and (2) the date on which FSEP Term Funding LLC shall enter into a Custodian Agreement,

 

(vii)                on or before 120 th day following the repayment of all third-party existing indebtedness of any Excluded Entity, the Borrower shall either (x) cause such person to become a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Loan Documents or (y) cause such Person to transfer all of its assets to the Borrower (and the Borrower and such Excluded Entity shall have executed assignment documentation in respect of such transfers), and

 

(viii)             on or before the 30 th  day following the Effective Date (or such later date as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent), cause FSEP Term Funding LLC, EP American Energy Investments, Inc. and each Designated REI Subsidiary Guarantor to enter into control agreements in favor of the Collateral Agent over each Custodial Account in which any Portfolio Investments owned by FSEP Term Funding LLC, EP American Energy Investments, Inc. or any Designated REI Subsidiary Guarantor are held with the applicable Custodian.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (1) nothing contained herein shall prevent the Borrower from having a Participation Interest in a portfolio investment held by an Excluded Subsidiary and (2) if any instrument, promissory note, agreement, document or certificate held by the Custodian is

 

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destroyed or lost not as a result of any action of the Borrower, then any original of such instrument, promissory note, agreement, document or certificate shall be deemed held by the Custodian for all purposes hereunder, provided that, when the Borrower has actual knowledge of any such destroyed or lost instrument, promissory note, agreement, document or certificate, it uses all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain from the underlying borrower, and deliver to the Custodian, a replacement instrument, promissory note, agreement, document or certificate.

 

SECTION 5.09.                               Use of Proceeds .  The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans and the issuances of Letters of Credit to consummate the Refinancing, pay fees and expenses in connection with the Refinancing, and for general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to (so long as such purchase would not result in a violation of Regulation U by any party hereto and,  upon request of any Lender, the Borrower agrees to provide such Lender an executed  Form U-1 with respect to this Agreement), purchasing shares of common stock of the Borrower in connection with a Tender Offer and making other distributions, contributions and investments not prohibited by the Loan Documents and the acquisition and funding (either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries) of Portfolio Investments; provided that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any responsibility as to the use of any of such proceeds.  No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used in violation of applicable law or, directly or indirectly, for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying any Margin Stock ( provided that (so long as such purchase would not result in a violation of Regulation U by any party hereto) the Borrower may use proceeds of the Loans to purchase its common stock in connection with a Tender Offer). Other than in connection with a Tender Offer, Margin Stock shall be purchased by the Obligors only with the proceeds of Indebtedness not directly or indirectly secured by Margin Stock (within the meaning of Regulation U), or with the proceeds of equity capital of the Borrower.  The Borrower will not request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and the Borrower shall not use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, directly or indirectly, the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit (A) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws, (B) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, in violation of applicable Sanctions, or in any Sanctioned Country, except to the extent permissible for a Person required to comply with Sanctions, or (C) in any manner that would result in the violation of  any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

 

SECTION 5.10.                               Status of RIC and BDC .  The Borrower shall at all times maintain its status as a RIC under the Code, and as a “business development company” under the Investment Company Act.

 

SECTION 5.11.                               Investment and Valuation Policies .  The Borrower shall promptly advise the Lenders and the Administrative Agent of any material change in either its Investment Policies or Valuation Policy.

 

SECTION 5.12.                               Portfolio Valuation and Diversification, Etc .

 

(a)                                  Portfolio Valuation Etc .

 

(i)           Settlement Date Basis .  For purposes of this Agreement, all determinations of whether an investment is to be included as a Portfolio Investment included in the Borrowing Base shall be determined on a settlement-date basis (meaning that any investment that has been purchased will not be treated as a Portfolio Investment in the Borrowing Base until such purchase has settled, and any Portfolio Investment in the Borrowing Base which has been sold will not be excluded as a Portfolio Investment in the Borrowing Base until such sale has settled), provided that no such investment shall be included as a Portfolio Investment in the Borrowing Base to the extent it has not been paid for in full.

 

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(ii)           Determination of Values .  The Borrower will conduct reviews of the value to be assigned to each of its Portfolio Investments included in the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral as follows:

 

(A)                                Quoted Investments—External Review .  With respect to Portfolio Investments (including Cash Equivalents) for which market quotations are readily available (“ Quoted Investments ”), the Borrower shall, not less frequently than once each calendar week, determine the market value of such Portfolio Investments which shall, in each case, be determined in accordance with one of the following methodologies (as selected by the Borrower):

 

(w)                                in the case of public and 144A securities, the average of the bid prices as determined by two Approved Dealers selected by the Borrower,

 

(x)                                  in the case of bank loans, the average of the bid prices as determined by two Approved Dealers selected by the Borrower or an Approved Pricing Service which makes reference to at least two Approved Dealers with respect to such bank loans,

 

(y)                                  in the case of any Quoted Investment traded on an exchange, the closing price for such Portfolio Investment most recently posted on such exchange, and

 

(z)                                   in the case of any other Quoted Investment, the fair market value thereof as determined by an Approved Pricing Service; and

 

(B)                                Unquoted Investments—External Review .  With respect to Portfolio Investments for which market quotations are not readily available (“ Unquoted Investments ”), the Borrower shall value such Unquoted Investments quarterly in a manner consistent with its “Net Asset Valuation Policy,” as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time consistent with standard industry practice and in a manner not prohibited by this Agreement (the “ Valuation Policy ”), including valuation of at least 35% by value of all Unquoted Investments included in the Borrowing Base using the assistance of an Approved Third Party Appraiser.

 

(C)                                Internal Review .  The Borrower shall conduct an internal review of the aggregate value of the Portfolio Investments included in the Borrowing Base, and of the Borrowing Base, at least once each calendar week which shall take into account any events of which a Responsible Officer of the Borrower has actual knowledge that materially adversely affects the aggregate value of the Portfolio Investments included in the Borrowing Base or the Borrowing Base.  If, based upon such weekly internal review, the Borrower determines that a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists, then the Borrower shall, within five Business Days as provided in Section 5.01(e), deliver a Borrowing Base Certificate reflecting the new amount of the Borrowing Base and shall take the actions, and make the payments and prepayments (and provide cover for Letters of Credit), all as more specifically set forth in Section 2.09(c).

 

(D)                                Failure to Determine Values .  If the Borrower shall fail to determine the value of any Portfolio Investment as at any date pursuant to the requirements of the foregoing sub-clauses (A) through (C), the “Value” of such Portfolio Investment as at such date shall be deemed to be zero;

 

provided that, in no event shall any Portfolio Investment be valued pursuant to the foregoing requirements less frequently than annually.

 

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(iii)                                  Scheduled Testing of Values .

 

(A)                                Each February 28, April 30, July 31 and October 31 of each calendar year, commencing on October 31, 2018 (or such other dates as are agreed to by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, but in no event less frequently than once per calendar quarter, each a “ Valuation Testing Date ”), the Administrative Agent through an Independent Valuation Provider will test the values determined pursuant to Section 5.12(a)(ii) above of those Unquoted Investments included in the Borrowing Base selected by the Administrative Agent; provided , that the aggregate fair value of such Unquoted Investments tested on any Valuation Testing Date will be equal to the Tested Amount (as defined below) (or as near thereto as reasonably practical).  For the avoidance of doubt, Unquoted Investments that are part of the Collateral but not included in the Borrowing Base shall not be subject to testing under this Section 5.12(a)(iii).

 

(B)                                For purposes of this Agreement, the “Tested Amount” shall be equal to the greater of:  (i) an amount equal to (y) 125% of the Covered Debt Amount (as of the applicable Valuation Testing Date) minus (z) the sum of the values of all Cash and all Quoted Investments included in the Borrowing Base (as of the applicable Valuation Testing Date) and (ii) 10% of the aggregate value of all Unquoted Investments included in the Borrowing Base (as of the applicable Valuation Testing Date); provided , however , in no event shall more than 25% (or, if clause (ii) applies, 10%, or as near thereto as reasonably practicable) of the aggregate value of the Unquoted Investments in the Borrowing Base be tested by the Independent Valuation Provider in respect of any applicable Valuation Testing Date.

 

(C)                                With respect to any Unquoted Investment, if the value of such Unquoted Investment determined pursuant to Section 5.12(a)(ii) is not more than the lesser of (1) five (5) points more than the midpoint of the valuation range (expressed as a percent of par) provided by the Independent Valuation Provider ( provided that the value of such Unquoted Investment is customarily quoted as a percentage of par) and (2) 110% of the midpoint of the valuation range provided by the Independent Valuation Provider, then the value for such Unquoted Investment determined in accordance with Section 5.12(a)(ii) shall continue to be used as the “Value” for purposes of this Agreement.  If the value of any Unquoted Investment determined pursuant to Section 5.12(a)(ii) is more than the lesser of the values set forth in clause (C)(1) and (2) (to the extent applicable), then for such Unquoted Investment, the “Value” for purposes of this Agreement shall become the lesser of (x) the highest value of the valuation range provided by the Independent Valuation Provider, (y) five (5) points more than the midpoint of the valuation range (expressed as a percent of par) provided by the Independent Valuation Provider ( provided that the value of such Unquoted Investment is customarily quoted as a percentage of par) and (z) 110% of the midpoint of the valuation range provided by the Independent Valuation Provider.  For the avoidance of doubt, any values determined by the Independent Valuation Provider pursuant to this Section 5.12(a)(iii) or Section 5.12(a)(iv) shall be used solely for purposes of determining the “Value” of a Unquoted Investment under this Agreement and shall not be deemed to be the fair value of such asset as required under ASC 820, for purposes of the Borrower’s financial statements and the Investment Company Act.

 

(iv)                                Supplemental Testing of Values .

 

(A)                                Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, individually or at the request of the Required Lenders, or the Co-Collateral Agent shall at any time have the right to request, in its reasonable discretion, any Portfolio Investment included in the Borrowing Base with a value determined pursuant to Section 5.12(b)(ii) to be independently tested by the Independent Valuation Provider.  There shall be no limit on the number of such tests that may be requested by the Administrative Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent in its reasonable discretion; provided that, all such tests shall be conducted in such a manner not disruptive in any material respect to the business of the Borrower.  The Administrative Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent shall notify the Borrower of its receipt of the final results of any such test promptly upon its receipt thereof and shall provide a copy of such results and the related report to the Borrower

 

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promptly upon the Borrower’s request.  If (x) the value determined pursuant to Section 5.12(a)(ii) is less than the value determined by the Independent Valuation Provider, then the value determined pursuant to Section 5.12(a)(ii) shall continue to be used as the “Value” for purposes of this Agreement and (y) if the value determined pursuant to Section 5.12(a)(ii) is greater than the value determined by the Independent Valuation Provider and the difference between such values is:  (1) less than 5% of the value determined pursuant to Section 5.12(a)(ii), then the value determined pursuant to Section 5.12(a)(ii) shall continue to be used as the “Value” for purposes of this Agreement; (2) between 5% and 20% of the value determined pursuant to Section 5.12(a)(ii), then the “Value” of such Portfolio Investment for purposes of this Agreement shall become the average of the value determined pursuant to Section 5.12(a)(ii) and the value determined by such Independent Valuation Provider; and (3) greater than 20% of the value determined pursuant to Section 5.12(a)(ii), then the Borrower and the Administrative Agent or Co-Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall retain an additional third-party appraiser and the “Value” of such Portfolio Investment for purposes of this Agreement shall become the average of the three valuations (with the Independent Valuation Provider’s value to be used as the “Value” until the third value is obtained).  For the avoidance of doubt, Portfolio Investments that are part of the Collateral but which the Borrower has not expressly included in the Borrowing Base shall not be subject to testing under this Section 5.12(a)(iv).

 

(B)                                Except as otherwise provided herein, the Value of any Portfolio Investment for which the Independent Valuation Provider’s value is used shall be the midpoint of the range (if any) determined by the Independent Valuation Provider.  The Independent Valuation Provider shall apply a recognized valuation methodology that is commonly accepted by the business development company industry for valuing Portfolio Investments of the type being valued and held by the Obligors.

 

(C)                                All valuations shall be on a settlement date basis.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Value of any Portfolio Investment determined in accordance with this Section 5.12 shall be the Value of such Portfolio Investment for purposes of this Agreement until a new Value for such Portfolio Investment is subsequently determined in good faith in accordance with this Section 5.12.

 

(D)                                The reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs of any valuation reasonably incurred by the Administrative Agent or Co-Collateral Agent, as applicable, under this Section 5.12 shall be at the expense of the Borrower, provided that the Borrower’s obligation to reimburse valuation costs incurred by the Administrative Agent or Co-Collateral Agent, as applicable, pursuant to Section 5.12(a)(iv) shall be limited to an aggregate amount in any fiscal year of the Borrower equal to the greater of (x) $200,000.00 or (y) 0.05% of the aggregate amount of total Commitments then outstanding.

 

(E)                                 In addition, the values determined by the Independent Valuation Provider shall be deemed to be “Information” hereunder and subject to Section 9.13 hereof.

 

(b)                                  Investment Company Diversification Requirements .  The Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries (other than Subsidiaries that are exempt from the Investment Company Act) at all times to (i) comply in all material respects with the portfolio diversification and similar requirements set forth in the Investment Company Act applicable to business development companies and (ii) subject to applicable grace periods set forth in the Code, comply with the portfolio diversification and similar requirements set forth in the Code applicable to RICs.

 

SECTION 5.13.                               Calculation of Borrowing Base .  For purposes of this Agreement, the “ Borrowing Base ” shall be determined, as at any date of determination, as the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (x) the Value of each Portfolio Investment that is then included as Credit Facility First Priority Collateral by (y) the applicable Advance Rate, provided that:

 

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(a)                                  the Advance Rate applicable to that portion of the aggregate Value of the Portfolio Investments of all issuers in a consolidated group of corporations or other entities in accordance with GAAP exceeding 5% of the aggregate Value of all Cash and Portfolio Investments in the Collateral Pool that are Credit Facility First Priority Collateral as of the end of the most recent quarter, shall be 50% of the otherwise applicable Advance Rate;

 

(b)                                  the Advance Rate applicable to that portion of the aggregate Value of the Portfolio Investments of all issuers in a consolidated group of corporations or other entities in accordance with GAAP exceeding 10% of the aggregate Value of all Cash and Portfolio Investments in the Collateral Pool that are Credit Facility First Priority Collateral as of the end of the most recent quarter shall be 0%;

 

(c)                                   the Advance Rate applicable to that portion of the aggregate Value of the Portfolio Investments in each of the energy and power investment subcategories set forth below exceeding the corresponding percentage set forth below of the aggregate Value of all Cash and Portfolio Investments in the Collateral Pool that are Credit Facility First Priority Collateral as of the end of the most recent quarter shall be 0%:

 

Subcategories(1)

 

Percentage

 

Upstream

 

60

%

Midstream

 

45

%

Downstream

 

20

%

Power and Renewables

 

50

%

Infrastructure

 

25

%

Service and Equipment

 

20

%

 

(d)                                  Performing Second Lien Bank Loans and Performing Other Cash Pay High Yield Securities shall in no event account for more than 50% of the Borrowing Base;

 

(e)                                   unsecured Performing Other Cash Pay High Yield Securities shall in no event account for more than 30% of the Borrowing Base;

 

(f)                                    the Advance Rate applicable to Investments in any Excluded Entity and Designated Subsidiary, finance leases, CDO Securities (or other Investments that represent an investment in an underlying levered portfolio) shall be 0%;

 

(g)                                   the Advance Rate applicable to any Portfolio Investment relating to, arising out of, or derived from (i) the exploration, production or utilization of coal in any capacity; (ii) the exploration and production of oil from oil sands or Arctic oil; (iii) infrastructure exclusively dedicated to the transport or storage of oil from oil sands or Arctic oil; (iv) facilities producing first generation biofuels; (v) upstream oil and gas operations located within a World Heritage Site (as selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) or with material adverse impacts on the outstanding universal value of a natural World Heritage Site; or (vi) any company whose core business is more than 50% derived from coal, shall be 0%;

 


(1)          All determinations of whether a particular Portfolio Investment belongs to one subcategory or another shall be made by the Borrower on a good faith basis consistent with the definitions set forth in this Section 5.13.

 

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(h)                                  no Portfolio Investment may be included in the Borrowing Base until such time as such Portfolio Investment has been Delivered (as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement) to the Collateral Agent, and then only for so long as such Portfolio Investment continues to be Delivered as contemplated therein and constitutes Credit Facility First Priority Collateral; provided that in the case of any Portfolio Investment in which the Collateral Agent has a first-priority perfected security interest pursuant to a valid Uniform Commercial Code filing (and for which no other method of perfection with a higher priority is possible), such Portfolio Investment may be included in the Borrowing Base so long as all remaining actions to complete “Delivery” are satisfied within seven (7) days of such inclusion;

 

(i)                                      no Participation Interest may be included in the Borrowing Base for more than ninety (90) days;

 

(j)                                     Permitted PIK Portfolio Investments shall in no event account for more than 10% of the Borrowing Base; and

 

(k)                                  no Portfolio Investment in a portfolio company that the Obligors do not hold Portfolio Investments in on the Effective Date shall be included in the Borrowing Base to the extent that Portfolio Investments in portfolio companies that provide oil field services (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) would exceed 12.5% of the aggregate Value of all Cash and Portfolio Investments in the Collateral Pool that are Credit Facility First Priority Collateral.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, to avoid double-counting of excess concentrations, any Advance Rate reductions set forth under this Section 5.13 shall be without duplication of any other such Advance Rate reductions.

 

As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

Advance Rate ” means, as to any Portfolio Investment and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.13(a) through (j), the following percentages with respect to such Portfolio Investment:

 

Portfolio Investment(2)

 

Quoted

 

Unquoted

 

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term U.S. Government Securities

 

100

%

n.a.

 

Long-Term U.S. Government Securities

 

95

%

n.a.

 

Performing First Lien Bank Loans

 

70

%

60

%

Performing First Lien Secured High Yield Securities

 

65

%

55

%

Performing Unitranche Bank Loans

 

65

%

55

%

Performing Second Lien Bank Loans

 

55

%

45

%

Performing Other Cash Pay High Yield Securities

 

50

%

40

%

Portfolio Investments other than those described above

 

0

%

0

%

 


(2)          For the avoidance of doubt, the above categories are intended to be indicative of the traditional investment types in a fully capitalized issuer.  All determinations of whether a particular Portfolio Investment belongs to one category or another shall be made by the Borrower on a consistent basis with the foregoing.  For example, a secured bank loan at a holding company, the only assets of which are the shares of a fully capitalized operating company would not ordinarily constitute a Bank Loan but would ordinarily constitute a mezzanine investment.

 

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Bank Loans ” means debt obligations (including, without limitation, term loans, notes, revolving loans, debtor-in-possession financings, the funded and unfunded portion of revolving credit lines and letter of credit facilities and other similar loans and investments including interim loans and bridge loans) that are not contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other indebtedness (it being understood that indebtedness will not be deemed to be subordinated in right of payment to other indebtedness solely as a result of having a junior lien on any assets) and which are generally documented under documentation substantially similar to documents used in respect of a loan or credit facility or a purchase of notes issued as an alternative to the incurrence of loans under such a loan or credit facility (so long as the documentation relating to such notes generally contains terms similar to those included in credit facilities), including any notes issued by a direct lender.

 

Bankruptcy Code ” means the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. Section 101 et sec.

 

Capital Stock ” of any Person means any and all shares of corporate stock (however designated) of, and any and all other equity interests and participations representing ownership interests (including membership interests and limited liability company interests) in, such Person.

 

Cash ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.01 of this Agreement.

 

Cash Equivalents ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.01 of this Agreement.

 

Cash Pay Bank Loans ” means First Lien Bank Loans and Second Lien Bank Loans (x) as to which, at the time of determination, all of the interest is payable not less frequently than quarterly and for which not less than 2/3 of the interest (including accretions and “pay-in-kind” interest) for the most recently ended monthly or quarterly period (as applicable) is payable in cash or (y) that are Permitted PIK Portfolio Investments.

 

CDO Securities ” means debt securities, equity securities or composite or combination securities (i.e. securities consisting of a combination of debt and equity securities that are issued in effect as a unit), including synthetic securities that provide synthetic credit exposure to debt securities, equity securities or composite or combination securities, that entitle the holders thereof to receive payments that (i) depend on the cash flow from a portfolio consisting primarily of ownership interests in debt securities, corporate loans or asset-backed securities or (ii) are subject to losses owing to credit events (howsoever defined) under credit derivative transactions with respect to debt securities, corporate loans or asset-backed securities.

 

Downstream ” means issuers that refine and process energy resources, including but not limited to natural gas, propane, crude oil, and petrochemical and feedstocks.

 

First Lien Bank Loan ” means a Bank Loan that is entitled to the benefit of a first lien and first priority perfected security interest on a substantial portion of the assets of the respective borrower and guarantors obligated in respect thereof and which has the most senior pre-petition lien priority in any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, or liquidation proceedings; provided, however, that, in the case of accounts receivable and inventory (and the proceeds thereof), such lien and security interest may be second in priority to a Permitted Prior Working Capital Lien.

 

High Yield Securities ” means debt Securities (other than the “in the money” component of any convertible debt Securities) (a) issued by public or private issuers, (b) issued pursuant to an effective registration statement or pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act (or any successor provision thereunder), (c) that are not Cash Equivalents or Bank Loans and (d) that are not contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other indebtedness (it being understood that indebtedness will not be deemed to

 

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be subordinated in right of payment to other indebtedness solely as a result of having a junior lien on any assets).

 

Infrastructure ” means Portfolio Investments in issuers that own long-life assets that provide transportation for freight and bulk commodities (including but not limited to the provision of transportation for other energy-related businesses) and issuers that market and distribute refined energy resources.

 

Long-Term U.S. Government Securities ” means U.S. Government Securities maturing more than three months from the applicable date of determination.

 

Midstream ” means issuers engaged with transporting hydrocarbons and water, pipelines, gathering systems, processing facilities, liquefied natural gas infrastructure and storage of hydrocarbons and water.

 

Performing ” means the issuer of such Portfolio Investment is not in default of any payment obligations in respect thereof, after the expiration of any applicable grace period.

 

Performing First Lien Bank Loans ” means First Lien Bank Loans which are Cash Pay Bank Loans and are Performing and which are not Performing Unitranche Bank Loans.

 

Performing First Lien Secured High Yield Securities ” means High Yield Securities (a) that are entitled to the benefit of a first lien and first priority perfected security interest on a substantial portion of the assets of the respective issuer and guarantors obligated in respect thereof; provided , however , that, in the case of accounts receivable and inventory (and the proceeds thereof), such lien and security interest may be second in priority to a Permitted Prior Working Capital Lien, (b) (x) as to which, at the time of determination, not less than 2/3 of the interest (including accretions and “pay-in-kind” interest) for the most recently ended monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual period (as applicable) is payable in cash or (y) that are Permitted PIK Portfolio Investments and (c) which are Performing.

 

Performing Other Cash Pay High Yield Securities ” means High Yield Securities (other than Performing First Lien Secured High Yield Securities) (a) (x) as to which, at the time of determination, not less than 2/3 of the interest (including accretions and “pay-in-kind” interest) for the most recently ended monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual period (as applicable) is payable in cash, (y) as to which, at the time of determination, cash interest in an amount greater than or equal to 4.5% above 3-month LIBOR was paid for such period or (z) that are Permitted PIK Portfolio Investments and (b) which are Performing.

 

Performing Second Lien Bank Loans ” means Second Lien Bank Loans which are Cash Pay Bank Loans and are Performing.

 

Performing Unitranche Bank Loans ” means Unitranche Bank Loans (a) (x) as to which, at the time of determination, not less than 2/3 of the interest (including accretions and “pay-in-kind” interest) for the most recently ended monthly or quarterly period (as applicable) is payable in cash, (y) as to which, at the time of determination, cash interest in an amount greater than or equal to 4.5% above 3-month LIBOR was paid for such period or (z) that are Permitted PIK Portfolio Investments and (b) which are Performing.

 

Permitted PIK Portfolio Investments ” means Portfolio Investments which would otherwise qualify as Cash Pay Bank Loans (as First Lien Bank Loans or as Second Lien Bank Loans), Performing First Lien Secured High Yield Securities, Performing Other Cash Pay High Yield Securities or Performing Unitranche Bank Loans, as applicable, other than for the fact that interest on such Portfolio Investment

 

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paid in cash for the applicable period was not sufficient to meet the applicable requirements of such type of Portfolio Investment; provided , that (i) the option to pay interest other than in cash was included in the original investment by the applicable Obligor and (ii) as of the date of determination the Borrower reasonably believes such Portfolio Investment will pay interest in cash sufficient to meet such requirements within eight (8) quarters of such original date of investment.

 

Permitted Prior Working Capital Lien ” means, with respect to a borrower or guarantor under a Bank Loan or High Yield Security, a security interest to secure a working capital facility for such borrower or guarantor in the accounts receivable and inventory (and, to the extent applicable, all related property and proceeds thereof) of such borrower and or guarantors; provided that (i) such Bank Loan or High Yield Security has a second priority lien on such accounts receivable and inventory (and, to the extent applicable, all related property and proceeds thereof), (ii) such working capital facility is not secured by any other assets (other than a second priority lien, subject to the first priority lien of the Bank Loan or High Yield Security) and does not benefit from any standstill rights or other agreements (other than customary rights) with respect to any other assets and (iii) the maximum principal amount of such working capital facility is not at any time greater than 15% of the aggregate consolidated enterprise value of the top level borrower or guarantor of such Bank Loan or High Yield Security (as determined pursuant to the enterprise value as determined at closing of the transaction).

 

Power and Renewables ” means issuers focused on liquefied natural gas regasification terminals, gas sales, power and electricity transmission and distribution, as well as businesses involved in the production of alternative or renewable energy.

 

Second Lien Bank Loan ” means (a) a Bank Loan that is entitled to the benefit of a second lien and second priority perfected security interest on a substantial portion of the assets of the respective borrower and guarantors obligated in respect thereof or (b) a debt obligation that would qualify as a First Lien Bank Loan other than for the fact that such debt obligation is subordinate to other indebtedness sharing a first priority lien in favor of such debt obligation as regards the order of application of proceeds of enforcement of such lien.

 

Securities ” means common and preferred stock, units and participations, member interests in limited liability companies, partnership interests in partnerships, notes, bonds, debentures, royalty interests, net profit interests, trust receipts and other obligations, instruments or evidences of indebtedness, including debt instruments of public and private issuers and tax-exempt securities (including warrants, rights, put and call options and other options relating thereto, representing rights, or any combination thereof) and other property or interests commonly regarded as securities or any form of interest or participation therein, but not including Bank Loans.

 

Securities Act ” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Service and Equipment ” means issuers that provide services, supplies and/or equipment in connection with the exploration, production and transportation of oil and natural gas, including seismic, drilling, completion and production activities, as well as those issuers that support the operations and development of Power and Renewables and any issuer that is commonly understood to be part of, or specifically connected with, the Upstream, Midstream, Downstream, Power and Renewables, Infrastructure and Service and Equipment industries.

 

Short-Term U.S. Government Securities ” means U.S. Government Securities maturing within three months of the applicable date of determination.

 

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Unitranche Bank Loans ” means any First Lien Bank Loan if the aggregate amount of first lien Indebtedness of the top level borrower or guarantor of such First Lien Bank Loan and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such borrower’s or guarantor’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial information is available to the Borrower exceeds (i) 4.0x the EBITDA of such top level borrower or guarantor for the most recent four fiscal quarter period for which financial information is available to the Borrower or (ii) in the case of an Upstream Issuer, 1.0x the net present value of Proved Oil and Gas Reserves of such top level borrower or guarantor and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (calculated at the time the relevant Obligor acquires or funds the applicable First Lien Bank Loan).  For purposes of the foregoing (x) “ EBITDA ” means the consolidated net income of the applicable Person (excluding extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses (to the extent excluded in the definition of “EBITDA” in the relevant agreement relating to the applicable Eligible Portfolio Investment)) for the relevant period plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such consolidated net income: (i) consolidated interest charges for such period; (ii) the provision for Federal, state, local and foreign income taxes payable for such period; (iii) depreciation and amortization expense for such period;  (iv) in the case of an Upstream Issuer, exploration costs and (v) such other adjustments included in the definition of “EBITDA” (or similar defined term used for the purposes contemplated herein) in the relevant agreement relating to the applicable Portfolio Investment, provided that such adjustments are usual and customary and substantially comparable to market terms for substantially similar debt of other similarly situated borrowers at the time such relevant agreements are entered into as reasonably determined in good faith by the Borrower and (y) “ Proved Oil and Gas Reserves ” means those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible, from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations, prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation.

 

Upstream ” means issuers involved in the exploration, development or production of hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon sales, resource and minerals plays and the ownership of interests in hydrocarbons (including royalty and net revenue interests).

 

Upstream Issuer ” means an issuer engaged in an Upstream business.

 

U.S. Government Securities ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.01 of this Agreement.

 

Value ” means with respect to any Portfolio Investment, the most recent value as determined pursuant to Section 5.12.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Until the Termination Date, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

 

SECTION 6.01.                               Indebtedness .  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Obligor to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

 

(a)                                  Indebtedness created hereunder or under any other Loan Document;

 

(b)                                  Permitted Indebtedness in an aggregate amount that, taken together with Indebtedness permitted under clauses (a) and (g) of this Section 6.01 (1) does not exceed, at the time it

 

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is incurred, the amount required to comply with the provisions of Section 6.07(b), (2) will not result in the Covered Debt Amount, at the time it is incurred, exceeding the Borrowing Base (or, with respect to Notes Priority Secured Indebtedness, will not result in the Notes First Priority Collateral Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Secured Notes Indenture as in effect on the Effective Date) being less than 1.50 to 1.0), so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing after giving effect to the incurrence of such Permitted Indebtedness and (3) the Adjusted Asset Coverage Ratio, calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the incurrence of such Permitted Indebtedness shall not exceed 2.25 to 1.00 at the time of entering into agreements establishing such Permitted Indebtedness;

 

(c)                                   Other Permitted Indebtedness;

 

(d)                                  Indebtedness of any Obligor to or from another Obligor;

 

(e)                                   repurchase obligations arising in the ordinary course of business with respect to U.S. Government Securities;

 

(f)                                    obligations payable to clearing agencies, brokers or dealers in connection with the purchase or sale of securities in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g)                                   other Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not exceeding the Additional Debt Amount at any one time outstanding and that, taken together with Indebtedness permitted under clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 6.01 (1) does not exceed, at the time it is incurred, the amount required to comply with the provisions of Section 6.07(b) and (2) will not result in the Covered Debt Amount, at the time it is incurred (for clarity, with respect to revolving loan facilities or staged advance loan facilities, “incurrence” shall be deemed to take place at the time such facility is entered into, and not upon each borrowing thereunder), exceeding the Borrowing Base, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing after giving effect to the incurrence of such other Indebtedness;

 

(h)                                  obligations (including Guarantees) in respect of Standard Securitization Undertakings;

 

(i)                                      obligations of an Obligor under a Permitted SBIC Guarantee, any SBIC Equity Commitment and analogous commitments by such Obligor with respect to any of its SBIC Subsidiaries;

 

(j)                                     Indebtedness existing on the Effective Date and set forth in Part A of Schedule II; and

 

(k)                                  obligations arising with respect to Hedging Agreements (other than Credit Default Swaps) and Credit Default Swaps entered into pursuant to Section 6.04(c) or (f).

 

SECTION 6.02.                               Liens .  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Obligor to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

 

(a)                                  any Lien on any property or asset of any Obligor existing on the Effective Date and set forth in Part B of Schedule II, provided that (i) no such Lien shall extend to any other property or asset of such Obligor(s) and (ii) any such Lien shall secure only those obligations

 

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which it secures on the Effective Date and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof,

 

(b)                                  Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents;

 

(c)                                   Liens on Special Equity Interests included in the Portfolio Investments but only to the extent securing obligations in the manner provided in the definition of “Special Equity Interests” in Section 1.01;

 

(d)                                  Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the Additional Debt Amount at any one time outstanding (which may cover Portfolio Investments, but only to the extent released from the Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent in accordance with the requirements of Section 9.12 of the Guarantee and Security Agreement), so long as at the time thereof the aggregate amount of Indebtedness permitted under clauses (a), (b) (other than the Notes Priority Secured Indebtedness) and (g) of Section 6.01 does not exceed the lesser of (i) the Borrowing Base and (ii) the amount required to comply with the provisions of Section 6.07(b);

 

(e)                                   Permitted Liens;

 

(f)                                    Liens on an Obligor’s direct ownership interest in an Excluded Subsidiary to secure obligations owed to a creditor of such Excluded Subsidiary;

 

(g)                                   Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(e) and (f); and

 

(h)                                  Liens created by posting of cash collateral in connection with Hedging Agreements permitted under Section 6.04(c).

 

SECTION 6.03.                               Fundamental Changes and Dispositions of Assets .  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Obligor to, enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution).  The Borrower will not reorganize under the laws of a jurisdiction other than any jurisdiction in the United States.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Obligor to, acquire any business or property from, or capital stock of, or be a party to any acquisition of, any other Person, except for purchases or acquisitions of Portfolio Investments and other assets in the normal course of the day-to-day business activities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and not in violation of the terms and conditions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Obligor to, convey, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, any part of its assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, but excluding (w) any transaction permitted under Section 6.02, 6.05 or 6.12, (x) assets sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business (including to make expenditures of cash in the normal course of the day-to-day business activities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the use of Cash and Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business) (other than the transfer of Portfolio Investments to Excluded Subsidiaries), (y) subject to the provisions of clause (d) below, Portfolio Investments (to the extent not otherwise included in clause (x) of this Section) and (z) subject to the provisions of clauses (c) and (e) below, any Obligor’s ownership interest in any Excluded Subsidiary.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section:

 

(a)                                  any Subsidiary of the Borrower may be merged or consolidated with or into any Obligor so long as an Obligor is the surviving Person;

 

88



 

(b)                                  any Obligor may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to any other Obligor;

 

(c)                                   the capital stock of any Subsidiary of the Borrower may be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of (including by way of consolidation and merger) (i) to any Obligor or (ii) so long as such transaction results in an Obligor receiving the proceeds of such disposition, to any other Person, provided that in the case of this clause (ii) if such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary Guarantor or holds any Portfolio Investments, the Borrower (x) would have been permitted to designate such Subsidiary as a “Designated Subsidiary” hereunder, (y) the amount of any excess availability under the Borrowing Base immediately prior to such disposition is not diminished as a result of such disposition to such other Person or (z) the Borrowing Base immediately after giving effect to such disposition is at least 110% of the Covered Debt Amount;

 

(d)                                  the Obligors may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of Portfolio Investments to an Excluded Subsidiary so long as (i) after giving effect to such sale, transfer or disposition (and any concurrent acquisitions of Portfolio Investments or payment of outstanding Loans) the Covered Debt Amount does not exceed the Borrowing Base and (ii) either (x) the amount of any excess availability under the Borrowing Base immediately prior to such sale, transfer or disposition is not diminished as a result of such sale, transfer or disposition or (y) the Borrowing Base immediately after giving effect to such sale, transfer or disposition is at least 110% of the Covered Debt Amount;

 

(e)                                   the Borrower may merge or consolidate with, or acquire or dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of, any other Person so long as (i) the Borrower is the continuing or surviving entity in such transaction and (ii) at the time thereof and after giving effect thereto (and any concurrent acquisitions of Portfolio Investments by the Borrower or payment of outstanding Loans made to the Borrower), no Default shall have occurred or be continuing;

 

(f)                                    the Obligors may dissolve or liquidate any Subsidiary (i) that does not own, legally or beneficially, assets (including, without limitation, Portfolio Investments) which in aggregate have a value of $500,000 or more at such time of dissolution or liquidation or (ii) so long as (a) in connection with such dissolution or liquidation, any and all of the assets of such Subsidiary shall be distributed or otherwise transferred to an Obligor and (b) the Borrower determines in good faith that such dissolution or liquidation is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders;

 

(g)                                   the Borrower and the other Obligors may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of equipment or other property or assets that do not consist of Portfolio Investments so long as the aggregate amount of all such sales, leases, transfer and dispositions does not exceed $25,000,000 in any fiscal year;

 

(h)                                  an Obligor may transfer assets that such Obligor would otherwise be permitted to own to an Excluded Subsidiary for the sole purpose of facilitating the transfer of assets from one Excluded Subsidiary (or a Subsidiary that was an Excluded Subsidiary immediately prior to such disposition) to another Excluded Subsidiary, directly or indirectly through such Obligor (such assets, the “Transferred Assets”), provided that (i) no Default exists or is continuing at such time or would result from any such transfer to or by such Obligor, (ii) the Covered Debt Amount shall not exceed the Borrowing Base at such time, (iii) the Transferred Assets are transferred to such Obligor by the transferor Excluded Subsidiary on the same Business Day that such assets are transferred by such Obligor to the transferee Excluded Subsidiary, and (iv) following such transfer

 

89



 

such Obligor has no liability, actual or contingent, with respect to the Transferred Assets other than Standard Securitization Undertakings; and

 

(i)                                      the Borrower may deposit and use cash to purchase shares of common stock of the Borrower in connection with a Tender Offer.

 

SECTION 6.04.                               Investments .  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Obligor to, acquire, make or enter into, or hold, any Investments except:

 

(a)                                  operating deposit accounts with banks;

 

(b)                                  Investments by Obligors in other Obligors;

 

(c)                                   Hedging Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of any Obligor’s business for financial planning and not for speculative purposes;

 

(d)                                  Portfolio Investments, and Investments in Excluded Subsidiaries, to the extent such Portfolio Investments and/or Excluded Subsidiaries are permitted under the Investment Company Act and the Borrower’s Investment Policies; provided that, if such Portfolio Investment is not included in the Collateral Pool and with respect to Investments in Excluded Subsidiaries, then (i) after giving effect to such Investment (and any concurrent acquisitions of Investments in the Collateral Pool or payment of outstanding Loans), the Covered Debt Amount does not exceed the Borrowing Base and (ii) either (x) the amount of any excess availability under the Borrowing Base immediately prior to such Investment is not diminished as a result of such Investment or (y) the Borrowing Base immediately after giving effect to such Investment is at least 110% of the Covered Debt Amount;

 

(e)                                   Investments in (or capital contributions to) Excluded Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by Section 6.03(d) or (h);

 

(f)                                    Investments constituting Credit Default Swaps in an aggregate amount not to exceed $25,000,000; and

 

(g)                                   additional Investments up to but not exceeding $50,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding.

 

For purposes of clause (g) of this Section, the aggregate amount of an Investment at any time shall be deemed to be equal to (A) the aggregate amount of cash, together with the aggregate fair market value of property, loaned, advanced, contributed, transferred or otherwise invested that gives rise to such Investment (calculated at the time such Investment is made) minus (B) the aggregate amount of dividends, distributions or other payments received in cash in respect of such Investment, provided that in no event shall the aggregate amount of such Investment be deemed to be less than zero; and provided further that the amount of an Investment shall not in any event be reduced by reason of any write-off of such Investment nor increased by any increase in the amount of earnings retained in the Person in which such Investment or as a result of any other matter (other than any cash or assets contributed to or invested in such Investment).

 

SECTION 6.05.                               Restricted Payments .  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Obligor to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except that the Borrower or such other Obligor may declare and pay:

 

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(a)                                  dividends with respect to the capital stock of the Borrower to the extent payable in additional shares of the Borrower’s common stock;

 

(b)                                  dividend and distributions in either case in cash or other property (excluding for this purpose the Borrower’s common stock) with respect to any taxable or calendar year, as applicable, dividends and other distributions in amounts not to exceed 110% of the amounts that are required to be distributed to: (i) allow the Borrower to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements imposed by Section 852(a) of the Code (or any successor thereto) to maintain the Borrower’s eligibility to be taxed as a RIC for such taxable year, (ii) reduce to zero for such taxable year the Borrower’s liability for federal income taxes imposed on (x) the Borrower’s investment company taxable income pursuant to Section 852(b)(1) of the Code (or any successor thereto), or (y) the Borrower’s net capital gain pursuant to Section 852(b)(3) of the Code (or any successor thereto), and (iii) reduce to zero the Borrower’s liability for federal excise taxes for any such calendar year imposed pursuant to Section 4982 of the Code (or any successor thereto);

 

(c)                                   any settlement in respect of a conversion feature in any convertible security that may be issued by the Borrower to the extent made through the delivery of common stock (except in the case of interest (which may be payable in cash)); and

 

(d)                                  Restricted Payments to repurchase Equity Interests of the Borrower from managers, partners, members, directors, officers, employees or consultants of FS/EIG Advisor, LLC, the Borrower or another Obligor or their respective authorized representatives upon the death, disability or termination of employment of such employees or termination of their seat on the board of directors of FS/EIG Advisor, LLC, the Borrower or such other Obligor, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 in any calendar year with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $5,000,000 in any calendar year;

 

(e)                                   other Restricted Payments so long as (i) on the date of such other Restricted Payment and after giving effect thereto (x) the Borrowing Base is equal to at least 110% of the Covered Debt Amount and (y) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) on the date of such other Restricted Payment the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a Borrowing Base Certificate as at such date demonstrating compliance with subclause (x) after giving effect to such Restricted Payment.  For purposes of preparing such Borrowing Base Certificate, (A) the Value of any Quoted Investment shall be the most recent quotation available for such Portfolio Investment and (B) the Value of any Unquoted Investment shall be the Value set forth in the Borrowing Base Certificate most recently delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.01(d), provided that the Borrower shall reduce the Value of any Portfolio Investment referred to in this sub-clause (B) to the extent necessary to take into account any events of which the Borrower has knowledge that adversely affect the value of such Portfolio Investment.

 

(f)                                    so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and the Borrowing Base is not less than the Covered Debt Amount on a pro forma basis and the Borrower is in compliance on a pro forma basis with (i) Section 6.07(a) as of the last day of the Borrower’s most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and (ii) Section 6.07(b) after giving effect thereto, Restricted Payments in connection with a Tender Offer.

 

In calculating the amount of Restricted Payments made by the Borrower during any period referred to in paragraph (b) above, any Restricted Payments made by Designated Subsidiaries or any other

 

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Excluded Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary during such period (other than any such Restricted Payments that are made directly or indirectly to Obligors or ratably to any Obligor and any other direct shareholder in any such Designated Subsidiary or Excluded Subsidiary) shall be treated as Restricted Payments made by the Borrower during such period.

 

Nothing herein shall be deemed to prohibit the payment of Restricted Payments by any Subsidiary Guarantor of the Borrower to the Borrower or to any other Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, (1) the Borrower shall not declare any dividend to the extent such declaration violates the provisions of the Investment Company Act applicable to it and (2) the determination of the amount described in paragraph (b) shall be made separately for the taxable year of the Borrower and for the calendar year of the Borrower and the limitation on dividends or distributions imposed by such paragraph shall apply separately to the amounts so determined.

 

SECTION 6.06.                               Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries .  The Borrower will not permit any of its Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) to enter into or suffer to exist any indenture, agreement, instrument or other arrangement (other than the Loan Documents) that prohibits or restrains, in each case in any material respect, or imposes materially adverse conditions upon, the incurrence or payment of Indebtedness, the granting of Liens, the declaration or payment of dividends, the making of loans, advances, guarantees or Investments or the sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of property; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to (i) indentures, agreements, instruments or other arrangements pertaining to other Indebtedness permitted hereby ( provided that such restrictions would not adversely affect the exercise of rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder or under the Security Documents or prohibit, in any material respect, any Subsidiary from performing its obligations under the Loan Documents), (ii) indentures, agreements, instruments or other arrangements pertaining to any lease, sale or other disposition of any asset permitted by this Agreement or any Lien permitted by this Agreement on such asset so long as the applicable restrictions only apply to such assets and (iii) any agreement, instrument or other arrangement pertaining to any sale or other disposition of any asset permitted by this Agreement so long as the applicable restrictions (x) only apply to such assets and (y) do not restrict prior to the consummation of such sale or disposition the creation or existence of the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents or otherwise required by this Agreement, or the incurrence of payment of Indebtedness under this Agreement or the ability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to perform any other obligation under any of the Loan Documents.

 

SECTION 6.07.                               Certain Financial Covenants .

 

(a)                                  Minimum Shareholders’ Equity .  The Borrower will not permit Shareholders’ Equity at the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower to be less than the sum of (1) 65% of the difference of (x) the Shareholders’ Equity as at the Effective Date less (i) the lesser of (x) amounts paid by the Borrower to purchase its shares of common stock in connection with a Tender Offer and (ii) $250,000,000, plus (2) 50% of the net proceeds of the sale of Equity Interests by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries after the Effective Date (other than proceeds of any distribution or dividend reinvestment plan).

 

(b)                                  Asset Coverage Ratio .  The Borrower will not permit the Asset Coverage Ratio to be less than 2.00 to 1.00 at any time.

 

SECTION 6.08.                               Transactions with Affiliates .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Obligor to enter into any transactions with any of its Affiliates, even if otherwise permitted under this Agreement, except (a) transactions in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower or such other Obligor than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among the Borrower and any other

 

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Obligors not involving any other Affiliate, (c) transactions and documents governing transactions permitted under section 6.03, 6.04(e) and 6.05, (d) the Affiliate Agreement and the transactions provided in the Affiliate Agreement (as such agreement is amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in a manner not materially adverse to the Lenders), (e) transactions described or referenced on Schedule V, (f) any Investment that results in the creation of an Affiliate, (g) Affiliates (including co-investments) as permitted by any SEC exemptive order (as may be amended from time to time), any no-action letter or as otherwise permitted by applicable law, rule or regulation and SEC staff interpretations thereof, (h) the payment of compensation and reimbursement of expenses and indemnification to officers and directors in the ordinary course of business, (i) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the transactions contemplated herein and therein or (j) agreements among the Borrower, the other Obligors and/or their respective Affiliates entered into in connection with the administration of this Agreement and/or the other Loan Documents, and the transactions contemplated therein.

 

SECTION 6.09.                               Lines of Business .  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Obligor to, engage in any business in a manner that would violate its Investment Policies in any material respect.

 

SECTION 6.10.                               No Further Negative Pledge .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Obligors to, enter into any agreement, instrument, deed or lease which prohibits or limits in any material respect the ability of any Obligor to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its properties, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or which requires the grant of any security for an obligation if security is granted for another obligation, except the following:  (a) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (b) covenants in documents creating Liens permitted by Section 6.02 (including covenants with respect to the Secured Notes Indenture and agreements governing Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness and Notes Priority Secured Indebtedness prohibiting further Liens on the assets encumbered thereby; (c) customary restrictions contained in leases not subject to a waiver; (d) any agreement that imposes such restrictions only on Equity Interests in Excluded Subsidiaries; and (e) any other agreement that does not restrict in any manner (directly or indirectly) Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents on any Collateral securing the “Secured Obligations” under and as defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement and does not require (other than pursuant to a grant of a Lien under the Loan Documents) the direct or indirect granting of any Lien securing any Indebtedness or other obligation by virtue of the granting of Liens on or pledge of property of any Obligor to secure the Loans, or any Hedging Agreement.

 

SECTION 6.11.                               Modifications of Certain Documents .  The Borrower will not consent to any modification, supplement or waiver of (a) any of the provisions of any agreement, instrument or other document evidencing or relating to any Permitted Indebtedness that would result in such Permitted Indebtedness not meeting the requirements of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness,” set forth in Section 1.01 of this Agreement, unless following such amendment, modification or waiver, such Permitted Indebtedness would otherwise be permitted under Section 6.01, or (b) the Affiliate Agreement, unless such modification, supplement or waiver is not materially less favorable to the Borrower than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, in each case, without the prior consent of the Administrative Agent (with the approval of the Required Lenders).

 

Without limiting the foregoing, the Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, freely amend, restate, terminate, or otherwise modify any documents, instruments and agreements evidencing, securing or relating to Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(d), including increases in the principal amount thereof, modifications to the advance rates and/or modifications to the interest rate, fees or other pricing terms so long as following any such action such Indebtedness continues to be permitted under Section 6.01(d).

 

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SECTION 6.12.                               Payments of Other Indebtedness .  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Obligor to, purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value, or set apart any money for a sinking, defeasance or other analogous fund for the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of, or make any voluntary payment or prepayment of the principal of or interest on, or any other amount owing in respect of, any Permitted Indebtedness, or any Indebtedness that is not then included in the Covered Debt Amount (other than the refinancing of such Indebtedness with Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 or with the proceeds of any issuance of Equity Interests), except for:

 

(a)                                  regularly scheduled payments, prepayments or redemptions of principal and interest in respect thereof required pursuant to the instruments evidencing such Indebtedness and the payment when due of the types of fees and expenses that are customarily paid in connection with such Indebtedness (it being understood that:  (w) the conversion features into Permitted Equity Interests under convertible notes; (x) the triggering of such conversion and/or settlement thereof solely with Permitted Equity Interests; and (y) any cash payment on account of interest or expenses or fractional shares on such convertible notes made by the Borrower in respect of such triggering and/or settlement thereof, shall be permitted under this clause (a));

 

(b)                                  payments and prepayments thereof required to comply with requirements of Section 2.09(c); and

 

(c)                                   other payments and prepayments so long as at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such payment, (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) if such payment were treated as a “Restricted Payment” for the purposes of determining compliance with Section 6.05(e), such payment would be permitted to be made under Section 6.05(e);

 

provided that, in the case of clauses (a) through (c) above, in no event shall any Obligor be permitted to prepay or settle (whether as a result of a mandatory redemption, conversion or otherwise) any such Indebtedness, if after giving effect thereto, the Covered Debt Amount would exceed the Borrowing Base (it being understood that, with respect to the prepayment of any Indebtedness that is not then included in the Covered Debt Amount (other than from the proceeds of refinancing Indebtedness that is not included in the Covered Debt Amount), at the time of the giving of notice of prepayment or redemption to the holders thereof, the Borrower shall only be entitled to provide such notice if the inclusion of such Indebtedness in the Covered Debt Amount would not result in a Borrowing Base being less than the Covered Debt Amount).

 

ARTICLE VII

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

Until the Termination Date, if any of the following events (“ Events of Default ”) shall occur and be continuing:

 

(a)                                  the Borrower shall (i) fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise or (ii) fail to deposit any amount into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account as required by Section 2.08(a) on the Revolving Facility Commitment Termination Date;

 

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(b)                                  the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five or more Business Days;

 

(c)                                   any representation or warranty made (or deemed made pursuant to Section 4.02) by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof, shall prove to have been incorrect when made or deemed made in any material respect;

 

(d)                                  the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in (i) Section 5.03 (with respect to the Borrower’s existence) or Sections 5.08(a) and (b) or in Article VI or any Obligor shall default in the performance of any of its obligations contained in Section 7 of the Guarantee and Security Agreement or (ii) Sections 5.01(d) and (e) or 5.02 and such failure, in the case of this clause (ii), shall continue unremedied for a period of five or more Business Days after notice thereof by the Administrative Agent (given at the request of any Lender) to the Borrower;

 

(e)                                   a Borrowing Base Deficiency shall occur and continue unremedied for a period of five or more Business Days after delivery of a Borrowing Base Certificate demonstrating such Borrowing Base Deficiency pursuant to Section 5.01(e), provided that it shall not be an Event of Default hereunder if the Borrower shall present the Administrative Agent with a reasonably feasible plan to enable such Borrowing Base Deficiency to be cured within 30 Business Days of the Notice Date, so long as such Borrowing Base Deficiency is cured within such 30-Business Day period;

 

(f)                                    the Borrower or any Obligor, as applicable, shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in clause (a), (b), (d), or (e) of this Article) or any other Loan Document and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 or more days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent (given at the request of any Lender) to the Borrower;

 

(g)                                   the Borrower shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable, taking into account (other than with respect to payments of principal) any applicable grace period;

 

(h)                                  any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness (i) becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or (ii) that shall continue unremedied for any applicable period of time sufficient to enable or permit the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity (for the avoidance of doubt after giving effect to any applicable grace period), unless, in the case of this clause (ii), so long as the Commitments have not been terminated and the Loans declared due and payable in whole, such event or condition is no longer continuing or has been waived in accordance with the terms of such Material Indebtedness such that the holder or holders thereof or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf are no longer enabled or permitted to cause such Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (h) shall

 

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not apply (1) to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (2) to convertible debt that becomes due as a result of a conversion or redemption event, other than as a result of an “event of default” (as defined in the documents governing such convertible Material Indebtedness) or (3) in the case of clause (h)(ii), to any Indebtedness of a Designated Subsidiary to the extent the event or condition giving rise to the circumstances in clause (h)(ii) was not a payment or insolvency default;

 

(i)                                      an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or group of Subsidiaries that if consolidated would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or group of Subsidiaries that if consolidated would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed and unstayed for a period of 60 or more days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

 

(j)                                     the Borrower or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or group of Subsidiaries that if consolidated would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (i) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or group of Subsidiaries that if consolidated would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

 

(k)                                  the Borrower or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or group of Subsidiaries that if consolidated would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

 

(l)                                      one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $25,000,000 shall be rendered against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any combination thereof and (i) the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days following the entry of such judgment during which 30 day period such judgment shall not have been vacated, stayed, discharged or bonded pending appeal, or liability for such judgment amount shall not have been admitted by an insurer of reputable standing, or (ii) any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to enforce any such judgment;

 

(m)                              an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(n)                                  a Change in Control with respect to the Borrower shall occur;

 

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(o)                                  FS/EIG Advisor, LLC or any Subsidiary of FS/EIG Advisor, LLC that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United States of America and in the business of managing or advising clients shall cease to be the investment advisor for the Borrower;

 

(p)                                  the Liens created by the Security Documents shall, at any time with respect to (i) Portfolio Investments included in the Collateral Pool having an aggregate Value in excess of 5% of the aggregate Value of all Portfolio Investments included in the Collateral Pool or (ii) Portfolio Investments included in the Secured Notes Priority Collateral having an aggregate Value in excess of 5% of the aggregate Value of all Portfolio Investments included in the Secured Notes Priority Collateral, in either case, not be valid and perfected (to the extent perfection by filing, registration, recordation, possession or control is required herein or therein) in favor of the Administrative Agent, free and clear of all other Liens (other than Liens permitted under Section 6.02 or under the respective Security Documents) except as a result of a disposition of Portfolio Investments in a transaction or series of transactions permitted under this Agreement; provided that if such default is as a result of any action of the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent or a failure of the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent to take any action within its control, then there shall be no Default or Event of Default hereunder unless such default shall continue unremedied for a period of ten (10) consecutive Business Days after the Borrower receives written notice of such default thereof from the Administrative Agent unless the continuance thereof is a result of a failure of the Collateral Agent or Administrative Agent to take an action within its control;

 

(q)                                  except for expiration or termination in accordance with its terms, any of the Security Documents shall for whatever reason be terminated or cease to be in full force and effect in any material respect, or the enforceability thereof shall be contested by the Borrower;

 

(r)                                     the Obligors shall at any time, without the consent of the Required Lenders, (i) modify, supplement or waive in any material respect the Investment Policies (other than any modification, supplement or waiver required by any applicable law, rule or regulation or Governmental Authority), provided that a modification, supplement or waiver shall not be deemed a modification in any material respect of the Investment Policies if the effect of such modification, supplement or waiver is that the permitted investment size of the Portfolio Investments proportionately increases as the size of the Borrower’s capital base changes; (ii) modify, supplement or waive in any material respect the Valuation Policy (other than any modification, supplement or waiver (w) required under GAAP, (x) required by any applicable law, rule or regulation or Governmental Authority or (y) when taken as a whole is not adverse to the Lenders when compared to the Valuation Policy in effect as of the Effective Date), (iii) fail to comply with the Valuation Policy in any material respect, or (iv) fail to comply with the Investment Policies if such failure could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and in the case of sub-clauses (iii) and (iv) of this clause (r), such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 or more days after the earlier of notice thereof by the Administrative Agent (given at the request of any Lender) to the Borrower or knowledge thereof by a Financial Officer;

 

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (i) or (j) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times:  (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower

 

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accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and in case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (i) or (j) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

 

In the event that the Loans shall be declared, or shall become, due and payable pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph then, upon notice from the Administrative Agent or Lenders with LC Exposure representing more than 50% of the total LC Exposure demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall immediately deposit into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account cash in an amount equal to 102% of the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clause (i) or (j) of this Article.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

 

Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent as the collateral agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Collateral Agent to have all the rights and benefits hereunder and thereunder, and to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

 

The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.

 

The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders, and (c) except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.  The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

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The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein or therein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

The rights of the Co-Collateral Agent hereunder are individual rights and the Person acting in the capacity as Co-Collateral Agent shall owe no duties or obligations to any party hereto in its capacity as Co-Collateral Agent.

 

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person.  The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.  The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties.  The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrower.  Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Borrower not to be unreasonably withheld (or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing in consultation with the Borrower), to appoint a successor.  If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nonetheless become effective except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed and (1) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and (2) the Required Lenders shall perform the duties of the Administrative Agent (and all payments and communications provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly) until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above in this paragraph.  Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this paragraph).  The fees payable by the Borrower to

 

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a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.  After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

 

Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement.  Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.02(b) with respect to this Agreement, the Administrative Agent may, with the prior consent of the Required Lenders (but not otherwise), consent to any modification, supplement or waiver under any of the Loan Documents, provided that, without the prior consent of each Lender, the Administrative Agent shall not (except as provided herein or in the Security Documents) release all or substantially all of the Collateral or otherwise terminate all or substantially all of the Liens under any Security Document providing for collateral security, agree to additional obligations being secured by all or substantially all of such collateral security, alter the relative priorities of the obligations entitled to the benefits of the Liens created under the Security Documents with respect to all or substantially all of the Collateral, except that no such consent shall be required, and the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized, to (1) release any Lien covering property that is the subject of either a disposition of property permitted hereunder or a disposition to which the Required Lenders have consented, in each case, other than to another Obligor, (2) release from the Guarantee and Security Agreement any “Subsidiary Guarantor” (and any property of such Subsidiary Guarantor) that is designated as a “Designated Subsidiary” or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary in accordance with this Agreement or which is no longer required to be a “Subsidiary Guarantor,” so long as in the case of this clause (2):  (A) immediately after giving effect to any such release (and any concurrent acquisitions of Portfolio Investments or payment of outstanding Indebtedness) the Covered Debt Amount does not exceed the Borrowing Base and the Borrower delivers a certificate of a Financial Officer to such effect to the Administrative Agent, (B) either (I) the amount of any excess availability under the Borrowing Base immediately prior to such release is not diminished as a result of such release and the Borrowing Base immediately after giving effect to such release or designation is at least 100% of the Covered Debt Amount or (II) the Borrowing Base immediately after giving effect to such release is at least 110% of the Covered Debt Amount and (C) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (3) spreading of Liens to any Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness or Notes Priority Secured Indebtedness or Hedging Obligations (as such term is defined in the Guarantee and Security Agreement) in accordance with the Guarantee and Security Agreement.

 

Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, and each Joint Lead Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

 

(i)                               such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments,

 

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(ii)                            the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, and the conditions for exemptive relief thereunder are and will continue to be satisfied in connection therewith,

 

(iii)                         (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, or

 

(iv)                        such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

 

In addition, unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding paragraph is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding paragraph, such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, and each Joint Lead Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that:

 

(i)          none of the Administrative Agent, or any Joint Lead Arranger or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto),

 

(ii)          the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is independent (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-21, as amended from time to time) and is a bank, an insurance carrier, an investment adviser, a broker-dealer or other person that holds, or has under management or control, total assets of at least $50 million, in each case as described in 29 CFR § 2510.3-21(c)(1)(i)(A)-(E),

 

(iii)                         the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies (including in respect of the obligations),

 

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(iv)                        the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating the transactions hereunder, and

 

(v)                           no fee or other compensation is being paid directly to the Administrative Agent, or any Joint Lead Arranger or any of their respective Affiliates for investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments or this Agreement.

 

The Administrative Agent, and each Joint Lead Arranger hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.

 

To the extent required by any applicable law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding Tax. If the Internal Revenue Service or any other authority of the United States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold Tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender for any reason (including, without limitation, because the appropriate form was not delivered or not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstance that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of withholding Tax ineffective), such Lender shall, within 10 days after written demand therefor, indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent (to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not already been reimbursed by any Loan Party pursuant to Section 2.16 and without limiting or expanding the obligation of any Loan Party to do so) from and against all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as Taxes or otherwise, together with all related losses, claims, liabilities and expenses incurred, including legal fees, charges and disbursements and any other out-of-pocket expenses, whether or not such Tax was correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due the Administrative Agent under this paragraph. The agreements in this paragraph shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank.

 

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ARTICLE IX

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 9.01.                               Notices; Electronic Communications .

 

(a)                                  Notices Generally .  Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

 

(i)                               if to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Conduit Support Provider, to its address set forth on Schedule X; and

 

(ii)                            if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

 

Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.  All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.  Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).

 

(b)                                  Electronic Communications .  Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication.  The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.  Unless otherwise notified by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, the Borrower may satisfy its obligation to deliver documents or notices to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under Sections 5.01 and 5.12(a) by delivering an electronic copy to:  its e-mail address set forth on Schedule X, or such other e-mail address(es) as provided to the Borrower in a notice from the Administrative Agent, (and the Administrative Agent shall promptly provide notice thereof to the Lenders).

 

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

 

In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any Lender have any liability to the Borrower or any other Person for damages of any kind (whether in tort contract or otherwise) arising out of any transmission of communications through the internet, except in the case of direct damages, to the extent such

 

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damages are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence of such relevant Person.

 

(c)                                   Documents to be Delivered under Sections 5.01 and 5.12(a ).  For so long as an Intralinks TM  or equivalent website is available to each of the Lenders hereunder, the Borrower may satisfy its obligation to deliver documents to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under Sections 5.01 and 5.12(a) by delivering either an electronic copy in the manner specified in Section 9.01(b) or a notice identifying the website where such information is located for posting by the Administrative Agent on Intralinks TM  or such equivalent website, provided that the Administrative Agent shall have no responsibility to maintain access to Intralinks TM  or an equivalent website.

 

SECTION 9.02.                               Waivers; Amendments .

 

(a)                                  No Deemed Waivers; Remedies Cumulative .  No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.  The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have.  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

 

(b)                                  Amendments to this Agreement .  Subject to Section 2.12(c) and to the second sentence of the definition of “Modification Offer” and the provisions of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and Collateral Agency Agreement providing for the addition of additional Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness and Notes Priority Secured Indebtedness in accordance with the terms thereof, neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall

 

(i)                               increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender,

 

(ii)                            reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby,

 

(iii)                         postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby,

 

(iv)                        change Section 2.17(b), (c) or (d) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby or change the definition of Applicable Dollar Percentage or Applicable Multicurrency Percentage without the consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, or

 

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(v)                           change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of the term “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender;

 

provided further that (w) no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, as the case may be and (x) the consent of Lenders holding not less than two-thirds of the Revolving Credit Exposure and unused Commitments will be required (A) for any adverse change (from the Lenders’ perspective) affecting the provisions of this Agreement relating to the calculation of the Borrowing Base (excluding changes to the provisions of Section 5.12(b)(iii) or (iv), but including changes to the provisions of Section 5.12(c)(ii) and the definitions set forth in Section 5.13) unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (B) for any release of Collateral other than for fair value or as otherwise permitted hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or (C) amend the definition of “Asset Coverage Ratio” or “Adjusted Asset Coverage Ratio” (or any defined term used in either such definition to the extent relating to either such definition) or any covenant contained herein requiring compliance or pro forma compliance with either such ratio and (y) the definitions of “Conduit Lender”, “Conduit Support Provider” or “CP Senior Obligations” and Section 9.17 (or any references to such Section in this Agreement or any reference to the assignment rights of a Conduit Lender or Conduit Support Provider in Section 9.04) may not be amended, waived or otherwise modified without the consent of each Conduit Lender.

 

For purposes of this Section, the “scheduled date of payment” of any amount shall refer to the date of payment of such amount specified in this Agreement, and shall not refer to a date or other event specified for the mandatory or optional prepayment of such amount.  In addition, whenever a waiver, amendment or modification requires the consent of a Lender “affected” thereby, such waiver, amendment or modification shall, upon consent of such Lender, become effective as to such Lender whether or not it becomes effective as to any other Lender, so long as the Required Lenders consent to such waiver, amendment or modification as provided above.

 

Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, no waiver or modification of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Lenders of any Class in a manner that does not affect all Classes equally shall be effective against the Lenders of such Class unless the Required Lenders of such Class shall have concurred with such waiver, amendment or modification as provided above; provided , however , for the avoidance of doubt, in no other circumstances shall the concurrence of the Required Lenders of a particular Class be required for any waiver, amendment or modification of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

If the Administrative Agent and the Borrower acting together identify any ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect in any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall be permitted to amend, modify or supplement such provision to cure such ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect, and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   Amendments to Security Documents .  No Security Document nor any provision thereof may be waived, amended or modified, nor may the Liens thereof be spread to secure any additional obligations (excluding (x) any increase in the Loans and Letters of Credit hereunder pursuant to a Commitment Increase under Section 2.07(e) and (y) the spreading of such Liens to any Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness or Notes Priority Secured Indebtedness or Hedging Obligations (as such term is defined in

 

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the Guarantee and Security Agreement) as provided for in the Guarantee and Security Agreement) except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower, and by the Collateral Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that, except as otherwise expressly permitted by the Loan Documents, (i) without the written consent of each Lender, no such agreement shall release all or substantially all of the Obligors from their respective obligations under the Security Documents and (ii) without the written consent of each Lender, no such agreement shall release all or substantially all of the collateral security or otherwise terminate all or substantially all of the Liens under the Security Documents, alter the relative priorities of the obligations entitled to the Liens created under the Security Documents (except in connection with securing additional obligations equally and ratably with the Loans and other obligations hereunder) with respect to all or substantially all of the collateral security provided thereby, or release all or substantially all of the guarantors under the Guarantee and Security Agreement from their guarantee obligations thereunder, except that no such consent shall be required, and the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized (and so agrees with the Borrower) to direct the Collateral Agent under the Guarantee and Security Agreement to, and in addition to the rights of such parties under the Guarantee and Security Agreement, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent under the Guarantee and Security Agreement may (in addition to the rights of such parties under the Guarantee and Security Agreement), (1) release any Lien covering property (and to release any such guarantor) that is the subject of either a disposition of property permitted hereunder or a disposition to which the Required Lenders have consented, in each case, other than to another Obligor and (2) release from the Guarantee and Security Agreement any “Subsidiary Guarantor” (and any property of such Subsidiary Guarantor) that is designated as a “Designated Subsidiary” or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary in accordance with this Agreement or which ceases to be consolidated on the Borrower’s financial statements and is no longer required to be a “Subsidiary Guarantor,” and (3) re-designate any Credit Facility First Priority Collateral to Notes First Priority Collateral so long as (A) after giving effect to any such release under this clause (2) or (3) (and any concurrent acquisitions of Portfolio Investments or payment of outstanding Loans) the Covered Debt Amount does not exceed the Borrowing Base and the Borrower delivers a certificate of a Financial Officer to such effect to the Administrative Agent, (B) either (I) the amount of any excess availability under the Borrowing Base immediately prior to such release is not diminished as a result of such release or (II) the Borrowing Base immediately after giving effect to such release is at least 110% of the Covered Debt Amount and (C) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

(d)                                  Replacement of Non-Consenting Lender .  If, in connection with any proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination to any of the provisions of this Agreement as contemplated by this Section 9.02 that has been approved by the Required Lenders, the consent of one or more Lenders whose consent is required for such proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination is not obtained, then (so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) the Borrower shall have the right, at its sole cost and expense, to replace each such non-consenting Lender or Lenders with one or more replacement Lenders pursuant to Section 2.19(b) so long as at the time of such replacement, each such replacement Lender consents to the proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination.

 

SECTION 9.03.                               Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver .

 

(a)                                  Costs and Expenses .  The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent and the Lead Arrangers in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration (other than internal overhead charges) of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (including legal expenses limited to the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of one outside counsel for the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Co-Collateral Agent and Lead Arrangers collectively), subject to any limitation previously agreed in writing, (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance,

 

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amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder, (iii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent and the Lenders (including legal expenses limited to the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of one outside counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent and the Lead Arrangers collectively (and, in the case of an actual conflict of interest where the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lead Arranger affected by such conflict informs the Obligors of such conflict in writing and thereafter retains its own counsel, another firm of outside counsel for such affected Person)), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect thereof and (iv) and all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs, expenses, Taxes, assessments and other charges incurred in connection with any filing, registration, recording or perfection of any security interest contemplated by any Security Document or any other document referred to therein.

 

(b)                                  Indemnification by the Borrower .  The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Collateral Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of any outside counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit) or (iii) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from (i) the bad faith, fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnitee, (ii) a claim brought against such Indemnitee for material breach of such Indemnitee’s obligations under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, if there has been a final and nonappealable judgment against such Indemnitee on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or (iii) a claim arising as a result of a dispute between Indemnitees (other than (x) any dispute involving claims against the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers or the Issuing Bank, in each case in their respective capacities as such, and (y) claims arising out of any act or omission by the Borrower or its Affiliates).

 

The Borrower shall not be liable to any Indemnitee for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of the Transactions asserted by an Indemnitee against the Borrower or any other Obligor, provided that the foregoing limitation shall not be deemed to impair or affect the obligations of the Borrower under the preceding provisions of this subsection.  This Section 9.03(b) shall not apply to any Taxes other than Taxes that represent liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, costs, expenses and disbursements arising from a non-Tax claim.

 

(c)                                   Reimbursement by Lenders .  To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank under paragraph (a) or (b) of this

 

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Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank in its capacity as such.

 

(d)                                  Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc .  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

 

(e)                                   Payments .  All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.

 

SECTION 9.04.                               Successors and Assigns .

 

(a)                                  Assignments Generally .  The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section and 9.17(c) as applicable.  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Assignments by Lenders .

 

(i)                                 Assignments Generally .  Subject to the conditions set forth in clause (ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans and LC Exposure at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:

 

(A)                                the Borrower, provided , that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, or, if an Event of Default under clause (a), (b), (i), (j) or (k) of Article VII has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee; provided further , that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within 5 Business Days after having received written notice thereof; and

 

(B)                                the Administrative Agent and, in the case of a Multicurrency Revolving Commitment, each Issuing Bank.

 

(ii)                                 Certain Conditions to Assignments .  Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

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(A)                                except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans and LC Exposure of a Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans and LC Exposure of such Class of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than U.S. $5,000,000 (or $1,000,000 in the case of an assignment of Term Loans) unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under clause (a), (i), (j) or (k) of Article VII has occurred and is continuing;

 

(B)                                each partial assignment of any Class of Commitments or Loans and LC Exposure shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of such Class of Commitments, Loans and LC Exposure;

 

(C)                                the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, together with a processing and recordation fee of U.S. $3,500 (which fee may be waived or reduced in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent) (for which the Borrower and the Guarantors shall not be obligated); and

 

(D)                                the assignee, if it shall not already be a Lender of the applicable Class, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

 

(iii)                                Effectiveness of Assignments .  Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment).  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 or 9.17(c), as applicable, shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (e) of this Section.

 

(d)                                  Maintenance of Registers by Administrative Agent .  The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in New York City a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amount (and interest amounts) of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Registers ” and each individually, a “ Register ”).  The entries in the Registers shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Registers pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.  The Registers shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.  The Administrative Agent agrees to provide the Borrower with official copies of the Register upon reasonable request.

 

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(e)                                   Acceptance of Assignments by Administrative Agent .  Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register.  No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

 

(f)                                    Participations .  Any Lender may (in the case of a participation in a Revolving Commitment, with the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld)) sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to it); provided , that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such sale unless it shall object thereto by written notice to such Lender (with copy to the Administrative Agent) within 5 Business Days after having received written notice thereof; provided further that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (iv) no consent of the Borrower shall be required for (A) a participation to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (B) if such Participant does not have the right to receive any non-public information that may be provided pursuant to this Agreement and the Lender selling such participation agrees with the Borrower at the time of the sale of such participation that it will not deliver any non-public information to the Participant.  Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant.  Subject to paragraph (f) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15 and 2.16 (subject to the requirements and limitations of such Sections, including Section 2.16(e)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section (provided that any documentation required to be provided under Section 2.16(e) shall be provided solely to the participating Lender).  To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant shall be subject to Section 2.17(d) as though it were a Lender hereunder.  Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and interest amounts) of each Participant’s interest in the Commitments or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “ Participant Register ”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans 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 or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.  The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.

 

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(g)                                   Limitations on Rights of Participants .  A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent.

 

(h)                                  Certain Pledges .  Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any such pledge or assignment to a Federal Reserve Bank or any central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender, and including any such pledge or assignment by a Conduit Lender to a collateral trustee (or similar collateral agent or secured party) in connection with its CP Senior Obligations, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(i)                                      No Assignments to Natural Persons, the Borrower or Affiliates .  Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, no Lender may assign or participate any interest in any Loan or LC Exposure held by it hereunder to any natural person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person) or to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, Designated Subsidiaries) without the prior consent of each Lender.

 

(j)                                     Multicurrency Revolving Lenders .  Any assignment by a Multicurrency Revolving Lender, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, must be to a Person that is able to fund and receive payments on account of each outstanding Agreed Foreign Currency at such time without the need to obtain any authorization referred to in clause (c) of the definition of “Agreed Foreign Currency.”

 

(k)                                  Disqualified Lenders .  Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, no Lender may assign or participate any interest in any Loan or LC Exposure held by it hereunder to any Disqualified Lender.  The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce, compliance with the provisions hereof relating to Disqualified Lenders.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not (x) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant is a Disqualified Lender or (y) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans, or disclosure of confidential information, to any Disqualified Lender.

 

SECTION 9.05.                               Survival .  All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated.  The provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

 

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SECTION 9.06.                               Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution .

 

(a)                                  Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness .  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Agreement and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract between and among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.  Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Electronic Execution of Assignments .  The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

SECTION 9.07.                               Severability .  Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 9.08.                               Right of Setoff .  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever Currency) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be contingent or unmatured, or are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such Indebtedness.  The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.

 

SECTION 9.09.                               Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc .

 

(a)                                  Governing Law .  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

 

(b)                                  Submission to Jurisdiction .  The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby

 

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irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court.  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 the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

(c)                                   Waiver of Venue .  The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section.  Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

(d)                                  Service of Process .  Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01.  Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

SECTION 9.10.                               WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

SECTION 9.11.                               Judgment Currency .  This is an international loan transaction in which the specification of Dollars or any Foreign Currency, as the case may be (the “ Specified Currency ”), and payment in New York City or the country of the Specified Currency, as the case may be (the “ Specified Place ”), is of the essence, and the Specified Currency shall be the currency of account in all events relating to Loans denominated in the Specified Currency.  The payment obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement shall not be discharged or satisfied by an amount paid in another currency or in another place, whether pursuant to a judgment or otherwise, to the extent that the amount so paid on conversion to the Specified Currency and transfer to the Specified Place under normal banking procedures does not yield the amount of the Specified Currency at the Specified Place due hereunder.  If for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in the Specified Currency into another currency (the “ Second Currency ”), the rate of exchange that shall be applied shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the Specified Currency with the Second Currency on the Business Day next preceding the day on which such judgment is rendered.  The obligation of the Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in this Section called an “ Entitled Person ”) shall, notwithstanding the rate of exchange actually applied in rendering such judgment, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Entitled Person of any sum adjudged to be due hereunder in the Second Currency such Entitled Person may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase and transfer to the Specified Place the Specified Currency with the amount of the Second Currency so adjudged to be due; and the Borrower hereby, as a separate obligation

 

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and notwithstanding any such judgment, agrees to indemnify such Entitled Person against, and to pay such Entitled Person on demand, in the Specified Currency, the amount (if any) by which the sum originally due to such Entitled Person in the Specified Currency hereunder exceeds the amount of the Specified Currency so purchased and transferred.

 

SECTION 9.12.                               Headings .  Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.  None of the Joint Lead Arrangers or Syndication Agent shall have any responsibility under this Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.13.                               Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality .

 

(a)                                  Treatment of Certain Information .  The Borrower acknowledges that from time to time financial advisory, investment banking and other services may be offered or provided to the Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries (in connection with this Agreement or otherwise) by any Lender or by one or more subsidiaries or affiliates of such Lender and the Borrower hereby authorizes each Lender to share any information delivered to such Lender by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement, or in connection with the decision of such Lender to enter into this Agreement, to any such subsidiary or affiliate, it being understood that any such subsidiary or affiliate receiving such information shall be bound by the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section as if it were a Lender hereunder.  Such authorization shall survive the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

 

(b)                                  Confidentiality .  Each of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Issuing Bank agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (i) to its Affiliates (with respect to any Conduit Lender) its Conduit Support Provider, any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or collateral trustee (or similar collateral agent or secured party) for its CP Senior Obligations, and in each case to its Related Parties (it being understood (A) that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential to the same extent as provided in this paragraph (b) and (B) it will be responsible for any breach of the terms of this paragraph by the Persons to whom it disclosed any Information pursuant to this clause (i) other than any Person who has agreed in writing with the Borrower to separately maintain the confidentiality of such Information) on a confidential and need-to-know basis, (ii) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction over it or its Affiliates (provided that, except in the case of any ordinary course examination by a regulatory, self-regulatory or governmental agency or any disclosure to bank examiners or regulators, it or its Affiliates will use its or such Affiliate’s commercially reasonable efforts to notify the Borrower of any such disclosure prior to making such disclosure to the extent permitted by applicable law, rule or regulation), (iii) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process (provided that, except in the case of any ordinary course examination by a regulatory, self-regulatory or governmental agency, it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to notify the Borrower of any such disclosure prior to making such disclosure to the extent permitted by applicable law, rule or regulation), (iv) to any other party hereto, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights against the Borrower hereunder or thereunder, (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (w) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement; provided that, such Person would be permitted to be an assignee or participant pursuant to the terms hereof and such Person is not a Disqualified Lender (it being understood that the list of Disqualified Lenders may be disclosed to any prospective or actual transferee or Participant, in reliance on this clause (vi)), (x) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any

 

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swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder , (y) any rating agency or credit insurance provider or (z) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar organization, (vii) with the consent of the Borrower, (viii) to the extent such Information, (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or its Affiliates or (ix) information pertaining to this Agreement routinely provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry.

 

(c)                                   Confidential Rates .  The Administrative Agent and the Borrower agree to keep each Confidential Rate confidential, and the Borrower further agrees to cause its Subsidiaries to not disclose any Confidential Rate, in each case, except for the following: (i) the Administrative Agent may disclose any Confidential Rate to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.12(a), (ii) the Administrative Agent or the Borrower may disclose any Confidential Rate to any of its Affiliates and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers and auditors, if any person to whom that Confidential Rate is to be disclosed is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of the disclosing party, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances, (iii) the Administrative Agent or the Borrower may disclose any Confidential Rate to the extent requested by any regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction over it or its Affiliates, or (iv) the Administrative Agent or the Borrower may disclose any Confidential Rate to any person to whom information is required to be disclosed by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process or otherwise in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes if the person to whom that Confidential Rate is to be disclosed is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of the disclosing party, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstance. The Administrative Agent and the Borrower agree to, and the Borrower shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) (x) inform each relevant Lender of the circumstances of any disclosure made pursuant to this Section 9.13(c) and (y) notify each relevant Lender upon becoming aware that any information has been disclosed in breach of this Section 9.13(c).  No Default or Event of Default shall arise under Article VII(f) by reason only of the failure of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to comply with this Section 9.13(c).

 

For purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses or any Portfolio Investment, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after the Effective Date, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential.  Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

SECTION 9.14.                               USA PATRIOT Act .  Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “ Patriot Act ”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act.

 

115



 

SECTION 9.15.                               No Fiduciary Duty .  Each Lender and their Affiliates (collectively, solely for purposes of this paragraph, the “ Lenders ”), may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Obligors, their stockholders and/or their affiliates.  Each Obligor agrees that nothing in the Agreement or the Loan Documents or otherwise will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between any Lender, on the one hand, and such Obligor, its stockholders or its affiliates, on the other.  The Obligors acknowledge and agree that (i) the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (including the exercise of rights and remedies hereunder and thereunder) are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Lenders, on the one hand, and the Obligors, on the other, and (ii) solely in connection therewith and solely with the process leading thereto, (x) no Lender has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of any Obligor, its stockholders or its affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (or the exercise of rights or remedies with respect thereto) or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether any Lender has advised, is currently advising or will advise any Obligor, its stockholders or its Affiliates on other matters) or any other obligation to any Obligor except the obligations expressly set forth in the Loan Documents and (y) each Lender is acting solely as principal and not as the agent or fiduciary of any Obligor, its management, stockholders, creditors or any other Person.  Each Obligor acknowledges and agrees that it has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate and that it is responsible for making its own independent judgment with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and the process leading thereto.  Each Obligor agrees that it will not claim that any Lender has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to such Obligor, solely in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or the process leading thereto.

 

SECTION 9.16.                               Termination .  Promptly upon the Termination Date, the Administrative Agent shall direct the Collateral Agent to, on behalf of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders, deliver to Borrower such termination statements and releases and other documents necessary or appropriate to evidence the termination of this Agreement, the Loan Documents (as if they relate to this Agreement), and each of the documents securing the obligations hereunder as the Borrower may reasonably request, all at the sole cost and expense of the Borrower.

 

SECTION 9.17.                               Conduit Lenders and Conduit Support Providers .   (a)                               Excess Funds . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (but without limitation of any Conduit Support Provider’s obligations under Section 9.17(d)), no Conduit Lender shall have any obligation to pay any amount required to be paid by it hereunder in excess of any amount available to such Conduit Lender after paying or making provision for the payment of its CP Senior Obligations and other amounts in accordance with its CP Senior Obligations and applicable transaction documents.  Without limitation of Section 9.17(d), all payment obligations of each Conduit Lender hereunder are contingent on the availability of funds in excess of the amounts necessary to pay its CP Senior Obligations and other amounts in accordance with its CP Senior Obligations and applicable transaction documents; and each of the other parties hereto agrees that it will not have a claim under Section 101(5) of the Bankruptcy Code (or otherwise) against a Conduit Lender if and to the extent that any such payment obligation owed to it by such Conduit Lender exceeds the amount available to such Conduit Lender to pay such amount after paying or making provision for the payment of its CP Senior Obligations and other amounts in accordance with its CP Senior Obligations and applicable transaction documents. Without limitation of any Conduit Support Provider’s obligations under Section 9.17(d), any payment obligations of any Conduit Lender hereunder are to be made in accordance with the order of priorities set forth in such Conduit Lender’s applicable transaction documents.

 

(b)                                  No Petition .  Each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day (or such longer preference period as shall be in effect) after the payment in full of all CP Senior Obligations of any Conduit Lender, it will not, in its capacity as a party to this Agreement, institute against, or

 

116



 

join any other Person in instituting against, such Conduit Lender any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, or liquidation proceeding under the laws of the United States or any State thereof.

 

(c)                                   Assignments to Conduit Support Provider . Notwithstanding the otherwise applicable conditions to assignment set forth in Section 9.04 , without the consent of any other party to this Agreement and without delivery of an Assignment and Assumption, (i) a Conduit Lender may at any time assign to its related Conduit Support Provider all or any portion of such Conduit Lender’s Loans, together with its rights (including, without limitation, the right to receive payments of principal and interest thereon) and obligations with respect thereto, and (ii) a Conduit Support Provider may at any time assign to its related Conduit Lender all or any portion of such Conduit Support Provider’s Loans, together with its rights (including, without limitation, the right to receive payments of principal and interest thereon) and obligations with respect thereto (other than such Conduit Support Provider’s obligations under Section 9.17(d)). Promptly following any such assignment by a Conduit Lender to its Conduit Support Provider, or by a Conduit Support Provider to its Conduit Lender, as the case may be, such Conduit Lender shall (x) notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of such assignment and the principal amount of Loans so assigned, and the Administrative Agent shall record such assignment in the Register pursuant to Section 9.04(c)  and (y) provide any such agreement or document as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in connection with such assignment.

 

(d )                                  Certain Obligations of Conduit Support Providers with respect to Conduit Lender Obligations .  If and to the extent any Conduit Lender fails to pay any Conduit Lender Obligation when due in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the other applicable Loan Document to which such Conduit Lender is a party (including any such failure resulting from the operation of Section 9.17(a) or from the bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, or liquidation of such Conduit Lender), then such Conduit Lender’s Conduit Support Provider shall itself pay such Conduit Lender Obligation promptly but not later than one (1) Business Day after receiving written notice of such failure.  In addition, each Conduit Support Provider shall have the right to pay any Conduit Lender Obligation of its Conduit Lender at any time on its Conduit Lender’s behalf.  Payment of a Conduit Lender’s Conduit Lender Obligation by such Conduit Lender’s Conduit Support Provider pursuant to this paragraph shall satisfy and discharge any obligation of such Conduit Lender to pay such Conduit Lender Obligation, and such Conduit Support Provider shall have the same rights and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any applicable right of reimbursement, repayment, accrual of interest, indemnity or the like) with respect to such Conduit Lender Obligation as such Conduit Lender would have had if such Conduit Lender had itself paid such Conduit Lender Obligation.

 

SECTION 9.18.                               Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

 

(a)                                  the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

 

117



 

(b)                                  the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

 

(i)                                 a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

(ii)                                 a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

 

(iii)                                  the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

118



 

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

 

 

FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND, as Borrower

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

[FS Energy and Power Fund — Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

LENDERS

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

 

as Issuing Bank, as Administrative Agent, as Collateral Agent and Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Alfred Chi

 

 

Name: Alfred Chi

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

[FS Energy and Power Fund — Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

BANK OF MONTREAL, as Documentation Agent and Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Brian L. Banke

 

 

Name: Brian L. Banke

 

 

Title: Managing Director

 

[FS Energy and Power Fund — Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

SOCIETE GENERALE,

 

as Co-Collateral Agent, Issuing Bank and Conduit Support Provider for Mountcliff Funding LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Julien Thinat

 

 

Name: Julien Thinat

 

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[FS Energy and Power Fund — Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

Mount Cliff Funding LLC,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Josh Borg

 

 

Name: Josh Borg

 

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[FS Energy and Power Fund — Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

Citibank, N.A.,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Erik Andersen

 

 

Name: Erik Andersen

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

[FS Energy and Power Fund — Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN

 

ISLANDS BRANCH,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Doreen Barr

 

 

Name: Doreen Barr

 

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sophie Bulliard

 

 

Name: Sophie Bulliard

 

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[FS Energy and Power Fund — Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

City National Bank,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Adam Strauss

 

 

Name: Adam Strauss

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

[FS Energy and Power Fund — Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

Customers Bank,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lyle P. Cunningham

 

 

Name: Lyle P. Cunningham

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President

 

[FS Energy and Power Fund — Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ryan Durkin

 

 

Name: Ryan Durkin

 

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[FS Energy and Power Fund — Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Julie Lilienfeld

 

 

Name: Julie Lilienfeld

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

[FS Energy and Power Fund — Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

State Street Bank and Trust Company,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Pallo Blum-Tucker

 

 

Name: Pallo Blum-Tucker

 

 

Title: Managing Director

 

[FS Energy and Power Fund — Credit Agreement]

 


Exhibit 10.2

 

Execution Version

 

 

 

GUARANTEE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

made by

 

FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND

 

and certain of its Subsidiaries

 

in favor of

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Collateral Agent

 

dated as of August 16, 2018

 

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 1.

DEFINED TERMS

2

 

 

 

1.1.

Definitions

2

1.2.

Other Definitional Provisions

17

 

 

 

SECTION 2.

GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

17

 

 

 

2.1.

Security for Credit Facility Obligations

17

2.2.

Security for Secured Notes Obligations

18

2.3.

Security for Secured Obligations

19

2.4.

Excluded Assets

20

2.5.

Separate and Distinct Security Interests

20

 

 

 

SECTION 3.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

21

 

 

 

3.1.

Organization

21

3.2.

Authorization; Enforceability

21

3.3.

Governmental Approval; No Conflicts

21

3.4.

Title; No Other Liens

21

3.5.

Perfected Liens

22

3.6.

Jurisdiction of Organization; Chief Executive Office

22

3.7.

Inventory and Equipment

22

3.8.

Intellectual Property

22

3.9.

Commercial Tort Claims

23

3.10.

Deposit Accounts; Securities Accounts

23

3.11.

Portfolio Investments

23

 

 

 

SECTION 4.

COVENANTS

23

 

 

 

4.1.

Delivery of Portfolio Investments

23

4.2.

Maintenance of Insurance

23

4.3.

Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation

23

4.4.

Changes in Name, etc.

24

4.5.

Pledged Stock; Pledged Notes; Investment Property

24

4.6.

Commercial Tort Claims

25

4.7.

[Intentionally Omitted]

25

4.8.

Deposit Accounts

26

4.9.

Securities Accounts

26

4.10.

Intellectual Property

27

4.11.

Copies of Material Transaction Documents Relating to Portfolio Investments

28

4.12.

Letter-of-Credit Rights

29

4.13.

Designated REI Subsidiary Guarantors

29

 

 

 

SECTION 5.

REMEDIAL PROVISIONS

29

 

 

 

5.1.

Certain Matters Relating to Receivables

29

5.2.

Communications with Grantors; Grantors Remain Liable

30

 

i



 

5.3.

Pledged Stock and Pledged Notes

30

5.4.

Proceeds to be Turned Over To Collateral Agent

31

5.5.

Application of Proceeds

31

5.6.

Remedies

31

5.7.

Registration Rights

32

5.8.

Deficiency

33

5.9.

Grant of Intellectual Property License

33

 

 

 

SECTION 6.

THE COLLATERAL AGENT

34

 

 

 

6.1.

Collateral Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc.

34

6.2.

Duty of Collateral Agent

35

6.3.

Authorization of Financing Statements

36

6.4.

Authority of Collateral Agent

36

 

 

 

SECTION 7.

GUARANTEE

36

 

 

 

7.1.

The Guarantee

36

7.2.

Obligations Unconditional

36

7.3.

Reinstatement

37

7.4.

Subrogation

38

7.5.

Remedies

38

7.6.

Continuing Guarantee

38

7.7.

Instrument for the Payment of Money

38

7.8.

Rights of Contribution

38

7.9.

General Limitation on Guarantee Obligations

39

7.10.

Indemnity by the Company

39

7.11.

Keepwell

39

 

 

 

SECTION 8.

COLLATERAL ALLOCATION

40

 

 

 

8.1.

[Intentionally Omitted]

40

8.2.

Designation of Collateral

40

8.3.

Designation of After-Acquired Portfolio Investments

41

 

 

 

SECTION 9.

MISCELLANEOUS

41

 

 

 

9.1.

Amendments in Writing

41

9.2.

Notices

41

9.3.

No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies

41

9.4.

Successors and Assigns

41

9.5.

Counterparts

42

9.6.

Severability

42

9.7.

Section Headings

42

9.8.

Integration

42

9.9.

GOVERNING LAW

42

9.10.

Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers

42

9.11.

Additional Grantors

43

9.12.

Releases

43

9.13.

Collateral Agency Agreement

44

9.14.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

44

 

ii



 

SCHEDULES

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule 1.1A

 

Investment Property

Schedule 1.1B

 

Excluded Accounts

Schedule 1.1C

 

Commercial Tort Claims

Schedule 3.6

 

Jurisdiction of Organization and Notice Addresses

Schedule 3.7

 

Locations of Inventory and Equipment

Schedule 3.8

 

Intellectual Property

Schedule 3.10

 

Deposit Accounts; Securities Accounts

Schedule 3.11

 

Portfolio Investments

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Guarantee Assumption Agreement

Exhibit B

 

Form of Collateral Designation Notice/Officer’s Certificate

 

iii



 

GUARANTEE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

GUARANTEE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of August 16, 2018 (the “ Effective Date ”), made by FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND, a Delaware statutory trust (the “ Company ”), each of BERWYN FUNDING LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, BRYN MAWR FUNDING LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, FOXWOODS FUNDING LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, FSEP TERM FUNDING, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EP AMERICAN ENERGY INVESTMENTS, INC.,  a Delaware corporation, EP ALTUS INVESTMENTS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, EP BURNETT INVESTMENTS, INC., a Delaware corporation, EP SYNERGY INVESTMENTS, INC., a Delaware corporation, FS ENERGY INVESTMENTS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, FSEP INVESTMENTS, INC., a Delaware corporation, FSEP-BBH, INC., a Delaware corporation and each other subsidiary that becomes a party to this Agreement after the Effective Date (collectively, the “ Subsidiary Guarantors ”; together with the Company, the “ Grantors ”), in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a national banking association, as collateral agent (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H :

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, refinanced or replaced from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among the Company, the “lenders” and “L/C Issuers” party thereto (the “ Lenders ”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Credit Agreement Administrative Agent ”) and the Collateral Agent, the Lenders have agreed to make loans (“ Loans ”) and other extensions of credit to the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Indenture dated as of the Effective Date (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, refinanced or replaced from time to time, the “ Secured Notes Indenture ”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Trustee ”), the Company issued the Secured Notes upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

WHEREAS, the Company is a member of an affiliated group of companies that includes each other Grantor;

 

WHEREAS, the Credit Agreement and the Secured Notes Indenture have been entered into, among other things, in order to refinance certain existing indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

 

WHEREAS, each Subsidiary Guarantor has agreed to guarantee the obligations of the Company under the Secured Instruments; and

 

WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the obligation of the Secured Parties to enter into the Secured Instruments to which they are parties that the Grantors shall have executed and delivered this Agreement to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 



 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises herein and to induce the Secured Parties to enter into the Secured Instruments to which they are parties, each Grantor hereby agrees with the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as follows:

 

SECTION 1.                             DEFINED TERMS

 

1.1.                             Definitions .  i)  Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement or in the Effective Date Credit Agreement, as applicable, and used herein shall have the meanings given to them therein, and the following terms are used herein as defined in Article 8 or 9 of the UCC:  “ Account ”, “ Certificated Security ”, “ Clearing Corporation ”, “ Chattel Paper ”, “ Commodity Account ”, “ Commodity Contract ”, “ Deposit Account ”, “ Document ”, “ Electronic Chattel Paper ”, “ Entitlement Holder ”, “ Financial Asset ”, “ General Intangible ”, “ Indorsement ”, “ Instrument ”, “ Investment Property ”, “ Letter-of-Credit Right ”, “ Proceeds ”, “ Promissory Note ”, “ Securities Account ”, “ Security ”, “ Security Entitlement ”, “ Supporting Obligations ”, “ Tangible Chattel Paper ” and “ Uncertificated Security ”.

 

(a)                                  The following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Agent Members ”:  members of, or participants in, a depositary, including the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

Agreement ”:  this Guarantee and Security Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified or replaced from time to time.

 

Applicable Directing Parties ”:  as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Applicable IP Office ”:  the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency in any other country or any political subdivision thereof.

 

Applicable Law ”:  all laws, rules, regulations and enforceable governmental guidelines applicable to the Person, conduct, transaction, agreement or matter in question, including all applicable statutory law, common law, and all provisions of constitutions, treaties, statutes, rules, regulations, orders and decrees of Governmental Authorities.

 

Borrowing Base ”: as defined in, and calculated in accordance with, the Credit Agreement from time to time.

 

Capital Lease Obligations ”:  as defined in the Credit Agreement.

 

Capital Stock ”:  (1) with respect to any Person other than a business trust, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated and whether or not voting) of or in its corporate stock or, if such Person is not a corporation, its equity; and (2) with respect to any Person that is a business trust, any and all beneficial ownership interests (however designated and whether or not voting) in such Person; in each case including each class or series of common stock and preferred stock of such Person but in each case excluding any Indebtedness or debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or any options, warrants, contracts or other securities (including derivative instruments) exercisable or exchangeable for,

 

2



 

convertible into or otherwise for or relating to the purchase or sale of, any of the items referred to in clauses (1) or (2) above.

 

CDO Securities ”:  debt securities, equity securities or composite or combination securities (i.e. securities consisting of a combination of debt and equity securities that are issued in effect as a unit), including synthetic securities that provide synthetic credit exposure to debt securities, equity securities or composite or combination securities, that, in each case, entitle the holders thereof to receive payments that (i) depend on the cash flow from a portfolio consisting primarily of ownership interests in debt securities, corporate loans or asset-backed securities or (ii) are subject to losses owing to credit events (howsoever defined) under credit derivative transactions with respect to debt securities, corporate loans or asset-backed securities.

 

CFC ”:  a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Clearing Corporation Security ”:  a Security that is (a) registered in the name of, or Indorsed to, a Clearing Corporation or its nominee or (b) is in the possession of the Clearing Corporation in bearer form or Indorsed in blank by an appropriate Person.

 

Clearstream ”:  Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, a corporation organized under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

 

Clearstream Security ”:  a Security that (a) is a debt or equity security and (b) is capable of being transferred to an Agent Member’s account at Clearstream pursuant to the definition of “Delivery”, whether or not such transfer has occurred.

 

Collateral ”:  as defined in Section 2.3 .

 

Collateral Agency Agreement ”:  the Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), among the Grantors, the Holder Representatives party thereto and the Collateral Agent.

 

Collateral Account ”:  as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Collateral Agent ”:  as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Company ”:  as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Control ”:  “control” as defined in Section 9-104, 9-105, 9-106 or 9-107 of the UCC.

 

Copyright Licenses ”:  all agreements, whether written or oral, naming any Grantor as licensor or exclusive licensee, granting any right under any Copyright, including, without limitation, the grant of rights to manufacture, distribute, exploit and sell materials derived from any Copyright.

 

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Copyrights ”:  (i) all copyrights and works of authorship owned by or exclusively licensed to such Grantor, arising under the laws of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, whether registered or unregistered and whether published or unpublished, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, including without limitation, all registrations, recordings and applications in the Applicable IP Office, (ii) the right to obtain all renewals thereof, and (iii) the right to sue for past, present and future infringements thereof.

 

Covered Debt Amount ”: as defined in, and calculated in accordance with, the Credit Agreement.

 

Credit Agreement ”:  as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Credit Agreement Administrative Agent ”:  as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Credit Agreement Obligations ”:  all Obligations of the Company or any other Grantor arising under the Credit Agreement and all Hedging Obligations.

 

Credit Facility First Priority Collateral ”:  as defined in Section 2.1 .

 

Credit Facility Obligations ”:  collectively, (a) all Credit Agreement Obligations and Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations and (b) all present and future Obligations of the Grantors to the Credit Facility Secured Parties, or any of them, hereunder or under any other Security Document.

 

Credit Facility Secured Parties ”:  collectively, the Collateral Agent, the Credit Agreement Administrative Agent, the Lenders and other the holders of Credit Agreement Obligations, each Holder Representative for any Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations, and the holders of any Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations.

 

Custodian ”:  each of (a) State Street Bank and Trust Company (“ State Street ”), (b) Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (“ DBTCA ”), and (c) any other financial institution, in each case as a custodian holding Portfolio Investments on behalf of the Grantors, or any successor in such capacity.  The term “Custodian” includes any agent or sub-custodian acting on behalf of the Custodian.

 

Default ”:  a Default as defined in the Credit Agreement, the Secured Notes Indenture or any other Secured Instrument.

 

Deliver ”, “ Delivered ” or “ Delivery ” (whether to the Collateral Agent or otherwise):  with respect to any Portfolio Investment, that such Portfolio Investment is held, registered or covered by a recorded UCC-1 financing statement or otherwise subject to a perfected security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent as described below, in each case in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (it being understood that, until the Collateral Agent advises the Company in writing with reasonable specificity that it is not satisfied and/or pursuant to the last sentence of this definition, the Collateral Agent shall be deemed to be satisfied with the manner of Delivery in respect of any Portfolio Investment that has otherwise been Delivered as set forth below):

 

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(a)                                  subject to clause (l) below, in the case of each Certificated Security (other than a Special Equity Interest, U.S. Government Security, Clearing Corporation Security, Euroclear Security or a Clearstream Security), that such Certificated Security is in the possession of the Collateral Agent and registered in the name of the Collateral Agent (or its nominee) or Indorsed to the Collateral Agent or in blank (or that such Certificated Security is in the possession of the Custodian and registered in the name of the Custodian (or its nominee) or Indorsed to the Custodian or in blank under an arrangement where either (i) the Custodian has agreed to hold such Certificated Security as agent or bailee on behalf of the Collateral Agent or (ii) the Custodian has credited the same to a Securities Account for which the Custodian is the Securities Intermediary and has agreed that such Certificated Security constitutes a Financial Asset and that the Collateral Agent has Control over such Securities Account);

 

(b)                                  subject to clause (l) below, in the case of each Instrument, that (i) such Instrument is in the possession of the Collateral Agent and registered in the name of the Custodian (or its nominee) or Indorsed to the Collateral Agent or in blank (or that such Instrument is in the possession of the Custodian Indorsed to the Custodian or in blank under an arrangement where the Custodian has agreed to hold such Instrument as agent or bailee on behalf of the Collateral Agent) or (ii) the Custodian has credited the same to a Securities Account for which the Custodian is a Securities Intermediary and has agreed that such Instrument constitutes a Financial Asset and that the Collateral Agent has Control over such Securities Account;

 

(c)                                   subject to clause (l) below, in the case of each Uncertificated Security (other than a Special Equity Interest, U.S. Government Security, Clearing Corporation Security, Euroclear Security or Clearstream Security), that (i) such Uncertificated Security is registered on the books of the issuer thereof to the Collateral Agent (or its nominee) or (that such Uncertificated Security is registered on the books of the issuer thereof to the Custodian (or its nominee) under an arrangement where the Custodian has credited the same to a Securities Account for which the Custodian is a Securities Intermediary and has agreed that such Uncertificated Security constitutes a Financial Asset and that the Collateral Agent has Control over such Securities Account) or (ii) the issuer thereof has agreed that it will comply with instructions originated by Collateral Agent (or its nominee) or the Custodian (or its nominee), as the case may be, without further consent by the registered owner thereof;

 

(d)                                  subject to clause (l) below, in the case of each Clearing Corporation Security, that such Clearing Corporation Security is credited to a Securities Account of the Collateral Agent at such Clearing Corporation (and, if such Clearing Corporation Security is a Certificated Security, that the same is in the possession of such Clearing Corporation, or of an agent or custodian on its behalf), or that such Clearing Corporation Security is credited to a Securities Account of the Custodian at such Clearing Corporation (and, if a Certificated Security, so held in the possession of such Clearing Corporation, or of an agent or custodian on its behalf) and the Security Entitlement of the Custodian in such Clearing Corporation Securities Account has been credited by the Custodian to a Securities Account for which the Custodian is a Securities Intermediary under an arrangement where the Custodian has agreed that such Clearing Corporation Security constitutes a Financial Asset and that the Collateral Agent has Control over such Securities Account;

 

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(e)                                   in the case of each Euroclear Security and Clearstream Security, that the actions described in clause (d) above have been taken with respect to such Security as if such Security were a Clearing Corporation Security and Euroclear and Clearstream were Clearing Corporations, provided that within 30 days of written request by the Collateral Agent to the Company and the Custodian, such additional actions shall have been taken as shall be necessary under the law of Belgium (in the case of Euroclear) and Luxembourg (in the case of Clearstream) to accord the Collateral Agent rights substantially equivalent to Control over such Security under the UCC;

 

(f)                                    in the case of each U.S. Government Security, that such U.S. Government Security is credited to a securities account of the Collateral Agent at a Federal Reserve Bank, or that such U.S. Government Security is credited to a Securities Account of the Custodian at a Federal Reserve Bank and the Security Entitlement of the Custodian in such Federal Reserve Bank Securities Account has been credited by the Custodian to a Securities Account for which the Custodian is a Securities Intermediary under an arrangement where the Custodian has agreed that such U.S. Government Security constitutes a Financial Asset and that the Collateral Agent has Control over such Securities Account;

 

(g)                                   in the case of any Tangible Chattel Paper, that the original of such Tangible Chattel Paper is in the possession of the Collateral Agent in the United States (or in the possession of the Custodian in the United States under an arrangement where the Custodian has agreed to hold such Tangible Chattel Paper as agent or bailee on behalf of the Collateral Agent) and any agreements that constitute or evidence such Tangible Chattel Paper is free of any marks or notations indicating that it is then pledged, assigned or otherwise conveyed to any Person other than the Collateral Agent;

 

(h)                                  in the case of each General Intangible (including any participation in a debt obligation) of a Grantor organized in the United States, that such General Intangible falls within the collateral description of a UCC-1 financing statement, naming the relevant Grantor as debtor and the Collateral Agent as secured party and filed (x) in the jurisdiction of organization of such relevant Grantor, in the case of any Grantor that is a “registered organization” (as defined in the UCC) or (y) in such other filing office as may be required for perfection by filing under the Uniform Commercial Code as may be in effect in any applicable jurisdictions, in the case of any other Grantor, provided that in the case of a participation in a debt obligation that is evidenced by an Instrument, either (i) the criteria in clause (b) above have been satisfied with respect to such Instrument, (ii) such Instrument is in the possession of the applicable participating institution in the United States, and the Grantors have made commercially reasonable efforts to cause such participating institution to acknowledge in writing that it holds possession of such Instrument for the benefit of the Collateral Agent (or for the benefit of the Custodian, and the Custodian has agreed that it holds the interest in such Instrument as agent or bailee on behalf of the Collateral Agent) or (iii) such Instrument is in the possession of the applicable participating institution outside of the United States and such participating institution (and, if applicable, the obligor that issued such Instrument) has taken such actions as shall be necessary under the law of the jurisdiction where such Instrument is physically located to accord the Collateral Agent rights substantially equivalent to perfection by possession in such Instrument under the UCC;

 

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(i)                                      in the case of each General Intangible (including any participation in a debt obligation) of a Grantor not organized in the United States, that such Grantor shall have taken such action as shall be necessary to accord the Collateral Agent rights substantially equivalent to a perfected first-priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) in such General Intangible under the UCC;

 

(j)                                     in the case of any Deposit Account or Securities Account, that the bank or Securities Intermediary at which such Deposit Account or Securities Account, as applicable, is located has agreed that the Collateral Agent has Control over such Deposit Account or Securities Account, or that such Deposit Account or Securities Account is in the name of the Custodian and the Custodian has credited its rights in respect of such Deposit Account or Securities Account (the “ Underlying Accounts ”) to a Securities Account for which the Custodian is a Securities Intermediary under an arrangement where the Custodian has agreed that the rights of the Custodian in such Underlying Accounts constitute a Financial Asset and that the Collateral Agent has Control over such Securities Account;

 

(k)                                  in the case of any money (regardless of currency), that such money has been credited to a Deposit Account or Securities Account over which the Collateral Agent has Control as described in clause (j) above;

 

(l)                                      in the case of any Certificated Security, Uncertificated Security, Instrument or Special Equity Investment either physically located outside of the United States or issued by a Person organized outside of the United States, that such additional actions shall have been taken as shall be necessary under applicable law to accord the Collateral Agent rights substantially equivalent to those accorded to a secured party under the UCC that has possession or Control of such Certificated Security, Uncertificated Security, Instrument or Special Equity Interest;

 

(m)                              subject to clause (l) above, in the case of a Special Equity Interest constituting a Certificated Security, that the holder of the first Lien on such Certificated Security has possession of such Certificated Security in the United States (which has been registered in the name of such holder (or its nominee) or Indorsed to such holder or in blank) and has agreed to deliver the certificates evidencing such Certificated Security directly to the Collateral Agent upon the discharge of such Lien and has acknowledged that it holds such certificates for the Collateral Agent subject to such Lien (it being understood that, upon receipt of any such Certificated Security, if so requested by the Company, the Collateral Agent shall deliver the same to the Custodian to be held in accordance with the provisions of clause (a) above) and, in the case of a Special Equity Interest constituting an Uncertificated Security, that the holder of the first Lien on such Uncertificated Security has been registered as the holder thereof on the books of the issuer thereof and acknowledged that it holds such Uncertificated Security for the Collateral Agent subject to such Lien;

 

(n)                                  in the case of each Participation Interest, that the Collateral Agent shall have received evidence, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to it, of the release of any existing financiers’ security interest in the underlying investment that such Participation Interest relates to (it being understood and agreed that a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company delivered to the Collateral Agent certifying that any existing financiers’ security interest has been

 

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automatically terminated pursuant to the applicable underlying documentation shall be reasonably acceptable evidence); and

 

(o)                                  in the case of each Portfolio Investment not of a type covered by the foregoing clauses (a) through (n) that such Portfolio Investment has been transferred to the Collateral Agent in accordance with applicable law and regulation.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Collateral held (A) by DBTCA, as a Custodian on behalf of FSEP Term Funding, LLC or (B) State Street on behalf of EP American Energy Investments, Inc. or any Designated REI Subsidiary Guarantor, in any Deposit Account or Securities Account may satisfy the requirements of the definition “Deliver”, “Delivered” and “Delivery”; provided that within 30 days (or such longer period as shall be reasonably agreed in writing by the Collateral Agent) from the Effective Date, DBTCA and State Street each deliver to the Collateral Agent one or more Deposit Account Control Agreements and Securities Account Control Agreements (or joinders to one or more Deposit Account Control Agreements and Securities Account Control Agreements with other Grantors), in respect of each such Deposit Account and Securities Account; provided , further , that if the aggregate amount of cash or cash equivalents in all such Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts on any day during the period referenced in the previous proviso exceeds $5,000,000, the amount of such excess shall not be treated as having been Delivered pursuant to this paragraph.

 

Deposit Account Control Agreement ”:  an agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, among the relevant Grantor, the relevant banking institution with which such Grantor maintains a Deposit Account, and the Collateral Agent with respect to collection and Control ( provided that exclusive control is a springing control only when a Notice of Acceleration is in effect) of all deposits, balances and other property held in such Deposit Account maintained by such Grantor with such banking institution in order to create a perfected security interest therein.

 

Depositary ”:  Depository Trust Company.

 

Effective Date Credit Agreement ”: the Credit Agreement as in effect on the Effective Date, without giving effect to any amendment, supplement, restatement or other modification.

 

Escrow Account ”:  any Deposit Account or Securities Account (i) that is subject to an escrow agreement with a third party escrow agent established to secure payment obligations of a Grantor in respect of adjustments to the purchase price, indemnification obligations or other obligations to buyers or other parties following any Disposition permitted by (or not prohibited by) the Secured Instruments pursuant to the agreement governing such permitted Disposition, in each case, if the amount on deposit (excluding amounts earned thereon) in each such Deposit Account or Securities Account does not exceed the amount that pursuant to the agreement governing the applicable Disposition is required to be deposited therein and is funded solely with the proceeds of such Disposition, and (ii) the only deposits or cash equivalents deposited therein or credited thereto are subject to Liens permitted (or not prohibited) by Section 6.02(c) of the Credit Agreement.

 

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Event of Default ”:  an Event of Default as defined in the Credit Agreement, the Secured Notes Indenture or any other Secured Instrument.

 

Euroclear ”:  Euroclear Bank, S.A., as operator of the Euroclear system.

 

Euroclear Security ”:  a Security that (a) is a debt or equity security and (b) is capable of being transferred to an Agent Member’s account at Euroclear, whether or not such transfer has occurred.

 

Excluded Accounts ”:  (i) each Deposit Account or Securities Account set forth on Schedule 1.1B (including approximate value in each such Account), the funds or proceeds of cash equivalents in which are used solely for the payment, in the ordinary course of business, of salaries and wages, workers’ compensation, pension benefits and similar expenses or taxes related thereto, and each such Deposit Account or Securities Account shall not contain at any time more than the amounts necessary to fund such obligations for the current period and past periods and shall not be funded in advance of the time reasonably required, (ii) each other Deposit Account or Securities Account identified from time to time by the Company to the Collateral Agent to the extent the aggregate balances in all such Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts do not exceed $250,000, and (iii) each Escrow Account; provided , that promptly upon release from escrow the portion of such funds or proceeds due to any Grantor shall be transferred to a Deposit Account or Securities Account that is subject to a Deposit Account Control Agreement or Securities Account Control Agreement, as applicable.

 

Excluded Assets ”:  each of the following assets of the Company and the Grantors:

 

(a)                                  any lease, license, contract or agreement evidencing or giving rise to such asset to which the Company or any Grantor is a party if and to the extent that granting a security interest therein to secure the Secured Obligations (i) is prohibited by or in violation of any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any Grantor, or (ii) will constitute or result in a breach, termination or default under or requires any consent not obtained under any such lease, license, contract or agreement (other than to the extent that any such law, rule, regulation, term, provision or condition would be rendered ineffective with respect to the creation of the security interest in the Collateral pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any relevant jurisdiction or any other Applicable Law or principles of equity); provided that any such lease, license, contract or agreement shall cease to be an Excluded Asset and shall be included in the Collateral (and such security interest shall attach) immediately at such time as the contractual or legal prohibition shall no longer be applicable, and to the extent severable, shall attach immediately to any portion of such lease, license, contract, or agreement not subject to the prohibitions specified in subclauses (i) and (ii) of this clause (a); provided , further , that the exclusions referred to in this clause (a) shall not include any proceeds of, or substitutions or replacements for (unless such substitutions or replacements would constitute Excluded Assets), any such lease, license, contract, property right or agreement;

 

(b)                                  any Capital Stock of any Person that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company, any Portfolio Investment of a Grantor and any Financing Subsidiary Capital Stock, in each case, to the extent that granting a security interest therein to secure the Secured

 

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Obligations (i) is prohibited by or in violation of the organizational documents of the Person issuing such Portfolio Investment or Capital Stock or any shareholder or similar agreement with respect to such Portfolio Investment or Capital Stock, (ii) will result in a breach, termination or default under or requires any consent not obtained under or will cause the acceleration of any Indebtedness of the issuer of such Capital Stock (other than to the extent that any such organizational document, agreement, document governing such Indebtedness, term, provision or condition would be rendered ineffective with respect to the creation of the security interest in such Portfolio Investment pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any relevant jurisdiction or any other Applicable Law or principles of equity); provided that any such Portfolio Investment or Capital Stock shall cease to be an Excluded Asset and shall be included in the Collateral (and such security interest shall attach) immediately at such time as the organizational document, shareholder or other agreement or Indebtedness or such other restriction shall no longer be applicable or so restrictive, and to the extent severable, shall attach immediately to any portion of such Portfolio Investment or Capital Stock not subject to the prohibitions specified in this clause (b); provided , further , that the exclusions referred to in this clause (b) shall not apply to any Proceeds of, or substitutions or replacements for (unless such substitutions or replacements would constitute Excluded Assets), any such Portfolio Investment or Capital Stock;

 

(c)                                   any Excluded Account;

 

(d)                                  assets, with respect to which any Applicable Law prohibits the creation or perfection of security interests therein to secure the Secured Obligations; provided that any such asset shall cease to be an Excluded Asset and shall be included in the Collateral (and such security interests shall attach) immediately at such time as such Applicable Law prohibition shall no longer be applicable;

 

(e)                                   any intent-to-use application for registration of a trademark filed pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051, prior to the filing of a “Statement of Use” pursuant to Section 1(d) of the Lanham Act or an “Amendment to Allege Use” pursuant to Section 1(c) of the Lanham Act with respect thereto, solely to the extent, if any, that, and solely during the period, if any, in which, the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of any registration that issues from such intent-to-use application under applicable federal law;

 

(f)                                    to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement, cash or cash equivalents (plus earnings thereon and all Proceeds therefrom, including cash Proceeds, in whatever form, including cash or cash equivalents) to the extent (and only so long as) securing reimbursement obligations under letters of credit issued for the account of the Company;

 

(g)                                   greater than 65% of the total outstanding Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary to the extent but only for so long as a pledge thereof under the Security Documents would result in material and adverse tax consequences to a Grantor under Section 956 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as determined by the Company in its reasonable business judgment;

 

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(h)                                  to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement, any assets subject to a Lien securing purchase money debt or Capital Lease Obligations incurred to finance the acquisition of such assets or a refinancing thereof permitted by the Credit Agreement to the extent (and only so long as) subject to such Lien;

 

(i)                                      any CDO Securities;

 

(j)                                     any “margin stock” (as defined by Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board);

 

(k)                                  any finance lease obligations; and

 

(l)                                      Equity Interests in (i) an Immaterial Subsidiary described in clause (B) of the definition thereof or (ii) any Designated REI Subsidiary Guarantor provided, that the exclusions referred to in this clause (l)(ii) shall not apply to any Proceeds of any Equity Interests in Designated REI Subsidiary Guarantors so long as such Designated REI Subsidiary Guarantor holds any Portfolio Investments (including if such Portfolio Investment constitutes an Excluded Asset).

 

Excluded Subsidiaries ”:  as defined in the Credit Agreement.

 

Financial Officer ”: the chief executive officer, chief operating officer, president, co-president, executive vice president, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, chief accounting officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer, controller, assistant controller, chief legal officer or chief compliance officer of the Company.

 

Financing Subsidiary ”:  means any Subsidiary of the Company covered by clause (a), (b) or (c) of the definition of “Designated Subsidiary.”

 

Financing Subsidiary Capital Stock ”:  all Capital Stock of any Financing Subsidiary other than any such Capital Stock owned by another Financing Subsidiary.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means (a) any Subsidiary of the Company that is not organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia that is a CFC, and any Subsidiary (including any Subsidiary that would otherwise be a Domestic Subsidiary) of any such Subsidiary of the Company that is a CFC, and (b) any Subsidiary of the Company that has no material assets other than Capital Stock of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company that are CFCs.

 

Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock ”:  the voting Capital Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary.

 

Grantors ”:  as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Guarantee Assumption Agreement ” means a Guarantee Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A between the Collateral Agent and an entity that, pursuant to Section 9.11, is required to become a “Subsidiary Guarantor” hereunder (with such changes as the Collateral Agent shall reasonably request, consistent with the requirements of Section 9.11).

 

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Hedging Agreement ”:  as defined in the Credit Agreement.

 

Hedging Obligations ”:  collectively, all obligations of the Company or any other Grantor to any Lender (or any Affiliate thereof) under any Hedging Agreement, including in each case all fees, indemnification payments and other amounts whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now or hereafter from time to time owing to such Lender (or any Affiliate thereof) under such Hedging Agreement, and including all interest and expenses accrued or incurred subsequent to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding with respect to the Company, whether or not such interest or expenses are allowed as a claim in such proceeding.  For purposes hereof, it is understood that any obligations of the Company or any other Grantor to a Person arising under a Hedging Agreement entered into at the time such Person (or an Affiliate thereof) is a “Lender” party to the Credit Agreement shall nevertheless continue to constitute Hedging Obligations for purposes hereof, notwithstanding that such Person (or its Affiliate) may have assigned all of its Loans and other interests in such Credit Agreement and, therefore, at the time a claim is to be made in respect of such obligations, such Person (or its Affiliate) is no longer a “Lender” party to such Credit Agreement; provided that, neither such Person nor any Affiliate shall be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement (and such obligations shall not constitute Hedging Obligations hereunder) unless, at or prior to the time it ceased to be a Lender, it shall have notified the Credit Agreement Administrative Agent in writing of the existence of such agreement.

 

Holder Representatives ”:  collectively, (i) in respect of Secured Notes Indenture Obligations, the Secured Notes Representative, (ii) in respect of Credit Agreement Obligations, the Credit Agreement Administrative Agent, (iii) the trustee or agent representing holders of Other Secured Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations and (iv) the trustee or agent representing holders of Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations.

 

Intellectual Property ”:  all intellectual property owned by or exclusively licensed to such Grantor, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including, without limitation, all Copyrights, Copyright Licenses, Patents, Patent Licenses, Trademarks and Trademark Licenses, and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement, misappropriation, dilution or other impairment or violation of any of the foregoing, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.

 

Intellectual Property Short Form Security Agreement ”:  a short form security agreement with respect to Intellectual Property in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent in its reasonable discretion.

 

Intercompany Note ”:  any promissory note evidencing loans made by any Grantor to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Interest Proceeds ”:  all payments of interest or dividends received by any Grantor in respect of any Portfolio Investments (including if such Portfolio Investment constitutes an Excluded Asset) or cash equivalents, all payments of fees and other similar amounts received by any Grantor (including commitment fees, facility fees, late payment fees, amendment fees and waiver fees, but excluding syndication or other up-front fees) and all

 

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amounts received by any Grantor under hedge agreements (other than termination payments or payments upon notional reductions).

 

Investment Property ”:  the collective reference to (i) all “investment property” as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(49) of the UCC and (ii) whether or not constituting “investment property” as so defined, all Pledged Notes and Pledged Stock; provided , for purposes of this Agreement, Investment Property shall not include Excluded Assets.

 

Issuers ”:  the collective reference to each issuer of any Investment Property.

 

Lenders ”:  as defined in the preamble hereto (and which shall include any L/C Issuers (as defined in the Credit Agreement).

 

Loans ”:  as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Noteholder-Related Secured Parties ”:  collectively, the Noteholder Secured Parties, each holder of Other Secured Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations and each Holder Representative for any Other Secured Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations.

 

Noteholder Secured Parties ”:  collectively, the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, the Holders (as defined in the Secured Notes Indenture) and each holder of, or obligee in respect of, any Secured Notes Indenture Obligations.

 

Notice of Acceleration ”:  as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Obligations ”:  any principal, reimbursement obligations in respect of letters of credit, interest, fees and expenses (including any interest, fees and other amounts accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest, fees or expenses and other amounts are an allowed claim under applicable state, federal or foregoing law), penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, fees, expenses, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

 

Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations ”:  all Obligations of the Company or any other Grantor in respect of Other Pari Passu Secured Indebtedness (as defined in the Credit Agreement).

 

Other Secured Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations ”:  all Obligations of the Company or any other Grantor in respect of Indebtedness (other than Secured Notes Indenture Obligations) that (i) is designated as such pursuant to the Collateral Agency Agreement and is secured pursuant to the Security Documents on a pari passu basis with the Liens securing the Secured Notes Indenture Obligations, (ii) is not secured by any assets of any Grantor other than pursuant to the Security Documents, and (iii) is incurred in compliance with Section 6.01(b) of the Credit Agreement and clause (k) of the definition of Permitted Liens in the Secured Notes Indenture.

 

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Outstanding Amounts ”:  as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Participation Interest ”:  a participation interest in a Portfolio Investment that at the time of acquisition satisfies each of the following criteria:  (a) such participation would constitute a Portfolio Investment were it acquired directly by the Company or any other Grantor, (b) the seller of the participation interest is an Excluded Subsidiary of the Company, (c) the entire purchase price for such participation is paid in full at the time of its acquisition, and (d) the participation provides the participant all of the economic benefit and risk of the whole or part of such Portfolio Investment that is the subject of such participation.

 

Patent License ”:  all agreements, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or exclusively to any Grantor of any right to make, have made, use, offer to sell, sell or import any invention covered in whole or in part by a Patent.

 

Patents ”:  (i) all letters patent and all applications for letters patent owned by or exclusively licensed to such Grantor within the United States or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, (ii) all divisions, continuations, and continuations-in-part thereof and all rights to obtain any reissues or extensions of the foregoing, similar legal protections related thereto, or rights to obtain the foregoing and (iii) the right to sue for past, present and future infringements thereof.

 

Person” :  an individual, limited or general partnership, limited liability company, corporation, unincorporated organization, trust, association, joint-stock company or joint venture, or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

Pledged Notes ”:  all promissory notes (including all Certificated Securities evidencing debt obligations) listed on Schedule 1.1A , all Intercompany Notes at any time issued to or held by any Grantor and all other promissory notes (including all Certificated Securities evidencing debt obligations) at any time issued to or held by any Grantor.

 

Pledged Stock ”:  all Capital Stock (including all Certificated Securities evidencing Capital Stock) of each Subsidiary Guarantor, including each Subsidiary Guarantor listed on Schedule 1.1A , together with any other Capital Stock (including all Certificated Securities evidencing Capital Stock) of any Issuer that may be issued or granted to, or owned by, any Grantor while this Agreement is in effect, whether or not issued or granted in respect of Capital Stock listed on Schedule 1.1A .

 

Portfolio Investment ”: any direct or indirect investment held by the Grantors in their asset portfolios, including any Participation Interest.

 

Principal Proceeds ”:  all amounts received by any Grantor with respect to the Portfolio Investments (including if such Portfolio Investment constitutes an Excluded Asset) or any other Collateral, and all amounts otherwise on deposit in any Securities Account or Deposit Account, in each case other than Interest Proceeds and Excluded Assets.

 

Proceeds ”:  all “proceeds” as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(64) of the UCC and, in any event, shall include, without limitation, all dividends or other income from the

 

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Investment Property, Pledged Stock or Portfolio Investments, collections thereon or distributions or payments with respect thereto.

 

Pro Forma Covenant Compliance ”:  as defined in the Secured Notes Indenture.

 

Qualified ECP Guarantor ”:  as defined in Section 7.11 .

 

Receivable ”:  any right to payment for goods sold or leased or for services rendered, whether or not such right is evidenced by an Instrument or Chattel Paper and whether or not it has been earned by performance (including, without limitation, any Account).

 

Responsible Officer ”:  the president, a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Company.

 

Secured Instruments ”:  collectively, the Credit Agreement, the Secured Notes Indenture, the Secured Notes, the definitive agreements governing Other Secured Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations, the definitive agreements governing Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations, any Hedging Agreement evidencing or relating to any Hedging Obligations, and the Security Documents.

 

Secured Notes ”:  all notes and additional notes issued under the Secured Notes Indenture.

 

Secured Notes First Priority Collateral ”:  as defined in Section 2.2(a) .

 

Secured Notes Indenture ”:  as defined in the preamble.

 

Secured Notes Indenture Obligations ”:  all Obligations of the Company and other Grantors in respect of the Secured Notes and the Secured Notes Indenture.

 

Secured Notes Obligations ”:  collectively, (a) all Secured Notes Indenture Obligations and Other Secured Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations and (b) all present and future Obligations of the Grantors to the Noteholder Secured Parties and holders of Other Secured Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations, or any of them, hereunder or under any other Security Document.

 

Secured Obligations ”:  collectively, the Credit Facility Obligations and the Secured Notes Obligations.

 

Secured Parties ”:  collectively, the Credit Facility Secured Parties and the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties.

 

Securities Account Control Agreement ”:  an agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, among the relevant Grantor, the relevant securities intermediary with which such Grantor maintains a Securities Account, and the Collateral Agent with respect to collection and Control ( provided that exclusive control is a springing control only when a Notice of Acceleration is in effect) of all assets held in such

 

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Securities Account maintained by such Grantor with such securities intermediary in order to create a perfected security interest therein.

 

Securities Act ”:  the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Shared Collateral ”:  as defined in Section 2.3 .

 

Special Equity Interest ”: with respect to the Company, any Capital Stock held by the Company that is subject to a Lien in favor of creditors of the issuer or such issuer’s affiliates; provided that (a) such Lien was created to secure Indebtedness owing by such issuer to such creditors, (b) such Indebtedness was (i) in existence at the time the Company acquired such Capital Stock, (ii) incurred or assumed by such issuer substantially contemporaneously with such acquisition or (iii) already subject to a Lien granted to such creditors and (c) unless such Capital Stock is not intended to be included in the Collateral, the documentation creating or governing such Lien does not prohibit the inclusion of such Capital Stock in the Collateral.

 

Subsidiary ”:  with respect to any Person and at any time, any other Person if (a) more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all of such other Person’s outstanding Voting Stock is at the time owned, directly or indirectly, by such referent Person and/or one or more other Subsidiaries of such referent Person or (b) the management and policies of such other Person are otherwise controlled (as determined in good faith by such referent Person), directly or indirectly, by such referent Person and/or one or more other Subsidiary of such referent Person.  As used in the immediately preceding sentence, the term “controlled” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Affiliate.”

 

Subsidiary Guarantor ”:  as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Swap Obligation ”:  as defined in Section 7.11 .

 

Trademark License ”:  any agreement, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or exclusively to any Grantor of any right to use any Trademark.

 

Trademarks ”:  (i) all trademarks, trade names, brand names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade dress, domain names, service marks, logos and other source or business identifiers owned by or exclusively licensed to such Grantor, and all goodwill associated therewith or symbolized thereby, now existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith in the Applicable IP Office, and all common-law rights related thereto, (ii) the right to obtain all renewals thereof, and (iii) the right to sue for past, present and future infringements thereof.

 

Trustee ”:  as defined in the preamble.

 

UCC ”:  the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York; provided , however , that, in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any of the attachment, perfection or priority of the Collateral Agent’s and the Secured Parties’ security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “ UCC ” shall mean the

 

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Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such attachment, perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions related to such provisions.

 

Voting Stock ”:  with respect to any Person, all classes and series of Capital Stock of such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote in the election of the directors, managers or trustees (or other persons performing similar functions), as the case may be, of such Person.

 

Wholly Owned Subsidiary ”:  with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person of which all the outstanding Voting Stock of such Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares and other than an immaterial amount of Voting Stock required to be owned by other Persons pursuant to applicable law or regulation) is owned by such Person and/or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

1.2.                             Other Definitional Provisions .  The words “hereof,” “herein”, “hereto” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section and Schedule references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

(a)                                  The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

 

(b)                                  Where the context requires, terms relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, when used in relation to a Grantor, shall refer to such Grantor’s Collateral or the relevant part thereof.

 

(c)                                   The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation” whether or not they are in fact followed by such words or words of like import.

 

SECTION 2.                             GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

 

2.1.                             Security for Credit Facility Obligations .

 

(a)                                  Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Credit Facility Secured Parties, a first-priority security interest in, and lien on, all of the following property now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the “ Credit Facility First Priority Collateral ”), as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of such Grantor’s Credit Facility Obligations:

 

(i)                                      each Portfolio Investment (or a portion thereof) set forth on Schedule 3.11(a) ;

 

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(ii)                                   each Portfolio Investment (or a portion thereof) designated as Credit Facility First Priority Collateral after the Effective Date in accordance with Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 ;

 

(iii)                                all Principal Proceeds and Interest Proceeds of any Portfolio Investment (or portion thereof) described in clause (i) or (ii) (including if such Portfolio Investment constitutes an Excluded Asset);

 

(iv)                               to the extent constituting Portfolio Investments described in clause (i) or (ii) (including if such Portfolio Investment constitutes an Excluded Asset), or Proceeds thereof, all Accounts, all Chattel Paper, all Deposit Accounts, all Documents, all General Intangibles, all Instruments (including all Promissory Notes), all Investment Property (including all Securities, all Securities Accounts and all Security Entitlements with respect thereto and Financial Assets carried therein, and all Commodity Accounts and Commodity Contracts), and all Supporting Obligations, including Letter-of-Credit Rights, related to the foregoing; and

 

(v)                                  all Proceeds of any of the foregoing and, to the extent related to any Credit Facility First Priority Collateral, all books, correspondence, credit files, records, invoices and other papers (including all tapes, cards, computer runs and other papers and documents in the possession or under the control of such Grantor or any computer bureau or service company from time to time acting for such Grantor).

 

(b)                                  Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Credit Facility Secured Parties, a second-priority security interest in, and lien on, all Secured Notes First Priority Collateral, as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of such Grantor’s Credit Facility Obligations.

 

2.2.                             Security for Secured Notes Obligations .

 

(a)                                  Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties, a first-priority security interest in, and lien on, all of the following property now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the “ Secured Notes First Priority Collateral ”), as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of such Grantor’s Secured Notes Obligations:

 

(i)                                      each Portfolio Investment (or a portion thereof) set forth on Schedule 3.11(b) ;

 

(ii)                                   each Portfolio Investment (or a portion thereof) designated as Secured Notes First Priority Collateral after the Effective Date in accordance with Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 ;

 

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(iii)                                all Principal Proceeds and Interest Proceeds of any Portfolio Investment (or portion thereof) described in clause (i) or (ii) (including if such Portfolio Investment constitutes an Excluded Asset);

 

(iv)                               to the extent constituting Portfolio Investments described in clause (i) or (ii) (including if such Portfolio Investment constitutes an Excluded Asset), or Proceeds thereof, all Accounts, all Chattel Paper, all Deposit Accounts, all Documents, all General Intangibles, all Instruments (including all Promissory Notes), all Investment Property (including all Securities, all Securities Accounts and all Security Entitlements with respect thereto and Financial Assets carried therein, and all Commodity Accounts and Commodity Contracts) and all Supporting Obligations, including Letter-of-Credit Rights, related to the foregoing; and

 

(v)                                  all Proceeds of any of the foregoing and, to the extent related to any Secured Notes First Priority Collateral, all books, correspondence, credit files, records, invoices and other papers (including all tapes, cards, computer runs and other papers and documents in the possession or under the control of such Grantor or any computer bureau or service company from time to time acting for such Grantor).

 

(b)                                  Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties, a second-priority security interest in, and lien on, all Credit Facility First Priority Collateral, as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of such Grantor’s Secured Notes Obligations.

 

2.3.                             Security for Secured Obligations .  Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a first-priority security interest in, and lien on, all of the following property now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the “ Shared Collateral ”, together with the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral and Secured Notes First Priority Collateral, the “ Collateral ”), as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of such Grantor’s Secured Obligations:

 

(i)                                      all Portfolio Investments or portions thereof (to the extent not otherwise included as Credit Facility First Priority Collateral or Secured Notes First Priority Collateral) set forth on Schedule 3.11(c) ;

 

(ii)                                   all Accounts;

 

(iii)                                all Chattel Paper;

 

(iv)                               all Deposit Accounts;

 

(v)                                  all Documents;

 

(vi)                               all Equipment;

 

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(vii)                            all Fixtures;

 

(viii)                         all General Intangibles;

 

(ix)                               all Instruments (including, without limitation, Instruments evidencing Pledged Notes listed on Schedule 1.1A );

 

(x)                                  all Intellectual Property;

 

(xi)                               all Inventory;

 

(xii)                            all Investment Property (including, without limitation, Investment Property evidencing Pledged Notes and Pledged Stock listed on Schedule 1.1A );

 

(xiii)                         subject to Section 4.12 , all Letter-of-Credit Rights;

 

(xiv)                        all Commercial Tort Claims specified on Schedule 1.1C and otherwise to the extent specifically notified to the Collateral Agent from time to time;

 

(xv)                           all other personal property not otherwise described above;

 

(xvi)                        all books and Records pertaining to the property described in clauses (i) through (xv) above; and

 

(xvii)                     to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds, Supporting Obligations and products of any and all of the foregoing and all security and guarantees given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing;

 

provided , that in no event shall the Shared Collateral include any Credit Facility First Priority Collateral or Secured Notes First Priority Collateral except to the extent subsequently designated as Shared Collateral pursuant to Section 8.2 ; provided , further , that in no event shall any Financing Subsidiary Capital Stock constituting Collateral be designated as Credit Facility First Priority Collateral or Secured Notes First Priority Collateral.

 

2.4.                             Excluded Assets .  Notwithstanding any of the other provisions set forth in this Section 2 , none of the “Collateral” hereunder shall include, and no Grantor is pledging or granting a security interest in, any Excluded Assets.

 

2.5.                             Separate and Distinct Security Interests .  As set forth in the separate granting clauses contained in Sections 2.1 , 2.2 and 2.3 above, it is the intent of each Grantor, the Secured Parties and the Collateral Agent, that such grants shall create separate and distinct security interests, in the respective priorities specified thereby, in all right, title and interest of each Grantor in Credit Facility First Priority Collateral, Secured Notes First Priority Collateral and Shared Collateral in favor of (i) the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Credit Facility Secured Parties, and (ii) the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties.  For the avoidance of doubt, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that such grants shall constitute valid and enforceable security interests in the Collateral having the priorities relative to one another established under Sections 2.1 , 2.2 and 2.3 , as applicable, without regard

 

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to whether the actual numeric priority of any of such security interests may prove to be different, whether due to the existence of a senior lien or the unenforceability of any of such security interests and all proceeds of Collateral shall be applied at set forth in Section 3.5 of the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

SECTION 3.                             REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

To induce the Secured Parties to enter into the Credit Agreement, the Secured Notes Indenture and the other Secured Instruments, as applicable, each Grantor hereby represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties that:

 

3.1.                             Organization .  Such Grantor is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization.

 

3.2.                             Authorization; Enforceability .  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Security Documents to which such Grantor is party, and the granting of the Liens contemplated hereunder, are within such Grantor’s corporate or other powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action, including by all necessary shareholder action. This Agreement and the other Security Documents to which such Grantor is party have been duly executed and delivered by such Grantor and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Grantor, in each case enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general applicability affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and (b) the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

3.3.                             Governmental Approval; No Conflicts .  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the granting of the Liens contemplated hereunder, (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except for (i) such as have been or will be obtained or made and are in full force and effect and (ii) filings and recordings in respect of the Liens created pursuant hereto, (b) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of any Grantor or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon any Grantor or any of its Subsidiaries or assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any such Person, except where such violation or default could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) except for the Liens created pursuant hereto, will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of any Grantor.

 

3.4.                             Title; No Other Liens .  Except for the security interests granted to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement and the other Liens permitted to exist on the Collateral by the Secured Instruments, such Grantor owns each item of the Collateral free and clear of any and all Liens or claims of others.  As of the Effective Date, no financing statement or other public notice with respect to all or any part of the Collateral is on file or of record in any public office, except such as have been filed in favor of the Collateral

 

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Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to this Agreement or as are permitted by the Secured Instruments.

 

3.5.                             Perfected Liens .  The security interests granted pursuant to this Agreement (a) constitute valid and continuing perfected (other than with respect to unperfected liens permitted under Section 4.12 ) security interests in all of the Collateral, in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties having the respective priorities set forth in Section 2 , as collateral security for such Grantor’s Secured Obligations, enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof, for which a security interest may be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the UCC or filing with the United States Copyright Office or filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office upon (i) in the case of all Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by filing a financing statement under the UCC, the completion of such filings, (ii) the Delivery to the Collateral Agent (or its agent or bailee) of all Collateral consisting of Portfolio Investments, (iii) the execution of Securities Account Control Agreements with respect to all Securities Accounts of a Grantor constituting Collateral, (iv) the execution of Deposit Account Control Agreements with respect to all Deposit Accounts of a Grantor constituting Collateral and (v) all appropriate filings having been made with the United States Copyright Office and/or the United States Patent and Trademark Office and (b) are prior to all other Liens on the Collateral in existence on the date hereof except for Liens permitted by the Secured Instruments that have priority over the Liens on the Collateral by operation of law (and in the case of the security interest granted pursuant to Section 2.1(b) , prior to all such other Liens other than the Lien in such Collateral for the benefit of the Noteholder Related Secured Parties, and in the case of the security interest granted pursuant to Section 2.2(b) , prior to all such other Liens other than the Lien in such Collateral for the benefit of the Credit Facility Secured Parties).

 

3.6.                             Jurisdiction of Organization; Chief Executive Office .  On the Effective Date, and for the immediately preceding four (4) months, the full and correct legal name of each Grantor, each such Grantor’s jurisdiction of organization, identification number from the jurisdiction of organization (if any), and the location of such Grantor’s chief executive office or principal place of business, as the case may be, are specified on Schedule 3.6 .  Such Grantor has furnished to the Collateral Agent a certified charter, certificate of incorporation or other organization document and long-form good standing certificate, or an equivalent thereof, as of a date which is recent to the Effective Date.

 

3.7.                             Inventory and Equipment .  On the Effective Date, the Inventory and the Equipment (other than mobile goods) are kept at the locations listed on Schedule 3.7 .

 

3.8.                             Intellectual Property Schedule 3.8 lists all registered Intellectual Property and all Intellectual Property for which an application for registration is pending with an Applicable IP Office (including the relevant registration, application or serial number and the jurisdiction of registration or application), in each case owned by such Grantor in its own name on the date hereof, and all exclusive Copyright Licenses, Patent Licenses and Trademark Licenses to which such Grantor is an exclusive licensee of a registered or pending application for Copyright, Patent, or Trademark in an Applicable IP Office (including the title, counterparty, and date of such licenses, as well as the registration or application number for the underlying Copyright, Patent or Trademark).

 

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3.9.                             Commercial Tort Claims .  On the Effective Date, except to the extent listed in Section 2 above, no Grantor has rights in any Commercial Tort Claim with potential value in excess of $250,000.

 

3.10.                      Deposit Accounts; Securities Accounts Schedule 3.10 (i) is a complete and correct list of all Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts maintained by such Grantor on the Effective Date and (ii) identifies Excluded Accounts maintained by such Grantor on the Effective Date.

 

3.11.                      Portfolio Investments Schedule 3.11 (i) is a complete and correct list of all Portfolio Investments owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries on the Effective Date, (ii) identifies Portfolio Investments which are not included in the Collateral on the Effective Date, (iii) identifies all Portfolio Investments included in the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral on the Effective Date on Schedule 3.11(a) , (iv) identifies all Portfolio Investments included in the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral on the Effective Date on Schedule 3.11(b)  and (v) identifies all Portfolio Investments included in the Shared Collateral on the Effective Date on Schedule 3.11(c) .

 

SECTION 4.                             COVENANTS

 

Each Grantor covenants and agrees with the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties that, from and after the date of this Agreement until the Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due) shall have been paid in full:

 

4.1.                             Delivery of Portfolio Investments .  Within 30 days after the acquisition by a Grantor of any Portfolio Investment constituting part of the Collateral as to which physical possession by the Collateral Agent or the Custodian is required in order for such Portfolio Investment to have been “Delivered”, such Grantor shall take such actions as shall be necessary to effect Delivery of such Portfolio Investment.  As to all other Portfolio Investments constituting part of the Collateral, such Grantor shall cause the same to be Delivered within ten Business Days of the acquisition thereof.

 

4.2.                             Maintenance of Insurance .  All insurance policies shall (i) within 30 days of the date hereof, provide that no cancellation thereof shall be effective until at least 30 days after receipt by the Collateral Agent of written notice thereof, (ii) within 30 days of the date hereof, name the Collateral Agent as insured party or loss payee, and (iii) if reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, include a breach of warranty clause.

 

4.3.                             Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation .

 

(a)                                  Such Grantor shall maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected (other than with respect to unperfected liens permitted under Section 4.12 ) security interest having at least the priority described in Section 2 and shall defend such security interest against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever, subject to liens permitted by the Secured Instruments and the rights of such Grantor under the Secured Instruments to dispose of any item of the Collateral.

 

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(b)                                  Such Grantor will furnish to the Collateral Agent from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral of such Grantor and such other reports in connection therewith as the Collateral Agent or the Applicable Directing Parties (with notice to the Collateral Agent) may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.

 

(c)                                   At any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Collateral Agent, and at the sole expense of such Grantor, such Grantor will promptly and duly execute and deliver, and have recorded, such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Collateral Agent or the Applicable Directing Parties (with notice to the Collateral Agent) may reasonably request, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent in its reasonable discretion, to create, perfect and continue perfected the Collateral Agent’s Liens in the Collateral (whether now owned or hereafter arising or acquired, tangible or intangible), and in order to fully consummate all of the transactions contemplated hereby and under the other Transaction Documents and obtain or preserve the full benefits of this Agreement and the Collateral Agency Agreement and of the rights and powers herein and therein granted, including, without limitation, (i) filing any financing or continuation statements under the UCC (or other similar laws) in effect in any jurisdiction with respect to the security interests created hereby, (ii) filing Intellectual Property Short Form Security Agreements in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent, and (iii) in the case of Investment Property, Deposit Accounts, Letter of Credit Rights and any other relevant Collateral, taking any actions necessary to enable the Collateral Agent to obtain Control with respect thereto.

 

4.4.                             Changes in Name, etc .  Such Grantor will not, except upon 10 days’ prior written notice to the Collateral Agent and the Applicable Directing Parties and delivery to the Collateral Agent and the Applicable Directing Parties of all additional financing statements and other documents reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent or the Applicable Directing Parties (with notice to the Collateral Agent) to maintain the validity, perfection and priority of the separate and distinct security interests in favor of the Collateral Agent provided for herein and in all other Secured Instruments, (i) change its jurisdiction of organization or the location of its chief executive office from that referred to in Section 3.6 or (ii) change its name.

 

4.5.                             Pledged Stock; Pledged Notes; Investment Property .

 

(a)                                  If such Grantor shall become entitled to receive or shall receive any Instrument or any certificate (including, without limitation, any certificate representing a dividend or a distribution in connection with any reclassification, increase or reduction of capital or any certificate issued in connection with any reorganization), option, warrant, promissory note or other property in respect of the Pledged Stock of any Issuer, whether in addition to, in substitution of, as a conversion of, as Proceeds of, or in exchange for, any of the Pledged Stock, or otherwise in respect thereof, such Grantor shall accept the same as the agent of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, hold the same in trust for the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties and deliver the same forthwith to the Collateral Agent (or its agent or bailee) in the exact form received, duly indorsed in blank in the case of an Instrument or, in the case of a Certificated Security, together with an undated stock or other applicable power covering such Certificated Security duly executed in blank by such Grantor and with, if the Collateral Agent or the Applicable Directing Parties (with notice to the Collateral Agent) so reasonably requests, signature guaranteed, to be held by the Collateral Agent, subject to the terms hereof, as Collateral

 

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for the Secured Obligations.  Any sums paid upon or in respect of any Pledged Stock, Pledged Notes or, to the extent not included in the foregoing, Investment Property upon the liquidation or dissolution of any Issuer shall be paid over to the Collateral Agent to be held by it hereunder as Collateral for the Secured Obligations, unless otherwise subject to a perfected security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent.  In case any distribution of capital shall be made on or in respect of any Pledged Stock, Pledged Notes or Investment Property or any property shall be distributed upon or with respect to any Pledged Stock, Pledged Notes or Investment Property pursuant to the recapitalization or reclassification of the capital of any Issuer or pursuant to the reorganization thereof, the property so distributed shall, unless otherwise subject to a perfected security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent, be delivered to the Collateral Agent (or its agent or bailee) to be held by it hereunder as Collateral for the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement.  If any sums of money or property so paid or distributed in respect of any Pledged Stock, Pledged Notes or Investment Property shall be received by such Grantor, such Grantor shall, until such money or property is paid or delivered to the Collateral Agent, hold such money or property in trust for the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, segregated from other funds of such Grantor, as Collateral for the Secured Obligations.

 

(b)                                  Without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent, such Grantor will not agree to any amendment of any constituent document that in any way adversely affects the perfection of the security interest of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties in the Collateral pledged by such Grantor hereunder, including any amendment electing to treat any membership interest or partnership interest that is part of the Collateral as a “security” under Section 8-103 of the UCC, or any election to turn any previously uncertificated Capital Stock that is part of the Collateral into certificated Capital Stock.

 

(c)                                   In the case of each Grantor that is an Issuer, such Grantor agrees that (i) it will be bound by the terms of this Agreement relating to Pledged Stock, Pledged Notes and Investment Property issued by it and will comply with such terms insofar as such terms are applicable to it, (ii) it will notify the Collateral Agent promptly in writing of the occurrence of any of the events described in Section 4.5(a)  with respect to the Pledged Stock, Pledged Notes and Investment Property issued by it (unless the property received by the applicable Grantor is subject to a perfected security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent) and (iii) the terms of Sections 5.3(c)  and 5.7 shall apply to it, mutatis mutandis , with respect to all actions that may be required of it pursuant to Section 5.3(c)  or 5.7 with respect to the Pledged Stock, Pledged Notes and Investment Property issued by it.

 

4.6.                             Commercial Tort Claims .  If such Grantor shall obtain an interest in any Commercial Tort Claim with a potential value in excess of $100,000, such Grantor shall within five Business Days of obtaining such interest sign and deliver documentation reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent granting a security interest under the terms and provisions of this Agreement in and to such Commercial Tort Claim.

 

4.7.                             [Intentionally Omitted] .

 

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4.8.                             Deposit Accounts .

 

(a)                                  On or before the Effective Date, each Grantor shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent executed Deposit Account Control Agreements for each Deposit Account listed on Schedule 3.10 (other than Excluded Accounts) maintained by such Grantor.  Other than cash and cash equivalents maintained in Excluded Accounts, the Company shall cause all of the cash and cash equivalents of the Company and any of the other Grantors to be held in Deposit Accounts subject to Deposit Account Control Agreements (other than Excluded Accounts) or Securities Accounts that comply with Section 4.9 .

 

(b)                                  Before opening or replacing any Deposit Account (other than an Excluded Account), each Grantor shall (i) cause each bank or financial institution in which it seeks to open a Deposit Account to enter into a Deposit Account Control Agreement with the Collateral Agent in order to give the Collateral Agent Control of such Deposit Account and (ii) deliver an updated Schedule 3.10 listing all Deposit Accounts then maintained by the Grantors.  In the case of a Deposit Account maintained with any of the Lenders, the terms of such Deposit Account Control Agreements shall be subject to the provisions of the Collateral Agency Agreement regarding setoffs.  Each Grantor agrees that the Deposit Account Control Agreement with respect to each such Deposit Account shall provide, among other things, that upon the opening by it of any Deposit Account (other than an Excluded Account), the Collateral Agent shall have Control with respect to such Deposit Account and all cash and other property therein.

 

(c)                                   The Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, agrees that it will not give instructions under the Deposit Account Control Agreements or the Securities Account Control Agreements requiring the applicable depository institution to comply with instructions provided by the Collateral Agent unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

4.9.                             Securities Accounts .

 

(a)                                  On or before the Effective Date, and at all times thereafter until the Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due) have been paid in full, all Securities Accounts of any Grantor (other than any Excluded Account) shall be established and maintained with any securities intermediaries that have executed a Securities Account Control Agreement.  Any Collateral that constitutes a Financial Asset that has not been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof shall, upon its inclusion in the Collateral, be promptly credited to a Securities Account and constitute a Security Entitlement and each such Financial Asset shall be transferred to a Securities Account at the time of such inclusion or promptly thereafter.  Each Securities Account Control Agreement shall provide that (i) all Collateral credited at any time to any Securities Account (other than any Excluded Account) shall be treated as a Financial Asset, (ii) each Securities Account thereunder is a “securities account” (as defined in Section 8-501(a) of the UCC), (iii) the securities intermediary’s jurisdiction (within the meaning of Section 8-110(e)) shall be the State of New York (unless the applicable Grantor is an existing client of the applicable securities intermediary and such securities intermediary, as a matter of practice, typically elects another securities intermediary jurisdiction; provided such Grantor shall have caused to be delivered to the Collateral Agent an opinion of counsel in such jurisdiction in form and substance acceptable to the Collateral Agent), and (iv) the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties shall have Control (provided exclusive control is a

 

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springing control only upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Notice of Acceleration) of all security entitlements by the securities intermediary agreeing in the Securities Account Control Agreement that following the delivery of a “blockage notice” or other applicable notice under such Securities Account Control Agreement it will comply with entitlement orders originated by the Collateral Agent without further consent by the Grantor or any other Person (pursuant to Section 8-106 of the UCC).  The Company will use its reasonable commercial efforts to cause each Securities Account Control Agreement to provide that (i) except for the claims and interest of the Secured Parties and the applicable Loan Party in the Securities Accounts, the applicable securities intermediary does not have actual knowledge of any claim to, or interest in, the applicable Securities Account or in any Financial Asset credited thereto, and (ii) the applicable securities intermediary shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent if any person asserts in writing any lien, encumbrance or adverse claim against the applicable Securities Account or any Financial Asset credited thereto.

 

(b)                                  The Company and the other Grantors shall cause all payments due to the Company or the applicable Grantor in respect of any Portfolio Investment to be deposited in a Deposit Account that is subject to a Deposit Account Control Agreement or credited to a Securities Account that is subject to a Securities Account Control Agreement.

 

(c)                                   Each Grantor hereby agrees to execute and deliver any Deposit Account Control Agreement or Securities Account Control Agreement with respect to any Deposit Account or Securities Account (in each case, other than any Excluded Account) as may be required in order to effect perfection by Control, respectively, of any cash (pursuant to Section 9-104 of the UCC) or of any Financial Asset that could constitute a security entitlement (pursuant to Section 8-106(d)(2) of the UCC) at any time included in the Collateral as may be requested by the Collateral Agent or any Holder Representative.

 

(d)                                  If a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, the Collateral Agent may cause any cash, cash equivalents and checks held in the Deposit Accounts and the Securities Accounts to be transferred to the Collateral Account maintained under the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

4.10.                      Intellectual Property .  To the extent each Grantor considers appropriate, in its reasonable business judgment:

 

(a)                                  Such Grantor (either itself or through licensees), solely with respect to material Trademarks owned by such Grantor, will (i) continue to use each Trademark in order to maintain such Trademark in full force, except to the extent that such Grantor determines in its reasonable business judgment that any such use of a Trademark is no longer necessary or beneficial to the conduct of such Grantor’s business, (ii) maintain as in the past the quality of products and services offered under such Trademark, (iii) use such Trademark with the appropriate notice of registration and all other notices and legends required by applicable Requirements of Law, and (iv) not (and not knowingly permit any licensee thereof to) knowingly do any act or knowingly omit to do any act whereby such Trademark would reasonably be expected to become invalidated.

 

(b)                                  Such Grantor (either itself or through licensees) will not knowingly do any act, or knowingly omit to do any act, whereby any material Patent owned by such Grantor may become

 

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forfeited, abandoned or dedicated to the public, except to the extent that such Grantor determines in its reasonable business judgment that the maintenance thereof is no longer necessary or beneficial to the conduct of such Grantor’s business.

 

(c)                                   Such Grantor (either itself or through licensees) will not knowingly do any act or knowingly omit to do any act whereby any material portion of the Copyrights owned by such Grantor may become invalidated or dedicated to the public domain, except to the extent that such Grantor determines in its reasonable business judgment that the maintenance thereof is no longer necessary or beneficial to the conduct of such Grantor’s business.

 

(d)                                  Such Grantor (either itself or through licensees) will not knowingly infringe the intellectual property rights of any other Person.

 

(e)                                   Whenever such Grantor, either by itself or through any agent, employee, licensee or designee, shall acquire, become the exclusive licensee of or file an application for the registration of any Intellectual Property with the Applicable IP Office, such Grantor shall report such filing or acquisition to the Collateral Agent within fifteen Business Days after the last day of the fiscal quarter.  Upon request of the Collateral Agent or any Holder Representative, such Grantor shall execute and deliver, and have recorded, an Intellectual Property Short Form Security Agreement and any and all agreements, instruments, documents, and papers as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request to evidence the Collateral Agent’s and the Secured Parties’ security interest in any Copyright, Patent or Trademark and the goodwill and general intangibles of such Grantor relating thereto or represented thereby.

 

(f)                                    Such Grantor will take reasonable and necessary steps in its reasonable business judgment, including, without limitation, in any proceeding before the Applicable IP Office, to maintain each registration of the material Intellectual Property owned by such Grantor, including, without limitation, filing of applications for renewal, affidavits of use, affidavits of incontestability and payment of maintenance fees.

 

(g)                                   In the event that any Grantor obtains any knowledge that any material Intellectual Property owned by such Grantor has been infringed by a third party, such Grantor shall (i) take such actions or no actions as such Grantor deems appropriate in its reasonable business judgment under the circumstances to protect such material Intellectual Property, including without limitation, determining whether to sue for infringement (including damages) and/or seek injunctive relief; and (ii) promptly notify the Collateral Agent and each Holder Representative after it learns thereof.

 

4.11.                      Copies of Material Transaction Documents Relating to Portfolio Investments .  At any time while a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, upon the reasonable request of the Collateral Agent or any Holder Representative, the Grantors will provide, or cause to be provided, to the Collateral Agent and any other such requesting party (in an electronic medium) of any material transaction documents relating to one or more Portfolio Investments specified in such request; provided that, (i) the delivery of such copies shall not constitute any representation or warranty by any Grantor that such copies (a) are correct and complete or (b) constitute all transaction documents relating to the Portfolio Investments that the requesting party would necessarily determine to be material, and (ii) not later than seven Business Days following the date on which

 

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any Portfolio Investment is withdrawn from the Collateral (as may be permitted under Section 2.12 of the Collateral Agency Agreement) the Collateral Agent agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to return to the Grantors any paper or electronic copies (or if not capable of physical delivery, to permanently erase any such electronic copies) of the transaction documents, related to such withdrawn Portfolio Investments.

 

4.12.                      Letter-of-Credit Rights .  The Company and the other Grantors will not be required to perfect the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent in respect of (i) any Letter-of-Credit Rights securing obligations under subleases of the Company and the other Grantors or (ii) any other Letter-of-Credit Rights unless the aggregate amount of such Letter-of-Credit Rights exceeds $1,000,000.

 

4.13.                      Designated REI Subsidiary Guarantors .  Notwithstanding anything in the Credit Agreement to the contrary, no Designated REI Subsidiary Guarantor shall be permitted to create, incur, assume or permit to exist (i) any Indebtedness pursuant to clause (b), (c), (g) or (i) of Section 6.01 of the Credit Agreement or (ii) any Lien pursuant to clause (d) of Section 6.02 of the Credit Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.                             REMEDIAL PROVISIONS

 

5.1.                             Certain Matters Relating to Receivables .

 

(a)                                  So long as a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, the Collateral Agent shall have the right, with written notice to the Company, to make test verifications of the Receivables in accordance with Section 5.2(a)  of this Agreement, and each Grantor shall furnish all such assistance and information as the Collateral Agent may reasonably require in connection with such test verifications.

 

(b)                                  The Collateral Agent hereby authorizes each Grantor to collect such Grantor’s Receivables, and the Collateral Agent may pursuant to a written notice to the Company curtail or terminate said authority at any time when a Notice of Acceleration is in effect.  If required by the Collateral Agent at any time while a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, any payments of Receivables, when collected by any Grantor, (i) shall be forthwith (and, in any event, within five Business Days) deposited by such Grantor in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent if required, in the Collateral Account, subject to withdrawal by the Collateral Agent for the account of the Secured Parties only as provided in Section 5.5 , and (ii) until so turned over, shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, segregated from other funds of such Grantor.

 

(c)                                   When a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, at the Collateral Agent’s request pursuant to a written notice to the Company, each Grantor shall deliver to the Collateral Agent all original and other documents in its possession or control evidencing, and relating to, the agreements and transactions that gave rise to the Receivables, as the Collateral Agent shall reasonably request.

 

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5.2.                             Communications with Grantors; Grantors Remain Liable .

 

(a)                                  The Collateral Agent in its own name or in the name of others may at any time while a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, following written notice to the Company, communicate with obligors under the Receivables to verify with them to the Collateral Agent’s satisfaction the existence, amount and terms of any Receivables.

 

(b)                                  Following the written request of the Collateral Agent while a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, each Grantor shall notify obligors on the Receivables owned by such Grantor that such Receivables have been assigned to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and that payments in respect thereof are required to be made directly to the Collateral Agent.

 

(c)                                   Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each Grantor shall remain liable under each of the Receivables (or any agreement giving rise thereto) to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it thereunder, all in accordance with the terms of any agreement giving rise thereto.  Subject to any Applicable Laws, neither the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under any Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto) by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or the receipt by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party of any payment relating thereto, nor shall the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations of any Grantor under or pursuant to any Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to make any payment, to make any inquiry as to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment received by it or as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party thereunder, to present or file any claim, to take any action to enforce any performance or to collect the payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time or times.

 

5.3.                             Pledged Stock and Pledged Notes .

 

(a)                                  Unless a Notice of Acceleration is in effect and the Collateral Agent shall have given notice to the relevant Grantor and the Company of the Collateral Agent’s intent to exercise its corresponding rights pursuant to Section 5.3(b) , each Grantor shall be permitted to receive all cash dividends paid in respect of any Investment Property, including the Pledged Stock, and, subject to the terms and conditions of the Secured Instruments, all payments made in respect of the Pledged Notes, and to exercise all voting and corporate or other organizational rights with respect to the Pledged Stock and Pledged Notes.

 

(b)                                  If a Notice of Acceleration is in effect and the Collateral Agent shall have given notice of its intent to exercise such rights to the relevant Grantor or Grantors and the Company, (i) the Collateral Agent shall have the right to receive any and all cash dividends, payments or other Proceeds paid in respect of any Investment Property, including the Pledged Stock and the Pledged Notes, and make application thereof to the Secured Obligations in such order as is set forth in the Collateral Agency Agreement, and (ii) any or all of the Pledged Stock and the Pledged Notes shall be registered in the name of the Collateral Agent or its nominee, and the Collateral Agent or its nominee may thereafter exercise (x) all voting, corporate and other rights pertaining to such Pledged Stock or Pledged Notes at any meeting of shareholders of the relevant

 

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Issuer or Issuers or otherwise and (y) any and all rights of conversion, exchange and subscription and any other rights, privileges or options pertaining to such Pledged Stock and Pledged Notes as if it were the absolute owner thereof (including, without limitation, the right to exchange at its discretion any and all of the Pledged Stock and Pledged Notes upon the merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other fundamental change in the corporate or other organizational structure of any Issuer, or upon the exercise by any Grantor or the Collateral Agent of any right, privilege or option pertaining to such Pledged Stock or Pledged Notes, and in connection therewith, the right to deposit and deliver any and all of the Pledged Stock or the Pledged Notes with any committee, depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms and conditions as the Collateral Agent may determine), all, subject to any Applicable Laws, without liability except to account for property actually received by it, but the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to any Grantor to exercise any such right, privilege or option and shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing.

 

(c)                                   Each Grantor hereby authorizes and instructs each Issuer of any Pledged Stock or Pledged Notes pledged by such Grantor hereunder to comply with any instruction received by it from the Collateral Agent in writing that (i) states that a Notice of Acceleration is in effect and (ii) is otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without any other or further instructions from, or the consent of, such Grantor, and each Grantor agrees that each Issuer shall be fully protected in so complying.

 

5.4.                             Proceeds to be Turned Over To Collateral Agent .  In addition to the rights of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties specified in Section 5.1 with respect to payments of Receivables, if a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, all Proceeds received by any Grantor consisting of cash, cash equivalents, checks and Instruments shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, segregated from other funds of such Grantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Grantor be turned over to the Collateral Agent to be deposited in the Collateral Account in the exact form received by such Grantor (duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent, if required).  All Proceeds received by the Collateral Agent hereunder shall be held by the Collateral Agent in the Collateral Account in accordance with the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement.  All Proceeds while held by the Collateral Agent in the Collateral Account (or by such Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties) shall continue to be held as collateral security for all the Secured Obligations and shall not constitute payment thereof until applied as provided in Section 5.5 .

 

5.5.                             Application of Proceeds .  If a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, the Collateral Agent shall apply all or any part of Proceeds constituting Collateral, whether or not held in the Collateral Account, in payment of the Secured Obligations at the times and in the manner provided in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

5.6.                             Remedies .  If a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, may exercise, in addition to all other rights and remedies granted to them in this Agreement and in any other instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Secured Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC or any other Applicable Laws.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, the Collateral Agent, without demand of performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice referred to below or otherwise

 

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required by law) to or upon any Grantor or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses, advertisements and notices are hereby waived to the extent not prohibited by law), may in such circumstances forthwith, without notice to the Company and the relevant Grantor, collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, lease, assign, give option or options to purchase, or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, at any exchange, broker’s board or office of the Collateral Agent or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery without assumption of any credit risk.  The Collateral Agent shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to bid for or purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of redemption in any Grantor, which right or equity is hereby waived and released to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Laws, and may make payment on account thereof by using any claim then due and payable to the Secured Parties by such Grantor as a credit against the purchase price (pursuant to procedures established by the Collateral Agent), and the Collateral Agent may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to any Grantor therefor.  Each Grantor further agrees, at the Collateral Agent’s request, to assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Collateral Agent at places which the Collateral Agent shall reasonably select, whether at such Grantor’s premises or elsewhere.  The Collateral Agent shall apply the net proceeds of any action taken by it pursuant to this Section 5.6 , after deducting all reasonable costs and expenses of every kind incurred in connection therewith or incidental to the care or safekeeping of any of the Collateral or in any way relating to the Collateral or the rights of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and disbursements, to the payment in whole or in part of the Secured Obligations, in such order provided for in the Collateral Agency Agreement, and, subject to any Applicable Laws, only after such application and after the payment by the Collateral Agent of any other amount required by any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 9-615(a)(3) of the UCC, need the Collateral Agent account for the surplus, if any, to any Grantor.  To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, each Grantor waives all claims, damages and demands it may acquire against the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder.  If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and proper if given at least 10 days before such sale or other disposition.

 

5.7.                             Registration Rights .

 

(a)                                  If the Collateral Agent shall determine to exercise its right to sell any or all of the Pledged Stock pursuant to Section 5.6 at any time when a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, and if in the opinion of the Collateral Agent or the Applicable Directing Parties (with notice to the Collateral Agent) it is necessary or advisable to have the Pledged Stock, or that portion thereof to be sold, registered under the provisions of the Securities Act, the relevant Grantor will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Issuer thereof to (i) execute and deliver, and cause the directors and officers of such Issuer to execute and deliver, all such instruments and documents, and do or cause to be done all such other acts as may be, in the opinion of the Collateral Agent, necessary or advisable to register the Pledged Stock, or that portion thereof to be sold, under the provisions of the Securities Act, (ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to

 

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cause the registration statement relating thereto to become effective and to remain effective for a period of two years from the date of the first public offering of the Pledged Stock, or that portion thereof to be sold, and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to make all amendments thereto and/or to the related prospectus which, in the opinion of the Collateral Agent, are necessary, all in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission applicable thereto.  Each Grantor agrees to cause such Issuer to comply with the provisions of the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of any and all jurisdictions which the Collateral Agent shall designate and to make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement (which need not be audited) which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.

 

(b)                                  Each Grantor recognizes that the Collateral Agent may be unable to effect a public sale of any or all the Pledged Stock, by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or otherwise, and may be compelled to resort to one or more private sales thereof to a restricted group of purchasers which will be obliged to agree, among other things, to acquire such securities for their own account for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof.  Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that any such private sale may result in prices and other terms less favorable than if such sale were a public sale and, notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that any such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner.  The Collateral Agent shall be under no obligation to delay a sale of any of the Pledged Stock for the period of time necessary to permit the Issuer thereof to register such securities for public sale under the Securities Act, or under applicable state securities laws, even if such Issuer would agree to do so.

 

(c)                                   Each Grantor agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to do or cause to be done all such other acts as may be necessary to make such sale or sales of all or any portion of the Pledged Stock pursuant to this Section 5.7 valid and binding and in compliance with any and all other applicable Requirements of Law.  Each Grantor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section 5.7 will cause irreparable injury to the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, that the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties have no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant contained in this Section 5.7 shall be specifically enforceable against such Grantor, and such Grantor hereby waives and agrees (to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Laws) not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that no Notice of Acceleration is in effect.

 

5.8.                             Deficiency .  Each Grantor shall remain liable for any deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay its Secured Obligations and the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of any attorneys employed by the Collateral Agent to collect such deficiency.

 

5.9.                             Grant of Intellectual Property License .  For the purpose of enabling the Collateral Agent, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to exercise the rights and remedies under this Agreement at such time as the Collateral Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies and for no other purpose, each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, to the extent assignable, for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, an irrevocable, nonexclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty

 

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or other compensation to any Grantor) to use, license or sublicense any Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, subject to, in the case of Trademarks, rights of quality control and inspection in favor of such Grantor, and wherever the same may be located, and including in such license access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer software and programs used for the compilation or printout thereof.

 

SECTION 6.                             THE COLLATERAL AGENT

 

6.1.                             Collateral Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc .

 

(a)                                  Each Grantor appoints the Collateral Agent and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor or in its own name, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement while a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement while a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor hereby gives the Collateral Agent the power and right, on behalf of such Grantor, with notice to such Grantor, to do any or all of the following while a Notice of Acceleration is in effect:

 

(i)                                      in the name of such Grantor or its own name, or otherwise, take possession of and indorse and collect any checks, drafts, notes, acceptances or other instruments for the payment of moneys due under any Receivable or Contract or with respect to any other Collateral and file any claim or take any other action or proceeding in any court of law or equity or otherwise deemed appropriate by the Collateral Agent for the purpose of collecting any and all such moneys due under any Receivable or with respect to any other Collateral whenever payable;

 

(ii)                                   in the case of any Intellectual Property, execute and deliver, and have recorded, any and all agreements, instruments, documents and papers as the Collateral Agent may request to evidence the Collateral Agent’s and the Secured Parties’ security interest in such Intellectual Property and the goodwill and General Intangibles of such Grantor relating thereto or represented thereby;

 

(iii)                                pay or discharge taxes and Liens levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral, effect any repairs or any insurance called for by the terms of this Agreement and pay all or any part of the premiums therefore and the costs thereof;

 

(iv)                               execute, in connection with any sale provided for in Section 5.6 or 5.7 , any indorsements, assignments or other instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect to the Collateral; and

 

(v)                                  (1)  direct any party liable for any payment under any of the Collateral to make payment of any and all moneys due or to become due thereunder directly to the Collateral Agent or as the Collateral Agent shall direct; (2) ask or demand for, collect,

 

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and receive payment of and receipt for, any and all moneys, claims and other amounts due or to become due at any time in respect of or arising out of any Collateral; (3) sign and indorse any invoices, freight or express bills, bills of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications, notices and other documents in connection with any of the Collateral; (4) commence and prosecute any suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect the Collateral or any portion thereof and to enforce any other right in respect of any Collateral; (5) defend any suit, action or proceeding brought against such Grantor with respect to any Collateral; (6) settle, compromise or adjust any such suit, action or proceeding and, in connection therewith, give such discharges or releases as the Collateral Agent may deem appropriate; (7) assign any Copyright, Patent or Trademark (along with the goodwill of the business to which any such Copyright, Patent or Trademark pertains), throughout the world for such term or terms, on such conditions, and in such manner, as the Collateral Agent shall in its sole discretion determine; and (8)generally, sell, transfer, pledge and make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though the Collateral Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and do, at the Collateral Agent’s option and such Grantor’s expense, at any time, or from time to time, all acts and things which the Collateral Agent deems necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and the Collateral Agent’s and the Secured Parties’ security interests therein and to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as such Grantor might do.

 

(b)                                  So long as a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, if any Grantor fails to perform or comply with any of its agreements contained herein, the Collateral Agent, at its option, but without any obligation so to do, may perform or comply, or otherwise cause performance or compliance, with such agreement.

 

(c)                                   The expenses of the Collateral Agent incurred in connection with actions undertaken as provided in this Section 6.1 , together with interest thereon at a rate per annum equal to the highest rate per annum at which interest would then be payable on any past due Loans under the Credit Agreement, from the date of payment by the Collateral Agent to the date reimbursed by the relevant Grantor, shall be payable by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent on demand.

 

(d)                                  Each Grantor hereby ratifies all that said attorneys-in-fact shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.  All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in this Agreement are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated and the security interests created hereby are released.

 

6.2.                             Duty of Collateral Agent .  Subject to any Applicable Laws, the Collateral Agent’s sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Collateral in its possession, under Section 9-207 of the UCC or otherwise, shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the Collateral Agent deals with similar property for its own account.  Neither the Collateral Agent, any Secured Party nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any Grantor or any other Person or to take any other action

 

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whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof.  The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties hereunder are solely to protect the Collateral Agent’s and the Secured Parties’ interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to exercise any such powers.  The Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts that they actually receive as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither they nor any of their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

6.3.                             Authorization of Financing Statements .  To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, each Grantor authorizes the Collateral Agent and any Holder Representative (other than the Secured Notes Representative) on behalf of the Collateral Agent, to file or record financing statements (with notice to the Collateral Agent and the other Holder Representatives) and other filing or recording documents or instruments with respect to the Collateral in such form and in such offices as the Collateral Agent or such Holder Representative, as the case may be, determines appropriate to perfect the security interests of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement.  Each Grantor authorizes the Collateral Agent or such Holder Representative (other than the Secured Notes Representative), as the case may be, to use the collateral description “all assets” or words of similar effect in any such financing statements.

 

6.4.                             Authority of Collateral Agent .  Each Grantor acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement with respect to any action taken by the Collateral Agent or the exercise or non-exercise by the Collateral Agent of any option, voting right, request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein or resulting or arising out of this Agreement shall, as between the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, be governed by the Collateral Agency Agreement and by such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among them, but, as between the Collateral Agent and the Grantors, the Collateral Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Secured Parties with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and no Grantor shall be under any obligation, or entitlement, to make any inquiry respecting such authority.

 

SECTION 7.                             GUARANTEE

 

7.1.                             The Guarantee .  The Subsidiary Guarantors hereby jointly and severally guarantee to each of the Secured Parties and their respective successors and assigns the prompt payment in full when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Secured Obligations.  The Subsidiary Guarantors hereby further jointly and severally agree that if the Company shall fail to pay in full when due (whether at stated or extended maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) any of the Secured Obligations, the Subsidiary Guarantors will jointly and severally pay the same without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Secured Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at extended maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal.

 

7.2.                             Obligations Unconditional .  The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors under Section 7.1 are irrevocable, absolute and unconditional, joint and several, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the obligations of the Company under

 

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this Agreement, the other Secured Instruments or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein, or any substitution, release or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the Secured Obligations, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 7 that the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances other than a defense of final payment in full of the Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due).  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that the occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or impair the liability of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereunder, which shall remain absolute and unconditional as described above:

 

(a)                                  at any time or from time to time, without notice to the Subsidiary Guarantors, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of the Secured Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance shall be waived;

 

(b)                                  any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of this Agreement, the other Secured Instruments or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein shall be done or omitted;

 

(c)                                   the maturity of any of the Secured Obligations shall be accelerated, or any of the Secured Obligations shall be modified, supplemented or amended in any respect, or any right under this Agreement, the other Secured Instruments or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of the Secured Obligations or any security therefor shall be released or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with; or

 

(d)                                  any Lien or security interest granted to, or in favor of, any Secured Party as security for any of the Secured Obligations shall fail to be perfected.

 

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws, the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby expressly waive diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that any Secured Party exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against the Company under this Agreement, the other Secured Instruments or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein, or against any other Person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Secured Obligations.

 

7.3.                             Reinstatement .  The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Section 7 shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by or on behalf of the Company in respect of the Secured Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Secured Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise, and the Subsidiary Guarantors jointly and severally agree that they will indemnify the Secured Parties on demand for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable out-of-pocket fees and other charges of counsel) incurred by the Secured Parties in connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such costs and expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such

 

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payment constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.

 

7.4.                             Subrogation .  The Subsidiary Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree that until the payment and satisfaction in full of all Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due), and the expiration and termination of all letters of credit or commitments to extend credit under all Secured Instruments, they shall not exercise any right or remedy arising by reason of any performance by them of their guarantee in Section 7.1 , whether by subrogation or otherwise, against the Company or any other guarantor of any of the Secured Obligations or any security for any of the Secured Obligations.

 

7.5.                             Remedies .  The Subsidiary Guarantors jointly and severally agree that, as between the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Secured Parties, a Secured Obligation may be declared to be forthwith due and payable as provided in the respective Secured Instrument therefor (including Article VII of the Credit Agreement or Article VI of the Secured Notes Indenture), and shall be deemed to have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances provided in such Secured Instrument for purposes of Section 7.1 , notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or such obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantors and that, in the event of such declaration (or such obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), such obligations (whether or not due and payable by the Company) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Subsidiary Guarantors for purposes of Section 7.1 .

 

7.6.                             Continuing Guarantee .  The guarantee in this Section 7 is a continuing guarantee of payment (and not of collection), and shall apply to all Secured Obligations whenever arising.

 

7.7.                             Instrument for the Payment of Money .  Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby acknowledges that the guarantee in this Section 7 constitutes an instrument for the payment of money, and consents and agrees that any Secured Party, at its sole option, in the event of a dispute by such Subsidiary Guarantor in the payment of any moneys due hereunder, shall have the right to bring motion action under New York CPLR Section 3213.

 

7.8.                             Rights of Contribution .  The Grantors hereby agree, as between themselves, that if any Subsidiary Guarantor shall become an Excess Funding Guarantor (as defined below) by reason of the payment by such Subsidiary Guarantor of any Secured Obligations, then each other Subsidiary Guarantor shall, on demand of such Excess Funding Guarantor (but subject to the next sentence), pay to such Excess Funding Guarantor an amount equal to such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Pro Rata Share (as defined below and determined, for this purpose, without reference to the properties, debts and liabilities of such Excess Funding Guarantor) of the Excess Payment (as defined below) in respect of such Secured Obligations.  The payment obligation of a Subsidiary Guarantor to any Excess Funding Guarantor under this Section 7.8 shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the other provisions of this Section 7 and such Excess Funding Guarantor shall not exercise any right or remedy with respect to such excess until payment and satisfaction in full of all of such obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due).

 

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For purposes of this Section 7.8 , (i) “ Excess Funding Guarantor ” means, in respect of any Secured Obligations, a Subsidiary Guarantor that has paid an amount in excess of its Pro Rata Share of such Secured Obligations, (ii) “ Excess Payment ” means, in respect of any Secured Obligations, the amount paid by an Excess Funding Guarantor in excess of its Pro Rata Share of such Secured Obligations and (iii) “ Pro Rata Share ” means, for any Subsidiary Guarantor, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of (x) the amount by which the aggregate fair saleable value of all properties of such Subsidiary Guarantor (excluding any Equity Interests of any other Subsidiary Guarantor) exceeds the amount of all the debts and liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder and any obligations of any other Subsidiary Guarantor that have been Guaranteed by such Subsidiary Guarantor) to (y) the amount by which the aggregate fair saleable value of all properties of the Company and all of the Subsidiary Guarantors exceeds the amount of all the debts and liabilities (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of the Grantors hereunder) of the Company and all of the Subsidiary Guarantors, determined (A) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a party hereto on the date hereof, as of the date hereof, and (B) with respect to any other Subsidiary Guarantor, as of the date such Subsidiary Guarantor becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder.

 

7.9.                             General Limitation on Guarantee Obligations .  In any action or proceeding involving any state, corporate or other law, or any Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting the rights of creditors generally, if the obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under Section 7.1 would otherwise, taking into account the provisions of Section 7.8 , be held or determined to be void, invalid or unenforceable, or subordinated to the claims of any other creditors, on account of the amount of its liability under Section 7.1 , then, notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, the amount of such liability shall, without any further action by such Subsidiary Guarantor, any Secured Party or any other Person, be automatically limited and reduced to the highest amount that is valid and enforceable and not subordinated to the claims of other creditors as determined in such action or proceeding.

 

7.10.                      Indemnity by the Company .  In addition to all such rights of indemnity and subrogation as the Subsidiary Guarantors may have under Applicable Law (but subject to Section 7.4 ), the Company agrees that (a) in the event a payment shall be made by any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify such Subsidiary Guarantor for the full amount of such payment and such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the Person to whom such payment shall have been made to the extent of such payment and (b) in the event any assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be sold pursuant to this Agreement or any other Security Document to satisfy in whole or in part the Secured Obligations, the Company shall indemnify such Subsidiary Guarantor in an amount equal to the greater of the book value or the fair market value of the assets so sold.

 

7.11.                      Keepwell .  Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Grantor to honor all of its obligations under this Agreement in respect of Swap Obligations ( provided , however , that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 7.11 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 7.11 , or

 

39



 

otherwise under this Agreement, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount).  The obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section shall remain in full force and effect until Swap Obligations have been paid in full.  Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 7.11 constitute, and this Section 7.11 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Grantor for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

Qualified ECP Guarantor ” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Grantor that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant Guarantee or grant of the relevant security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or such other person as constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

Swap Obligation ” means, with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

SECTION 8.                             COLLATERAL ALLOCATION

 

8.1.                             [Intentionally Omitted] .

 

8.2.                             Designation of Collateral .  The Company may at any time and from time to time after the Effective Date designate any Portfolio Investment as Credit Facility First Priority Collateral, Secured Notes First Priority Collateral or Shared Collateral hereunder , such designation to be effected by delivery to the Collateral Agent of a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit B or in such other form approved by the Collateral Agent (a “ Collateral Designation Notice ”), which notice shall identify such Portfolio Investment and be accompanied by a certificate of any Responsible Officer delivered to the Collateral Agent, certifying that:

 

(a)                                  such designation is permitted (or not prohibited) by the Secured Instruments;

 

(b)                                  after giving effect to such designation (including a designation for purposes of curing a Default or an Event of Default), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(c)                                   in the case of any designation of a Portfolio Investment included in Credit Facility First Priority Collateral as Secured Notes First Priority Collateral or Shared Collateral, after giving effect to such designation either (x) the Borrowing Base is equal to at least 100% of the Covered Debt Amount and such designation will not result in a reduction in the excess of the Borrowing Base over the Covered Debt Amount, or (y) the Borrowing Base is equal to at least 110% of the Covered Debt Amount; and

 

(d)                                  in the case of any designation of a Portfolio Investment included in Secured Notes First Priority Collateral as Credit Facility First Priority Collateral or

 

40



 

Shared Collateral, after giving effect to such designation, the Company is in Pro Forma Covenant Compliance.

 

Following any designation of a Portfolio Investment as Collateral of a different type in accordance with this Section 8.2 , such Portfolio Investment shall be deemed released from its previous designation and shall thereafter constitute Collateral of the type so designated.

 

8.3.                             Designation of After-Acquired Portfolio Investments .  The Company shall, within five Business Days of the acquisition of any Portfolio Investment (excluding Cash) or within 5 Business Days after any Portfolio Investment that previously constituted an Excluded Asset has ceased to constitute an Excluded Asset, deliver a Collateral Designation Notice to the Collateral Agent designating such Portfolio Investment as either Credit Facility First Priority Collateral or Secured Notes First Priority Collateral or Shared Collateral.  Without limiting the foregoing, in the event any such Portfolio Investment has not been designated as Credit Facility First Priority Collateral, Secured Notes First Priority Collateral or Shared Collateral in accordance with this Section 8.3 , such Portfolio Investment shall be deemed to have been designated as Shared Collateral until such time as it is otherwise designated in accordance with this Section 8.3 .

 

SECTION 9.                             MISCELLANEOUS

 

9.1.                             Amendments in Writing .  None of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except in accordance with Section 6.3 of the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

9.2.                             Notices .  All notices, requests and demands to or upon the Collateral Agent or any Grantor hereunder shall be effected in the manner provided for in Section 6.1 of the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

9.3.                             No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies .  Neither the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party shall by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to Section 9.1 ), delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default.  No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof.  No single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.  A waiver by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the Collateral Agent or such Secured Party would otherwise have on any future occasion.  The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided by law.

 

9.4.                             Successors and Assigns .  This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of each Grantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties and their successors and assigns; provided that no Grantor may assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent, except as permitted pursuant to Section 9.04(a) of the Credit Agreement or

 

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Section 12.10 of the Secured Notes Indenture, as applicable, and any attempted assignment in violation of this Section 9.4 shall be void ab initio .

 

9.5.                             Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by telecopy), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

 

9.6.                             Severability .  Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

9.7.                             Section Headings .  The Section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.

 

9.8.                             Integration .  This Agreement and the other Secured Instruments represent the agreement of the Grantors, the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any Grantor, the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party relative to subject matter hereof and thereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Secured Instruments.

 

9.9.                             GOVERNING LAW .  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

9.10.                      Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers .  Each Grantor, and by its acceptance hereof, the Collateral Agent, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a)                                  submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the other Secured Instruments to which it is a party, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court.  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;

 

(b)                                  consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same; and

 

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(c)                                   waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

 

9.11.                      Additional Grantors .  Each Subsidiary of the Company that is required to become a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.08 of the Credit Agreement, Section 4.10 of the Secured Notes Indenture or any requirement of any other Secured Instrument shall become a Grantor for all purposes of this Agreement upon execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of a Guarantee Assumption Agreement in the form of Exhibit A hereto.  Upon the execution and delivery of any such Guarantee Assumption Agreement by any such Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall automatically and immediately, and without any further action on the part of any Person, become a “Grantor” for all purposes of this Agreement, and Schedules 1.1A , 1.1B and 1.1C , inclusive, hereto shall be deemed to be supplemented in the manner specified in such Guarantee Assumption Agreement.  In addition, upon execution and delivery of any such Guarantee Assumption Agreement, the new Grantor makes the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3 as of the date of such Guarantee Assumption Agreement.

 

9.12.                      Releases .

 

(a)                                  At the time and to the extent provided in Section 6.12(a) of the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Collateral or any applicable portion thereof shall be released from the Liens created hereby, and this Agreement and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Collateral Agent and each Grantor hereunder in respect of the Collateral or any applicable portion thereof, shall terminate, in accordance with the provisions of the Collateral Agency Agreement.  At the request and sole expense of any Grantor following any such termination, the Collateral Agent shall promptly (and in any event within 2 Business Days after receipt of such request) deliver to such Grantor any Collateral or the applicable portion thereof held by the Collateral Agent hereunder, and promptly (and in any event within 2 Business Days after receipt of such request) execute and deliver to such Grantor such documents as such Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination.

 

(b)                                  At the times and to the extent provided in Sections 6.12(d), (e), (f) and (g) of the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Collateral so specified shall be released from the Liens created hereby on such Collateral, in accordance with the provisions of the Collateral Agency Agreement.  At the request and sole expense of any Grantor following any such release, the Collateral Agent shall promptly (and in any event within 2 Business Days after receipt of such request) deliver to such Grantor any Collateral held by the Collateral Agent hereunder, and promptly (and in any event within 2 Business Days after receipt of such request) execute and deliver to such Grantor such documents as such Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such release.

 

(c)                                   At the times and to the extent provided in Section 6.12(c) of the Collateral Agency Agreement, any Subsidiary Grantor so specified shall be released from its obligations hereunder, and the Liens over the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Grantor shall also be released, in accordance with the provisions of the Collateral Agency Agreement.  At the request and sole expense of any Grantor following any such release, the Collateral Agent shall promptly (and in any event within 2 Business Days after receipt of such request) deliver to such Grantor

 

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any Collateral held by the Collateral Agent hereunder, and promptly (and in any event within 2 Business Days after receipt of such request) execute and deliver to such Grantor such documents as such Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such release.

 

9.13.                      Collateral Agency Agreement .  (a)  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the liens and security interests granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement, the exercise of any right or remedy by the Collateral Agent hereunder and each other provision of this Agreement are, as between or among the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, subject to the provisions of the Collateral Agency Agreement and the rights of the Secured Parties set forth in the Collateral Agency Agreement.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement shall govern.

 

(a)                                  The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to all the rights, privileges, protections and immunities set forth in the Collateral Agency Agreement in connection with the execution of this Agreement and the performance of its duties hereunder.

 

9.14.                      WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .  EACH GRANTOR, AND BY ACCEPTANCE OF THE BENEFITS HEREOF, THE COLLATERAL AGENT, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

 

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

 

 

FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

 

BERWYN FUNDING LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

BRYN MAWR FUNDING LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

EP AMERICAN ENERGY INVESTMENTS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

FOXFIELDS FUNDING LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 



 

 

FSEP TERM FUNDING, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

EP ALTUS INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

EP BURNETT INVESTMENTS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

EP SYNERGY INVESTMENTS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

FSEP ENERGY INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 



 

 

FSEP INVESTMENTS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

FSEP-BBH, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 



 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

 

as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Alfred Chi

 

 

Name: Alfred Chi

 

 

Title: Vice President

 


Exhibit 10.3

 

Execution Version

 

 

COLLATERAL AGENCY AND INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

dated as of August 16, 2018

 

among

 

FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND,

 

CERTAIN OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES PARTIES HERETO,

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as the initial Credit Facility Representative

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as the initial Secured Notes Representative

 

and

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Collateral Agent

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

PREAMBLE

1

 

 

SECTION 1. DEFINED TERMS

1

 

 

 

1.1

Definitions

1

 

 

 

SECTION 2. ACCELERATION OF SECURED OBLIGATIONS

9

 

 

 

2.1

Notices of Acceleration

9

2.2

General Authority of the Collateral Agent over the Collateral

10

2.3

Right to Initiate Judicial Proceedings

11

2.4

Right to Appoint a Receiver

11

2.5

Exercise of Powers; Instructions of the Applicable Directing Parties

11

2.6

Remedies Not Exclusive

12

2.7

Waiver and Estoppel

13

2.8

Limitation on Collateral Agent’s Duty in Respect of Collateral

13

2.9

Limitation by Law

13

2.10

Rights of Secured Parties under Secured Instruments

14

2.11

Collateral Use Prior to Acceleration

14

2.12

Remedies Generally

15

2.13

Non-Cash Proceeds

16

 

 

 

SECTION 3. COLLATERAL ACCOUNT; DISTRIBUTIONS

17

 

 

 

3.1

The Collateral Account

17

3.2

Control of Collateral Account

17

3.3

Investment of Funds Deposited in Collateral Account

17

3.4

Identification of Proceeds

18

3.5

Application of Proceeds of Collateral

18

3.6

Amounts Held for Contingent Secured Obligations

22

3.7

Collateral Agent’s Calculations

22

3.8

Pro Rata Sharing

22

3.9

Collateral Account Information and Access

23

 

 

 

SECTION 4. AGREEMENTS WITH COLLATERAL AGENT

23

 

 

 

4.1

Delivery of Secured Instruments

23

4.2

Information as to Secured Parties and Holder Representatives

23

4.3

Compensation and Expenses

24

4.4

Stamp and Other Similar Taxes

24

4.5

Filing Fees, Excise Taxes, Etc.

24

4.6

Indemnification

25

4.7

Collateral Agent’s Lien; Set Off Rights

25

4.8

Further Assurances

25

 

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SECTION 5. THE COLLATERAL AGENT

26

 

 

 

5.1

Appointment

26

5.2

Reliance by Collateral Agent

27

5.3

Rights as a Secured Party

27

5.4

Indemnification

27

5.5

Non-Reliance on Collateral Agent and Other Secured Parties

28

5.6

Failure to Act

28

5.7

Resignation of Collateral Agent

28

5.8

Agents and Attorneys-in-Fact

29

5.9

Co-Collateral Agent; Separate Collateral Agent

29

5.10

Treatment of Payee or Indorsee by Collateral Agent; Representatives of Secured Parties

31

 

 

 

SECTION 6. MISCELLANEOUS

31

 

 

 

6.1

Notices

31

6.2

No Waivers

31

6.3

Amendments, Supplements and Waivers

32

6.4

Holders of Hedging Obligations

32

6.5

Headings

34

6.6

Severability

34

6.7

Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries

34

6.8

Currency Conversions

34

6.9

Acknowledgements

34

6.10

Governing Law

34

6.11

Counterparts

35

6.12

Termination and Release

35

6.13

Additional Grantors

38

6.14

Inspection by Regulatory Agencies

38

6.15

Confidentiality

39

6.16

Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers

39

6.17

WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL

40

6.18

Holder Representatives’ Rights and Protections

40

 

 

 

SECTION 7. DESIGNATION OF OTHER PARI PASSU LIEN OBLIGATIONS

40

 

 

 

7.1

Designation of Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations

40

7.2

Designation Notice; Joinder Agreement

40

7.3

Termination of Designation

41

 

 

 

SECTION 8. PROVISIONS RELATING TO SECURED OBLIGATIONS

41

 

 

 

8.1

Controlling Agreement

41

8.2

Incorrect Distribution

41

8.3

Return of Moneys

41

8.4

Parties Having Other Relationships

42

 

ii



 

8.5

Waivers of Rights

42

8.6

Permitted Exercise of other Rights

42

8.7

Amendment and Modification of Secured Instruments

43

8.8

Secured Obligations Unconditional

43

 

 

 

SECTION 9. INSOLVENCY PROCEEDINGS AND RELATED MATTERS

44

 

 

 

9.1

Insolvency Proceedings and Noteholder-Related Secured Parties

44

9.2

Insolvency Proceedings and Credit Facility Secured Parties

45

9.3

Adequate Protection

47

9.4

Post-Petition Interest, etc.

48

9.5

Separate Grants of Security and Separate Classification

48

9.6

Voting

49

 

Exhibits :

 

Exhibit A

Form of Notice of Acceleration

 

Exhibit B

Form of Additional Grantor Joinder Agreement

 

Exhibit C

Form of Notice of Designation

 

Exhibit D

Form of Designated Indebtedness Joinder Agreement

 

 

iii



 

This COLLATERAL AGENCY AND INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, dated as of August 16, 2018 (this “ Agreement ”), among FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND, a Delaware statutory trust (the “ Company ”), the subsidiaries of the Company from time to time parties hereto (the “ Subsidiary Guarantors ”, and together with the Company, the “ Grantors ”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the initial Credit Facility Representative, U.S. Bank National Association, as the initial Secured Notes Representative, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent.

 

W   I   T   N   E   S   S   E   T   H :

 

WHEREAS, the Grantors have, pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents (such term and certain other capitalized terms used hereinafter being defined in Section 1.1 ), granted to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, security interests in the Collateral to secure the Secured Obligations as provided therein, and

 

WHEREAS, the Grantors and each Holder Representative acting on behalf of the holders of the Secured Obligations for which it is a representative intend that the Collateral Agent act as the Collateral Agent for the holders of the Secured Obligations pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to receive, hold, maintain, administer and distribute the Collateral and to enforce the Security Documents and all interests, rights, powers and remedies of the Collateral Agent with respect thereto or thereunder,

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of and subject to the premises and the mutual agreements set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.
DEFINED TERMS

 

1.1                                Definitions .

 

(a)                                  Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Effective Date Credit Agreement and the Security Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Effective Date Credit Agreement and the Security Agreement, as applicable.

 

(b)                                  The following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth below:

 

Agreement ” shall mean this Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Applicable Directing Parties ” shall mean:

 

(a)                                  in the case of matters relating to the exercise of rights or remedies (including the taking or refraining from taking of any action) against or in respect of the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral or the enforcement of the Security Documents in respect thereof (including a credit bid in a foreclosure sale), the Credit Facility Representative;

 

(b)                                  in the case of matters relating to the exercise of rights or remedies (including the taking or refraining from taking of any action) against or in respect of the

 



 

Credit Facility Obligations’ Proportionate Share of any Divisible Shared Collateral or the enforcement of the Security Documents in respect thereof (including a credit bid in a foreclosure sale), the Credit Facility Representative;

 

(c)                                   in the case of matters relating to the exercise of rights or remedies (including the taking or refraining from taking of any action) against or in respect of the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral or the enforcement of the Security Documents in respect thereof (including a credit bid in a foreclosure sale), the Secured Notes Representative;

 

(d)                                  in the case of matters relating to the exercise of rights or remedies (including the taking or refraining from taking of any action) against or in respect of the Secured Notes Obligations’ and Other Secured Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations’ Proportionate Share of any Divisible Shared Collateral or the enforcement of the Security Documents in respect thereof (including a credit bid in a foreclosure sale), the Secured Notes Representative;

 

(e)                                   in the case of matters relating to the exercise of rights or remedies (including the taking or refraining from taking of any action) against or in respect of the Shared Collateral (other than the Divisible Shared Collateral), the Instructing Secured Parties;

 

(f)                                    in the case of matters relating to requests by the Secured Parties to the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors to grant or perfect Liens on Collateral as required by any Secured Instrument, or to request additional information, any Holder Representative;

 

(g)                                   in the case of matters relating to the release of any Collateral (except as otherwise provided herein), each Holder Representative; and

 

(h)                                  in the case of matters relating to the amendment, modification or waiver of the Collateral Agency Agreement or any other Security Document, or the grant of any forbearance hereunder or thereunder, or any other matter not covered above, including Section 5.7, Section 5.9(b), Section 6.12(c), 6.12(e) and 6.12(g), each Holder Representative.

 

Bankruptcy Law ” shall mean each of the Bankruptcy Code and any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors and/or creditors’ rights.

 

Borrowing Base ” shall have the meaning assigned in, and shall be calculated in accordance with, the Effective Date Credit Agreement.

 

Capital Stock ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

Cash Equivalents ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Credit Agreement.

 

Class ” shall mean, as the context may require (i) the Credit Agreement Obligations, (ii) the Secured Notes Indenture Obligations, (iii) the Other Credit Facility

 

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Pari Passu Lien Obligations of any series represented by a common Holder Representative or (iv) the Other Secured Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations of any series represented by a common Holder Representative, each as a separate “Class” hereunder.

 

Collateral ” shall mean, collectively, all assets in which the Collateral Agent is granted a security interest pursuant to this Agreement or any other Security Document; provided that Collateral shall at any time exclude any Excluded Assets.

 

Collateral Account ” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 3.1 .

 

Collateral Agent ” shall mean JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as collateral agent pursuant to the terms of the Security Agreement and this Agreement, and any successor collateral agent appointed thereunder.

 

Collateral Agent Fees ” shall mean all fees, costs and expenses of, and all outstanding indemnity obligations to the Collateral Agent of the types described or otherwise specified in Sections 4.3 , 4.4 , 4.5 and 4.6 and in the other Security Documents.

 

Collateral Enforcement Action ” shall mean, with respect to any Secured Party, for such Secured Party, to exercise, seek to exercise, join any Person in exercising or to institute or to maintain or to participate in any action or proceeding with respect to, any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral, including (i) instituting or maintaining, or joining any Person in instituting or maintaining, any enforcement, contest, protest, attachment, collection, execution, levy or foreclosure action or proceeding with respect to any Collateral, whether under any Secured Instrument, Security Document or otherwise, (ii) exercising any right of set-off with respect to any Grantor with respect to the Secured Obligations, or (iii) exercising any other right or remedy under the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction or under any Bankruptcy Law or other applicable law.

 

Covered Debt Amount ” shall have the meaning assigned in, and shall be calculated in accordance with, the Effective Date Credit Agreement.

 

Credit Agreement ” shall mean (i) the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2018, among the Company, the lenders and agents parties thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the other agents named therein, and (ii) any other credit agreement, loan agreement, note agreement, promissory note, indenture or other agreement or instrument evidencing or governing the terms of any Indebtedness or other financial accommodation that has been incurred in a Qualifying Refinancing to Refinance (with the same or different lenders) in whole or in part (under one or more separate agreements) the Indebtedness and other obligations outstanding under the Credit Agreement referred to in clause (i) above or any other agreement or instrument referred to in this clause (ii) and designated by the Company as Refinancing Debt (with the consent of the Credit Facility Representative unless each then existing Credit Agreement has been paid in full).

 

Credit Agreement Administrative Agent ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

3



 

Credit Facility First Priority Collateral ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

Credit Agreement Obligations ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

Credit Facility Obligations ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

Credit Facility Representative ” shall mean (i) unless each Credit Agreement has been paid in full, the Credit Agreement Administrative Agent and (ii) from and after the time that each Credit Agreement has been paid in full, the Holder Representative for the series of Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations with the then greatest Outstanding Amount.

 

Credit Facility Secured Parties ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

Distribution Date ” means, at any time a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, the first Business Day of each calendar month.

 

Divisible Shared Collateral ” means, at any time, cash.

 

Effective Date ” shall mean August 16, 2018.

 

Effective Date Credit Agreement ” shall mean the Credit Agreement as in effect on the Effective Date, without giving effect to any amendment, supplement, restatement or other modification.

 

Effective Date Secured Notes Indenture ” shall mean the Secured Notes Indenture as in effect on the Effective Date, without giving effect to any amendment, supplement, restatement or other modification.

 

Excluded Assets ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

Grantors ” shall have the meaning assigned in the preamble hereto.

 

Hedging Obligations ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

Holder Representatives ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

Indebtedness ” shall mean, of any Person at any date, all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money including, without limitation, contingent and matured obligations in respect of letters of credit.

 

Indemnified Parties ” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 4.6 .

 

4



 

Insolvency Proceeding ” shall mean each of the following, in each case with respect to the Company or any other Grantor: (a) (i) any voluntary or involuntary case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law or any other voluntary or involuntary insolvency, reorganization or bankruptcy case or proceeding, (ii) any case or proceeding seeking receivership, liquidation, reorganization, winding up or other similar case or proceeding, (iii) any case or proceeding seeking arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief or composition of any debt and (iv) any case or proceeding seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other similar official and (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors.

 

Instructing Secured Parties ” shall mean, on any date, Secured Parties holding more than 50% of the sum of the aggregate Outstanding Amount under the Secured Instruments on such date.

 

Interest Proceeds ” means all payments of interest or dividends received by any Grantor in respect of any Portfolio Investments (including if such Portfolio Investment constitutes an Excluded Asset) or Cash Equivalents, all payments of fees and other similar amounts received by any Grantor (including commitment fees, facility fees, late payment fees, amendment fees and waiver fees, but excluding syndication or other up-front fees) and all amounts received by any Grantor under hedge agreements (other than termination payments or payments upon notional reductions).

 

Lender ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Credit Agreement.

 

Noteholder-Related Secured Parties ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

Noteholder Secured Parties ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

Notes Priority Collateral Coverage Ratio ” shall have the meaning assigned in, and shall be calculated in accordance with, the Effective Date Secured Notes Indenture.

 

Notice Effective Time ” shall mean, with respect to a Notice of Acceleration or a Notice of Cancellation or a notice of an Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing, as the case may be, the time of the Collateral Agent’s delivery of a written acknowledgement of its receipt of such notice, which written acknowledgement shall be delivered by the Collateral Agent no later than the second Business Day after the Business Day on which such Notice of Acceleration, Notice of Cancellation or notice of an Event of Default containing the information required hereby is received at the address of the Collateral Agent specified for notices in this Agreement.

 

Notice of Acceleration ” shall mean a written notice delivered to the Collateral Agent by a Holder Representative in respect of the Secured Obligations for which such Holder Representative acts, stating that (a) the Secured Obligations for which such Holder Representative acts as a representative have not been paid in full at the stated final maturity thereof and any applicable grace period has expired or (b) an Event of Default has occurred under and as defined in the provisions of the Secured Instruments for which

 

5



 

such Holder Representative acts as a representative and, as a result thereof, the related Secured Obligations outstanding under such Secured Instruments have become (or have been declared to be) due and payable in accordance with the terms of such Secured Instruments and have not been paid in full or, in the case of any reimbursement obligation in respect of an outstanding letter of credit or letter of guarantee outstanding under such Secured Instrument, that the requirement for immediate cash collateralization under such Secured Instrument has not been satisfied.  Each Notice of Acceleration shall be in substantially the form and substance of Exhibit A .

 

Notice of Cancellation ” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 2.1(c) .

 

Notice of Designation ” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 7.2 .

 

Outstanding Amount ” shall mean (a) with respect to Indebtedness, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof determined in accordance with the applicable Secured Instrument, (b) with respect to banker’s acceptances, letters of credit or letters of guarantee, if any, the aggregate undrawn, unexpired face amount thereof plus the aggregate unreimbursed drawn amount thereof and (c) with respect to any Hedging Obligation, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Company’s or such Subsidiary’s termination liability thereunder, calculated assuming that a termination event has occurred thereunder at such time.

 

paid in full ” or “ payment in full ” or “ pay such amounts in full ” shall mean, with respect to any Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been made), the payment in full in cash of all amounts owing with respect to the Secured Obligations (other than (x) contingent indemnification obligations and (y) as part of a Refinancing), including the principal of, accrued (but unpaid) interest (including Post-Petition Interest if applicable) and premium, if any on all such Secured Obligations and, with respect to letters of credit outstanding thereunder, delivery of cash collateral or backstop letters of credit in respect thereof in compliance with the applicable Secured Instruments in each case, after or concurrently with termination of all commitments thereunder and payment in full of all fees payable at or prior to the time such principal and interest are paid.

 

Person ” shall mean an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership (including without limitation, a joint venture), an unincorporated association, a trust or any other entity or organization, including but not limited to, a government or political subdivision or any agency or instrumentality thereof.

 

Post-Petition Interest ” shall mean all interest and entitlement to fees or expenses or other charges accruing or that would have accrued after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding, irrespective of whether a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest or entitlement to fees or expenses or other charges is allowed or allowable in any such Insolvency Proceeding.

 

Post-Petition Securities ” shall mean any debt securities or other Indebtedness received in full or partial satisfaction of any claim as part of any Insolvency Proceeding.

 

6



 

Principal Proceeds ” means all amounts received by any Grantor with respect to the Portfolio Investments (including if such Portfolio Investment constitutes an Excluded Asset) or any other Collateral, and all amounts otherwise on deposit in any Securities Account or Deposit Account, in each case other than Interest Proceeds and Excluded Assets.

 

Proceeds ” shall mean all “proceeds” as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(64) of the UCC and, in any event, shall include, without limitation, all dividends or other income from the Investment Property, Pledged Stock or Portfolio Investments, collections thereon or distributions or payments with respect thereto.

 

Proportionate Share ” means, following delivery of a Notice of Acceleration, (i) with respect to Credit Facility Obligations, a ratio equal to the aggregate Outstanding Amount of Credit Facility Obligations over the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Secured Obligations or (ii) with respect to Secured Notes Obligations, a ratio equal to the aggregate Outstanding Amount of Secured Notes Obligations over the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Secured Obligations, in each case determined as of the related Notice Effective Time.

 

Qualifying Refinancing ” shall mean any Refinancing of any Secured Obligations that is not prohibited by the then extant Secured Instruments.

 

Refinancing ” shall mean, with respect to any Indebtedness, such Indebtedness after giving effect to any refinancing, extension, renewal, defeasance, amendment, restatement, modification, supplement, restructuring, replacement, exchange, refunding or repayment thereof, or other Indebtedness (including under any Post-Petition Securities received on account of such Indebtedness) issued as part of any refinancing, extension, renewal, defeasance, amendment, restatement, modification, supplement, restructuring, replacement, exchange, refunding or repayment thereof, and the term “ Refinance ” has a correlative meaning.

 

Refinancing Debt ” shall mean, collectively, any Indebtedness or other financial accommodations incurred by the Company in a Qualifying Refinancing of Credit Agreement Obligations or Secured Notes Indenture Obligations and designated by the Company as “Refinancing Debt” pursuant to Section 7.2 .

 

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, partners, trustees, administrators, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

 

Release Conditions ” shall mean the conditions for the release of Collateral in any Secured Instrument (other than any Hedging Agreement).

 

Responsible Officer ” shall mean, as to the Company, any President, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President, any Vice President, the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer.

 

7



 

Secured Hedge Providers ” means, collectively, each holder of Hedging Obligations.

 

Secured Instruments ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

Secured Notes Indenture ” shall mean (i) the Indenture dated as of August 16, 2018, between the Company and the initial Secured Notes Representative, as Trustee (the initial Secured Notes Representative in such capacity, the “ Trustee ”), and (ii) any other credit agreement, loan agreement, note agreement, promissory note, indenture or other agreement or instrument evidencing or governing the terms of any Indebtedness or other financial accommodation that has been incurred in a Qualifying Refinancing to Refinance (with the same or different lenders) in whole or in part (under one or more separate agreements) the Indebtedness and other obligations outstanding under the indenture referred to in clause (i) above or any other agreement or instrument referred to in this clause (ii) and designated by the Company as Refinancing Debt (with the consent of the Secured Notes Representative unless each then existing Credit Agreement has been paid in full) .

 

Secured Notes First Priority Collateral ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

Secured Notes Indenture Obligations ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

Secured Notes Obligations ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

Secured Notes Representative ” shall mean (i) unless each Secured Notes Indenture has been paid in full, the Trustee, and (ii) from and after the time that each Secured Notes Indenture has been paid in full, the Holder Representative for the series of Other Secured Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations with the then greatest Outstanding Amount.

 

Secured Obligations ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

Secured Parties ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

Security Agreement ” shall mean the Guarantee and Security Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, executed and delivered by the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor in favor of the Collateral Agent.

 

Security Documents ” shall means collectively, this Agreement, the Security Agreement, all Uniform Commercial Code financing statements filed with respect to the security interests in the Collateral created pursuant hereto and all other assignments, pledge agreements, security agreements, control agreements and other instruments executed and delivered on or after the date hereof by any of the Grantors pursuant hereto

 

8



 

or otherwise providing or relating to any collateral security for any of the Secured Obligations.

 

UCC ” shall have the meaning assigned in the Security Agreement.

 

(c)                                   The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and section, section, exhibit, schedule and annex references are to this Agreement unless, respectively, otherwise specified.  References to agreements defined in Section 1.1(b)  shall, unless otherwise specified, be deemed to refer to such agreements as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

(d)                                  The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

 

(e)                                   Where the context requires, terms relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, when used in relation to a Grantor, shall refer to such Grantor’s Collateral or the relevant part thereof.

 

(f)                                    The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation” whether or not they are in fact followed by such words or words of like import.

 

SECTION 2.
ACCELERATION OF SECURED OBLIGATIONS

 

2.1                                Notices of Acceleration .

 

(a)                                  Upon receipt by the Collateral Agent of a Notice of Acceleration, the Collateral Agent shall promptly notify the Company and the Holder Representatives of the receipt and contents thereof.  So long as such Notice of Acceleration is in effect, upon the direction of the Applicable Directing Parties, as provided herein, the Collateral Agent shall exercise the rights and remedies provided in this Agreement and in the other Security Documents.  The Collateral Agent is not empowered to take any Collateral Enforcement Action hereunder or under any other Security Document unless a Notice of Acceleration is in effect.  The Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties agree, solely for their own benefit (and not for the benefit of the Grantors), that the Collateral Agent shall exercise all of its powers, rights and remedies hereunder and under the Security Documents upon direction in writing from the Applicable Directing Parties directing such exercise.  For purposes of this Agreement, a Notice of Acceleration shall be considered to be in effect as of the Notice Effective Time.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, a Notice of Acceleration shall be deemed to be in effect as of the Notice Effective Time whenever (x) an Event of Default under clause (i), (j) or (k) of Article VII of the Credit Agreement or under clause (5) of Section 6.01 of the Secured Notes Indenture (or the corresponding provision of any Secured Instrument) has occurred and is continuing and (y) the Collateral Agent is notified by a Holder Representative that such Event of Default has occurred.  A Notice of Acceleration, once effective, shall remain in effect unless and until it is cancelled as provided in Section 2.1(c) .

 

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(c)                                   Any Holder Representative shall be entitled to cancel any Notice of Acceleration delivered by such Holder Representative by delivering a written notice of cancellation thereof (a “ Notice of Cancellation ”) to the Collateral Agent either before or after the Collateral Agent takes any action to exercise any remedy with respect to the Collateral; provided , that (x) if the Collateral Agent has received a Notice of Cancellation and thereupon no other Notices of Acceleration are then in effect, such notice shall serve as direction from the Applicable Directing Parties to the Collateral Agent, with respect to any actions taken by the Collateral Agent prior to receipt of such Notice of Cancellation to exercise any remedy or remedies with respect to the Collateral that can, in a commercially reasonable manner, be reversed, cancelled or stopped, take commercially reasonable steps to reverse, cancel or stop such actions, and (y) any action taken by the Collateral Agent prior to receipt of such Notice of Cancellation to exercise any remedy or remedies with respect to the Collateral that cannot, in a commercially reasonable manner, be reversed, cancelled or stopped, may be completed.  The Collateral Agent shall promptly (but in any event not later than on the second Business Day following the Business Day of the Collateral Agent’s actual receipt thereof) notify the Company and the Holder Representatives as to the receipt and contents of any such Notice of Cancellation.  Subject to any Applicable Law, the Collateral Agent shall not be liable to any Person for any losses, damages or expenses arising out of or related to actions taken at the direction of the Applicable Directing Parties after the issuance of a Notice of Cancellation.  For purposes of this Agreement, a Notice of Cancellation shall be considered to be in effect as of the Notice Effective Time.

 

2.2                                General Authority of the Collateral Agent over the Collateral .  Each Grantor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Collateral Agent and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power and authority in its or his own name at any time when a Notice of Acceleration is in effect (and at any time in connection with the creation and perfection of security interests in the Collateral), from time to time in the Collateral Agent’s discretion, subject to Section 2.1 , to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable to carry out the terms of this Agreement and the other Security Documents and accomplish the purposes hereof and thereof and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor hereby gives the Collateral Agent, subject to Section 2.1 , the power and right on behalf of such Grantor, without notice to or further assent by any Grantor to take any Collateral Enforcement Actions permitted under the Security Documents and to do, at its option and at the expense and for the account of Grantors, all acts and things which the Collateral Agent deems necessary or appropriate to protect or preserve the Collateral and to realize upon the Collateral in accordance with the provisions of the Security Documents.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as no Notice of Acceleration is in effect, upon the direction of the Applicable Directing Parties, as provided herein, the Collateral Agent shall take such actions as are permitted by this Agreement or the other Security Documents.  Such actions may include, but are not limited to, taking action to create and perfect the Liens granted pursuant to the Security Documents in accordance with the Secured Instruments, this Agreement and the other Security Documents, releases of Liens on the Collateral in accordance with this Agreement, receipt and delivery of information required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement and the other Security Documents and to accept deposits to and make withdrawals from the Collateral Account

 

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and to invest amounts therein in each case in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Security Documents.

 

2.3                                Right to Initiate Judicial Proceedings .  If a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, the Collateral Agent, upon the direction of the Applicable Directing Parties, as provided herein, and otherwise subject to the provisions of Section 2.5(b), Section 5 and Section 9 : (i) shall have the right and power to institute and maintain such suits and proceedings as it may deem appropriate to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Agreement and each other Security Document and (ii) may, either after entry, or without entry, proceed by suit or suits at law or in equity to enforce such rights and to foreclose upon the Collateral and to sell all or, from time to time, any of the Collateral under the judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

2.4                                Right to Appoint a Receiver . If a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, upon the filing of a bill in equity or other commencement of judicial proceedings to enforce the rights of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement or any other Security Document, the Collateral Agent shall, upon the direction of the Applicable Directing Parties, as provided herein, to the extent permitted by law, with notice to the Company but without notice to any party claiming through the Grantors, without regard to the solvency or insolvency at the time of any Person then liable for the payment of any of the Secured Obligations, without regard to the then value of the Collateral, and without requiring any bond from any complainant in such proceedings, be entitled as a matter of right to the appointment of a receiver or receivers (who may be the Collateral Agent) of the Collateral, or any part thereof, and of the rents, issues, tolls, profits, royalties, revenues and other income thereof, pending such proceedings, with such powers as the court making such appointment shall confer, and to the entry of an order directing that the rents, issues, tolls, profits, royalties, revenues and other income of the property constituting the whole or any part of the Collateral be segregated, sequestered and impounded for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, and each Grantor irrevocably consents to the appointments of such receiver or receivers and to the entry of such order; provided that, notwithstanding the appointment of any receiver, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to retain possession and control of all cash and Cash Equivalents constituting Collateral held by or deposited with it pursuant to this Agreement or any other Security Document.

 

2.5                                Exercise of Powers; Instructions of the Applicable Directing Parties .

 

(a)                                  Upon the direction of the Applicable Directing Parties, as provided herein, all of the powers, remedies and rights of the Collateral Agent as set forth in this Agreement may be exercised by the Collateral Agent in respect of any Security Document as though set forth in full therein and all of the powers, remedies and rights of the Collateral Agent, each Holder Representative and the other Secured Parties as set forth in any Security Document may be exercised from time to time as herein and therein provided.  In the event of any conflict between the provisions of any other Security Document and the provisions hereof, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern.

 

(b)                                  The Applicable Directing Parties shall at all times have the right, by one or more notices in writing executed and delivered to the Collateral Agent (or by telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing), to direct the time, method and place of conducting any

 

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proceeding for any right or remedy available to the Collateral Agent, or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Collateral Agent, or for the appointment of a receiver, or to direct the taking or the refraining from taking of any action authorized by this Agreement or any other Security Document; provided that (i) such direction shall not conflict with any Applicable Law or this Agreement or any other Security Document, (ii) the Collateral Agent shall be reasonably indemnified as provided in Section 5.4 and (iii) no Collateral Enforcement Action may be taken unless a Notice of Acceleration is in effect.  In the absence of such direction, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to take or refrain from taking any action, nor any liability for refraining from taking any action in the absence of such direction.

 

(c)                                   Except as permitted in Section 8.6 , no Holder Representative or other Secured Party, other than the Collateral Agent, shall do (and no such Holder Representative or other Secured Party (other than the Applicable Directing Parties) shall direct the Collateral Agent to do) any of the following without the consent of the Applicable Directing Parties: (i) take any Collateral Enforcement Action or (ii) object to, contest or take any other action that is reasonably likely to hinder (1) any Collateral Enforcement Action initiated by the Collateral Agent, (2) any release of Collateral permitted under Section 6.12 , whether or not done in consultation with or with notice to such Secured Party, or (3) any decision by the Applicable Directing Parties to forbear or refrain from bringing or pursuing any such Collateral Enforcement Action or to effect any such release.  In the event that the Applicable Directing Parties consent to any such actions by a Holder Representative or other Secured Party, the Applicable Directing Parties shall simultaneously provide written notice of such consent to the Collateral Agent.

 

2.6                                Remedies Not Exclusive .

 

(a)                                  No remedy conferred upon or reserved to the Collateral Agent herein or in the other Security Documents is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy or remedies, but every such remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy conferred herein or in any other Security Document or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute.

 

(b)                                  No delay or omission by the Collateral Agent to exercise any right, remedy or power hereunder or under any other Security Document shall impair any such right, remedy or power or shall be construed to be a waiver thereof, and every right, power and remedy given by this Agreement or any other Security Document to the Collateral Agent may, subject to the terms hereof, be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by the Collateral Agent.

 

(c)                                   If the Collateral Agent shall have proceeded to enforce any right, remedy or power under this Agreement or any other Security Document and the proceeding for the enforcement thereof shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Collateral Agent, then the Grantors, the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, severally and respectively be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder or thereunder with respect to the Collateral and in all other respects, and thereafter all rights, remedies and powers of the Collateral Agent shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

 

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(d)                                  All rights of action and of asserting claims upon or under this Agreement and the other Security Documents may be enforced by the Collateral Agent without the possession of any Secured Instrument or instrument evidencing any Secured Obligation or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any suit or proceeding instituted by the Collateral Agent shall be, subject to Section 5.10 , brought in its name as Collateral Agent and any recovery of judgment shall be held as part of the Collateral.

 

2.7                                Waiver and Estoppel .

 

(a)                                  Each Grantor agrees, to the extent it may lawfully do so, that it will not at any time in any manner whatsoever claim, or take the benefit or advantage of, any appraisement, valuation, stay, extension, moratorium, turnover or redemption law, or any law permitting it to direct the order in which the Collateral shall be sold, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may delay, prevent or otherwise affect the performance or enforcement of this Agreement or any other Security Document and hereby, to the fullest extent permitted by any Applicable Law, waives all benefit or advantage of all such laws and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power granted to the Collateral Agent in this Agreement or any other Security Document but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law were in force; provided that nothing contained in this Section 2.7(a)  shall be construed as a waiver of any rights of the Grantors under any applicable Bankruptcy Law.

 

(b)                                  Each Grantor, to the extent it may lawfully do so, on behalf of itself and all who may claim through or under it, including, without limitation, any and all subsequent creditors, vendees, assignees and lienors, waives and releases all rights to demand or to have any marshalling of the Collateral upon any sale, whether made under any power of sale granted herein or in any other Security Document or pursuant to judicial proceedings or upon any foreclosure or any enforcement of this Agreement or any other Security Document and consents and agrees that all the Collateral may at any such sale be offered and sold as an entirety.

 

(c)                                   Each Grantor waives, to the extent permitted by applicable law, presentment, demand, protest and any notice of any kind (except notices explicitly required hereunder, under any Secured Instrument or under any other Security Document) in connection with this Agreement and the other Security Documents and any action taken by the Collateral Agent with respect to the Collateral.

 

2.8                                Limitation on Collateral Agent’s Duty in Respect of Collateral .  Beyond its duties as to the custody of Collateral expressly provided herein or in any other Security Document and to account to the Secured Parties and the Grantors for moneys and other property received by it hereunder or under any other Security Document, the Collateral Agent shall to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Law not have any duty to the Grantors or to the Secured Parties as to any Collateral in its possession or control or in the possession or control of any of its agents or nominees, or any income thereon or as to the preservation of rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining thereto.

 

2.9                                Limitation by Law .  All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Agreement or any other Security Document may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any Applicable Law, and all the provisions hereof are intended to be

 

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subject to all applicable mandatory Requirements of Law which may be controlling and to be limited to the extent necessary so that they will not render this Agreement invalid, unenforceable in whole or in part or not entitled to be recorded, registered or filed under the provisions of any applicable law.

 

2.10                         Rights of Secured Parties under Secured Instruments .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other Security Document, the right of each Secured Party to receive payment of the Secured Obligations held by such Secured Party when due (whether at the stated maturity thereof, by acceleration or otherwise) as expressed in the related Secured Instrument or other instrument evidencing or agreement governing a Secured Obligation or to institute suit for the enforcement of such payment on or after such due date or to exercise any other remedy it may have as an unsecured creditor against the Grantors, and the obligation of the Grantors to pay such Secured Obligations when due, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Secured Party given in the manner prescribed by the Secured Instrument under which such Secured Obligation is outstanding; provided , however , that in the event any Secured Party becomes a judgment lien creditor or otherwise obtains any Lien as a result of its enforcement of its rights as an unsecured creditor, such judgment lien and the Collateral subject thereto shall be subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and such Secured Party shall assign such Lien to the Collateral Agent for inclusion as Collateral or hold such Lien for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in each case as directed by the Applicable Directing Parties.

 

2.11                         Collateral Use Prior to Acceleration .

 

(a)                                  So long as no Notice of Acceleration shall be in effect, the Grantors shall have the right:

 

(i)                                      to remain in possession and retain exclusive control of the Collateral (except for such property which the Grantors are required to give possession of or control over to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the terms of any Security Document) with power freely and without let or hindrance on the part of the Secured Parties (except as set forth in the Secured Instruments) to operate, manage, develop, use and enjoy the Collateral, to receive the rents, issues, tolls, profits, royalties, revenues and other income thereof, and

 

(ii)                                   to sell or otherwise dispose of, free and clear of the Lien created by this Agreement and the other Security Documents, any Collateral if such sale or other disposition is not prohibited by the Secured Instruments or has been expressly approved in accordance with the terms of the Secured Instruments,

 

The Collateral Agent shall have no duty to monitor the exercise by the Grantors of their rights under this Section 2.11(a) .

 

(b)                                  So long as no Notice of Acceleration is in effect, (i) in the event of a partial sale or other disposition or return of capital of a financial instrument that is partially pledged as two or more of the categories of Secured Notes First Priority Collateral, Credit Facility First Priority Collateral and Shared Collateral, subject to the Company’s rights to release Collateral as provided in Section 6.12 and to redesignate Collateral as provided in Sections 8.2

 

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and 8.3 of the Security Agreement, such sale, disposition or return of capital shall be deemed to, first , reduce the portion of such financial instrument constituting Shared Collateral, second , to the extent the Notes Priority Collateral Coverage Ratio exceeds 1.50 to 1.0 and/or the ratio of the Borrowing Base to the Covered Debt Amount exceeds 1.00 to 1.00, on a pro rata basis to reduce any positive amount of such excess(es) based on the respective amount of such excesses and, third , on a pro rata basis to reduce the amount of such financial instrument included in the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral and the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral based on the respective principal amount of Secured Notes Obligations, on the one hand, and Credit Facility Obligations, on the other hand, and (ii) all distributions and transfers of cash and cash and cash equivalents by a Grantor to a Person that is not a Grantor shall be deemed to, first , reduce cash and cash equivalents constituting Shared Collateral, second , to the extent the Notes Priority Collateral Coverage Ratio exceeds 1.50 to 1.0 and/or the ratio of the Borrowing Base to the principal amount of Credit Facility Obligations (to the extent included in the Covered Debt Amount) exceeds 1.00 to 1.00, on a pro rata basis to reduce any positive amount of such excess(es) based on the respective amount of such excesses and, third , on a pro rata basis to reduce the amount of cash and cash equivalents included in the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral and the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral based on the respective Outstanding Amounts of Secured Notes Obligations, on the one hand, and Credit Facility Obligations, on the other hand; provided , that no disposition, distribution or transfer of cash and cash equivalents constituting any portion of the Collateral may be made by any Grantor unless such distribution or transfer is permitted (or not prohibited) by the Credit Agreement, the Secured Notes Indenture and the other Secured Instruments.

 

(c)                                   When a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, cash Proceeds (including Cash Equivalents, checks and similar items) received by the Collateral Agent in connection with the sale or other disposition of, or collections on or of, Collateral or otherwise received in respect of the Collateral shall be deposited in the Collateral Account.  Any such Proceeds (and other items) received by any Grantor shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent, shall be segregated from other funds of such Grantor and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Grantor, be identified as Credit Facility First Priority Collateral, Secured Notes First Priority Collateral or Shared Collateral and turned over to the Collateral Agent, in same form as received by such Grantor (duly indorsed to the Collateral Agent, if required) for deposit in the Collateral Account.

 

(d)                                  If for any reason any Grantor shall receive or hold any Proceeds of Collateral that are required to be held by the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 2.11(c) , such Grantor shall hold such proceeds or dividends in trust for the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties and shall, as promptly as practicable, identify such proceeds or dividends as Credit Facility First Priority Collateral, Secured Notes First Priority Collateral or Shared Collateral and deliver such proceeds or dividends to the Collateral Agent to be held in accordance with the provision of this section.

 

2.12                         Remedies Generally .  If a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, may, upon the direction of the Applicable Directing Parties, as provided herein, exercise, in addition to all other rights and remedies granted to the Collateral Agent in the Security Documents and in any other instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Secured Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC or any other applicable law.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the

 

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Collateral Agent, without demand of performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice referred to below or otherwise required by law) to or upon any Grantor or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses, advertisements and notices are hereby waived to the extent not prohibited by law), may, subject in all cases to the right to request the direction of the Applicable Directing Parties as provided herein, in such circumstances forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, lease, assign, give option or options to purchase, or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, at any exchange, broker’s board or office of the Collateral Agent or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery without assumption of any credit risk.  If a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, if so directed by the Applicable Directing Parties, the Collateral Agent shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to bid for or purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of redemption in any Grantor, which right or equity is hereby waived and released to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Law, and if a Holder Representative consents, make payment on account thereof by using any claim then due and payable to the Secured Parties represented by such Holder Representative by such Grantor as a credit against the purchase price, and the Collateral Agent may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, hold, retain and dispose of property purchased in a manner provided above without further accounting to any Grantor therefor.  Each Grantor further agrees, when a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, at the Collateral Agent’s request, to assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Collateral Agent at places which the Collateral Agent shall reasonably select, whether at such Grantor’s premises or elsewhere.  Upon any sale or other disposition of any Collateral at the direction of the Applicable Directing Parties following a Notice of Acceleration, the Liens securing the Secured Obligations on the Collateral so sold or disposed of shall be automatically released; provided that the Liens securing the Credit Facility Obligations and the Liens securing the Secured Notes Obligations will attach to the Proceeds of the sale or other disposition on the same basis of priority as applied to the Collateral so sold or disposed of.  The Collateral Agent shall apply the proceeds of any action taken by it pursuant to the Security Documents in accordance with Section 3 .  To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Grantor waives all claims, damages and demands it may acquire against the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder.  If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and proper if given at least 10 days before such sale or other disposition.

 

2.13                         Non-Cash Proceeds .  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if the Collateral Agent shall acquire any Collateral through foreclosure or by a conveyance in lieu of foreclosure or by retaining any of the Collateral in satisfaction of all or part of the Secured Obligations or if any Proceeds or other property received by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to be distributed and shared pursuant to this Agreement are in a form other than immediately available funds, the Collateral Agent shall not be required to remit any share thereof under the terms hereof and the Secured Parties shall only be entitled to their undivided interests therein as determined hereby.  The Secured Parties shall receive the applicable portions of any immediately available funds consisting of Proceeds from such Collateral or proceeds of such non-cash Proceeds or other property so acquired only if and when paid in connection with

 

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the subsequent disposition thereof.  While any Collateral or other property to be shared pursuant to this Agreement is held by the Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent shall hold such Collateral or other property for the benefit of the Secured Parties in accordance with their respective interests therein and all matters relating to the management, operation, further disposition or any other aspect of such Collateral or other property shall be resolved by the agreement of the Holder Representatives.

 

SECTION 3.
COLLATERAL ACCOUNT; DISTRIBUTIONS

 

3.1                                The Collateral Account .  On the Effective Date there shall be established and, at all times thereafter until this Agreement shall have terminated, there shall be maintained in the name of the Company at such office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as selected by the Collateral Agent an account which is entitled the “FSEP Collateral Account” (the “ Collateral Account ”).  All direct or indirect Proceeds of Collateral and all other moneys that are required by this Agreement or any other Security Document to be delivered to the Collateral Agent while a Notice of Acceleration is in effect or which are received by the Collateral Agent or any agent or nominee of the Collateral Agent in respect of the Collateral while a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, whether in connection with the exercise of the remedies provided in this Agreement, any other Security Document or otherwise (collectively, the “ Collections ”) shall be deposited in the Collateral Account to be held by the Collateral Agent as part of the Collateral and applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  Upon request of the Company at any time when no Notice of Acceleration is in effect and to the extent permitted (or not prohibited) by the Credit Agreement, the Secured Notes Indenture and the other Secured Instruments, the Collateral Agent shall cause all funds on deposit in the Collateral Account to be paid over to the Grantors in accordance with their respective interests.

 

3.2                                Control of Collateral Account .  All right, title and interest in and to the Collateral Account shall vest in the Collateral Agent, and funds on deposit in the Collateral Account shall constitute part of the Collateral.  The Collateral Account shall be subject to the exclusive dominion and control of the Collateral Agent.  Without limitation of the preceding sentence, if a Notice of Acceleration is in effect and subject to the rights and duties of the Collateral Agent in this Section 3 , the Collateral Agent will comply with instructions originated by the Applicable Directing Parties or any Holder Representative, as applicable, as provided herein, directing disposition of the funds in the Collateral Account without further consent by the Grantors.  To the extent of its right, title and interest therein, each Grantor hereby grants a security interest in and lien on the Collateral Account, the Collections, other items in the Collateral Account and the proceeds thereof to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as collateral security for such Grantor’s Secured Obligations.  The Grantors shall have no rights (including to make withdrawals from or give instructions) with respect to the Collateral Account or any funds contained therein except as otherwise expressly provided in Sections 3.1 and 3.3 of this Agreement.

 

3.3                                Investment of Funds Deposited in Collateral Account .  The Collateral Agent may, but shall not be required to, invest and reinvest moneys on deposit in the Collateral Account at any time in Cash Equivalents.  All such investments and the interest and income received thereon and the net proceeds realized on the sale or redemption thereof shall be held in

 

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the Collateral Account as part of the Collateral.  The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for any diminution in funds resulting from such investments.

 

3.4                                Identification of Proceeds .  The Company shall maintain a record, in reasonable detail and specificity, in which it accounts for all cash and Cash Equivalents at any time held by any Grantor as Interest Proceeds or Principal Proceeds, as applicable, and as Credit Facility First Priority Collateral, Secured Notes First Priority Collateral, Shared Collateral or Excluded Assets, as applicable, in all cases in a manner consistent with the Collateral allocation and tracking requirements of Section 8 of the Security Agreement and Section 2.11(b)  of this Agreement (the “ Collections Record ”).  The Company shall make available the Collections Record, and shall instruct each custodian and agent acting on its behalf in connection with this Agreement to make available at reasonable times and with prior notice, such records as may be in such Person’s possession at all times, for inspection by the Collateral Agent or any Holder Representative for the purpose of confirming the source of any cash or Cash Equivalents and whether such cash or Cash Equivalents constitute Credit Facility First Priority Collateral, Secured Notes First Priority Collateral, Shared Collateral or Excluded Assets.

 

3.5                                Application of Proceeds of Collateral .

 

(a)                                  Application of Proceeds of Shared Collateral .  All Proceeds of Shared Collateral (other than Divisible Shared Collateral) held by the Collateral Agent in the Collateral Account while a Notice of Acceleration is in effect shall, to the extent available for distribution (it being understood that the Collateral Agent may liquidate investments prior to maturity in order to make a distribution pursuant to this Section 3.5(a) ) and unless otherwise directed by the Applicable Directing Parties, as provided herein, be distributed (subject to the provisions of Sections 3.6 and 3.8 ) by the Collateral Agent on each Distribution Date in the following order of priority (with such distributions being made by the Collateral Agent to the respective Holder Representatives for the Secured Parties entitled thereto, and each such Holder Representative shall be responsible for insuring that amounts distributed to it are distributed to its Secured Parties in the order of priority set forth below):

 

First :  pro rata to the Collateral Agent (and other trustees appointed pursuant to this Agreement) for any unpaid Collateral Agent Fees (including as provided in Section 4.3 ), the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07 of the Indenture and the Credit Agreement Administrative Agent for amounts due under Sections 2.10(c) and 9.03 of the Credit Agreement, and then to any Secured Party that has theretofore advanced or paid any Collateral Agent Fees constituting administrative expenses allowable under Section 503(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, an amount equal to the amount thereof so advanced or paid by such Secured Party and for which such Secured Party has not been reimbursed prior to such Distribution Date, and, if such moneys shall be insufficient to pay such amounts in full, then ratably to such Secured Parties in proportion to the amounts of such Collateral Agent Fees advanced by the respective Secured Parties and remaining unpaid on such Distribution Date;

 

Second :  to any Secured Party which has theretofore advanced or paid any Collateral Agent Fees other than such administrative expenses, an amount equal to the amount thereof so advanced or paid by such Secured Party and for which such Secured

 

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Party has not been reimbursed prior to such Distribution Date, and, if such moneys shall be insufficient to pay such amounts in full, then ratably to such Secured Parties in proportion to the amounts of such Collateral Agent Fees advanced by the respective Secured Parties and remaining unpaid on such Distribution Date;

 

Third :  to any Holder Representative for any unpaid fees and expenses payable to such Person pursuant to the Secured Instruments and, if such moneys shall be insufficient to pay such amounts in full, then ratably to such Persons in proportion to the unpaid amounts thereof on such Distribution Date;

 

Fourth :  to the holders of Secured Obligations in an amount equal to the unpaid principal and unpaid interest on and premium and other charges, if any, and reimbursement obligations with respect to the Secured Obligations, outstanding termination amounts in respect of Hedging Obligations, interest and fees thereon and all other amounts constituting Secured Obligations (including but not limited to indemnities and payments for increased costs), and, if such moneys shall be insufficient to pay such amounts in full, then all remaining Proceeds shall be distributed to the Holder Representatives in an amount equal to their Proportionate Share of such remaining Proceeds; and

 

Fifth :  any surplus then remaining shall be paid to the Grantors or their successors or assigns or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

 

(b)                                  Application of Proceeds of Credit Facility First Priority Collateral .  All Proceeds of Credit Facility First Priority Collateral and the Credit Facility Representative’s Proportionate Share of the Proceeds of any Divisible Shared Collateral held by the Collateral Agent in the Collateral Account while a Notice of Acceleration is in effect shall, to the extent available for distribution (it being understood that the Collateral Agent may liquidate investments prior to maturity in order to make a distribution pursuant to this Section 3.5(b) ) and unless otherwise directed by the Applicable Directing Parties, as provided herein, be distributed (subject to the provisions of Sections 3.6 and 3.8 ) by the Collateral Agent on each Distribution Date in the following order of priority (with such distributions being made by the Collateral Agent to the respective Holder Representatives for the Secured Parties entitled thereto, and each such Holder Representative shall be responsible for insuring that amounts distributed to it are distributed to its Secured Parties in the order of priority set forth below):

 

First :  pro rata to the extent Proceeds of any Shared Collateral distributed pursuant to clause 3.5(a) are insufficient, to the Collateral Agent (and other trustees appointed pursuant to this Agreement) for any unpaid Collateral Agent Fees (including as provided in Section 4.3 ) and the Credit Agreement Administrative Agent for amounts due under Sections 2.10(c) and 9.03 of the Credit Agreement, and then to any Credit Facility Secured Party that has theretofore advanced or paid any Collateral Agent Fees constituting administrative expenses allowable under Section 503(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, an amount equal to the amount thereof so advanced or paid by such Credit Facility Secured Party and for which such Credit Facility Secured Party has not been reimbursed prior to such Distribution Date, and, if such moneys shall be insufficient to pay such

 

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amounts in full, then ratably to such Credit Facility Secured Parties in proportion to the amounts of such Collateral Agent Fees advanced by the respective Credit Facility Secured Parties and remaining unpaid on such Distribution Date (which amounts shall, to the extent practicable, be allocated ratably with Proceeds of Secured Note First Priority Collateral applied pursuant to First of clause (c) below);

 

Second :  to any Credit Facility Secured Party which has theretofore advanced or paid any Collateral Agent Fees other than such administrative expenses, an amount equal to the amount thereof so advanced or paid by such Credit Facility Secured Party and for which such Credit Facility Secured Party has not been reimbursed prior to such Distribution Date, and, if such moneys shall be insufficient to pay such amounts in full, then ratably to such Credit Facility Secured Parties in proportion to the amounts of such Collateral Agent Fees advanced by the respective Credit Facility Secured Parties and remaining unpaid on such Distribution Date;

 

Third :  to the Credit Facility Representative for any unpaid fees and expenses payable to the Credit Facility Representative pursuant to the Secured Instruments;

 

Fourth :  to the holders of Credit Facility Obligations in an amount equal to the unpaid principal and unpaid interest on and premium and other charges, if any, and reimbursement obligations with respect to the Credit Facility Obligations, outstanding termination amounts in respect of Hedging Obligations, interest and fees thereon and all other amounts constituting Credit Facility Obligations (including but not limited to indemnities and payments for increased costs), and, if such moneys shall be insufficient to pay such amounts in full, then ratably to such holders in proportion to the unpaid amounts thereof on such Distribution Date;

 

Fifth :  in the order specified in clauses First through Fourth of Section 3.5(c)  below; and

 

Sixth :  any surplus then remaining shall be paid to the Grantors or their successors or assigns or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

 

(c)                                   Application of Proceeds of Secured Notes First Priority Collateral .  All Proceeds of Secured Notes First Priority Collateral and the Secured Notes Representative’s Proportionate Share of the Proceeds of any Divisible Shared Collateral held by the Collateral Agent in the Collateral Account while a Notice of Acceleration is in effect shall, to the extent available for distribution (it being understood that the Collateral Agent may liquidate investments prior to maturity in order to make a distribution pursuant to this Section 3.5(c) ) and unless otherwise directed by the Applicable Directing Parties, as provided herein, be distributed (subject to the provisions of Sections 3.6 and 3.8 ) by the Collateral Agent on each Distribution Date in the following order of priority (with such distributions being made by the Collateral Agent to the respective Holder Representatives for the Secured Parties entitled thereto, and each such Holder Representative shall be responsible for insuring that amounts distributed to it are distributed to its Secured Parties in the order of priority set forth below):

 

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First :  pro rata to the extent Proceeds of any Shared Collateral distributed pursuant to clause 3.5(a) are insufficient, to the Collateral Agent (and other trustees appointed pursuant to this Agreement) for any unpaid Collateral Agent Fees (including as provided in Section 4.3 ) and the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07 of the Indenture, and then to any Noteholder-Related Secured Party that has theretofore advanced or paid any Collateral Agent Fees constituting administrative expenses allowable under Section 503(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, an amount equal to the amount thereof so advanced or paid by such Noteholder-Related Secured Party and for which such Noteholder-Related Secured Party has not been reimbursed prior to such Distribution Date, and, if such moneys shall be insufficient to pay such amounts in full, then ratably to such Noteholder-Related Secured Parties in proportion to the amounts of such Collateral Agent Fees advanced by the respective Noteholder-Related Secured Parties and remaining unpaid on such Distribution Date (which amounts shall, to the extent practicable, be allocated ratably with Proceeds of Credit Facility First Priority Collateral applied pursuant to First of clause 3.5(b) above);

 

Second :  to any Noteholder-Related Secured Party which has theretofore advanced or paid any Collateral Agent Fees other than such administrative expenses, an amount equal to the amount thereof so advanced or paid by such Noteholder-Related Secured Party and for which such Noteholder-Related Secured Party has not been reimbursed prior to such Distribution Date, and, if such moneys shall be insufficient to pay such amounts in full, then ratably to such Noteholder-Related Secured Parties in proportion to the amounts of such Collateral Agent Fees advanced by the respective Noteholder-Related Secured Parties and remaining unpaid on such Distribution Date;

 

Third :  to the Holder Representatives of any Secured Notes Obligations for any unpaid fees and expenses payable to such Holder Representative pursuant to the Secured Instruments;

 

Fourth :  to the holders of Secured Notes Obligations in an amount equal to the unpaid principal and unpaid interest on and premium and other charges, if any and all other amounts constituting Secured Notes Obligations (including but not limited to indemnities and payments for increased costs), and, if such moneys shall be insufficient to pay such amounts in full, then ratably to such holders in proportion to the unpaid amounts thereof on such Distribution Date;

 

Fifth :  in the order specified in clauses First through Fourth of Section 3.5(b)  above; and

 

Sixth :  any surplus then remaining shall be paid to the Grantors or their successors or assigns or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

 

(d)                                  The term “unpaid” as used in the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and (c) with respect to the relevant Grantor(s), refers to all amounts of Secured Obligations outstanding as of a Distribution Date, whether or not such amounts are fixed or contingent, and, in the case of an Insolvency Proceeding, with respect to any Grantor, whether or not such amounts are allowed in

 

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such Insolvency Proceeding, to the extent that prior distributions (whether actually distributed or set aside pursuant to Section 3.6 ) have not been made in respect thereof.

 

3.6                                Amounts Held for Contingent Secured Obligations .  In the event any Secured Party shall be entitled to receive any distributions from the Collateral Account of any moneys in respect of any unliquidated, unmatured or contingent portion of the outstanding Secured Obligations, then the Collateral Agent shall, at the written request of the Applicable Directing Parties, deposit such moneys into a separate subaccount of the Collateral Account and invest such moneys in obligations of the kinds referred to in Section 3.3 maturing within three months after they are acquired by the Collateral Agent and shall hold all such amounts so distributable, and all such investments and the net proceeds thereof, in trust solely for such Secured Party and for no other purpose until (i) such Secured Party shall have notified the Collateral Agent that all or part of such unliquidated, unmatured or contingent claim shall have become matured or fixed, in which case the Collateral Agent shall distribute from such investments and the proceeds thereof an amount equal to such matured or fixed claim to such Secured Party for application to the payment of such matured or fixed claim, and shall promptly give notice thereof to the Company or (ii) all or part of such unliquidated, unmatured or contingent claim shall have been extinguished, whether as the result of an expiration without drawing of any letter of credit, payment of amounts secured or covered by any letter of credit other than by drawing thereunder, payment of amounts covered by any guarantee or otherwise, in which case (x) such Secured Party shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, notify the Company and the Collateral Agent and (y) such investments, and the proceeds thereof, shall be held in the Collateral Account in trust for all Secured Parties pending application in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.5 .

 

3.7                                Collateral Agent’s Calculations .  In making the determinations and allocations required by Section 3.5 , the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to request from each Holder Representative in respect of the Secured Obligations for which such Holder Representative acts prior to making any payment and distribution provided for in such Section 3.5 such information as may be required for such determinations and allocations, and may conclusively rely upon information supplied by such Holder Representatives, and the Collateral Agent shall have no liability to any of the Secured Parties for actions taken in reliance on such information, provided that nothing in this sentence shall prevent any Grantor from contesting any amounts claimed by any Secured Party in any information so supplied.  All distributions made by the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 3.5 shall be (subject to Section 3.8 and to any decree of any court of competent jurisdiction) final (absent manifest error), and the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to inquire as to the application by any Holder Representative in respect of any amounts distributed to such Holder Representative.

 

3.8                                Pro Rata Sharing .  If, through the operation of any Bankruptcy Law or otherwise, the Collateral Agent’s security interest hereunder and under the Security Documents is enforced with respect to some, but not all, of the Secured Obligations then outstanding, the Collateral Agent shall to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, nonetheless apply the proceeds of the Collateral for the benefit of the holders of all Secured Obligations in the proportions and subject to the priorities specified herein, and such Secured Obligations for which the security interest is not enforced shall be considered Secured Obligations hereunder for the purpose of Section 3.5 ; provided , however , that nothing in this Section 3.8 shall be deemed to require the

 

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Collateral Agent to disregard or violate any court order binding upon it and in all cases the Collateral Agent may seek direction from the Holder Representatives and a ruling from the court having jurisdiction over the operation of such Bankruptcy Law or other Applicable Law.

 

3.9                                Collateral Account Information and Access .  At such times as the Company or any Holder Representative may reasonably request in writing the Collateral Agent shall provide a full accounting of all funds then standing to the credit of the Collateral Account.  The Collateral Agent also shall provide the necessary information and passwords to enable the Company and the Holder Representatives to electronically access account statements and data for the Collateral Account.

 

SECTION 4.
AGREEMENTS WITH COLLATERAL AGENT

 

4.1                                Delivery of Secured Instruments .  On the Effective Date, the Grantors shall deliver to the Collateral Agent copies of each Secured Instrument (other than the Credit Agreement and the Secured Notes Indenture) certified as such to the Collateral Agent by a Responsible Officer of the Company, then in effect, original counterparts of each Security Document then in effect and any opinions issued by counsel to the Grantors in connection with such Secured Instruments, and, if not addressed in the above referenced opinion, an opinion of counsel to Grantors as to the due authorization, execution, delivery and enforceability of this Agreement as against the Grantors.  The Grantors shall deliver to the Collateral Agent, promptly upon the execution thereof, a copy of all amendments, modifications, supplements, waivers, consents or forbearances with respect to any Secured Instrument entered into after the Effective Date.  Promptly upon the incurrence of any Refinancing Debt, Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations or Other Secured Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations, the Company shall deliver to the Collateral Agent copies of all documents or instruments pursuant to which such obligations have been or will be incurred or otherwise governing the terms or conditions thereof.  Promptly upon receipt thereof, the Collateral Agent will deliver or make available copies of all such documents to all Holder Representatives.

 

4.2                                Information as to Secured Parties and Holder Representatives .  Each of the Company and the Holder Representatives, as applicable, shall deliver to the Collateral Agent from time to time upon request of the Collateral Agent or any other Holder Representative, a list setting forth as of a date not more than 30 days prior to the date of such delivery, (i) in the case of the Credit Agreement Representative, the aggregate Outstanding Amount of Credit Agreement Obligations, (ii) in the case of the Trustee, the aggregate Outstanding Amount of Secured Notes Indenture Obligations, (iii) in the case of the Company, the aggregate Outstanding Amount of Hedging Obligations and the name and address of the Secured Hedge Providers and (iv) the information necessary, in the judgment of the Collateral Agent, to confirm the Instructing Secured Parties as of such date.  In addition, each Holder Representative will promptly notify the Company and the Collateral Agent the names of the officers of each thereof authorized to give directions hereunder on behalf of such parties and of any changes thereto prior to the date of any such changes.  If the Collateral Agent does not receive the names of the officers of each Holder Representative authorized to give directions hereunder on behalf of such parties, the Collateral Agent may rely on any person purporting to be authorized to give directions hereunder on behalf of such parties.  If the Collateral Agent is not informed of changes of the officers of the any

 

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Holder Representative authorized to give directions hereunder on behalf of such parties, the Collateral Agent may rely on the information previously provided to the Collateral Agent.

 

4.3                                Compensation and Expenses .  Without duplication of amounts payable under the applicable Secured Instrument, the Grantors agree to pay to the Collateral Agent (i) compensation for its services, including compensation for time spent hereunder and under the other Security Documents and for administering the Collateral as shall have been agreed to in a separate agreement(s) between the Company and the Collateral Agent and (ii) from time to time promptly following receipt of reasonably detailed invoices therefor, all of the reasonable out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses of the Collateral Agent (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of its counsel, advisors and agents, selected by it in good faith as it deems reasonably required) (A) arising in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery, modification, and termination of this Agreement and each other Security Document or the enforcement of any of the provisions hereof or thereof, (B) incurred or required to be advanced in connection with the administration of the Collateral, the custody, use, operation of, preservation, sale or other disposition of Collateral pursuant to any other Security Document and the preservation, protection, enforcement or defense of the Collateral Agent’s and the Secured Parties’ rights under this Agreement and the Security Documents and in and to the Collateral and the Collateral (including, but not limited to, any fees and expenses incurred by the Collateral Agent in any Insolvency Proceeding), (C) incurred by the Collateral Agent in connection with the removal of the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 5.7 or (D) incurred in connection with the execution of the directions provided by the Applicable Directing Parties.  Such fees, costs and expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law relating to creditors’ rights generally (as may be required outside the United States), but without limitation of the obligations of the Grantors to reimburse the Secured Parties for counsel, advisors and other matters in connection with the other Secured Instruments or the rights of the other Secured Parties to retain counsel and other advisors) .   The obligations of the Grantors under this Section 4.3 shall survive the termination of the other provisions of this Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

4.4                                Stamp and Other Similar Taxes .  The Grantors agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Collateral Agent, each Holder Representative and each Secured Party from any present or future claim for liability for any stamp or any other similar tax, and any penalties or interest with respect thereto, which may be assessed, levied or collected by any jurisdiction in connection with this Agreement, any other Security Document, or any Collateral.  The obligations of the Grantors under this Section 4.4 shall survive the termination of the other provisions of this Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

4.5                                Filing Fees, Excise Taxes, Etc. .  The Grantors agree to pay or to reimburse the Collateral Agent, each Holder Representative and each Secured Party for any and all payments made by the Collateral Agent in respect of all search, filing, recording and registration fees, taxes, excise taxes and other similar imposts which may be payable or determined to be payable in respect of the execution and delivery of this Agreement and each Security Document.  The obligations of the Grantors under this Section 4.5 shall survive the termination of the other provisions of this Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

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4.6                                Indemnification .  The Grantors agree to pay, indemnify, and hold the Collateral Agent (and its respective directors, officers, agents, attorneys and employees) (together with the Persons specified in the penultimate sentence of Section 5.3 , each, an “ Indemnified Party ”) harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel, advisors and agents selected by it in good faith as it deems reasonably required), but without limitation of the obligations of the Grantors to reimburse the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties for counsel, advisors and other matters in connection with the other Secured Instruments or the rights of the other Secured Parties to retain counsel and other advisors or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement and the other Security Documents and any modifications or termination thereof, unless, in each case, arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party, including for taxes in any jurisdiction in which the Collateral Agent or other Indemnified Party is subject to tax by reason of actions hereunder or under the Security Documents, except for taxes of the type excluded from indemnification under Section 2.14(c) of the Credit Agreement, unless such taxes are imposed on or measured by compensation paid to the Collateral Agent under Section 4.3 .  In any suit, proceeding or action brought by the Collateral Agent under or with respect to any contract, agreement, interest or obligation constituting part of the Collateral for any sum owing thereunder, or to enforce any provisions thereof, the Grantors will save, indemnify and keep each Indemnified Party harmless from and against all expense, loss or damage suffered by reason of any defense, setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or reduction of liability whatsoever of any Grantor thereunder, arising out of a breach by such Grantor of any obligation thereunder or arising out of any other agreement, indebtedness or liability at any time owing to or in favor of such Grantor or its successors from any Grantor, and all such obligations of the Grantors shall be and remain enforceable against and only against the Grantors and shall not be enforceable against the Collateral Agent; provided that the Grantors shall not have any obligation hereunder to any Indemnified Party with respect to any liability arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Indemnified Party as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.  The agreements in this Section 4.6 shall survive the termination of the other provisions of this Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

4.7                                Collateral Agent’s Lien; Set Off Rights .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, as security for the payment of Collateral Agent Fees (i) the security interest and pledge granted to the Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other Security Documents shall have priority ahead of all other Secured Obligations secured by such Collateral and (ii) the Collateral Agent shall have the right to use and apply any of the funds held by the Collateral Agent in the Collateral Account to cover such Collateral Agent Fees.

 

4.8                                Further Assurances .  At any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Collateral Agent or the Applicable Directing Party, and at the expense of the Grantors, each Grantor will promptly execute and deliver any and all such further instruments and documents and take such further action as is necessary or reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent or the Applicable Directing Parties further to perfect, or to protect the perfection of, the liens and security interests granted under the Security Documents, including, without limitation, the filing of any financing or continuation statements under the UCC;

 

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provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Security Document, no Grantor shall be required to perfect the security interests granted by it in any Collateral by any means other than by (a) [reserved], (b) filings pursuant to the UCC of the relevant State(s), (c) the delivery of control agreements with respect to deposit accounts and securities accounts, (d) filings with respect to intellectual property Collateral and (e) such additional actions as may be required pursuant to any Secured Instrument or Security Document.  With respect to third party liability insurance maintained by the Grantor pursuant to the Security Documents or any Secured Instrument, the Grantors shall cause the Collateral Agent to be named as an additional insured.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Collateral Agent have any obligation to monitor the perfection or continuation of perfection or the sufficiency or validity of any security interest in or related to the Collateral.

 

SECTION 5.
THE COLLATERAL AGENT

 

5.1                                Appointment .  Each Secured Party and each Holder Representative, by acceptance of the benefits of this Agreement and the other Security Documents, hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“ JPMCB ”) to act as its agent hereunder with such powers as are specifically delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms of this Agreement, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  The Collateral Agent (which term as used in this sentence and in Section 5.6 and the first sentence of Section 5.7 shall include reference to its affiliates and its own and its affiliates’ officers, directors, employees and agents):

 

(a)                                  shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and shall not by reason of this Agreement be a trustee for, or a fiduciary with respect to, any Secured Party;

 

(b)                                  shall not be responsible to the Secured Parties for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties contained in this Agreement or in any notice delivered hereunder, or in any other certificate or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by it under, this Agreement, or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other document referred to or provided for herein or therein or for any failure by the Grantors or any other Person to perform any of its obligations hereunder;

 

(c)                                   shall not be required to initiate or conduct any litigation or collection proceedings hereunder except, subject to Section 5.7 , for any such litigation or proceedings relating to the enforcement of the guarantee set forth in Section 7 of the Security Agreement, or the Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents; and

 

(d)                                  shall not be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it hereunder or under any other document or instrument referred to or provided for herein or therein or in connection herewith or therewith, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

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5.2                                Reliance by Collateral Agent .  The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any certification, notice or other communication (including any thereof by telephone, telecopy, telex, telegram or cable) believed by it in good faith to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by or on behalf of the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel, independent accountants and other experts selected by the Collateral Agent.  As to any matters not expressly provided for by this Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, hereunder or thereunder in accordance with instructions given by the Holder Representatives, and such instructions of the Holder Representatives and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding on all of the Secured Parties.  If in one or more instances the Collateral Agent takes any action or assumes any responsibility not specifically delegated to it pursuant to this Agreement, neither the taking of such action nor the assumption of such responsibility shall be deemed to be an express or implied undertaking on the part of the Collateral Agent that it will take the same or similar action or assume the same or similar responsibility in any other instance.

 

5.3                                Rights as a Secured Party .  With respect to its obligation to extend credit under the Credit Agreement, JPMCB (and any successor acting as Collateral Agent) in its capacity as a Lender under such Credit Agreement shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Secured Party and may exercise the same as though it were not acting as Collateral Agent, and the term “Secured Party” or “Secured Parties” shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, include the Collateral Agent in its individual capacity.  JPMCB (and any successor acting as Collateral Agent) and its affiliates may (without having to account therefor to any other Secured Party) accept deposits from, lend money to, make investments in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with any of the Grantors (and any of their Subsidiaries or affiliates) as if it were not acting as Collateral Agent, and JPMCB and its affiliates may accept fees and other consideration from any of the Grantors for services in connection with this Agreement or otherwise without having to account for the same to the other Secured Parties.

 

5.4                                Indemnification .  Each holder of Secured Obligations (other than the Trustee) by acceptance of the benefits of this Agreement and the other Security Documents agrees to indemnify the Collateral Agent and each Related Party of the Collateral Agent (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) (to the extent not reimbursed under Section 4.6 , but without limiting the obligations of the Grantors under Section 4.6 ) ratably in accordance with the aggregate Secured Obligations held by each holder thereof, for any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind and nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee (including by any other Secured Party) arising out of or by reason of any investigation in connection with or in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement, any other Secured Instruments, or any other documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including the costs and expenses that the Grantors are obligated to pay under Section 4.6 , but excluding, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, normal administrative costs and expenses incident to the performance of its agency duties hereunder) or the enforcement of any of the terms hereof or thereof or of any such other documents; provided that, no holder of any Secured Obligations shall be liable for any of the foregoing to the extent they arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified.

 

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5.5                                Non-Reliance on Collateral Agent and Other Secured Parties .  Each Secured Party and each Holder Representative by acceptance of the benefits of this Agreement and the other Security Documents agrees that it has, independently and without reliance on the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and their Subsidiaries and decision to extend credit to the Company in reliance on this Agreement and that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own analysis and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and any Secured Instrument to which it is a party.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Collateral Agent shall not be required to keep itself informed as to the performance or observance by any Grantor of this Agreement, any other Secured Instrument or any other document referred to or provided for herein or therein or to inspect the properties or books of any Grantor.  The Collateral Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any other Secured Party with any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition or business of any Grantor or any of its Subsidiaries (or any of their affiliates) that may come into the possession of the Collateral Agent or any of its affiliates, except for notices, reports and other documents and information expressly required to be furnished to the other Secured Parties by the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

5.6                                Failure to Act .  Except for action expressly required of the Collateral Agent hereunder, the Collateral Agent shall in all cases be fully justified in failing or refusing to act hereunder unless it shall receive further assurances to its satisfaction from the other Secured Parties of their indemnification obligations under Section 5.4 against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.  The Collateral Agent shall not be required to take any action that in the judgment of the Collateral Agent would violate any applicable law.

 

5.7                                Resignation of Collateral Agent .  Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Collateral Agent as provided below, the Collateral Agent may resign at any time by giving notice thereof to the other Secured Parties and the Grantors.  Upon any such resignation, the Applicable Directing Parties shall have the right, with the consent of the Company not to be unreasonably withheld (or if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing in consultation with the Company) to appoint a successor Collateral Agent.  If no successor Collateral Agent shall have been so appointed by the Applicable Directing Parties and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Collateral Agent’s giving of written notice of resignation of the retiring Collateral Agent, then the retiring Collateral Agent may, on behalf of the other Secured Parties, appoint a successor Collateral Agent, that shall be a bank that has an office in New York, New York and has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of at least $1,000,000,000.  Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Collateral Agent hereunder by a successor Collateral Agent, such successor Collateral Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Collateral Agent, and the retiring Collateral Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder.  After any retiring Collateral Agent’s resignation hereunder as Collateral Agent, the provisions of this Section 5 shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as the Collateral Agent.  The

 

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Company shall pay to any successor Collateral Agent the fees and charges necessary to induce such successor Collateral Agent to accept its appointment hereunder.

 

5.8                                Agents and Attorneys-in-Fact .  The Collateral Agent may employ agents and attorneys-in-fact in connection herewith and shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it using reasonable care and without bad faith, gross negligence, or willful misconduct.

 

5.9                                Co-Collateral Agent; Separate Collateral Agent .

 

(a)                                  If at any time or times it shall be necessary or prudent in order to conform to any law of any jurisdiction in which any of the Collateral shall be located, or to avoid any violation of law or imposition on the Collateral Agent of taxes by such jurisdiction not otherwise imposed on the Collateral Agent, or the Collateral Agent shall be advised by counsel, satisfactory to it, that it is necessary or prudent in the interest of the Secured Parties, or the Applicable Directing Parties shall in writing so request the Collateral Agent, or the Collateral Agent shall deem it desirable for its own protection in the performance of its duties hereunder or under any other Security Document, the Collateral Agent and each of the Grantors shall execute and deliver all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to constitute another bank or trust company, or one or more persons approved by the Collateral Agent and, if no Default or Event of Default exists and the Company has certified in writing to the Collateral Agent that no Event of Default exists, the Company (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), either to act as co-agent or co-agents of all or any of the Collateral under this Agreement or under any of the other Security Documents, jointly with the Collateral Agent originally named herein or therein or any successor Collateral Agent, or to act as separate agent or agents of any of the Collateral.  If any of the Grantors shall not have joined in the execution of such instruments and agreements within 30 days after it receives a written request from the Collateral Agent to do so, or if a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, the Collateral Agent may act under the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.9(a)  without the concurrence of such Grantors and execute and deliver such instruments and agreements on behalf of such Grantors.  Each of the Grantors hereby appoints the Collateral Agent as its agent and attorney to act for it under the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.9(a)  in either of such contingencies.

 

(b)                                  Every separate agent and every co-agent, other than any successor Collateral Agent appointed pursuant to Section 5.9 , shall, to the extent permitted by law, be appointed and act and be such, subject to the following provisions and conditions:

 

(i)                                      all rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred upon the Collateral Agent in respect of the custody, control and management of moneys, papers or securities shall be exercised solely by the Collateral Agent or any agent appointed by the Collateral Agent;

 

(ii)                                   all rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed upon the Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other relevant Security Document or Documents shall be conferred or imposed and exercised or performed by the Collateral Agent and such separate agent or separate agents or co-agent or co-agents, jointly, as shall be provided in the instrument appointing such separate agent or separate agents or

 

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co-agent or co-agents, except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts are to be performed the Collateral Agent shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act or acts, or unless the performance of such act or acts would result in the imposition of any tax on the Collateral Agent which would not be imposed absent such joint act or acts, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and performed by such separate agent or separate agents or co-agent or co-agents;

 

(iii)                                no power given hereby or by the other relevant Security Documents to, or which it is provided herein or therein may be exercised by, any such co-agent or co-agents or separate agent or separate agents shall be exercised hereunder or thereunder by such co-agent or co-agents or separate agent or separate agents except jointly with, or with the consent in writing of, the Collateral Agent, anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding;

 

(iv)                               no separate agent or co-agent hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of any other agent hereunder;

 

(v)                                  the Collateral Agent, at any time by a written and executed instrument, may accept the resignation of or remove any such separate agent or co-agent and, with consent of Applicable Directing Parties (not to be unreasonably withheld) and with the consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) if no Event of Default exists and the Company has certified in writing to the Collateral Agent that no Event of Default exists may appoint a successor to such separate agent or co-agent, as the case may be, anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding.  If the Company shall not have joined in the execution of any such instrument within 30 days after it receives a written request from the Collateral Agent to do so, or if a Notice of Acceleration is in effect, the Collateral Agent with consent of Applicable Directing Parties (not to be unreasonably withheld) shall have the power to accept the resignation of or remove any such separate agent or co-agent and to appoint a successor without the concurrence of the Company, the Company hereby appointing the Collateral Agent its agent and attorney to act for it in such connection in such contingency.  If the Collateral Agent shall have appointed a separate agent or separate agents or co-agent or co-agents as above provided, the Collateral Agent may at any time, by an instrument in writing, accept the resignation of or remove any such separate agent or co-agent and the successor to any such separate agent or co-agent shall be appointed by the Collateral Agent with consent of Applicable Directing Parties (not to be unreasonably withheld);

 

(vi)                               such separate agent or co-agent shall act as bailee and agent for and on behalf of the Collateral Agent in order to perfect any Liens on the Collateral; and

 

(vii)                            all fees, expenses and indemnity obligations owed to such separate agent or co-agent shall be entitled to share ratably with the Collateral Agent Fees in the allocation of payments described in Section 3.5 .

 

(c)                                   Each separate agent and co-agent shall and agrees to (i) hold all Collateral in its possession (or which it controls or which is registered in its name) for the benefit of and as

 

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agent for perfection of and bailee for the Collateral Agent and to perfect the security interest in and Liens on such Collateral created by the Security Documents to which it is a party, including to the extent that possession or control is taken to perfect a Lien thereon under the UCC (such bailment being intended, among other things, to satisfy the requirements of Section 8-301, 9-106 and 9-313 of the UCC), and (ii) comply with instructions and entitlement orders originated by the Collateral Agent with respect to the Collateral without further consent by the Company or any other Grantors, and the Collateral Agent agrees not to deliver any such instructions and orders unless instructed to do so by the Applicable Directing Parties.

 

5.10                         Treatment of Payee or Indorsee by Collateral Agent; Representatives of Secured Parties .  The Collateral Agent may treat the registered holder or, if none, the payee or indorsee of any promissory note or debenture evidencing a Secured Obligation as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary, whether such promissory note or debenture shall be past due or not.

 

5.11                         Rights of the Secured Notes Representative .  The initial Secured Notes Representative shall be entitled to all of the rights, protections, immunities and indemnities of the Trustee as set forth in the Indenture as if specifically set forth herein.

 

SECTION 6.
MISCELLANEOUS

 

6.1                                Notices .  Unless otherwise specified herein, all notices, requests, demands or other communications given to any of the Grantors, the Collateral Agent, the Applicable Directing Parties and any Holder Representative shall be given in writing or by electronic transmission and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when duly deposited in the mails, registered or certified mail postage prepaid, or when transmitted by electronic transmission, to an electronic mail address or by other means of electronic delivery (and, in the case of electronic delivery, followed by telephonic or electronic notice of receipt) addressed (i) if to any Grantor or the Collateral Agent, to such party at its address specified on the signature pages hereof or any other address which such party shall have specified as its address for the purpose of communications hereunder, by notice given in accordance with this Section 6.1 to the party sending such communication or (ii) if to any Holder Representative, to it at its address specified from time to time in the list provided by the Company to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 4.2 ; provided that any notice, request or demand to the Collateral Agent shall not be effective until received by the Collateral Agent in writing or by facsimile transmission in the office designated by it pursuant to this Section 6.1 .

 

6.2                                No Waivers .  No failure on the part of the Collateral Agent, any co-agent, any separate agent, the Applicable Directing Parties, any Holder Representative or any Secured Party to exercise, no course of dealing with respect to, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or any other Security Document shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

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6.3                                Amendments, Supplements and Waivers .

 

(a)                                  With the written consent of the Applicable Directing Parties, the Collateral Agent and the Grantors may, from time to time, enter into written agreements supplemental hereto or to any other Security Document for the purpose of adding to, or waiving any provisions of, this Agreement or any other Security Document or changing in any manner the rights of the Collateral Agent, the Secured Parties or the Grantors hereunder or thereunder.  Any such supplemental agreement shall be binding upon the Grantors, each Holder Representative, the Secured Parties and the Collateral Agent and their respective successors and assigns.  No consent of the Grantors shall be required for any amendment, waiver or supplement to this Agreement except for amendments, waivers and supplements that would reasonably be expected to adversely impact any of the Grantors.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, solely with the consent of the Applicable Directing Parties (and without the consent of any other Secured Party), the Collateral Agent and any of the Grantors, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more agreements supplemental hereto or to any other Security Document, in form satisfactory to the Applicable Directing Parties and acceptable to Collateral Agent, (i) to add to the covenants of such Grantor for the benefit of the Secured Parties or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon such Grantor or add to the rights or benefits of the Secured Parties; (ii) to mortgage or pledge to the Collateral Agent, or grant a security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent in, any property or assets as additional security for the Secured Obligations or to preserve, perfect or establish any liens on the Collateral to secure the Secured Obligations or the rights of the Collateral Agent with respect thereto; (iii) to conform to any Applicable Law or to advice given by special or local counsel; (iv) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein or in any other Security Document which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein or therein, or to make any other provision with respect to matters or questions arising hereunder which shall not be inconsistent with any provision hereof; provided that any such action contemplated by this clause (iv) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Secured Parties; (v) to secure additional Secured Obligations otherwise permitted to be secured by the Collateral pursuant to the Secured Instruments; or (vi) to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or any Grantor’s obligations under any Security Document in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s or such Grantor’s assets, as applicable.

 

(c)                                   For purposes of voting under this Agreement, Secured Obligations registered in the name of or beneficially owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company will be deemed not to be outstanding.

 

6.4                                Holders of Hedging Obligations .

 

(a)                                  The benefit of certain provisions of this Agreement and the other Security Documents relating to the Collateral or otherwise shall extend to and be available in respect of the Hedging Obligations solely on the condition and understanding, as among the Collateral Agent, the Holder Representatives and all Secured Parties, that (i) the Secured Hedge Providers shall be entitled to the benefit of the Security Documents and the Collateral to the extent expressly set forth in this Agreement and the other Security Documents and to such extent the Collateral Agent shall hold, and have the right and power to act with respect to, the Hedging

 

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Obligations and the Collateral on behalf of and as agent for the Secured Hedge Providers, but the Collateral Agent shall have no fiduciary duty, duty of loyalty, duty of care, duty of disclosure or other obligation whatsoever to any Secured Hedge Provider, (ii) all matters, acts and omissions relating in any manner to the Security Documents, the Collateral, or the omission, creation, perfection, priority, abandonment or release of any Lien, shall be governed solely by the provisions of this Agreement and the other Security Documents and no separate Lien, right, power or remedy shall arise or exist in favor of any Secured Party under any separate instrument or agreement or in respect of any Hedging Obligation, (iii) each Secured Party shall be bound by all actions taken or omitted, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the other Security Documents, by the Collateral Agent (at the direction of the relevant Applicable Directing Parties, Secured Parties or Holder Representatives), which shall be entitled to act in accordance with the terms of this Agreement without any duty or liability to any other Secured Party or as to any Hedging Obligation and without regard to whether any Hedging Obligation remains outstanding or is deprived of the benefit of the Collateral or becomes unsecured or is otherwise affected or put in jeopardy thereby, (iv) except as provided in Sections 2.1(a)  and 2.1(c) , no Secured Hedge Provider and no other Secured Party (except the Holder Representatives to the extent set forth in this Agreement) shall have any right to be notified of, or to direct, require or be heard with respect to, any action taken or omitted in respect of the Collateral or under this Agreement or the other Security Documents and (v) no holder of Hedging Obligations shall be entitled to any rights under this Agreement and the other Security Documents other than for such Hedging Obligations to be secured by the Collateral to the extent set forth in this Agreement and the other Security Documents and for the application of moneys held in the Collateral Account in accordance with Section 3.5 .  For the avoidance of doubt, upon payment in full of the Credit Agreement Obligations (other than Hedging Obligations), the Collateral Agent shall not be required to recognize the rights of any holder of Hedging Obligations other than those specified in clause (v) above unless and until the holders of Hedging Obligations have executed and delivered to the Collateral Agent such joinder agreements in form and substance acceptable to the Collateral Agent pursuant to which such holders have become parties to this Agreement and have agreed to the rights, obligations, exculpations (including the right to act only upon direction from such holders or such designated portion thereof) of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

(b)                                  Following payment in full of the Credit Agreement, the Hedging Obligations (other than Hedging Obligations) shall continue to be secured by the Collateral to the extent set forth in this Agreement and the other Security Documents and entitled to the application of moneys held in the Collateral Account in accordance with Section 3.5 if (i) either (A) a Notice of Acceleration is in effect at the time of such payment in full or (B) remedies were exercised against the Collateral and (ii) either (A) the holder of such Hedging Obligations has not received notice of such Notice of Acceleration or (B) the Hedging Agreement under which such Hedging Obligations arose has not been terminated.  In addition, upon payment in full of the Credit Agreement Obligations (other than Hedging Obligations) holders of any Hedging Obligations shall have the right to, and at the request of the Collateral Agent shall, appoint a replacement collateral agent (or in the alternative, may agree to act as collateral agent hereunder).

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any holder of any Hedging Obligation may, by written notice to the Collateral Agent and the Company, designate

 

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such Hedging Obligation as no longer being secured by the Lien of the Security Documents, whereupon, such Hedging Obligation shall cease to constitute a Hedging Obligation hereunder.

 

6.5                                Headings .  The table of contents and the headings of sections have been included herein and in the other Security Documents for convenience only and should not be considered in interpreting this Agreement or the other Security Documents.

 

6.6                                Severability .  Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

6.7                                Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries .

 

(a)                                  This Agreement shall be binding upon each of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of each of the Indemnified Parties and their respective successors and assigns, and nothing herein is intended or shall be construed to give any other Person any right, remedy or claim under, to or in respect of this Agreement or any Collateral.

 

(b)                                  Each of the Indemnified Parties is a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.

 

6.8                                Currency Conversions .  In calculating the amount of Secured Obligations or Collateral proceeds for any purpose hereunder, including, without limitation, voting or distribution purposes, the amount of any Secured Obligation or any such proceeds which is denominated in a currency other than Dollars shall be converted into Dollars.

 

6.9                                Acknowledgements .  Each Grantor hereby acknowledges that:

 

(a)                                  it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement, the other Security Documents and the other Secured Instruments to which it is a party;

 

(b)                                  neither the Collateral Agent nor any Holder Representative or other Secured Party has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to any Grantor arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, any of the other Security Documents and the other Secured Instruments, and the relationship between the Grantors, on the one hand, and the Collateral Agent and Secured Parties, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and

 

(c)                                   no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Security Documents or Secured Instruments or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Secured Parties or among the Grantors and the Secured Parties.

 

6.10                         Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.  To the extent that the Collateral Account is deemed or construed to be a “deposit account” under the UCC, the parties

 

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hereto agree pursuant to § 9-304 of the UCC that New York is the “jurisdiction” of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Collateral Agent hereunder, for purposes of Article 9 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code.

 

6.11                         Counterparts .  This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

 

6.12                         Termination and Release .

 

(a)                                  Partial terminations .  (i) Upon the termination of, and satisfaction in full of all of the obligations under, a Class of Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations), the applicable Holder Representatives shall promptly provide written notice to the Collateral Agent stating that the conditions for release of Collateral under the Secured Instruments for such Class have been satisfied.  Upon the Collateral Agent’s receipt of such written notice from the Holder Representative under a Class of Secured Obligations, the Secured Obligations under such Secured Instruments comprising such Class shall no longer be secured by the Collateral.  Upon the Collateral Agent’s (i) receipt of such written notice from all Holder Representatives and (ii) confirmation of payment in full of all Collateral Agent Fees then due and owing, the security interests created by the Security Documents in and to the Collateral in favor of the Secured Parties of such Class shall terminate forthwith and all right, title and interest of the Collateral Agent therein held on behalf of such Class of Secured Obligations shall revert to the Grantors, their successors and assigns.

 

(ii) Upon the termination of the Collateral Agent’s interest in Credit Facility First Priority Collateral and Shared Collateral on behalf of the holders of Credit Facility Obligations and Other Secured Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations in accordance with Section 6.12(a)(i) , the Secured Notes Indenture Obligations shall no longer be secured by the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral and the Shared Collateral, and the security interests created by the Security Documents in and to the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral and the Shared Collateral in favor of the Noteholder Secured Parties shall terminate forthwith and all right, title and interest of the Collateral Agent therein held on behalf of Noteholder Secured Parties shall revert to the Grantors, their successors and assigns.

 

(b)                                  Upon the termination of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in and the release of the applicable Collateral in accordance with Section 6.12(a) , the Collateral Agent will promptly, at the Company’s written request and expense (and in any event within 2 Business Days after receipt of such request), (i) execute and deliver to the Company such documents as the Company shall reasonably request to evidence the termination of the applicable security interests on behalf of the applicable Secured Parties, or, the release of the applicable Collateral, and (ii) if applicable, deliver or cause to be delivered to the Grantors the applicable property of the Grantors then held by the Collateral Agent or any agent thereof.

 

(c)                                   Sale of Pledged Stock to Third Parties .  So long as no Notice of Acceleration shall be in effect, upon the sale or other disposition of all the Capital Stock of a Grantor to any Person (other than the Company or any other Grantor) in a transaction permitted (or not prohibited, as the case may be) by all the Secured Instruments:  (i) such Grantor and each

 

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Subsidiary of such Grantor which is included in such sale or other disposition (such Grantor and each such Subsidiary being referred to herein as “ Included Grantors ”) shall cease to be a Grantor hereunder or a party to any Security Document and shall be released automatically from its obligations pursuant hereto and thereto, (ii) the security interests created by the Security Documents entered into by such Included Grantors in all right, title and interest of such Included Grantors in the Collateral, and the security interests created by the Security Documents in the Capital Stock of such Included Grantors, shall terminate automatically, in each case only with respect to such Included Grantors and such Capital Stock (subject to any requirement with respect to the retention of Proceeds of such sale or other disposition subject to this Agreement or any other Security Document) and (iii) any obligations of such Included Grantors shall, unless otherwise expressly notified by the Company to the Collateral Agent and the Applicable Directing Parties in writing, automatically cease to be Secured Obligations.  Upon any such termination and receipt by the Collateral Agent of a certificate from the Company or the relevant Grantor stating that such sale or other disposition is to a Person other than the Company or any other Grantor in a transaction permitted or not prohibited, as the case may be, by the Secured Instruments, the Collateral Agent will promptly, at the Company’s request and expense (and in any event within 2 Business Days after receipt of such request), (x) execute and deliver to the Company and such Included Grantors (and the Grantor that pledged such Capital Stock under the Security Documents) such documents as the Company shall reasonably request to evidence the termination of such security interest or the release of such Collateral, (y) deliver or cause to be delivered to such Included Grantors all property of such Included Grantors then held by the Collateral Agent or any agent thereof and (z) deliver such Capital Stock to the Grantor that pledged such Capital Stock under the Security Documents.  A copy of any certificate by a Grantor to the Collateral Agent under this Section 6.12(c)  shall be sent simultaneously to the Applicable Directing Parties.  The Company and the Grantors hereby agree to hold in escrow any Collateral delivered to the Company or the Grantors, as applicable, by the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 6.12(c) .

 

(d)                                  Upon receipt by the Collateral Agent of written notices from each Holder Representative directing the Collateral Agent to cause the Liens on a portion or all of the Collateral identified in such notice to be released and discharged, the security interests created by the Security Documents in such Collateral shall terminate forthwith and all right, title and interest of the Collateral Agent in and to such Collateral shall revert to the Grantors, their successors and assigns.

 

(e)                                   Delivery of Collateral in Escrow .  So long as no Notice of Acceleration shall be in effect, upon receipt by the Collateral Agent of written certification from the Company (and in any event within 2 Business Days after receipt of such request) that physical possession of any Grantor’s property then held by the Collateral Agent or any agent thereof or any separate agent or co-agent (including any promissory notes and related transfer documents, if any, constituting part of any Collateral) is necessary or customary to enforce (or would otherwise facilitate enforcement of) such Grantor’s remedies (or actions in lieu of the exercise of enforcement) against counterparties, or for the purpose of correction of defects, if any, under or in relation to any Collateral, or for the purpose of exchanging stock certificates or instruments for other stock certificates or instruments in a transaction not constituting a sale or disposition, the Collateral Agent shall (i) cause to be delivered in escrow such property to such Grantor, the Company or its agents pending any enforcement action, exercise of rights or other customary

 

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actions in lieu of enforcement or for the purpose of correction of defects, if any, or loan (or other asset) administration and servicing, in each case in respect of any such promissory notes and related Collateral, and (ii) execute and deliver such documents (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and the Company), and take such other actions in connection with such escrowed release as such Grantor or the Company may reasonably request in writing; it being understood that the delivery of any such property shall not constitute a release of the Collateral and any Proceeds received by such Grantor upon any such enforcement shall be subject to this Agreement and the other Security Documents.  A copy of any certificate by a Grantor or the Company to the Collateral Agent under this Section 6.12(e)  shall be sent simultaneously to the Applicable Directing Parties.  The Company and the Grantors hereby agree to hold in escrow any Collateral delivered to the Company or the Grantors, as applicable, by the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 6.12(e) .

 

(f)                                    Sales of Collateral to Third Parties .  So long as no Notice of Acceleration shall be in effect, and subject to satisfaction of the Release Conditions, upon the sale or other disposition of Collateral to a third party or other monetization (other than a payment or prepayment), in each case, in a transaction in which such third party is not a Grantor (a “ Third Party Sale ”) and which transaction is permitted or not prohibited by all the Secured Instruments, the security interests created by the Security Documents in such Collateral (but not the Proceeds thereof) shall terminate automatically.   Upon receipt by the Collateral Agent of a notice from the Company or other Grantor that such Grantor has entered or intends to enter into a binding contract for a Third Party Sale of Collateral, the Collateral Agent shall, promptly upon receipt of such notice (and in any event within 2 Business Days after receipt of such notice), at such Grantor’s or the Company’s expense, (i) execute and deliver within 5 Business Days prior to the date of the contemplated closing under such Third Party Sale as notified by the Company or such Grantor, such documents (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and the Grantors) as such Grantor or the Company shall reasonably request to evidence the termination of the security interest and Lien in, and release of, such Collateral upon completion of such Third Party Sale (subject to any requirement with respect to retention of the Proceeds of such Third Party Sale subject to this Agreement or any other Security Document) and (ii) deliver, or cause to be delivered within 5 Business Days prior to the date of the contemplated closing under such Third Party Sale as notified by the Company or such Grantor, for release only upon completion of such Third Party Sale, to such Grantor or the Company all property (including any promissory notes and related transfer documents), if any, constituting part of such Collateral (and any related collateral) then held by the Collateral Agent or any agent thereof.  A copy of any certificate by a Grantor or the Company to the Collateral Agent under this Section 6.12(f)  shall be sent simultaneously to the Holder Representatives.  The Company and the Grantors hereby agree to hold in escrow at all times prior to the closing under the applicable Third Party Sale any Collateral delivered to the Company or the Grantors, as applicable, by the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 6.12(f) .

 

(g)                                   Contingent delivery of Collateral pending payment or prepayments .  So long as no Notice of Acceleration shall be in effect, upon receipt by the Collateral Agent of written certification from the Company that such Grantor has received, or has received notice that it will receive, a payment or prepayment in satisfaction or settlement in respect of any portion of the Collateral, the Collateral Agent shall promptly at the Company’s request and expense (and in any event within 2 Business Days after receipt of such request) (i) execute and

 

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deliver, for release only upon receipt by the applicable Grantor of such payment or prepayment in satisfaction or settlement, such documents (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and the Grantors) as the Company shall reasonably request to evidence termination of the security interest and Lien in, and release of, such portion of Collateral (subject to any requirement with respect to retention of the Proceeds of such payment or prepayment under this Agreement or any other Security Documents) and (ii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, for release only upon receipt of such payment or prepayment in satisfaction or settlement, to the Company all property (including any promissory notes and related transfer documents), if any, constituting part of such Collateral (and any related collateral) then held by the Collateral Agent or any agent thereof.  A copy of any certificate by a Grantor or the Company to the Collateral Agent under this Section 6.12(g)  shall be sent simultaneously to the Applicable Directing Parties.  The Company and the Grantors hereby agree to hold in escrow any Collateral delivered to the Company or the Grantors, as applicable, by the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 6.12(g) .

 

(h)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Security Document, the Lien granted under the Security Documents shall not extend to any Excluded Assets during the time that such assets constitute Excluded Assets, but shall promptly attach thereto if at any time such assets no longer constitute Excluded Assets.

 

(i)                                      This Agreement shall terminate when the security interests granted under each of the other Security Documents or otherwise in favor of the Secured Parties have terminated and the Collateral has been released as provided in this Section 6.12 ; provided that the provisions of Sections 4.3 , 4.4 , 4.5 , 4.6 and 4.7 as related to the reimbursement of expenses and costs of the Collateral Agent, the indemnities of the Collateral Agent and priority Liens of the Collateral Agent and Sections 5.1 , 5.2 , 5.4 as related to exculpations and limitations of the duties and obligations of the Collateral Agent, shall not be affected by any such termination.

 

(j)                                     Notwithstanding any release to the Company of amounts from the Collateral Account pursuant to Section 3.1 or the release of any security interest or lien pursuant to this Section 6.12 , the Grantors and their assets will remain subject to the terms of the Secured Instruments, and the released amounts and other assets may not be applied except as permitted under the Secured Instruments.

 

6.13                         Additional Grantors .  During the term of this Agreement, one or more additional Subsidiaries may become a party to this Agreement by executing a joinder agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit B , whereupon such Subsidiary shall become a Grantor for all purposes and to the same extent as if originally a party hereto and shall be bound by this Agreement.  Such Subsidiary shall comply with the applicable requirements of each Secured Instrument to which it is a party with respect to the creation and perfection of security interests in the Collateral in which it has rights.  All obligations of the Grantors under this Agreement, including Grantors that become parties hereto after the Effective Date, are joint and several.

 

6.14                         Inspection by Regulatory Agencies .  The Collateral Agent shall make available, and shall cause each custodian and agent acting on its behalf in connection with this Agreement to make available, all Collateral in such Person’s possession at all times for inspection by the auditor of a Grantor or any regulatory agency having jurisdiction over any Grantor to the extent required by such regulatory agency in its discretion.

 

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6.15                         Confidentiality .  The Collateral Agent agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and other representatives (it being understood (A) that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential to the same extent as provided in this Section and (B) it will be responsible for any breach of the terms of this paragraph by the Persons to whom it disclosed any Information pursuant to this clause (a) other than any Person who has agreed in writing with the Borrower to separately maintain the confidentiality of such Information), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction over it or its Affiliates ( provided that, except in the case of any ordinary course examination by a regulatory, self-regulatory or governmental agency, it or its Affiliates will use its or such Affiliate’s commercially reasonable efforts to notify the Company of any such disclosure prior to making such disclosure to the extent permitted by applicable law, rule or regulation), (c) to the extent required by Applicable Law or by any subpoena or similar legal process ( provided that, except in the case of any ordinary course examination by a regulatory, self-regulatory or governmental agency, it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to notify the Company of any such disclosure prior to making such disclosure to the extent permitted by applicable law, rule or regulation), (d) to any other Secured Party, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Secured Instrument or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Secured Instrument or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) with the consent of the Company or (g) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Company

 

For purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Collateral Agent on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that, in the case of information received from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential.  Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

6.16                         Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers .  Each Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a)                                  submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the other Security Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent

 

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permitted by law, in such Federal court.  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;

 

(b)                              to the extent permitted by applicable law, consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same; and

 

(c)                               waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

 

6.17                         WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL .  THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND EACH OF THE GRANTORS AND OTHER SECURED PARTIES PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER SECURITY DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

 

6.18                         Holder Representatives’ Rights and Protections .  With respect to any action taken, permitted or required to be taken, or not taken by any Holder Representative under this Agreement, whether as an Applicable Directing Party or otherwise, the conduct of such Holder Representative shall be governed by the applicable Secured Instruments, and such Holder Representative shall have the same rights and be entitled to the same protections and immunities as are set forth in the applicable Secured Instruments with respect to actions or inaction by it thereunder, as applicable.

 

SECTION 7.
DESIGNATION OF OTHER PARI PASSU LIEN OBLIGATIONS

 

7.1                                Designation of Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations .  The Company may at any time and from time to time designate additional obligations (whether outstanding on the date of such designation or on a prospective “when issued basis”) as obligations that are secured by the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement in accordance with this Section 7 (it being understood that if such notice is prospective such designation is contingent upon the issuance or incurrence of the related obligations) if and only if such obligations (i) are incurred to Refinance any or all of the Credit Agreement Obligations or Secured Notes Indenture Obligations in a Qualifying Refinancing, (ii) are Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations, or (iii) are Other Secured Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations.

 

7.2                                Designation Notice; Joinder Agreement .  Upon receipt by the Collateral Agent of (A) a written certification from a Responsible Officer of the Company, substantially in the form of Exhibit C (each a “ Notice of Designation ”) (i) identifying the obligations it is designating as “Refinancing Debt” or “Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations” or “Other Secured Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations”, as applicable, under this Agreement, (ii) identifying the Holder Representative with respect thereto, (iii) in the case of Refinancing Debt, designating whether such Refinancing Debt will be classified as Credit Facility Obligations or

 

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Secured Notes Obligations, (iv) stating that the incurrence and designation of such Indebtedness as “Refinancing Debt” or “Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations” or “Other Secured Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations”, as applicable, hereunder is permitted, or is not prohibited, as the case may be, by the Secured Instruments, and (v) in the case of Refinancing Debt, certifying that such Refinancing is a Qualifying Refinancing, and (B) a joinder agreement in respect of such designated obligations substantially in the form of Exhibit D (each a “ Designated Indebtedness Joinder Agreement ”) duly executed by the Holder Representative with respect to such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness will become “Other Credit Facility Pari Passu Lien Obligations” or “Other Secured Notes Pari Passu Lien Obligations”, as applicable, hereunder.

 

7.3                                Termination of Designation .  Once designated as secured pursuant to this Section 7 , the relevant Secured Obligations shall remain secured pursuant to this Agreement until the first to occur of (i) the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 6.12 , (ii) the payment in full of such Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations a claim for which has not been asserted) and (iii) the delivery to the Collateral Agent of the written consent of the relevant Holder Representative or Secured Party to the release of the security interest in the Collateral securing such Secured Obligations.

 

SECTION 8.
PROVISIONS RELATING TO SECURED OBLIGATIONS

 

Each Secured Party shall be bound by the following terms:

 

8.1                                Controlling Agreement .  The Collateral Agent shall be the secured party under the Security Documents and shall hold the Collateral for the benefit of all the Secured Parties.  The provisions contained herein concerning the Collateral and Proceeds shall be controlling, notwithstanding the terms of any agreement between any Secured Party and any Grantor under any other document or instrument between such parties, whether or not any Insolvency Proceeding shall at any time have been commenced with respect to any Grantor.

 

8.2                                Incorrect Distribution .  If any Secured Party receives any Proceeds of Collateral or any other Collections in an amount in excess of the amount such Person is entitled to receive under the terms hereof or otherwise receives any amounts or property on account of any Collateral during the continuance of a Notice of Acceleration (or after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding) that is inconsistent with the priorities described in Section 3.5 , such Person shall (a) hold such excess amount in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent until paid over to the Collateral Agent and (b) shall promptly pay such excess amount to the Collateral Agent or turn such property over to the Collateral Agent in the same form as received.  The Collateral Agent shall promptly distribute the amount or property so received in accordance with the terms of Section 3.5 .

 

8.3                                Return of Moneys .  If at any time payment, in whole or in part, of any Collections distributed hereunder is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Collateral Agent or by any Secured Party as a preference, fraudulent conveyance or otherwise under any Bankruptcy Law, then each Person receiving any portion of such moneys agrees, upon demand, to return the portion of such moneys it has received to the Person responsible for restoring or returning such moneys; provided that the Credit Agreement Representative shall not

 

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be required to return any such moneys that have been distributed by the Credit Agreement Representative to the Lenders or to other third parties, or are otherwise no longer in the possession of the Credit Agreement Representative in its capacity as Credit Agreement Administrative Agent, and the Secured Notes Representative shall not be required to return any such moneys that have been distributed by the Secured Notes Representative to the Noteholder Secured Parties or to other third parties, or are otherwise no longer in the possession of the Secured Notes Representative in its capacity as Trustee.

 

8.4                                Parties Having Other Relationships .  Each Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that now and in the future the other Secured Parties or their respective Affiliates may lend to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on a basis other than as covered by this Agreement or may accept deposits from, act as trustee under indentures of, act as servicing bank, cash management bank or any similar function under any credit relationship with, and generally engage in any kind of business with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, all as if such Person were not a party to this Agreement.  Except as set forth herein, each Secured Party acknowledges that the other Secured Parties and their respective Affiliates may exercise all contractual and legal rights and remedies which may exist from time to time with respect to such other existing and future relationships without any duty to account therefor to the other Secured Parties except as necessary to establish compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

8.5                                Waivers of Rights .  Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, so long as any of the Secured Obligations remain unpaid, the Secured Parties hereby agree to refrain from exercising any and all rights each may individually (i.e., other than through the Collateral Agent) now or hereafter have applicable to the Collateral or to exercise any right pursuant to the Security Documents or the UCC as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction or under similar provisions of the laws of any jurisdiction or under any Bankruptcy Law or otherwise dispose of or retain any of the Collateral.  The Secured Parties hereby agree not to take any action whatsoever to enforce any term or provision of the Security Documents or to enforce any right with respect to the Collateral, in conflict with this Agreement or the terms and provisions of the other Security Documents.

 

8.6                                Permitted Exercise of other Rights .  Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Section 8 , each Secured Party shall have all the rights and remedies available to it under the Secured Instruments which are not Security Documents to which they are a party upon the occurrence of a default or an event of default, each as defined in the relevant Secured Instrument, or at any other time, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Secured Party shall have the independent right, exercised in accordance with the applicable Secured Instruments and applicable law, to do any of the following:

 

(a)                                  accelerate payment of the Secured Obligations owing to such Secured Party pursuant to the Secured Instruments (other than this Agreement and the other Security Documents) to which such Secured Party is a party;

 

(b)                                  institute suit against any Grantor: (i) under the terms of the applicable Secured Instruments (excluding this Agreement and the other Security Documents) for collection of the amounts owing thereunder or (ii) seeking an injunction, restraining order or any other similar remedy;

 

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(c)                                   seek the appointment of a receiver for any Grantor (but not any of the Collateral);

 

(d)                                  join in the filing of  an involuntary petition under any Bankruptcy Law against any Grantor or file a claim or proof of claim or proof of interest in any Insolvency Proceeding;

 

(e)                                   during any Insolvency Proceeding of any Grantor, retain the right to vote as provided for herein; or

 

(f)                                    take any other enforcement action with respect to any default or event of default pursuant to and in accordance with the Secured Instruments (other than this Agreement and the other Security Documents) to which it is a party.

 

8.7                                Amendment and Modification of Secured Instruments .  The holders of any Secured Obligations and the related Holder Representative may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the holders of any other Secured Obligations or other Holder Representative, change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, such Secured Obligations, or otherwise amend, modify, waive or supplement in any manner such Secured Obligations, or any instrument evidencing such Secured Obligations or any agreement under which such Secured Obligations are outstanding including, without limitation, increasing the principal amount thereof and/or the applicable margin or similar component of interest rate thereof.

 

8.8                                Secured Obligations Unconditional .  All rights and interests of the Secured Parties hereunder, and all agreements and obligations of the Secured Parties (and, to the extent applicable, the Grantors) hereunder, shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:

 

(a)                                  any lack of validity or enforceability of any Secured Instrument;

 

(b)                                  any change in the time, place or manner of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any portion of the Secured Obligations, or any amendment, waiver or other modification, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, or any refinancing, replacement, refunding or restatement of any Secured Instrument;

 

(c)                                   any exchange, release, voiding, avoidance or non-perfection of any Lien in any Collateral or any other collateral, or any release, amendment, waiver or other modification, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, or any Refinancing of all or any portion of the Secured Obligations or any guarantee or guaranty thereof;

 

(d)                                  the commencement or discharge of any Insolvency Proceeding; or

 

(e)                                   any other circumstances other than repayment of the outstanding Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations) that otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Grantor in respect of the Secured Obligations or any Secured Party in respect of this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 9.
INSOLVENCY PROCEEDINGS AND RELATED MATTERS

 

9.1                                Insolvency Proceedings and Noteholder-Related Secured Parties . If any Grantor is subject to any Insolvency Proceeding, each of the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties:

 

(a)                                  (x) will raise no objection to or otherwise contest (or support any other Person in objecting to or contesting) any Grantor’s use, sale or lease of ‘‘cash collateral’’ (as such term is defined in Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code) constituting Credit Facility First Priority Collateral and/or (y) will agree to permit any Grantor to obtain post-petition debtor-in-possession financing secured by any Credit Facility First Priority Collateral (and, to the extent the Liens securing any such post-petition debtor-in-possession financing on the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral rank pari passu or senior to the Credit Facility Obligations, the Liens securing the Secured Notes Obligations on such Credit Facility First Priority Collateral will be subordinated to such Liens (and all Obligations relating thereto, including any “carve-out” from such collateral granting administrative priority status or Lien priority to secure the payment of fees and expenses of the Trustee or professionals retained by any debtor or creditors’ committee agreed to by the Credit Facility Representative) to the same extent as such Liens are subordinated to the Liens securing the Credit Facility Obligations), in each case, if the Credit Facility Representative desires to permit such use, sale or lease of cash collateral and/or post-petition debtor-in-possession financing,

 

(b)                                  except as permitted  herein, will not request adequate protection or other relief in connection with any such use of cash collateral constituting Credit Facility First Priority Collateral or any such post-petition debtor-in-possession financing secured by Credit Facility First Priority Collateral,

 

(c)                                   will raise no objection to or otherwise contest (or support any other Person in objecting to or contesting) (x) any request by the Credit Facility Representative or the Credit Facility Secured Parties for adequate protection or (y) any objection made by the Credit Facility Representative or the holders of Credit Facility Obligations to any motion, relief, action or proceeding claiming a lack of adequate protection, in each case, with respect to the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral,

 

(d)                                  will raise no objection to or otherwise contest (or support any other Person in objecting to or contesting) any motion for relief from the automatic stay of Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code or from any injunction against foreclosure or enforcement in respect of Credit Facility First Priority Collateral made by the Credit Facility Representative or any Credit Facility Secured Parties, and, so long as Credit Facility Obligations are outstanding, will not seek any such relief in respect of the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral without the consent of the Credit Facility Representative,

 

(e)                                   will raise no objection to or otherwise contest (or support any other Person in objecting to or contesting) any lawful exercise by any Credit Facility Secured Party of the right to credit bid Credit Facility Obligations under Section 363(k) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision under any applicable Bankruptcy Law) or at any sale in foreclosure of Credit Facility First Priority Collateral,

 

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(f)                                    will raise no objection to or otherwise contest (or support any other Person in objecting to or contesting) any other request for judicial relief made in any court by any Credit Facility Secured Party relating to the lawful enforcement of any Lien on Credit Facility First Priority Collateral,

 

(g)                                   will raise no objection to or otherwise contest (or support any other Person in objecting to or contesting) any order relating to a sale of Credit Facility First Priority Collateral for which the Credit Facility Representative has consented that provides, to the extent the sale is to be free and clear of Liens, that the Liens securing the Credit Facility Obligations and the Liens securing the Secured Notes Obligations on the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral  will attach to the proceeds of the sale on the same basis of priority as set forth in this Agreement; provided that the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties may assert any objection to the bidding or related procedures proposed to be utilized in connection with such sale that could be asserted by an unsecured creditor in any Insolvency Proceeding to the extent not inconsistent, or in violation of,  with the provisions of this Agreement, and

 

(h)                                  prior to the discharge of Credit Facility Obligations, will not assert or enforce any claim under Section 506(c) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision under any applicable Bankruptcy Law) senior to or on a parity with the Liens securing the Credit Facility Obligations and waives any claim it may now or hereafter have arising out of the election by any Credit Facility Secured Party of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision under any applicable Bankruptcy Law) with respect to the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral.

 

9.2                                Insolvency Proceedings and Credit Facility Secured Parties . If any Grantor is subject to any Insolvency Proceeding, each of the Credit Facility Secured Parties:

 

(a)                                  (x) will raise no objection to or otherwise contest (or support any other Person in objecting to or contesting) any Grantor’s use, sale or lease of ‘‘cash collateral’’ (as such term is defined in Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code) constituting Secured Notes First Priority Collateral and/or (y) will agree to permit any Grantor to obtain post-petition debtor-in-possession financing secured by any Secured Notes First Priority Collateral (and, to the extent the Liens securing any such post-petition debtor-in-possession financing on the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral rank pari passu or senior to the Secured Notes Obligations, the Liens securing the Credit Facility Obligations on such Secured Notes First Priority Collateral will be subordinated to such Liens (and all Obligations relating thereto, including any “carve-out” from such collateral granting administrative priority status or Lien priority to secure the payment of fees and expenses of the Trustee or professionals retained by any debtor or creditors’ committee agreed to by the Secured Notes Representative) to the same extent as such Liens are subordinated to the Liens securing the Secured Notes Obligations), in each case, if the Secured Notes Representative desires to permit such use, sale or lease of cash collateral and/or post-petition debtor-in-possession financing,

 

(b)                                  except as provided herein, will not request adequate protection or other relief in connection with any such use of cash collateral constituting Secured Notes First Priority Collateral or any such post-petition debtor-in-possession financing secured by Secured Notes First Priority Collateral,

 

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(c)                                   will raise no objection to or otherwise contest (or support any other Person in objecting to or contesting) (x) any request by the Secured Notes Representative or the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties for adequate protection or (y) any objection made by the Secured Notes Representative or the holders of Secured Notes Obligations to any motion, relief, action or proceeding claiming a lack of adequate protection, in each case, with respect to the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral,

 

(d)                                  will raise no objection to or otherwise contest (or support any other Person in objecting to or contesting) any motion for relief from the automatic stay of Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code or from any injunction against foreclosure or enforcement in respect of Secured Notes First Priority Collateral made by the Secured Notes Representative or any Noteholder-Related Secured Parties, and, so long as Secured Notes Obligations are outstanding, will not seek any such relief in respect of the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral without the consent of the Secured Notes Representative,

 

(e)                                   will raise no objection to or otherwise contest (or support any other Person in objecting to or contesting) any lawful exercise by any Noteholder-Related Secured Party of the right to credit bid Secured Notes Obligations under Section 363(k) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision under any applicable Bankruptcy Law) or at any sale in foreclosure of Secured Notes First Priority Collateral,

 

(f)                                    will raise no objection to or otherwise contest (or support any other Person in objecting to or contesting) any other request for judicial relief made in any court by any Noteholder-Related Secured Party relating to the lawful enforcement of any Lien on Secured Notes First Priority Collateral,

 

(g)                                   will raise no objection to or otherwise contest (or support any other Person in objecting to or contesting) any order relating to a sale of Secured Notes First Priority Collateral for which the Secured Notes Representative has consented that provides, to the extent the sale is to be free and clear of Liens, that the Liens securing the Secured Notes Obligations and the Liens securing the Credit Facility Obligations on the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral will attach to the proceeds of the sale on the same basis of priority as set forth in this Agreement; provided that the Credit Facility Secured Parties may assert any objection to the bidding or related procedures proposed to be utilized in connection with such sale that could be asserted by an unsecured creditor in any Insolvency Proceeding to the extent not inconsistent with, or in violation of, the provisions of this Agreement, and

 

(h)                                  prior to the discharge of Secured Notes Obligations, will not assert or enforce any claim under Section 506(c) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision under any applicable Bankruptcy Law) senior to or on a parity with the Liens securing the Secured Notes Obligations and waives any claim it may now or hereafter have arising out of the election by any Noteholder-Related Secured Party of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision under any applicable Bankruptcy Law) with respect to the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral.

 

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9.3                                Adequate Protection .

 

(a)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 9.1 , in any Insolvency Proceeding, (i) if the Credit Facility Secured Parties (or any subset thereof) are granted adequate protection in the form of a Lien on additional or replacement collateral and/or a superpriority administrative expense claim in connection with any post-petition debtor-in-possession financing and/or use of cash collateral under the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision under any applicable Bankruptcy Law, then the Secured Notes Representative, on behalf of itself or any Noteholder-Related Secured Party, may seek or request adequate protection in the form of a Lien on such additional or replacement collateral and/or a superpriority administrative expense claim (as applicable), which Lien or superpriority administrative expense claim (as applicable) is junior and subordinated to the first-priority liens and claims with respect thereto and such post-petition debtor-in-possession financing (and all Obligations relating thereto) and to all Liens granted as adequate protection to the Credit Facility Secured Parties on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Secured Notes Obligations are so junior and subordinated to the Liens securing the Credit Facility Obligations with respect to Credit Facility First Priority Collateral and claims with respect thereto under this Agreement and (ii) in the event the Collateral Agent or the Secured Notes Representative, on behalf of itself or any Noteholder Secured Party, receives adequate protection in the form of a Lien on additional or replacement collateral and/or a superpriority administrative expense claim, then the holders of Credit Facility Obligations shall also be granted a senior Lien on such additional or replacement collateral and/or a superpriority administrative expense claim (as applicable) as security and adequate protection for the Credit Facility Obligations and any such post-petition debtor-in-possession financing and/or a superpriority administrative expense claim (as applicable), and any Lien on such additional or replacement collateral securing or providing adequate protection for the Secured Notes Obligations and/or superpriority administrative expense claim granted thereto as adequate protection shall be junior and subordinated to the Liens on such collateral securing the Credit Facility Obligations and claims with respect thereto and any such post-petition debtor-in-possession financing (and all Obligations relating thereto) and any other Liens or claims granted to the Credit Facility Secured Parties as adequate protection, on the same basis as the other Liens on the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral securing the Secured Notes Obligations and claims with respect thereto are so junior and subordinated to the Liens securing the Credit Facility Obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the extent that the Credit Facility Secured Parties are granted adequate protection with respect to the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral in the form of payments in the amount of current post-petition fees and expenses, and/or other cash payments, then the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties shall not be prohibited from seeking and accepting adequate protection in the form of payments in the amount of current post-petition incurred fees and expenses, and/or other cash payments (as applicable), subject to the right of the Credit Facility Secured Parties to object to the reasonableness of the amounts so sought.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 9.2 , in any Insolvency Proceeding, (i) if the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties (or any subset thereof) are granted adequate protection in the form of a Lien on additional or replacement collateral and/or a superpriority administrative expense claim in connection with any post-petition debtor-in-possession financing and/or use of cash collateral under the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision under any applicable Bankruptcy Law, then the Credit Facility Representative, on behalf of itself or any Credit Facility Secured Party, may seek or

 

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request adequate protection in the form of a Lien on such additional or replacement collateral and/or a superpriority administrative expense claim (as applicable), which Lien or superpriority administrative expense claim (as applicable) is junior and subordinated to the first-priority liens and claims with respect thereto and such post-petition debtor-in-possession financing (and all Obligations relating thereto) and to all Liens granted as adequate protection to the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Credit Facility Obligations are so junior and subordinated to the Liens securing the Secured Notes Obligations with respect to Secured Notes First Priority Collateral and claims with respect thereto under this Agreement and (ii) in the event the Collateral Agent or the Credit Facility Representative, on behalf of itself or any Credit Facility Secured Party, receives adequate protection in the form of a Lien on additional or replacement collateral and/or a superpriority administrative expense claim, then the holders of Secured Notes Obligations shall also be granted a senior Lien on such additional or replacement collateral and/or a superpriority administrative expense claim (as applicable) as security and adequate protection for the Secured Notes Obligations and any such post-petition debtor-in-possession financing and/or a superpriority administrative expense claim (as applicable), and any Lien on such additional or replacement collateral securing or providing adequate protection for the Credit Facility Obligations and/or superpriority administrative expense claim granted thereto as adequate protection shall be junior and subordinated to the Liens on such collateral securing the Secured Notes Obligations and claims with respect thereto and any such post-petition debtor-in-possession financing (and all Obligations relating thereto) and any other Liens or claims granted to the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties as adequate protection, on the same basis as the other Liens on the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral securing the Credit Facility Obligations and claims with respect thereto are so junior and subordinated to the Liens securing the Secured Notes Obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the extent that the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties are granted adequate protection with respect to the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral in the form of payments in the amount of current post-petition fees and expenses, and/or other cash payments, then the Credit Facility Secured Parties shall not be prohibited from seeking and accepting adequate protection in the form of payments in the amount of current post-petition incurred fees and expenses, and/or other cash payments (as applicable), subject to the right of the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties to object to the reasonableness of the amounts so sought.

 

9.4                                Post-Petition Interest, etc.   As to the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral, no Noteholder-Related Secured Party shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the Credit Facility Representative or any holder of Credit Facility Obligations for allowance in any Insolvency Proceeding of Credit Facility Obligations consisting of Post-Petition Interest  on account of the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral, without regard to the existence of the junior Liens of the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties on the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral.  As to the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral, no Credit Facility Secured Party shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the Secured Notes Representative or any holder of Secured Notes Obligations for allowance in any Insolvency Proceeding of Secured Notes Obligations consisting of Post-Petition Interest on account of the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral, without regard to the existence of the junior Liens of the Credit Facility Secured Parties on the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral.

 

9.5                                Separate Grants of Security and Separate Classification . Each of the Holder Representatives (on its own behalf and on behalf of the applicable Secured Parties) and

 

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the Collateral Agent acknowledge and agree that (i) the grant of Liens securing the Credit Facility Obligations and the grant of Liens securing the Secured Notes Obligations constitute separate and distinct grants of Liens and (ii) because of, among other things, their differing rights in the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral and the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral, the Credit Facility Obligations and the Secured Notes Obligations are fundamentally different and must be separately classified in any plan of reorganization or similar dispositive restructuring plan proposed or confirmed in any Insolvency Proceeding. If it is held, notwithstanding the intent of the immediately-preceding sentence, that the claims of the Credit Facility Secured Parties with respect to their Credit Facility Obligations, on the one hand, and the claims of the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties with respect to their Secured Notes Obligations, on the other hand, constitute only one secured claim (rather than separate classes of senior and junior secured claims), then (a) with respect to the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral , the Credit Facility Secured Parties shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts distributed to them from, or in respect of, the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral in respect of principal, pre-petition interest and other claims, all amounts owing in respect of claims for Post-Petition Interest, irrespective of whether such claim for such amounts is allowed or allowable in such Insolvency Proceeding, before any distribution from, or in respect of, any Credit Facility First Priority Collateral is made in respect of the claims held by the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties with respect to the Secured Notes Obligations, with the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties acknowledging and agreeing to turn over to the holders of the Credit Facility Secured Parties amounts otherwise received or receivable by them from the Credit Facility First Priority Collateral to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of such provision, even if such turnover has the effect of reducing the claim or recovery of the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties, and (b) with respect to the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral, the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts distributed to them from, or in respect of, the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral in respect of principal, pre-petition interest and other claims, all amounts owing in respect of claims for Post-Petition Interest, irrespective of whether such claim for such amounts is allowed or allowable in such Insolvency Proceeding, before any distribution from, or in respect of, any Secured Notes First Priority Collateral is made in respect of the claims under the Credit Facility Obligations, with the Credit Facility Secured Parties acknowledging and agreeing to turn over to the Noteholder-Related Secured Parties amounts otherwise received or receivable by them from the Secured Notes First Priority Collateral to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of such provision, even if such turnover has the effect of reducing the claim or recovery of the Credit Facility Secured Parties.

 

9.6                                Voting .  None of the Secured Parties will support or vote in favor of any plan of reorganization or other dispositive restructuring plan that is inconsistent with, or in violation of, the terms of this Agreement.

 

49



 

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

 

 

FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name:

Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

FS Energy and Power Fund

 

201 Rouse Blvd.

 

Philadelphia, PA 19112

 

Attn: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr., Chief Financial Officer

 

Email: FSEP_Team@fsinvestments.com;

 

credit.notices@fsinvestments.com;

 

eric.long@eigpartners.com;

 

keith.meliones@eigpartners.com;

 

mike.ravvin@eigpartners.com

 

 

 

BERWYN FUNDING LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name:

Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

FS Energy and Power Fund

 

201 Rouse Blvd.

 

Philadelphia, PA 19112

 

Attn: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr., Chief Financial Officer

 

Email: FSEP_Team@fsinvestments.com;

 

credit.notices@fsinvestments.com;

 

eric.long@eigpartners.com;

 

keith.meliones@eigpartners.com;

 

mike.ravvin@eigpartners.com

 



 

 

BRYN MAWR FUNDING LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name:

Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

FS Energy and Power Fund

 

201 Rouse Blvd.

 

Philadelphia, PA 19112

 

Attn: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr., Chief Financial Officer

 

Email: FSEP_Team@fsinvestments.com;

 

credit.notices@fsinvestments.com;

 

eric.long@eigpartners.com;

 

keith.meliones@eigpartners.com;

 

mike.ravvin@eigpartners.com

 

 

 

EP AMERICAN ENERGY INVESTMENTS, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name:

Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

FS Energy and Power Fund

 

201 Rouse Blvd.

 

Philadelphia, PA 19112

 

Attn: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr., Chief Financial Officer

 

Email: FSEP_Team@fsinvestments.com;

 

credit.notices@fsinvestments.com;

 

eric.long@eigpartners.com;

 

keith.meliones@eigpartners.com;

 

mike.ravvin@eigpartners.com

 



 

 

FOXFIELDS FUNDING LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name:

Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

FS Energy and Power Fund

 

201 Rouse Blvd.

 

Philadelphia, PA 19112

 

Attn: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr., Chief Financial Officer

 

Email: FSEP_Team@fsinvestments.com;

 

credit.notices@fsinvestments.com;

 

eric.long@eigpartners.com;

 

keith.meliones@eigpartners.com;

 

mike.ravvin@eigpartners.com

 

 

 

FSEP TERM FUNDING LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name:

Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

FS Energy and Power Fund

 

201 Rouse Blvd.

 

Philadelphia, PA 19112

 

Attn: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr., Chief Financial Officer

 

Email: FSEP_Team@fsinvestments.com;

 

credit.notices@fsinvestments.com;

 

eric.long@eigpartners.com;

 

keith.meliones@eigpartners.com;

 

mike.ravvin@eigpartners.com

 



 

 

EP ALTUS INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name:

Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

FS Energy and Power Fund

 

201 Rouse Blvd.

 

Philadelphia, PA 19112

 

Attn: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr., Chief Financial Officer

 

Email: FSEP_Team@fsinvestments.com;

 

credit.notices@fsinvestments.com;

 

eric.long@eigpartners.com;

 

keith.meliones@eigpartners.com;

 

mike.ravvin@eigpartners.com

 

 

 

EP BURNETT INVESTMENTS, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name:

Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

FS Energy and Power Fund

 

201 Rouse Blvd.

 

Philadelphia, PA 19112

 

Attn: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr., Chief Financial Officer

 

Email: FSEP_Team@fsinvestments.com;

 

credit.notices@fsinvestments.com;

 

eric.long@eigpartners.com;

 

keith.meliones@eigpartners.com;

 

mike.ravvin@eigpartners.com

 



 

 

EP SYNERGY INVESTMENTS, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name:

Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

FS Energy and Power Fund

 

201 Rouse Blvd.

 

Philadelphia, PA 19112

 

Attn: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr., Chief Financial Officer

 

Email: FSEP_Team@fsinvestments.com;

 

credit.notices@fsinvestments.com;

 

eric.long@eigpartners.com;

 

keith.meliones@eigpartners.com;

 

mike.ravvin@eigpartners.com

 

 

 

FS ENERGY INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name:

Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

FS Energy and Power Fund

 

201 Rouse Blvd.

 

Philadelphia, PA 19112

 

Attn: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr., Chief Financial Officer

 

Email: FSEP_Team@fsinvestments.com;

 

credit.notices@fsinvestments.com;

 

eric.long@eigpartners.com;

 

keith.meliones@eigpartners.com;

 

mike.ravvin@eigpartners.com

 



 

 

FSEP INVESTMENTS, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name:

Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

FS Energy and Power Fund

 

201 Rouse Blvd.

 

Philadelphia, PA 19112

 

Attn: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr., Chief Financial Officer

 

Email: FSEP_Team@fsinvestments.com;

 

credit.notices@fsinvestments.com;

 

eric.long@eigpartners.com;

 

keith.meliones@eigpartners.com;

 

mike.ravvin@eigpartners.com

 

 

 

FSEP-BBH, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Name:

Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

FS Energy and Power Fund

 

201 Rouse Blvd.

 

Philadelphia, PA 19112

 

Attn: Edward T. Gallivan, Jr., Chief Financial Officer

 

Email: FSEP_Team@fsinvestments.com;

 

credit.notices@fsinvestments.com;

 

eric.long@eigpartners.com;

 

keith.meliones@eigpartners.com;

 

mike.ravvin@eigpartners.com

 



 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

 

as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Alfred Chi

 

 

Name:

Alfred Chi

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,

 

 

as Collateral Agent

 

 

CIB DMO WLO

 

 

Mail code NY1-C413

 

 

4 Chase Metrotech Center

 

 

Brooklyn, NY, 11245-0001

 

 

ib.collateral.services@jpmchase.com

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

 

as the initial Credit Facility Representative

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Alfred Chi

 

 

Name:

Alfred Chi

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,

 

 

as initial Credit Facility Representative

 

 

CIB DMO WLO

 

 

Mail code NY1-C413

 

 

4 Chase Metrotech Center

 

 

Brooklyn, NY, 11245-0001

 

 

ib.collateral.services@jpmchase.com

 



 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as the initial Secured Notes Representative

 

 

 

By:

Karen R. Beard

 

 

Name:

Karen R. Beard

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

U.S. Bank National Association

 

One Federal Street, 10th Floor

 

Boston, MA 02110

 

Attention of: Karen Beard

 

Email: karen.beard@usbank.com