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): January 2, 2009 (December 28, 2008)

 

 

GMAC LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1-3754   38-0572512

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

200 Renaissance Center

P.O. Box 200

Detroit, Michigan

48265-2000

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (313) 556-5000

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Participation in the Troubled Asset Relief Program

On December 29, 2008, as part of the Automotive Industry Financing Program created under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) established by the U.S. Department of Treasury (the “Treasury”) under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “EESA”), GMAC LLC (“GMAC”) entered into a Letter Agreement (including the Securities Purchase Agreement and the other documents incorporated by reference therein, the “Purchase Agreement”) with the Treasury pursuant to which GMAC issued and sold to the Treasury (i) 5,000,000 units of GMAC’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Membership Interests, Series D-1, having a capital amount of $1,000 per share (the “Series D-1 Preferred Interests”) and (ii) a ten-year warrant to purchase up to approximately 250,000 units of GMAC’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Membership Interests, Series D-2 (the “Warrant Interests”), at an initial exercise price of $0.01 per unit (the “Warrant”), for an aggregate purchase price of $5.0 billion in cash (such transactions, the “TARP Transactions”). All of the proceeds from the sale of the Series D-1 Preferred Interests are treated as Tier 1 Capital for regulatory purposes.

Cumulative distributions on the Series D-1 Preferred Interests will accrue at a rate of 8% per annum, on (i) the capital amount per unit of Series D-1 Preferred Interests and (ii) the amount of accrued and unpaid distributions for any prior distribution period on such Series D-1 Preferred Interests, if any. Distributions will be paid only if and when declared by GMAC’s Board of Managers. Declared distributions on the Series D-1 Preferred Interests will be payable quarterly, in arrears. The Series D-1 Preferred Interests has no maturity date and ranks senior to GMAC’s Junior Membership Interests (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), including Class A Membership Interests, Class B Membership Interests and Class C Membership Interests (and pari passu with GMAC’s Parity Membership Interests (as defined in the Purchase Agreement)) with respect to the payment of distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation, dissolution and winding-up of GMAC.

The Series D-1 Preferred Interests generally are non-voting, other than class-voting on certain matters under certain circumstances, including, generally, the authorization of senior membership interests, the amendment of the Series D-1 Preferred Interests and any exchange, reclassification, merger and consolidation involving the Series D-1 Preferred Interests (other than a conversion of GMAC into a corporation). If distributions on the Series D-1 Preferred Interests have not been paid for an aggregate of six quarterly distribution periods or more, whether or not consecutive, GMAC’s authorized number of managers constituting its Board of Managers will be automatically increased by two, and the holders of the Series D-1 Preferred Interests will have the right to elect managers to fill such newly created manager positions. These two managers will serve until all accrued and unpaid distributions on the Series D-1 Preferred Interests have been paid in full.

After the date that is three years from the date of issuance of the Series D-1 Preferred Interests, GMAC may, at its option, redeem, in whole or in part, from time to time, the Series D-1 Preferred Interests then outstanding. Prior to this date, GMAC may redeem the Series D-1 Preferred Interests if (i) GMAC has raised aggregate gross proceeds in one or more Qualified Equity Offerings (as defined in Amendment No. 6 to the LLC Agreement and set forth below) of not less than $1.25 billion and (ii) the aggregate redemption price does not exceed the aggregate net cash proceeds from such Qualified Equity Offerings. Any redemption of the Series D-1 Preferred Interests shall be at a redemption price equal to (i) the capital amount per unit of Series D-1 Preferred Interests, plus (ii) any accrued and unpaid distributions. Holders of the Series D-1 Preferred Interests do not have any right to require the redemption or repurchase of any shares of the Series D-1 Preferred Interests. Any redemption of the Series D-1 Preferred Interests is subject to the consent of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Amendment No. 6 to the LLC Agreement defines a “Qualified Equity Offering” to mean the sale and issuance for cash by GMAC, to persons other than GMAC or any of its subsidiaries, after the closing, of perpetual preferred membership interests, common membership interests or any combination of such membership interests, that, in each case, qualify as and may be included in Tier 1 Capital of GMAC at the time of issuance under the applicable risk-based capital guidelines of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (other than any such sales and issuances made pursuant to agreements or arrangements entered into, or pursuant to financing plans which were publicly announced on or prior to November 17, 2008).

 

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The Warrant is immediately exercisable for up to approximately 250,000 units of Warrant Interests. The initial exercise price of the Warrant is $0.01 per unit. The ultimate number of units of Warrant Interests to be issued under the terms of the Warrant and the exercise price of the Warrant are subject to certain adjustments as set forth in the Warrant. The Warrant expires ten years from the issue date. On December 29, 2008, the Treasury exercised the Warrant for 250,000 Warrant Interests for an aggregate exercise price of approximately $2,500.

The Warrant Interests have the same rights, preferences, privileges, voting rights and other terms as the Series D-1 Preferred Interests, except that (i) the Warrant Interests will receive distributions at a rate of 9% per annum and (ii) the Warrant Interests may not be redeemed until all of the Series D-1 Preferred Interests have been redeemed.

Subject to certain exceptions, the Purchase Agreement generally prohibits GMAC and its subsidiaries from paying dividends or distributions on, or redeeming repurchasing or acquiring, their membership interests or other equity securities without the consent of the Treasury or, in the case of tax distributions on Junior Membership Interests, without the consent of the President’s Designee (as defined in H.R. 7321) unless GMAC has redeemed the Series D-1 Preferred Interests and Warrant Interests or Treasury has transferred all of the Series D-1 Preferred Interests and Warrant Interests to a third party.

The Series D-1 Preferred Interests, the Warrant and the Warrant Interests were issued in a private placement exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. GMAC has agreed to register the resale or secondary offering of the Series D-1 Preferred Interests and the units of Warrant Interests issued on the exercise of the Warrant within 30 days after the closing. Neither the Series D-1 Preferred Interests nor the Warrant will be subject to any contractual restrictions on transfer, except that, prior to December 29, 2009, the Treasury shall not transfer Series D-1 Preferred Interests or Warrant Interests if, prior to a conversion of GMAC into a corporation or the listing of GMAC’s membership interests on a national securities exchange, such transfer would be in violation of Section 9.6 of GMAC’s Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of GMAC LLC, dated November 30, 2006 (as amended, the “LLC Agreement”), by and among GMAC LLC, GM Finance Co. (“GM HoldCo”), FIM, GMAC Management LLC and GM Preferred Finance Co. Holdings LLC (“GM Preferred HoldCo”), as members of GMAC, and each other person who at any time becomes a member of GMAC in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement.

Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, GMAC has agreed that, until such time as the Treasury ceases to own any units of the Series D-1 Preferred Interests or Warrant Interests, GMAC will comply with certain restrictions on executive privileges and compensation. GMAC will take all necessary action to ensure that its corporate governance and benefit plans with respect to its Senior Executive Officers (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) comply with Section 111(b) of the EESA as implemented by any guidance or regulation under the EESA, including the Treasury’s guidelines set forth in Notice 2008-PSSFI, which has been issued and is in effect as of the date of issuance of the Series D-1 Preferred Interests and the Warrant, and has agreed not to adopt any benefit plans with respect to, or which cover, its Senior Executive Officers that do not comply with the EESA and the guidelines set forth in Notice 2008-PSSFI. During this period, GMAC has also agreed not to pay or accrue bonus or incentive compensation with respect to its Senior Executive Officers and Senior Employees (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), subject to certain exceptions or as approved by the President’s Designee. GMAC has also executed a waiver and consent voluntarily waiving any claim against the Treasury that GMAC may otherwise have as a result of the compensation-related actions that it is required to take pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. The Board of Managers will take action to amend all applicable company benefit plans or compensation arrangements to provide that such arrangements will comply with Section 111(b) of the EESA and the guidelines set forth in Notice 2008-PSSFI, and the Senior Executive Officers of GMAC have each consented to these amendments. Additionally, the Senior Executive Officers and Senior Employees have executed waivers and consents voluntarily waiving any claims against the Treasury or GMAC for any changes to, or limitations on, GMAC’s compensation arrangements applicable to the Senior Executive Officers and Senior Employees as required by the Purchase Agreement.

Copies of the Purchase Agreement, a form of warrant, Amendment No. 6 to the LLC Agreement and Amendment No. 7 to the LLC Agreement are included as Exhibit 10.1, Exhibit 4.1, Exhibit 3.2, and Exhibit 3.3 hereto and are incorporated by reference herein. The foregoing summary of certain provisions of these documents is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

 

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Exchange Agreement

On December 29, 2008, GMAC entered into an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with General Motors Corporation (“GM”) and FIM Holdings LLC (“FIM”), pursuant to which GMAC agreed to issue $750 million of common equity interests to GM and FIM in exchange for a contribution to GMAC of GM’s and FIM’s (as assignee of Cerberus Fund) $750 million Participations (as defined below) under the Participation Agreement (as defined below) (the “Exchange”). The transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement were completed on December 29, 2008.

A copy of the Exchange Agreement is included as Exhibit 10.2 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein. The foregoing summary of certain provisions of this document is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

Membership Interest Subscription Agreement

On December 29, 2008, GMAC entered into a membership interest subscription agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with GM and FIM, pursuant to which each of GM and FIM agreed to subscribe for and purchase common equity membership interests of GMAC for aggregate consideration of $1.25 billion. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Subscription Agreement, (i) FIM agreed to purchase up to $637.5 million in value of Class A Membership Interests of GMAC, which actual number to be purchased will be in the sole discretion of FIM, provided that FIM is committed to purchase not less than $250 million in value of Class A Membership Interests of GMAC, at a purchase price equal to $4,630 per Class A Membership Interest and (ii) GM agreed to purchase Class B Membership Interests of GMAC equal to $1 billion in value less the value of any Class A Membership Interests purchased by FIM as described in the preceding clause in excess of $250 million (the “GM Interest”), at a purchase price equal to $4,630 per Class B Membership Interest (the “GM Purchase Price”). The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreement is subject to certain conditions, including:

 

   

the truth and correctness of the representations and warranties of, and performance of obligations by, GMAC, on the one hand, and GM and FIM, on the other hand;

 

   

(i) the lack of failure on the part of GMAC to pay any principal of or interest on indebtedness for borrowed money within any applicable grace period following the due date thereof, (ii) the absence of acceleration of such indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default under any of the terms of such indebtedness, and (iii) the lack of failure on the part of GMAC to pay any required distributions within any applicable grace period following the due date thereof pursuant to the terms of (a) any equity securities issued in the Offers (as defined below) or (b) any equity securities issued to or then held by the Treasury, in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), if the amount of such indebtedness or distributions unpaid or accelerated exceeds $100 million or its foreign currency equivalent;

 

   

the absence of any revocation or rescission of GMAC’s status as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”);

 

   

since the date of the Subscription Agreement, the absence of any event, change, effect or development that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of GMAC and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (an “MAE”), except that this condition will be deemed to have been satisfied unless the Treasury, acting reasonably, has determined in writing that an MAE has occurred and is continuing;

 

   

the absence of any law, regulation, injunction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreement;

 

   

the absence of any (i) commencement by GMAC or any of its material subsidiaries of a voluntary proceeding under Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended (the “Bankruptcy Code”) or any other state or federal bankruptcy law, (ii) consent by GMAC or any of its material subsidiaries to the

 

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entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or any other state or federal bankruptcy or insolvency law, (iii) consent by GMAC or any of its material subsidiaries to the appointment of a custodian of GMAC or for substantially all of its property, or (iv) action by GMAC or any of its material subsidiaries to make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, and no court of competent jurisdiction has entered an order for relief against GMAC or any such subsidiary in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or any other state or federal bankruptcy law; and

 

   

in the case of GM, the receipt by GM from the Treasury of funds in an amount at least equal to the aggregate GM Purchase Price, the use of proceeds of which is limited by the Treasury to GM’s consummation of the purchase of the GM Interest.

A copy of the Subscription Agreement is included as Exhibit 10.3 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein. The foregoing summary of certain provisions of this document is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

Agreements Related to the Offers

Limited Keep-Well Agreement

On December 31, 2008, in connection with the settlement of the GMAC offers (as defined below), GMAC entered into a limited keep-well agreement (the “Limited Keep-Well”) with Preferred Blocker Inc., a newly formed Delaware corporation and subsidiary of GMAC (“Blocker Sub”), pursuant to which GMAC agreed that, prior to a GMAC Conversion (as defined in the Limited Keep-Well and set forth below) and so long as any New Preferred Stock (as defined below) is outstanding, GMAC will provide funds to Blocker Sub necessary to pay all expenses and unpaid dividends on the New Preferred Stock in the event that dividend payments on the GMAC Preferred Membership Interests (as defined below) are insufficient to pay in full such expenses and declared and unpaid dividends on the New Preferred Stock. In general, “GMAC Conversion” means, together with related transactions, a conversion of GMAC into a corporation through a statutory conversion, the creation of a holding company above GMAC and the exchange of all or substantially all of GMAC’s outstanding equity interests for equity interests of such holding company, the direct or indirect acquisition by the Company of all or substantially all of GMAC’s outstanding equity interests in exchange for stock of the Company, the merger of GMAC with and into the Company, and any other direct or indirect incorporation of the assets and liabilities of GMAC, including, without limitation, by merger, consolidation or recapitalization; statutory conversion; direct or indirect, sale, transfer, exchange, pledge or other disposal of economic, voting or other rights; sale, exchange or other acquisition of shares, equity interests or assets; contribution of assets and/or liabilities; liquidation; exchange of securities; conversion of entity, migration of entity or formation of new entity; or other transaction or group of related transactions.

A copy of the Limited Keep-Well is included as Exhibit 10.4 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein. The foregoing summary of certain provisions of this document is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

Registration Rights Agreements

On December 31, 2008, GMAC, the dealer managers for the Offers (the “Dealer Managers”) and the note guarantors (as defined below) entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Guaranteed Notes Registration Rights Agreement”) relating to the New Guaranteed Notes (as defined below). On December 31, 2008, GMAC and the Dealer Managers entered into two other registration rights agreement (the “ResCap Offer Registration Rights Agreement,” together with the Guaranteed Notes Registration Rights Agreement, the “Notes Registration Rights Agreements”) relating to the New Senior Notes (as defined below) and New Subordinated Notes (as defined below, and together with the New Senior Notes and the New Guaranteed Notes, the “New Notes”).

Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreements, GMAC agreed, at its own cost, for the benefit of the holders of the New Notes, to use its commercially reasonable efforts to consummate an offer to exchange each series of the New Notes for new issues of GMAC’s debt securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with terms substantially identical to those of the applicable New Notes (except for the

 

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provisions relating to transfer restrictions and payment of additional interest) not later than 366 days following the issuance of the New Notes offered hereby (the “exchange date”). However, GMAC is not required to consummate the exchange offers if, before the exchange date, (i) the applicable series of New Notes is freely tradable under Rule 144 of the Securities Act, (ii) the restricted legends on the applicable series of New Notes have been removed and (iii) the applicable series of New Notes no longer bears a restricted CUSIP number.

In the event that the applicable series of New Notes is not freely tradable without restrictive legends and restricted CUSIP numbers by the exchange date and the exchange offer is not consummated, GMAC will, subject to certain conditions, at its own cost:

 

   

file a shelf registration statement covering resales of the New Notes within 30 days of the exchange date (the “shelf filing deadline”);

 

   

use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the shelf registration statement to be declared effective within 60 days after the shelf filing deadline; and

 

   

use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the shelf registration statement effective for a period of one year from the effective date of the shelf registration statement or such shorter period that will terminate when all new notes registered thereunder are disposed of in accordance therewith or cease to be outstanding or the date upon which all new notes covered by such shelf registration statement become eligible for resale, without regard to volume, manner of sale or other restrictions contained in Rule 144.

In the event that the applicable series of New Notes is not freely tradable under Rule 144 of the Securities Act and the restrictive legend has not been removed from the applicable series of New Notes and the applicable series of New Notes still bear a restricted CUSIP number, and (i) an exchange offer has not been consummated on or prior to the 30th day after the exchange date or (ii) a shelf registration statement covering resales of the applicable series of New Notes has not been filed and declared effective in accordance with the requirements of the preceding paragraph (a “registration default”), then additional interest will accrue on the aggregate principal amount of the applicable series of New Notes from and including the date on which any such registration default has occurred to, but excluding the date on which all registration defaults have been cured. Additional interest will accrue in respect of each applicable series of New Notes at a rate of 0.25% per annum over the interest rate otherwise provided for under the applicable series of New Notes. Upon the cure of all of the registration defaults set forth above, the interest rate borne by the New Notes will be reduced to the original interest rate if GMAC is otherwise in compliance with this paragraph; provided, however, that if, after any such reduction in interest rate, certain events occur with respect to a different registration default, the interest rate may again be increased pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

On December 31, 2008, GMAC and the Dealer Managers entered into a registration rights agreement (the “New Preferred Stock Registration Rights Agreement”) relating to the New Preferred Stock (as defined below). Pursuant to the New Preferred Stock Registration Rights Agreement, if the New Preferred Stock is not freely tradable without restrictive legends by 366 days following the GMAC Conversion (if it occurs) of the New Preferred Stock, or the “registration date,” GMAC will, subject to certain conditions, at its own cost:

 

   

file a shelf registration statement covering resales of the shares of New Preferred Stock within 30 days after the registration date;

 

   

use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the shelf registration statement to be declared effective within 60 days after it is required filed; and

 

   

use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the shelf registration statement effective for a period of one year from the effective date of the shelf registration statement or such shorter period that will terminate when all shares of new preferred stock registered thereunder are disposed of in accordance therewith or cease to be outstanding or the date upon which all shares of new preferred stock covered by such shelf registration statement become eligible for resale, without regard to volume, manner of sale or other restrictions contained in Rule 144.

 

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However, GMAC will not be required to take the actions set forth above if, before the exchange date, (i) the shares of New Preferred Stock are freely tradable under the Securities Act, (ii) the restrictive legend on the shares of the New Preferred Stock has been removed and (iii) the shares of New Preferred Stock no longer bear a restricted CUSIP number.

In the event that the shares of New Preferred Stock are not freely tradable under Rule 144 of the Securities Act and the restrictive legend has not been removed from the shares of New Preferred Stock and the shares of New Preferred Stock still bear a restricted CUSIP number, and a shelf registration statement covering resales of the New Preferred Stock has not been filed and declared effective (a “registration default”), then additional cumulative dividends will accrue on the shares of New Preferred Stock from and including the date on which any such registration default has occurred to but excluding the date on which all registration defaults have been cured. Additional cumulative dividends will accrue in respect of the New Preferred Stock at a rate of 0.25% per annum over the interest rate otherwise provided for under the New Preferred Stock.

Copies of the Notes Registration Rights Agreement and the New Preferred Stock Registration Rights Agreement are included as Exhibits 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, and 10.8 hereto and are incorporated by reference herein. The foregoing summary of certain provisions of these documents is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

Financing Services Agreement

On November 30, 2006 and in connection with the sale by GM of a 51% interest in GMAC, GM and GMAC entered into a United States Consumer Financing Services Agreement (the “Financing Services Agreement”). As previously disclosed, the Financing Services Agreement, among other things, provided that subject to certain conditions and limitations, whenever GM offers vehicle financing and leasing incentives to customers (e.g., lower interest rates than market rates), it would do so exclusively through GMAC. This requirement was effective through November 2016, and in consideration for this, GMAC paid to GM an annual exclusivity fee and was required to meet certain targets with respect to consumer retail and lease financings of new GM vehicles. The information set forth under “Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement—United States Consumer Financing Services Agreement” filed by GMAC on its Current Report on Form 8-K on November 30, 2006 is incorporated herein by reference.

Effective December 29, 2008 and in connection with the approval of GMAC’s application to become a bank holding company under the BHC Act, GM and GMAC agreed to modify certain terms and conditions of the Financing Services Agreement. Certain of these amendments include the following: (i) for a two-year period, GM can offer retail financing incentive programs through a third party financing source under certain specified circumstances, and in some cases subject to the limitation that pricing offered by such third party meets certain restrictions, and after such two-year period GM can offer any such incentive programs on a graduated basis through third parties on a non-exclusive, side-by-side basis with GMAC provided that pricing of such third parties meets certain requirements; (ii) GMAC will have no obligation to provide operating lease financing products; and (iii) GMAC will have no targets against which it could be assessed penalties. After December 24, 2013, GM will have the right to offer retail financing incentive programs through any third party financing source, including GMAC, without any restrictions or limitations. A primary objective of the Financing Services Agreement continues to be supporting distribution and marketing of GM products. The parties have agreed to work in good faith to executive definitive documentation with respect to an amendment of the Financing Services Agreement on or before March 29, 2009.

GM, through its subsidiaries GM HoldCo and GM Preferred HoldCo, and FIM are beneficial owners of 49% and 51% of the membership interests of GMAC as of the date hereof and have entered into certain material agreements with GMAC, which material agreements have been filed previously by GMAC with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”).

The above descriptions of the Purchase Agreement, the Exchange Agreement, the Subscription Agreement, the Notes Registration Rights Agreement, the New Preferred Stock Registration Rights Agreement and the Limited Keep-Well (the “Material Agreements”) and the copies of the Material Agreements attached hereto have been included to provide investors with information regarding their terms. The Material Agreements contain representations and warranties made by and to the parties thereto as of specific dates. The representations and warranties of each party set forth in each Material Agreement have been

 

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made solely for the benefit of the other party to such Material Agreement. In addition, such representations and warranties (a) may have been qualified by confidential disclosures made to the other party in connection with such Material Agreement, (b) may be subject to the materiality standard which may differ from what may be viewed as material by investors, (c) were made only as of the date of such Material Agreement or such other date as is specified in such Material Agreement and (d) may have been included in such Material Agreement for the purpose of allocating risk between or among the parties thereto rather than establishing matters as facts. Accordingly, the Material Agreements are included with this filing only to provide investors with information regarding the terms of the Material Agreements, and not to provide investors with any other factual information regarding the parties or their respective businesses. Each of the Material Agreements should not be read alone, but should instead be read in conjunction with the other information regarding GMAC and the transactions contemplated by each Material Agreement that will be contained in, or incorporated by reference into, the Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q and other filings that GMAC makes with the Commission.

Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

GMAC, Residential Funding Company, LLC (“RFC”) and GMAC Mortgage, LLC (“GMAC Mortgage”) are parties to a senior secured credit facility (the “GMAC Facility”) (guaranteed by Residential Capital, LLC, a subsidiary of GMAC (“ResCap”) and certain of its subsidiaries) pursuant to which GMAC provides a senior secured credit facility with a capacity of up to $3.5 billion to RFC and GMAC Mortgage. In connection with the GMAC Facility, GMAC, GM and Cerberus ResCap Financing, LLC (“Cerberus Fund”) entered into a Participation Agreement (the “Participation Agreement”), dated June 4, 2008, pursuant to which GMAC sold GM and the Cerberus Fund $750 million in subordinated participations (the “Participations”) in the loans made pursuant to the GMAC Facility. GM and the Cerberus Fund acquired 49% and 51% of the Participations, respectively. Under the Participation Agreement, neither GM nor the Cerberus Fund were entitled to receive any principal payments with respect to the Participations until the principal portion of the loans retained by GMAC have been paid in full. In connection with entering into the Exchange Agreement, Cerberus Fund contributed and assigned its Participation to FIM.

On December 29, 2008, GMAC entered into a termination agreement (the “Termination Agreement”) with GM and FIM, pursuant to which the parties agreed to terminate rights, title and interests of the parties under the Participation Agreement. The parties entered into the Termination Agreement in connection with GMAC’s plans to raise sufficient capital to meet the minimum regulatory capital requirements and other conditions set forth by the Federal Reserve for GMAC to become a bank holding company under the BHC Act.

GM, through its subsidiaries GM HoldCo and GM Preferred HoldCo, and FIM are beneficial owners of 49% and 51% of the membership interests of GMAC as of the date hereof and have entered into certain material agreements with GMAC, which material agreements have been filed previously by GMAC with the Commission.

A copy of the Termination Agreement is included as Exhibit 10.9 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein. The foregoing summary of certain provisions of these documents is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation.

On December 31, 2008, GMAC closed its previously announced separate private exchange offers and cash tender offers to purchase and/or exchange certain of its and its subsidiaries’ (the “GMAC offers”) and Residential Capital, LLC’s (the “ResCap offers” and together with the GMAC offers, the “Offers”) outstanding notes (the “GMAC old notes” and the “ResCap old notes”, respectively) .

 

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GMAC Offers

In connection with the GMAC offers, on December 31, 2008, GMAC issued new guaranteed notes (the “New Guaranteed Notes”) in the amounts, with the maturity dates, interest payment dates and the redemption provisions and as part of the series set forth in the following chart:

 

Title of Note

  

CUSIP No.

  

Aggregate
Principal

Amount

  

Interest Rate

(per annum)

  

Maturity

Date

  

Interest

Payment

Dates

  

Redemption

Provisions

Euribor +

1.25% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2009

  

Rule 144A No:

36186CAJ2

Reg S No: U36240AA4

   $323,103,000   

3-month

Euribor +

1.25%

   June 30, 2009   

March 30,

June 30,

September 30 and December 30

   Redeemable upon certain tax events

4.750% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2009

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CAK9

Reg S No: U36240AB2

   $211,885,000    4.750%    September 14, 2009    September 14    Redeemable upon certain tax events

6.500% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2009

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CAM5

Reg S No: U36240AD8

   $126,982,000    6.500%    October 15, 2009   

April 15

and

October 15

  

Not

redeemable prior to maturity

7.750% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2010

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CAN3

Reg S No: U36240AE6

   $778,854,000    7.750%    January 19, 2010   

January 19

and

July 19

   Redeemable upon certain tax events

5.750% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2010

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CAR4

Reg S No: U36240AH9

   $34,327,000    5.750%    May 21, 2010    May 21    Redeemable upon certain tax events

5.750% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2010

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CBE2

Reg S No: U36240AW6

   $448,949,000    5.750%    September 27, 2010    September 27    Redeemable upon certain tax events

6.625% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2010

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CAS2

Reg S No: U36240AJ5

   $48,830,000    6.625%    December 17, 2010    December 17    Redeemable upon certain tax events

7.250% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2011

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CAV5

Reg S No: U36240AM8

   $802,159,000    7.250%    March 2, 2011   

March 2

and

September 2

   Redeemable upon certain tax events

6.000% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2011

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CAY9

Reg S No: U36240AQ9

   $122,605,000    6.000%    April 1, 2011   

April 1

and

October 1

  

Redeemable

at GMAC’s option at any time prior to maturity

5.375% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2011

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CBA0

Reg S No: U36240AS5

   $570,441,000    5.375%    June 6, 2011    June 6    Redeemable upon certain tax events

6.875% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2011

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CBB8

Reg S No: U36240AT3

   $3,087,771,000    6.875%    September 15, 2011   

March 15

and

September 15

   Redeemable upon certain tax events

6.000% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2011

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CBC6

Reg S No: U36240AU0

   $562,268,000    6.000%    December 15, 2011   

June 15

and

December 15

  

Not

redeemable prior to maturity

 

9


Title of Note

  

CUSIP No.

  

Aggregate
Principal Amount

  

Interest Rate

(per annum)

  

Maturity Date

  

Interest

Payment Dates

  

Redemption

Provisions

7.000% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2012

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CAT0

Reg S No: U36240AK2

   $357,492,000    7.000%    February 1, 2012   

February 1 and

August 1

   Redeemable upon certain tax events

6.625% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2012

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CAZ6

Reg S No: U36240AR7

   $407,348,000    6.625%    May 15, 2012   

May 15 and

November 15

   Not redeemable prior to maturity

6.000% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2012

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CAX1

Reg S No: U36240AP1

   $129,264,000    6.000%    May 23, 2012    May 23    Redeemable upon certain tax events

6.875% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2012

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CAU7

Reg S No: U36240AL0

   $784,677,000    6.875%    August 28, 2012   

February 28 and

August 28

   Redeemable upon certain tax events

6.750% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2014

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CAW3

Reg S No: U36240AN6

   $764,653,000    6.750%    December 1, 2014   

June 1 and

December 1

   Redeemable upon certain tax events

Libor + 2.20%

Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2014

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CBD4

Reg S No: U36240AV8

   $294,768,000    3-month Libor + 2.20%    December 1, 2014   

March 1, June 1,

September 1 and December 1

   Redeemable upon certain tax events

8.000% Senior

Guaranteed

Notes due 2031

  

Rule 144A No: 36186CAQ6

Reg S No: U36240AG1

   $1,995,021,000    8.000%    November 1, 2031   

May 1 and

November 1

   Redeemable upon certain tax events

If the notes in the series of New Guaranteed Notes titled 6.750% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2014, Libor + 2.20% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2014 or 8.000% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2031 (such new guaranteed notes, the “2014/2031 Notes”) would otherwise constitute “applicable high yield discount obligations” (“AHYDO”) within the meaning of Section 163(i)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), at the end of all accrual periods (the periods between interest payment dates) ending after the fifth anniversary of the 2014/2031 Notes’ issuance (each, an “AHYDO payment date”), but not including the final accrual period, GMAC will be required to make pro-rata cash payments to all holders of a portion of each 2014/2031 Note then outstanding in an amount equal to the “Mandatory Principal Payment Amount” (each such payment, a “Mandatory Principal Payment”). The payment pursuant to a Mandatory Principal Payment will be 100% of the principal amount of such portion plus any accrued interest thereon on the date of redemption. The “Mandatory Principal Payment Amount” means the portion of a 2014/2031 Note’s principal required to be paid to prevent such 2014/2031 Note from being treated as an AHYDO within the meaning of Section 163(i)(1) of the Code.

The New Guaranteed Notes were issued under the indenture dated as of July 1, 1982 (as amended by the first supplemental indenture dated as of April 1, 1986, the second supplemental indenture dated as of June 15, 1987, the third supplemental indenture dated as of September 30, 1996, the fourth supplemental indenture dated as of January 1, 1998, and the fifth supplemental indenture dated as of September 30, 1998, and together with such supplemental indentures, the “1982 Indenture”) between GMAC and The Bank of New York Mellon (successor to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York), as trustee (the “Trustee”). GMAC’s payment obligations in respect of the New Guaranteed Notes are guaranteed, jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally, on a senior basis by GMAC Latin America Holdings LLC, GMAC International Holdings Coöperatief U.A., GMAC Continental LLC, IB Finance Holding Company, LLC and GMAC US LLC (each a subsidiary of GMAC and each a “note guarantor”), pursuant to a guarantee agreement, dated as of December 31, 2008 (the “Guarantee Agreement”), among GMAC, each note guarantor and the Trustee.

 

10


The 1982 Indenture contains covenants (the “1982 Indenture Covenants”) that, among other things,

 

   

limit GMAC’s ability to:

 

   

grant liens on its assets; and

 

   

merge or consolidate, or transfer or dispose of all or substantially all of its assets; and

 

   

require GMAC to provide certain periodic and interim reports to the holders of the securities issued pursuant to the 1982 Indenture.

The Guarantee Agreement contains covenants that, among other things:

 

   

limit the ability of the note guarantors to merge or consolidate, or to transfer or dispose of all or substantially all of their assets; and

 

   

limit the ability of the note guarantors or any subsidiary of a note guarantor to:

 

   

grant liens on their assets to secure certain debt without equally and ratably securing the New Guaranteed Notes;

 

   

grant liens on their assets to secure any debt of ResCap or any subsidiary of ResCap;

 

   

guarantee any debt of ResCap or any subsidiary of ResCap;

 

   

engage in certain asset sales to GMAC or any subsidiary or other affiliate of GMAC that is not a note guarantor or a subsidiary of a note guarantor; and

 

   

engage in certain transactions with affiliates.

The New Guaranteed Notes contain covenants that, among other things:

 

   

require GMAC to use the net sale proceeds of any sale, disposal or transfer of equity interests of any note guarantor held by GMAC in a transaction following which GMAC ceases to own a majority of the equity interests of such note guarantor to make an investment in one or more note guarantors, including any subsidiary of GMAC that becomes a note guarantor; and

 

   

require GMAC, following the consummation of the Exchange Offers, to cause its subsidiaries (other than the note guarantors) to guarantee or secure the New Guaranteed Notes in certain circumstances; and

 

   

limit the ability of GMAC and its subsidiaries to:

 

   

guarantee the payment of certain other debt; and

 

   

make payments to holders of New Guaranteed Notes in return for a consent, waiver or amendment to the terms of the New Guaranteed Notes.

The 1982 Indenture includes events of default arising from default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the New Guaranteed Notes; default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the New Guaranteed Notes as and when the same shall become due and payable and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; failure by GMAC duly to observe or perform any other of its covenants or agreements in the New Guaranteed Notes or the 1982 Indenture for a period of 30 days after notice from the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of securities outstanding under such indenture; and certain insolvency or bankruptcy events (any such event of default, a “bankruptcy event of default”).

In addition, the New Guaranteed Notes include events of default arising from the unenforceability of the guarantees of the note guarantors and the failure by GMAC or the note guarantors to observe or perform any of the covenants or agreements on the part of GMAC or the note guarantors in the Guarantee Agreement for a period of 30 days after notice from the Trustee or holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the New Guaranteed Notes.

 

11


In case any event of default with respect to the New Guaranteed Notes other than a bankruptcy event of default shall occur and be continuing with respect to any series of the New Guaranteed Notes, the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the securities issued pursuant to the 1982 Indenture (the “Debt Securities”) affected thereby then outstanding may declare the principal amount of all of the Debt Securities affected thereby to be due and payable. In case a bankruptcy event of default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all the Debt Securities then outstanding, voting as one class, may declare the principal of all outstanding Debt Securities to be due and payable.

ResCap Offers

New Senior Notes

In connection with the ResCap offers, on December 31, 2008, GMAC issued new senior notes (the “New Senior Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $687,600,000. The New Senior Notes bear interest at 7.50% per annum and mature on December 31, 2013. Interest on the New Senior Notes will be paid on June 30 and December 31 of each year, beginning on June 30, 2009. The New Senior Notes are not redeemable prior to maturity. The New Senior Notes were issued under the 1982 Indenture. The 1982 Indenture contains the 1982 Indenture Covenants and events of default (the “Senior Notes Event of Default”) arising from default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the New Senior Notes; default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the New Senior Notes as and when the same shall become due and payable and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; failure by GMAC duly to observe or perform any other of its covenants or agreements in the New Senior Notes or the 1982 Indenture for a period of 30 days after notice from the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of securities outstanding under such indenture; and certain insolvency or bankruptcy events (any such event of default, a “Senior Notes bankruptcy event of default”).

In case any Senior Notes Event of Default other than a Senior Notes bankruptcy event of default shall occur and be continuing with respect to the New Senior Notes, the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities affected thereby then outstanding may declare the principal amount of all of the Debt Securities affected thereby to be due and payable. In case a Senior Notes bankruptcy event of default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all the Debt Securities then outstanding, voting as one class, may declare the principal of all outstanding Debt Securities to be due and payable.

New Subordinated Notes

In connection with the ResCap offers, on December 31, 2008, GMAC also issued new subordinated notes (the “New Subordinated Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount equal to $482,923,000. The New Subordinated Notes bear interest at 8.00% per annum and mature on December 31, 2018. Interest on the New Subordinated Notes will be paid on June 30 and December 31 of each year, beginning on June 30, 2009. The New Subordinated Notes are not redeemable prior to maturity.

The New Subordinated Notes constitute subordinated unsecured indebtedness of GMAC. The New Subordinated Notes:

 

   

rank equally in right of payment with certain of GMAC’s existing and future subordinated indebtedness, including all other debt securities issued pursuant to the 2008 Indenture (as defined below). Because the subordination provisions in various series of subordinated debt securities that GMAC may issue in the future may differ, the holders of the New Subordinated Notes may receive less, ratably, than holders of some of our other series of subordinated debt securities;

 

   

are subordinated in right of payment to GMAC’s existing and future senior indebtedness;

 

12


   

rank senior in right of payment to all of GMAC’s future indebtedness that is, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the New Subordinated Notes;

 

   

are effectively subordinated to GMAC’s existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and

 

   

are structurally subordinated to all of the existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of GMAC’s subsidiaries to the extent of the value of the assets of such subsidiaries.

The New Subordinated Notes were issued under an indenture, dated as of December 31, 2008 (the “2008 Indenture”), among GMAC and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “New Subordinated Notes Trustee”).

The 2008 Indenture contains covenants that, among other things,

 

   

limit GMAC’s ability to merge or consolidate, or transfer or dispose of, all or substantially all of its assets; and

 

   

require GMAC to provide certain periodic and interim reports to the holders of the securities issued under the 2008 Indenture.

The 2008 Indenture includes events of default (the “New Subordinated Notes Indenture Events of Default”) arising from default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the New Subordinated Notes; default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the New Subordinated Notes, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; failure by GMAC duly to observe or perform any other of its covenants or agreements in the New Subordinated Notes or the 2008 Indenture for a period of 30 days after notice from the New Subordinated Notes Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of securities outstanding under such indenture; and certain insolvency or bankruptcy events (any such event of default, a “New Subordinated Notes Bankruptcy Event of Default”).

In case any New Subordinated Notes Bankruptcy Event of Default shall occur and be continuing with respect to the New Subordinated Notes, the New Subordinated Notes Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all the securities issued and outstanding pursuant to the 2008 Indenture (the “2008 Debt Securities”) then outstanding, voting as one class, may declare the principal of all outstanding 2008 Debt Securities to be due and payable.

If a New Subordinated Notes Event of Default (other than a New Subordinated Notes Bankruptcy Event of Default) occurs and is continuing, the New Subordinated Notes Trustee may demand payment of amounts then due and payable on the affected 2008 Debt Securities and, in its discretion, proceed to enforce any obligation of GMAC under the 2008 Debt Securities. Upon a New Subordinated Notes Event of Default (other than a New Subordinated Notes Bankruptcy Event of Default), however, the New Subordinated Notes Trustee may not act to accelerate the outstanding principal amount of the 2008 Debt Securities.

The New Subordinated Notes Trustee, the Trustee and GMAC and certain of their respective affiliates have performed in the past, and may perform in the future, paying agency, trustee and other services for GMAC and its affiliates from time to time for which they have received, and will receive, customary fees and expenses.

Copies of the 2008 Indenture and the Guarantee Agreement are included as Exhibit 4.2 and Exhibit 4.3 hereto and are incorporated by reference herein. The foregoing summary of certain provisions of these documents is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The information set forth under “Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement” relating to the TARP Transactions, the Exchange Agreement and the Subscription Agreement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

13


On December 31, 2008, in connection with the settlement of the GMAC offers, GMAC issued 2,576,601 units of Class E Preferred Membership Interests (the “GMAC Preferred Membership Interests”) to Blocker Sub in exchange for 2,576,601 shares of 9% Perpetual Preferred Stock of Blocker Sub (the “New Preferred Stock”). Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the GMAC offers, certain of the GMAC old notes were exchanged for New Guaranteed Notes and New Preferred Stock under the new securities election.

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

The information concerning executive compensation set forth under “Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement” is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.

Item 8.01 Other Events.

Amendments to LLC Agreement

On December 28, 2008, GM HoldCo and FIM entered into an Amendment No. 5 to the LLC Agreement. On December 29, 2008, GM HoldCo and FIM entered into Amendment No. 6 and Amendment No. 7 to the LLC Agreement.

Amendment No. 5 to the LLC Agreement amended the LLC Agreement to set forth a formula pursuant to which the Company is periodically to make tax distributions on its Junior Membership Interests (as defined in the LLC Agreement) to the extent determined to be reasonably necessary by the Board of Managers (“Tax Distributions”). Any such Tax Distributions are subject to (i) the approval of the United States Treasury by and through the President’s Designee and (ii) GMAC continuing to meet the minimum amount of equity capital sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, or other applicable banking regulations. The President’s Designee has complete discretion to approve or reduce, in whole or in part, any such Tax Distributions and any such action by the President’s Designee is binding on GMAC and its members without further review or appeal.

Amendment No. 6 to the LLC Agreement created the Series D-1 Preferred Interests designated as the “Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Membership Interests, Series D-1”, authorized 5,000,000 units of Series D-1 Preferred Interests, and set forth the voting and other powers, preference and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the Series D-1 Preferred Interests.

Amendment No. 7 to the LLC Agreement created the Warrant Interests designated as the “Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Membership Interests, Series D-2”, authorized approximately 250,000 units of Warrant Interests, and set forth the voting and other powers, preference and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the Warrant Interests.

 

14


On December 31, 2008, GM HoldCo, FIM, GMAC Management LLC, and GM Preferred Finance Co. Holdings LLC, each as members of GMAC, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of GMAC LLC (the “Second Amended and Restated LLC Agreement”). The Second Amended and Restated LLC Agreement, among other things, created the GMAC Preferred Membership Interests, and set forth the voting and other powers, preference and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the GMAC Preferred Membership Interests.

Copies of Amendment No. 5, Amendment No. 6, Amendment No. 7, and the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement are included as Exhibit 3.1, Exhibit 3.2, Exhibit 3.3 and Exhibit 3.4 hereto and are incorporated by reference herein. The foregoing summary of certain provisions of these documents is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

New Center Asset Trust

GMAC previously announced that a cure period was in effect until December 24, 2008 during which GMAC may work with Moody’s and S&P to take steps to secure a ratings upgrade for recently downgraded asset backed securities owned by New Center Asset Trust, a Delaware statutory trust and a wholly owned, but unconsolidated subsidiary of GMAC (“NCAT”).

GMAC was successful in obtaining an extension of the cure period until January 23, 2009 from the NCAT liquidity banks, and consented to by Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch, and is continuing to work to reach a satisfactory resolution regarding the ratings with Moody’s and S&P. In the event that a resolution is not attained by January 23, 2009, NCAT’s operations would begin an orderly wind down.

Offers

On December 31, 2008, the Offers were consummated. An aggregate of $2 billion in cash was paid in the GMAC offers and an aggregate of $500 million in cash was paid in the ResCap offers.

Press Releases

On December 29, 2008, GMAC issued a press release announcing the completion of the TARP Transactions and that the conditions to the Offers had been satisfied and that GMAC had accepted all notes validly tendered and not withdrawn in the Offers for exchange. A copy of such press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein.

On December 31, 2008, GMAC issued a press release announcing that the Offers had been consummated and reporting the results of the Offers. A copy of such press release is included as Exhibit 99.2 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein.

Governance Letter

On December 29, 2008, GMAC entered into a letter agreement (the “Governance Letter”) with FIM, GM HoldCo and GM Preferred HoldCo pursuant to which the parties thereto agreed to the composition of the Board of Managers of GMAC in connection with GMAC’s application to participate in TARP and the Company’s application to become a bank holding company under the BHC Act. Pursuant to the Governance Letter, effective March 24, 2009 or any earlier date agreed to by the parties, the Board of Managers will be comprised of seven members as follows: (i) one Manager appointed by FIM, (ii) two Managers appointed by the trust formed by the Treasury to hold equity securities of the Company acquired from GM, (iii) the chief executive officer of the Company, and (iv) three independent Managers appointed by the Managers described in clauses (i)-(iii), provided that in the case of clause (i) and (ii), certain ownership thresholds are met by FIM and the trust, respectively. The chairman of the Board of Managers will be an independent Manager appointed by a majority of the Board of Managers. The parties have agreed to enter into definitive documentation with respect to these arrangements as promptly as practicable.

A copy of the Governance Letter is included as Exhibit 99.3 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein. The foregoing summary of certain provisions of this document is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed herewith.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description of Exhibit

3.1   Amendment No. 5 to GMAC LLC Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2006, as amended
3.2   Amendment No. 6 to GMAC LLC Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2006, as amended

 

15


3.3   Amendment No. 7 to GMAC LLC Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2006, as amended
3.4   Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2008
4.1   Form of Warrant for Purchase of Units of Preferred Membership Interests of GMAC LLC (incorporated by reference to Annex E of Exhibit 10.1 of this Current Report on Form 8-K)
4.2   Indenture, dated as of December 31, 2008, among GMAC and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee
4.3   Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2008, among GMAC LLC, the Guarantor parties thereto, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee
10.1   Letter Agreement, dated December 29, 2008, between GMAC LLC and the United States Department of the Treasury, which includes the Securities Purchase Agreement – Standard Terms attached thereto, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Series D-1 Preferred Membership Interests and the Warrant
10.2   Exchange Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2008, by and among GMAC LLC, General Motors Corporation and FIM Holdings LLC
10.3   Membership Interest Subscription Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2008, by and among GMAC LLC, General Motors Corporation and FIM Holdings LLC
10.4   Limited Keep-Well Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2008, by and between GMAC LLC and Preferred Blocker Inc.
10.5   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2008, by GMAC LLC, Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. (relating to the New Guaranteed Notes)
10.6   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2008, by GMAC LLC, Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. (relating to the New Senior Notes)
10.7   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2008, by GMAC LLC, Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. (relating to the New Subordinated Notes)
10.8   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2008, by GMAC LLC, Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. (relating to the New Preferred Stock)
10.9   Termination Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2008, by and among GMAC LLC, General Motors Corporation and FIM Holdings LLC
99.1   Press release, dated December 29, 2008
99.2   Press release, dated December 31, 2008
99.3   Letter Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2008, by and between GMAC LLC, GM Finance Co. Holdings LLC, GM Preferred Finance Co. Holdings LLC and FIM Holdings LLC

 

16


SIGNATURES

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

Date: January 2, 2009

 

GMAC LLC
By:  

/s/ David J. DeBrunner

  David J. DeBrunner
  Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller

 

17


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description of Exhibit

3.1   Amendment No. 5 to GMAC LLC Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2006, as amended
3.2   Amendment No. 6 to GMAC LLC Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2006, as amended
3.3   Amendment No. 7 to GMAC LLC Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2006, as amended
3.4   Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2008
4.1   Form of Warrant for Purchase of Units of Preferred Membership Interests of GMAC LLC (incorporated by reference to Annex E of Exhibit 10.1 of this Current Report on Form 8-K)
4.2   Indenture, dated as of December 31, 2008, among GMAC and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee
4.3   Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2008, among GMAC LLC, the Guarantor parties thereto, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee
10.1   Letter Agreement, dated December 29, 2008, between GMAC LLC and the United States Department of the Treasury, which includes the Securities Purchase Agreement – Standard Terms attached thereto, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Series D-1 Preferred Membership Interests and the Warrant
10.2   Exchange Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2008, by and among GMAC LLC, General Motors Corporation and FIM Holdings LLC
10.3   Membership Interest Subscription Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2008, by and among GMAC LLC, General Motors Corporation and FIM Holdings LLC
10.4   Limited Keep-Well Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2008, by and between GMAC LLC and Preferred Blocker Inc.
10.5   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2008, by GMAC LLC, Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. (relating to the New Guaranteed Notes)
10.6   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2008, by GMAC LLC, Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. (relating to the New Senior Notes)
10.7   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2008, by GMAC LLC, Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. (relating to the New Subordinated Notes)
10.8   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2008, by GMAC LLC, Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. (relating to the New Preferred Stock)
10.9   Termination Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2008, by and among GMAC LLC, General Motors Corporation and FIM Holdings LLC
99.1   Press release, dated December 29, 2008
99.2   Press release, dated December 31, 2008
99.3   Letter Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2008, by and between GMAC LLC, GM Finance Co. Holdings LLC, GM Preferred Finance Co. Holdings LLC and FIM Holdings LLC

 

18

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT

OF

GMAC LLC

This AMENDMENT NO. 5, dated as of December 28, 2008 (this “ Amendment ”), to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of GMAC LLC, dated November 30, 2006 (as amended, the “ Operating Agreement ”), by and among GMAC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ GMAC ”), GM Finance Co. Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ GM Holdco ”), FIM Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ FIM ”), GMAC Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and GM Preferred Finance Co. Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as members of GMAC, and each other Person who at any time becomes a member of GMAC in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement, is made by and between GM Holdco and FIM in their capacity as the Joint Majority Holders. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings set forth in the Operating Agreement.

WHEREAS, Section 5.3 of the Operating Agreement provides that the GMAC Board of Managers (“ Board ”) may authorize discretionary Distributions.

WHEREAS, on December 28, 2008, the Board authorized, approved, and mandated tax distributions to the Class A Holders and the Class B Holders in respect of taxes arising from such Holder’s ownership of their respective Membership Interests (“ Tax Distributions ”);

WHEREAS, GM Holdco and FIM desire to amend the Operating Agreement to reflect such authorization by the Board; and

WHEREAS, GM Holdco and FIM constitute the Joint Majority Holders under the LLC Agreement and in such capacity have the authority under the LLC Agreement to amend certain terms of the Operating Agreement as set forth in this Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Amendment to Section 5.3 . Section 5.3 is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph at the end of such section:

With respect to any taxable period during which the Company continues to be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, the Company shall periodically make tax distributions on Junior Membership Interests to the extent determined to be reasonably necessary by the Board of Managers, as follows (“ Tax Distributions ”) (it being understood that on December 28, 2008 the Board adopted resolutions determining that (i) Tax Distributions with respect to the cancellation of debt income pursuant to clause (I)(1)(b) and the corresponding Tax Distributions pursuant to clause (I)(2) are reasonably necessary and (ii) Tax Distributions for the fiscal year 2009 pursuant to clause (I)(1)(a) and the corresponding Tax Distributions pursuant to clause (I)(2), unless GMAC experiences an unforeseen adverse financial condition as determined by the Board, are reasonably necessary):

 

   (I)    (1)    For the Class A Holders, pro rata: the sum of:

 

  a. The amount of Federal, state, and local income taxes (net of credits) that would be payable by the Class A Holders at an effective tax rate reasonably determined by the Board on the items of net taxable income allocable to such Class A Holder under Article VI with respect to all taxable periods (or portions thereof) beginning on or after January 1, 2009 (as reported on the applicable Internal Revenue Service Schedule K-1) as reasonably determined by the Board of Managers; plus


  b. The amount determined by dividing:

 

  i. The actual aggregate Federal, state, and local income tax actually payable by the Blocker Corps established by affiliates of FIM with respect to cancellation of debt income (and related income items) resulting from the Company’s bond exchanges commenced November 20, 2008 allocated to the Class A Holders (taking into account the impact of any Section 754 election, operating losses, net operating losses, and other tax attributes), by

 

  ii. The aggregate indirect Company Interest of such Blocker Corps relative to the Class A Holders as a group with respect to such income, as reasonably determined by the Board of Managers; and

 

     (2)    For the Class B Holders, pro rata: the sum of the amounts set forth in part 1.a. and b. above multiplied by the aggregate Company Interest of the Class B Holders divided by the aggregate Company Interest of the Class A Holders, as reasonably determined by the Board of Managers.

(II) The Tax Distributions to the Class A Holders and the Class B Holders referred to in clause I above are, in all events, subject to (i) the approval of the United States Treasury by and through the President’s Designee (as defined in H.R. 7321) and (ii) the Company continuing to meet the minimum amount of equity capital sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, or other applicable banking regulations. The President’s Designee has complete discretion to approve or reduce, in whole or in part, any such Tax Distributions and any such action by the President’s Designee is binding on all parties without further review or appeal.

(III) Any amounts distributed with respect to a Membership Interest pursuant to this second paragraph of Section 5.3 reduce the amounts that would otherwise be distributable to the holder of such Membership Interest under this Agreement and shall be treated as an advance thereof.


2. Effect of Amendment . Except as expressly set forth herein, this Amendment shall not alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, covenants, obligations or agreement contained in the Operating Agreement, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and shall continue to be in full force and effect.

3. Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, which taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement and each of which individually shall be deemed to be an original, with the same effect as if the signature on each counterpart were on the original.

4. Governing Law . This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflicts of laws principles.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Amendment to be signed this 28 th day of December 2008.

 

THE JOINT MAJORITY HOLDERS:
FIM Holdings LLC
By:   Cerberus FIM Investors, LLC,
  its Managing Member
By:   Cerberus FIM, LLC,
  its Managing Member
By:  

/s/ Seth Gardner

Name:   Seth Gardner
Title:   Authorized Signatory
GM FINANCE CO. HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Ray G. Young

Name:   Ray G. Young
Title:  

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDMENT NO. 6 TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT

OF

GMAC LLC

This AMENDMENT NO. 6, dated as of December 29, 2008 (this “ Amendment ”), to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of GMAC LLC, dated November 30, 2006 (as amended, the “ LLC Agreement ”), by and among GMAC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (the “ Issuer ”), GM Finance Co. Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ GM Holdco ”), FIM Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ FIM ”), GMAC Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and GM Preferred Finance Co. Holdings LLC, a Delaware corporation, as members of the Issuer, and each other Person who at any time becomes a member of the Issuer in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement, is made by and between GM Holdco and FIM in their capacity as the Joint Majority Holders. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings set forth in the LLC Agreement.

WHEREAS, GM Holdco and FIM desire to amend the LLC Agreement to create a series of preferred membership interests, capital amount $1,000 per unit, of the Issuer, and that the number of units of such series, and the voting and other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the units of such series are set forth in this Amendment; and

WHEREAS, GM Holdco and FIM constitute the Joint Majority Holders under the LLC Agreement and in such capacity have the authority under the LLC Agreement to amend certain terms of the LLC Agreement as set forth in this Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Part 1. Designation and Number of Units . There is hereby created a series of preferred membership interests designated as the “Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Membership Interests, Series D-1” (the “ Designated Preferred ”), which shall be subdivided into separate units of ownership having the terms set forth in this Amendment. The authorized number of units of Designated Preferred shall be 5,000,000.

Part 2. Standard Provisions . The Standard Provisions contained in Schedule A attached hereto are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Amendment and the LLC Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein.

Part. 3. Definitions . The following terms are used in this Amendment (including the Standard Provisions in Schedule A hereto) as defined below:

(a) “ Capital Amount ” means $1,000 per unit of Designated Preferred.


(b) “ Common Interests ” means the common membership interests of the Issuer.

(c) “ Distribution Payment Date ” means February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year.

(d) “ Junior Interests ” means the Common Interests, including the Class A Membership Interests, the Class B Membership Interests and the Class C Membership Interests, and any other class or series of membership interest of the Issuer the terms of which expressly provide that it ranks junior to Designated Preferred as to distribution rights and/or as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer.

(e) “ Minimum Amount ” means $1,250,000,000.

(f) “ Parity Interests ” means any class or series of membership interests of the Issuer (other than Designated Preferred) the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series will rank senior or junior to Designated Preferred as to distribution rights and/or as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer (in each case without regard to whether distributions accrue cumulatively or non-cumulatively). Without limiting the foregoing, Parity Interests shall include (i) the GM Preferred Membership Interest and (ii) the preferred membership interest to be issued to Preferred Blocker Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Issuer (“ Blocker Sub ”), in connection with the Issuer’s offer to exchange and/or purchase for cash certain outstanding notes of the Issuer for newly issued senior guaranteed notes and subordinated notes of the Issuer and 9% perpetual preferred stock of Blocker Sub and up to $2,000,000,000 in cash, pursuant to that certain Confidential Offering Memorandum, dated as of November 20, 2008, as amended and supplemented (the “ Blocker Preferred Membership Interest ”).

(g) “ Signing Date ” means December 29, 2008.

Part. 4. Preemptive Rights . Section 12.3 of the LLC Agreement is hereby amended in all regards to exempt from the applicability of such section the issuance of the Designated Preferred.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Amendment to be signed this 29 th day of December 2008.

 

THE JOINT MAJORITY HOLDERS:
FIM HOLDINGS LLC
By:   Cerberus FIM Investors, LLC,
  its Managing Member
By:   Cerberus FIM, LLC,
  its Managing Member
By:  

/s/ Stephen A. Feinberg

Name:   Stephen A. Feinberg
Title:   Managing Member

GM FINANCE CO. HOLDINGS LLC

By:

 

/s/ Ray G. Young

Name:

  Ray G. Young

Title:

 


Schedule A

STANDARD PROVISIONS

Section 1. General Matters . Each unit of Designated Preferred shall be identical in all respects to every other unit of Designated Preferred. The Designated Preferred shall be perpetual, subject to the provisions of Section 5 of these Standard Provisions that form a part of the LLC Agreement. The Designated Preferred shall rank equally with Parity Interests and shall rank senior to Junior Interests with respect to the payment of distributions and the distribution of assets in the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Issuer.

Section 2. Standard Definitions . As used herein with respect to Designated Preferred:

(a) “ Applicable Distribution Rate ” means 8% per annum.

(b) “ Appropriate Federal Banking Agency ” means the “appropriate Federal banking agency” with respect to the Issuer as defined in Section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1813(q)), or any successor provision.

(c) “ Business Combination ” means a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar transaction that requires the approval of the Issuer’s membership interest holders.

(d) “ Business Day ” means any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York generally are authorized or required by law or other governmental actions to close.

(e) “ Capital Preference ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

(f) “ Distribution Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

(g) “ Distribution Record Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

(h) “ Original Issue Date ” means the date on which units of Designated Preferred are first issued.

(i) “ Preferred Interests ” means any and all series of preferred membership interest of the Issuer, including the Designated Preferred.

(j) “ Preferred Manager ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(b).

(k) “ Qualified Equity Offering ” means the sale and issuance for cash by the Issuer to persons other than the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries after the Original Issue Date of perpetual Preferred Interests, Common Interests or any combination of such membership interests, that, in each case, qualify as and may be included in Tier 1 capital of the Issuer at the time of issuance under the applicable risk-based capital guidelines of the Issuer’s Appropriate Federal Banking Agency (other than any such sales and issuances made pursuant to agreements or arrangements entered into, or pursuant to financing plans which were publicly announced, on or prior to November 17, 2008).


(l) “ Standard Provisions ” mean these Standard Provisions that form a part of the LLC Agreement.

(m) “ Successor Preferred Interests ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

(n) “ Voting Parity Interests ” means, with regard to any matter as to which the holders of Designated Preferred are entitled to vote as specified in Sections 7(a) and 7(b) of these Standard Provisions that form a part of the LLC Agreement, any and all series of Parity Interests upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable with respect to such matter.

Section 3. Distributions .

(a) Rate . Holders of Designated Preferred shall be entitled to receive, on each unit of Designated Preferred if, as and when declared by the Board of Managers of the Issuer or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Managers, but only out of assets legally available therefor, cumulative cash distributions with respect to each Distribution Period (as defined below) at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Distribution Rate on (i) the Capital Amount per unit of Designated Preferred and (ii) the amount of accrued and unpaid distributions for any prior Distribution Period on such unit of Designated Preferred, if any. Such distributions shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from the Original Issue Date, shall compound on each subsequent Distribution Payment Date (i.e., no distributions shall accrue on other distributions unless and until the first Distribution Payment Date for such other distributions has passed without such other distributions having been paid on such date) and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on each Distribution Payment Date, commencing with the first such Distribution Payment Date to occur at least 20 calendar days after the Original Issue Date. In the event that any Distribution Payment Date would otherwise fall on a day that is not a Business Day, the distribution payment due on that date will be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day and no additional distributions will accrue as a result of that postponement. The period from and including any Distribution Payment Date to, but excluding, the next Distribution Payment Date is a “ Distribution Period ”, provided that the initial Distribution Period shall be the period from and including the Original Issue Date to, but excluding, the next Distribution Payment Date.

Distributions that are payable on Designated Preferred in respect of any Distribution Period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The amount of distributions payable on Designated Preferred on any date prior to the end of a Distribution Period, and for the initial Distribution Period, shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and actual days elapsed over a 30-day month.

Dividends that are payable on Designated Preferred on any Distribution Payment Date will be payable to holders of record of Designated Preferred as they appear on the Schedule of Members of the Issuer contemplated by the LLC Agreement on the applicable record date, which shall be the 15th calendar day immediately preceding such Distribution Payment Date or such other record date fixed by the Board of Managers or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Managers that is not more than 60 nor less than 10 days prior to such Distribution Payment Date (each, a “ Distribution Record Date ”). Any such day that is a Distribution Record Date shall be a Distribution Record Date whether or not such day is a Business Day.


Holders of Designated Preferred shall not be entitled to any distributions, whether payable in cash, securities or other property, other than distributions (if any) declared and payable on Designated Preferred as specified in this Section 3 (subject to the other provisions of the LLC Agreement). The Issuer shall make pro rata allocations of items of gross income to the holders of the Designated Preferred in an amount equal to any distributions to which such holders are entitled under this Section 3.

(b) Priority of Dividends . So long as any unit of Designated Preferred remains outstanding, no distribution shall be declared or paid on the Common Interests or any other Junior Interests (other than distributions payable solely in either Common Interests or such Junior Interests, as applicable) or Parity Interests, subject to the immediately following paragraph in the case of Parity Interests, and no Common Interests, Junior Interests or Parity Interests shall be, directly or indirectly, purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries unless all accrued and unpaid distributions for all past Distribution Periods, including the latest completed Distribution Period (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, distributions on such amount), on all outstanding units of Designated Preferred have been or are contemporaneously declared and paid in full (or have been declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set aside for the benefit of the holders of units of Designated Preferred on the applicable record date). The foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions of Common Interests or other Junior Interests in connection with the administration of any employee benefit plan in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice; (ii) the acquisition by the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries of record ownership in Junior Interests or Parity Interests for the beneficial ownership of any other persons (other than the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries), including as trustees or custodians; (iii) the exchange or conversion of Junior Interests for or into other Junior Interests or of Parity Interests for or into other Parity Interests (with the same or lesser aggregate liquidation amount) or Junior Interests, in each case, solely to the extent required pursuant to binding contractual agreements entered into prior to the Signing Date or any subsequent agreement for the accelerated exercise, settlement or exchange thereof for Common Interests; and (iv) tax distributions on Junior Interests to the extent determined to be reasonably necessary by the Board of Managers.

When distributions are not paid (or declared and a sum sufficient for payment thereof set aside for the benefit of the holders thereof on the applicable record date) on any Distribution Payment Date (or, in the case of Parity Interests having distribution payment dates different from the Distribution Payment Dates, on a distribution payment date falling within a Distribution Period related to such Distribution Payment Date) in full upon Designated Preferred and any Parity Interests, all distributions declared on Designated Preferred and all such Parity Interests and payable on such Distribution Payment Date (or, in the case of Parity Interests having distribution payment dates different from the Distribution Payment Dates, on a distribution payment date falling within the Distribution Period related to such Distribution Payment Date) shall be declared pro rata so that the respective amounts of such distributions declared shall bear the same ratio to each other as all accrued and unpaid distributions per unit on the units of Designated Preferred (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, distributions on such amount) and all Parity Interests payable on such Distribution Payment Date (or, in the case of Parity Interests having distribution payment dates different from the Distribution Payment Dates, on a distribution payment date falling within the Distribution Period related to such Distribution Payment Date) (subject to their having been declared by the Board of Managers or a duly authorized


committee of the Board of Managers out of legally available funds and including, in the case of Parity Interests that bear cumulative distributions, all accrued but unpaid distributions) bear to each other. If the Board of Managers or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Managers determines not to pay any distribution or a full distribution on a Distribution Payment Date, the Issuer will provide written notice to the holders of Designated Preferred prior to such Distribution Payment Date. Subject to the foregoing, and not otherwise, such distributions (payable in cash, securities or other property) as may be determined by the Board of Managers or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Managers may be declared and paid on any securities, including Common Interests and other Junior Interests, from time to time out of any funds legally available for such payment, and holders of Designated Preferred shall not be entitled to participate in any such distributions.

Section 4. Liquidation Rights .

(a) Voluntary or Involuntary Liquidation . In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Issuer, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Designated Preferred shall be entitled to receive for each unit of Designated Preferred held by them, out of the assets of the Issuer or proceeds thereof (whether capital or surplus) available for distribution to members of the Issuer, subject to the rights of any creditors of the Issuer, before any distribution of such assets or proceeds is made to or set aside for the holders of Common Interests and any other membership interests of the Issuer ranking junior to Designated Preferred as to such distribution, payment in full in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Capital Amount per unit of Designated Preferred and (ii) the amount of any accrued and unpaid distributions (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, distributions on such amount), whether or not declared, to the date of payment (such amounts collectively, the “ Capital Preference ”). The Issuer intends to comply with the “substantial economic effect” safe harbor contained in Treasury Regulations under Internal Revenue Code Section 704(b) such that, upon the Issuer’s liquidation, distributions to the unit holders shall be made in accordance with capital account balances. The Issuer shall make pro rata allocations of items of gross income to the holders of the Designated Preferred in an amount equal to the difference between the Capital Amount and the initial capital account attributable to the Designated Preferred.

(b) Partial Payment . If in any distribution described in Section 4(a) above the assets of the Issuer or proceeds thereof are not sufficient to pay in full the amounts payable with respect to all outstanding units of Designated Preferred and the corresponding amounts payable with respect of any other membership interests of the Issuer ranking equally with Designated Preferred as to such distribution, holders of Designated Preferred and the holders of such other membership interests shall share ratably in any such distribution in proportion to the full respective distributions to which they are entitled.

(c) Residual Distributions . If the Capital Preference has been paid in full to all holders of Designated Preferred and the corresponding amounts payable with respect of any other membership interests of the Issuer ranking equally with the Designated Preferred as to such distribution has been paid in full, the holders of other membership interests of the Issuer shall be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Issuer (or proceeds thereof) according to their respective rights and preferences.


(d) Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets Not Liquidation . For purposes of this Section 4, the merger or consolidation of the Issuer with any other corporation or other entity, including a merger or consolidation in which the holders of Designated Preferred receive cash, securities or other property for their units, or the sale, lease or exchange (for cash, securities or other property) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer, shall not constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer.

Section 5. Redemption .

(a) Optional Redemption . Except as provided below, the Designated Preferred may not be redeemed prior to the first Distribution Payment Date falling on or after the third anniversary of the Original Issue Date. On or after the first Distribution Payment Date falling on or after the third anniversary of the Original Issue Date, the Issuer, at its option, subject to the approval of the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency, may redeem, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, out of funds legally available therefor, the units of Designated Preferred at the time outstanding, upon notice given as provided in Section 5(c) below, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) the Capital Amount per unit of Designated Preferred and (ii) except as otherwise provided below, any accrued and unpaid distributions (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, distributions on such amount) (regardless of whether any distributions are actually declared) to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the first Distribution Payment Date falling on or after the third anniversary of the Original Issue Date, the Issuer, at its option, subject to the approval of the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency, may redeem, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, the units of Designated Preferred at the time outstanding, upon notice given as provided in Section 5(c) below, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) the Capital Amount per unit of Designated Preferred and (ii) except as otherwise provided below, any accrued and unpaid distributions (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, distributions on such amount) (regardless of whether any distributions are actually declared) to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption; provided that (x) the Issuer (or any successor by Business Combination) has received aggregate gross proceeds of not less than the Minimum Amount (plus the “ Minimum Amount ” for each other outstanding series of preferred membership interests of such successor that was originally issued to the United States Department of the Treasury (the “ Successor Preferred Interests ”) in connection with the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program) from one or more Qualified Equity Offerings (including Qualified Equity Offerings of such successor), and (y) the aggregate redemption price of the Designated Preferred (and any Successor Preferred Interests) redeemed pursuant to this paragraph may not exceed the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Issuer (or any successor by Business Combination) from such Qualified Equity Offerings (including Qualified Equity Offerings of such successor).

The redemption price for any unit of Designated Preferred shall be payable on the redemption date to the holder of such units against surrender of the certificate(s) evidencing such units to the Issuer or its agent. Any declared but unpaid distributions payable on a redemption date that occurs subsequent to the Distribution Record Date for a Distribution Period shall not be paid to the holder entitled to receive the redemption price on the redemption date, but rather shall be paid to the holder of record of the redeemed units on such Distribution Record Date relating to the Distribution Payment Date as provided in Section 3 above.


(b) No Sinking Fund . The Designated Preferred will not be subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or other similar provisions. Holders of Designated Preferred will have no right to require redemption or repurchase of any units of Designated Preferred.

(c) Notice of Redemption . Notice of every redemption of units of Designated Preferred shall be given by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the holders of record of the units to be redeemed at their respective last addresses appearing on the books of the Issuer. Such mailing shall be at least 30 days and not more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption. Any notice mailed as provided in this Subsection shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives such notice, but failure duly to give such notice by mail, or any defect in such notice or in the mailing thereof, to any holder of units of Designated Preferred designated for redemption shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other units of Designated Preferred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the units of Designated Preferred are issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Issuer or any other similar facility, notice of redemption may be given to the holders of Designated Preferred at such time and in any manner permitted by such facility. Each notice of redemption given to a holder shall state: (1) the redemption date; (2) the number of units of Designated Preferred to be redeemed and, if less than all the units held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such units to be redeemed from such holder; (3) the redemption price; and (4) the place or places where certificates for such units are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price.

(d) Partial Redemption . In case of any redemption of part of the units of Designated Preferred at the time outstanding, the units to be redeemed shall be selected either pro rata or in such other manner as the Board of Managers or a duly authorized committee thereof may determine to be fair and equitable. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Managers or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which units of Designated Preferred shall be redeemed from time to time. If fewer than all the units represented by any certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unredeemed units without charge to the holder thereof.

(e) Effectiveness of Redemption . If notice of redemption has been duly given and if on or before the redemption date specified in the notice all funds necessary for the redemption have been deposited by the Issuer, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the units called for redemption, with a bank or trust company doing business in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and having a capital and surplus of at least $500 million and selected by the Board of Managers, so as to be and continue to be available solely therefor, then, notwithstanding that any certificate for any unit so called for redemption has not been surrendered for cancellation, on and after the redemption date distributions shall cease to accrue on all units so called for redemption, all units so called for redemption shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights with respect to such units shall forthwith on such redemption date cease and terminate, except only the right of the holders thereof to receive the amount payable on such redemption from such bank or trust company, without interest. Any funds unclaimed at the end of three years from the redemption date shall, to the extent permitted by law, be released to the Issuer, after which time the holders of the units so called for redemption shall look only to the Issuer for payment of the redemption price of such units.


Section 6. Conversion . Holders of Designated Preferred units shall have no right to exchange or convert such units into any other securities.

Section 7. Voting Rights .

(a) General . The holders of Designated Preferred shall not have any voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise from time to time required by law.

(b) Preferred Managers . Whenever, at any time or times, distributions payable on the units of Designated Preferred have not been paid for an aggregate of six quarterly Distribution Periods or more, whether or not consecutive, the authorized number of Managers of the Issuer shall automatically be increased by two and the holders of the Designated Preferred shall have the right to appoint two Managers (hereinafter the “ Preferred Managers ” and each a “ Preferred Manager ”) to fill such newly created Manager positions until all accrued and unpaid distributions for all past Distribution Periods, including the latest completed Distribution Period (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, distributions on such amount), on all outstanding units of Designated Preferred have been declared and paid in full at which time such right shall terminate with respect to the Designated Preferred, except as herein or by law expressly provided, subject to revesting in the event of each and every subsequent default of the character above mentioned; provided that it shall be a qualification for election for any Preferred Manager that the election of such Preferred Manager shall not cause the Issuer to violate any governance requirements of any securities exchange or other trading facility on which securities of the Issuer may then be listed or traded that listed or traded companies must have a majority of independent directors. Upon any termination of the right of the holders of units of Designated Preferred to select two Managers as provided above, the Preferred Managers shall cease to be qualified as Managers, the term of office of all Preferred Managers then in office shall terminate immediately and the authorized number of Managers shall be reduced by the number of Preferred Managers elected pursuant hereto. Any Preferred Manager may be removed at any time, with or without cause, and any vacancy created thereby may be filled, only by the affirmative vote of the holders a majority of the units of Designated Preferred at the time outstanding voting separately as a class together to the extent the voting rights of such holders described above are then exercisable. If the office of any Preferred Manager becomes vacant for any reason other than removal from office as aforesaid, the remaining Preferred Manager may choose a successor who shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred.

(c) Class Voting Rights as to Particular Matters . So long as any units of Designated Preferred are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of members required by law or by the LLC Agreement, the vote or consent of the holders of at least 66  2 / 3 % of the units of Designated Preferred at the time outstanding, voting as a separate class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary for effecting or validating:

(i) Authorization of Senior Stock . Any amendment or alteration of the LLC Agreement to authorize or create or increase the authorized amount of, or any issuance


of, any membership interests of, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for membership interests of, any class or series of membership interests of the Issuer ranking senior to the Designated Preferred with respect to either or both the payment of distributions and/or the distribution of assets on any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer;

(ii) Amendment of Designated Preferred . Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of the LLC Agreement (including, unless no vote on such merger or consolidation is required by Section 7(c)(iii) below, any amendment, alteration or repeal by means of a merger, consolidation or otherwise) so as to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Designated Preferred; or

(iii) Exchanges, Reclassifications, Mergers and Consolidations . Any consummation of a binding exchange or reclassification involving the Designated Preferred, or of a merger or consolidation of the Issuer with another corporation or other entity, unless in each case (x) the units of Designated Preferred remain outstanding or, in the case of any such merger or consolidation with respect to which the Issuer is not the surviving or resulting entity, are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent, and (y) such units remaining outstanding or such preference securities, as the case may be, have such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, of Designated Preferred immediately prior to such consummation, taken as a whole;

provided , however , that for all purposes of this Section 7(c), any increase in the amount of the authorized Preferred Interests, including any increase in the authorized amount of Designated Preferred necessary to satisfy preemptive or similar rights granted by the Issuer to other persons prior to the Signing Date, or the creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, whether pursuant to preemptive or similar rights or otherwise, of any other series of Preferred Interests, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any other series of Preferred Interests, ranking equally with and/or junior to Designated Preferred with respect to the payment of distributions (whether such distributions are cumulative or non-cumulative) and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer will not be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers, and shall not require the affirmative vote or consent of, the holders of outstanding units of the Designated Preferred; provided , further , however , that (i) a GMAC Conversion, (ii) the adoption of the second amended and restated version of the LLC Agreement to be entered into on or about December 31, 2008 and (iii) any amendments to the LLC Agreement entered into in connection with the compliance by the Company, General Motors Corporation and/or FIM Holdings LLC with their commitments to the Board of Governors for purposes of such Board’s approval of the Company’s Bank Holding Act application and/or the United States Department of the Treasury for purposes of the Company’s participation in the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or any similar or successor program, will not be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers, and shall not require the affirmative vote or consent of, the holders of outstanding units of the Designated Preferred, provided that, in the case of a GMAC Conversion, (i) the Designated Preferred are converted into or exchanged for preferred stock of the resulting


corporation having terms substantially the same as the terms of the Designated Preferred and (ii) that the holders of the Designated Preferred will maintain a substantially equivalent economic interest, based on the capital amounts of their respective interests, in the Company after the GMAC Conversion as they held prior to the GMAC Conversion.

GMAC Conversion ” means, together with related transactions, any conversion of the Company into a corporation through a statutory conversion, the creation of a holding company above the Company and the exchange of all or substantially all of the Company’s outstanding equity interests for equity interests of such holding company, the direct or indirect acquisition by Preferred Blocker Inc. (“ Blocker Sub ”) of all or substantially all of the Company’s outstanding equity interests in exchange for stock of Blocker Sub, the merger of the Company with and into Blocker Sub, or any other direct or indirect incorporation of the assets and liabilities of the Company, including, without limitation, by merger, consolidation or recapitalization; statutory conversion; direct or indirect, sale, transfer, exchange, pledge or other disposal of economic, voting or other rights; sale, exchange or other acquisition of shares, equity interests or assets; contribution of assets and/or liabilities; liquidation; exchange of securities; conversion of entity, migration of entity or formation of new entity; or other transaction or group of related transactions.

(d) Changes after Provision for Redemption . No vote or consent of the holders of Designated Preferred shall be required pursuant to Section 7(c) above if, at or prior to the time when any such vote or consent would otherwise be required pursuant to such Section, all outstanding units of the Designated Preferred shall have been redeemed, or shall have been called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust for such redemption, in each case pursuant to Section 5 above.

(e) Procedures for Voting and Consents . The rules and procedures for calling and conducting any meeting of the holders of Designated Preferred (including, without limitation, the fixing of a record date in connection therewith), the solicitation and use of proxies at such a meeting, the obtaining of written consents and any other aspect or matter with regard to such a meeting or such consents shall be governed by any rules of the Board of Managers or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Managers, in its discretion, may adopt from time to time, which rules and procedures shall conform to the requirements of the LLC Agreement and applicable law and the rules of any national securities exchange or other trading facility on which Designated Preferred is listed or traded at the time.

Section 8. Record Holders . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Issuer and the transfer agent for Designated Preferred may deem and treat the record holder of any unit of Designated Preferred as the true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes, and neither the Issuer nor such transfer agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

Section 9. Notices . All notices or communications in respect of Designated Preferred shall be sufficiently given if given in writing and delivered in person or by first class mail, postage prepaid, or if given in such other manner as may be permitted in the LLC Agreement or by applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if units of Designated Preferred are issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Issuer or any similar facility, such notices may be given to the holders of Designated Preferred in any manner permitted by such facility.


Section 10. No Preemptive Rights . No unit of Designated Preferred shall have any rights of preemption whatsoever as to any securities of the Issuer, or any warrants, rights or options issued or granted with respect thereto, regardless of how such securities, or such warrants, rights or options, may be designated, issued or granted.

Section 11. Replacement Certificates . The Issuer shall replace any mutilated certificate at the holder’s expense upon surrender of that certificate to the Issuer. The Issuer shall replace certificates that become destroyed, stolen or lost at the holder’s expense upon delivery to the Issuer of reasonably satisfactory evidence that the certificate has been destroyed, stolen or lost, together with any indemnity that may be reasonably required by the Issuer.

Section 12. Other Rights . The units of Designated Preferred shall not have any rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers or relative, participating, optional or other special rights, or qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, other than as set forth herein or in the LLC Agreement or as provided by applicable law.

Exhibit 3.3

AMENDMENT NO. 7 TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT

OF

GMAC LLC

This AMENDMENT NO. 7, dated as of December 29, 2008 (this “ Amendment ”), to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of GMAC LLC, dated November 30, 2006 (as amended, the “ LLC Agreement ”), by and among GMAC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (the “ Issuer ”), GM Finance Co. Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ GM Holdco ”), FIM Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ FIM ”), GMAC Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and GM Preferred Finance Co. Holdings LLC, a Delaware corporation, as members of the Issuer, and each other Person who at any time becomes a member of the Issuer in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement, is made by and between GM Holdco and FIM in their capacity as the Joint Majority Holders. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings set forth in the LLC Agreement.

WHEREAS, GM Holdco and FIM desire to amend the LLC Agreement to create a series of preferred membership interests, capital amount $1,000 per unit, of the Issuer, and that the number of units of such series, and the voting and other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the units of such series are set forth in this Amendment; and

WHEREAS, GM Holdco and FIM constitute the Joint Majority Holders under the LLC Agreement and in such capacity have the authority under the LLC Agreement to amend certain terms of the LLC Agreement as set forth in this Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Part 1. Designation and Number of Units . There is hereby created a series of preferred membership interests designated as the “Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Membership Interests, Series D-2” (the “ Designated Preferred ”), which shall be subdivided into separate units of ownership having the terms set forth in this Amendment. The authorized number of units of Designated Preferred shall be 250,002.50003.

Part 2. Standard Provisions . The Standard Provisions contained in Schedule A attached hereto are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Amendment and the LLC Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein.

Part. 3. Definitions . The following terms are used in this Amendment (including the Standard Provisions in Schedule A hereto) as defined below:

(a) “ Capital Amount ” means $1,000 per unit of Designated Preferred.

(b) “ Common Interests ” means the common membership interests of the Issuer.


(c) “ Distribution Payment Date ” means February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year.

(d) “ Junior Interests ” means the Common Interests, including the Class A Membership Interests, the Class B Membership Interests and the Class C Membership Interests, and any other class or series of membership interest of the Issuer the terms of which expressly provide that it ranks junior to Designated Preferred as to distribution rights and/or as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer.

(e) “ Minimum Amount ” means $62,500,625.01.

(f) “ Parity Interests ” means any class or series of membership interests of the Issuer (other than Designated Preferred) the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series will rank senior or junior to Designated Preferred as to distribution rights and/or as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer (in each case without regard to whether distributions accrue cumulatively or non-cumulatively). Without limiting the foregoing, Parity Interests shall include (i) the Issuer’s UST Preferred, (ii) the GM Preferred Membership Interest and (ii) the preferred membership interest to be issued to Preferred Blocker Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Issuer (“ Blocker Sub ”), in connection with the Issuer’s offer to exchange and/or purchase for cash certain outstanding notes of the Issuer for newly issued senior guaranteed notes and subordinated notes of the Issuer and 9% perpetual preferred stock of Blocker Sub and up to $2,000,000,000 in cash, pursuant to that certain Confidential Offering Memorandum, dated as of November 20, 2008, as amended and supplemented (the “ Blocker Preferred Membership Interest ”).

(g) “ Signing Date ” means December 29, 2008.

(h) “ UST Preferred ” means the Issuer’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Membership Interests, Series D-1.

Part. 4. Preemptive Rights . Section 12.3 of the LLC Agreement is hereby amended in all regards to exempt from the applicability of such section the issuance of the Designated Preferred.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Amendment to be signed this 29 th day of December 2008.

 

THE JOINT MAJORITY HOLDERS:
FIM HOLDINGS LLC
By:   Cerberus FIM Investors, LLC,
  its Managing Member
By:   Cerberus FIM, LLC,
  its Managing Member
By:  

/s/ Stephen A. Feinberg

Name:   Stephen A. Feinberg
Title:   Managing Member
GM FINANCE CO. HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Ray G. Young

Name:   Ray G. Young
Title:  


Schedule A

STANDARD PROVISIONS

Section 1. General Matters . Each unit of Designated Preferred shall be identical in all respects to every other unit of Designated Preferred. The Designated Preferred shall be perpetual, subject to the provisions of Section 5 of these Standard Provisions that form a part of the LLC Agreement. The Designated Preferred shall rank equally with Parity Interests and shall rank senior to Junior Interests with respect to the payment of distributions and the distribution of assets in the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Issuer.

Section 2. Standard Definitions . As used herein with respect to Designated Preferred:

(a) “ Appropriate Federal Banking Agency ” means the “appropriate Federal banking agency” with respect to the Issuer as defined in Section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1813(q)), or any successor provision.

(b) “ Business Combination ” means a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar transaction that requires the approval of the Issuer’s membership interest holders.

(c) “ Business Day ” means any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York generally are authorized or required by law or other governmental actions to close.

(d) “ Capital Preference ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

(e) “ Distribution Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

(f) “ Distribution Record Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

(g) “ Original Issue Date ” means the date on which units of Designated Preferred are first issued.

(h) “ Preferred Interests ” means any and all series of preferred membership interest of the Issuer, including the Designated Preferred.

(i) “ Preferred Manager ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(b).

(j) “ Qualified Equity Offering ” means the sale and issuance for cash by the Issuer to persons other than the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries after the Original Issue Date of perpetual Preferred Interests, Common Interests or any combination of such membership interests, that, in each case, qualify as and may be included in Tier 1 capital of the Issuer at the time of issuance under the applicable risk-based capital guidelines of the Issuer’s Appropriate Federal Banking Agency (other than any such sales and issuances made pursuant to agreements or arrangements entered into, or pursuant to financing plans which were publicly announced, on or prior to November 17, 2008).


(k) “ Standard Provisions ” mean these Standard Provisions that form a part of the LLC Agreement.

(l) “ Successor Preferred Interests ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

(m) “ Voting Parity Interests ” means, with regard to any matter as to which the holders of Designated Preferred are entitled to vote as specified in Sections 7(a) and 7(b) of these Standard Provisions that form a part of the LLC Agreement, any and all series of Parity Interests upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable with respect to such matter.

Section 3. Distributions .

(a) Rate . Holders of Designated Preferred shall be entitled to receive, on each unit of Designated Preferred if, as and when declared by the Board of Managers of the Issuer or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Managers, but only out of assets legally available therefor, cumulative cash distributions with respect to each Distribution Period (as defined below) at a per annum rate of 9.0% on (i) the Capital Amount per unit of Designated Preferred and (ii) the amount of accrued and unpaid distributions for any prior Distribution Period on such unit of Designated Preferred, if any. Such distributions shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from the Original Issue Date, shall compound on each subsequent Distribution Payment Date (i.e., no distributions shall accrue on other distributions unless and until the first Distribution Payment Date for such other distributions has passed without such other distributions having been paid on such date) and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on each Distribution Payment Date, commencing with the first such Distribution Payment Date to occur at least 20 calendar days after the Original Issue Date. In the event that any Distribution Payment Date would otherwise fall on a day that is not a Business Day, the distribution payment due on that date will be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day and no additional distributions will accrue as a result of that postponement. The period from and including any Distribution Payment Date to, but excluding, the next Distribution Payment Date is a “ Distribution Period ”, provided that the initial Distribution Period shall be the period from and including the Original Issue Date to, but excluding, the next Distribution Payment Date.

Distributions that are payable on Designated Preferred in respect of any Distribution Period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The amount of distributions payable on Designated Preferred on any date prior to the end of a Distribution Period, and for the initial Distribution Period, shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and actual days elapsed over a 30-day month.

Dividends that are payable on Designated Preferred on any Distribution Payment Date will be payable to holders of record of Designated Preferred as they appear on the Schedule of Members of the Issuer contemplated by the LLC Agreement on the applicable record date, which shall be the 15th calendar day immediately preceding such Distribution Payment Date or such other record date fixed by the Board of Managers or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Managers that is not more than 60 nor less than 10 days prior to such Distribution Payment Date (each, a “ Distribution Record Date ”). Any such day that is a Distribution Record Date shall be a Distribution Record Date whether or not such day is a Business Day.


Holders of Designated Preferred shall not be entitled to any distributions, whether payable in cash, securities or other property, other than distributions (if any) declared and payable on Designated Preferred as specified in this Section 3 (subject to the other provisions of the LLC Agreement). The Issuer shall make pro rata allocations of items of gross income to the holders of the Designated Preferred in an amount equal to any distributions to which such holders are entitled under this Section 3.

(b) Priority of Dividends . So long as any unit of Designated Preferred remains outstanding, no distribution shall be declared or paid on the Common Interests or any other Junior Interests (other than distributions payable solely in either Common Interests or such Junior Interests, as applicable) or Parity Interests, subject to the immediately following paragraph in the case of Parity Interests, and no Common Interests, Junior Interests or Parity Interests shall be, directly or indirectly, purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries unless all accrued and unpaid distributions for all past Distribution Periods, including the latest completed Distribution Period (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, distributions on such amount), on all outstanding units of Designated Preferred have been or are contemporaneously declared and paid in full (or have been declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set aside for the benefit of the holders of units of Designated Preferred on the applicable record date). The foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions of Common Interests or other Junior Interests in connection with the administration of any employee benefit plan in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice; (ii) the acquisition by the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries of record ownership in Junior Interests or Parity Interests for the beneficial ownership of any other persons (other than the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries), including as trustees or custodians; and (iii) the exchange or conversion of Junior Interests for or into other Junior Interests or of Parity Interests for or into other Parity Interests (with the same or lesser aggregate liquidation amount) or Junior Interests, in each case, solely to the extent required pursuant to binding contractual agreements entered into prior to the Signing Date or any subsequent agreement for the accelerated exercise, settlement or exchange thereof for Common Interests and (iv) tax distributions on Junior Interests to the extent determined to be reasonably necessary by the Board of Managers.

When distributions are not paid (or declared and a sum sufficient for payment thereof set aside for the benefit of the holders thereof on the applicable record date) on any Distribution Payment Date (or, in the case of Parity Interests having distribution payment dates different from the Distribution Payment Dates, on a distribution payment date falling within a Distribution Period related to such Distribution Payment Date) in full upon Designated Preferred and any Parity Interests, all distributions declared on Designated Preferred and all such Parity Interests and payable on such Distribution Payment Date (or, in the case of Parity Interests having distribution payment dates different from the Distribution Payment Dates, on a distribution payment date falling within the Distribution Period related to such Distribution Payment Date) shall be declared pro rata so that the respective amounts of such distributions declared shall bear the same ratio to each other as all accrued and unpaid distributions per unit on the units of Designated Preferred (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, distributions on such amount) and all Parity Interests payable on such Distribution Payment Date (or, in the case of Parity Interests having distribution payment dates different from the Distribution Payment Dates, on a distribution payment date falling within the Distribution Period related to such Distribution Payment Date) (subject to their having been declared by the Board of Managers or a duly authorized


committee of the Board of Managers out of legally available funds and including, in the case of Parity Interests that bear cumulative distributions, all accrued but unpaid distributions) bear to each other. If the Board of Managers or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Managers determines not to pay any distribution or a full distribution on a Distribution Payment Date, the Issuer will provide written notice to the holders of Designated Preferred prior to such Distribution Payment Date. Subject to the foregoing, and not otherwise, such distributions (payable in cash, securities or other property) as may be determined by the Board of Managers or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Managers may be declared and paid on any securities, including Common Interests and other Junior Interests, from time to time out of any funds legally available for such payment, and holders of Designated Preferred shall not be entitled to participate in any such distributions.

Section 4. Liquidation Rights .

(a) Voluntary or Involuntary Liquidation . In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Issuer, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Designated Preferred shall be entitled to receive for each unit of Designated Preferred held by them, out of the assets of the Issuer or proceeds thereof (whether capital or surplus) available for distribution to members of the Issuer, subject to the rights of any creditors of the Issuer, before any distribution of such assets or proceeds is made to or set aside for the holders of Common Interests and any other membership interests of the Issuer ranking junior to Designated Preferred as to such distribution, payment in full in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Capital Amount per unit of Designated Preferred and (ii) the amount of any accrued and unpaid distributions (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, distributions on such amount), whether or not declared, to the date of payment (such amounts collectively, the “ Capital Preference ”). The Issuer intends to comply with the “substantial economic effect” safe harbor contained in Treasury Regulations under Internal Revenue Code Section 704(b) such that, upon the Issuer’s liquidation, distributions to the unit holders shall be made in accordance with capital account balances. The Issuer shall make pro rata allocations of items of gross income to the holders of the Designated Preferred in an amount equal to the difference between the Capital Amount and the initial capital account attributable to the Designated Preferred.

(b) Partial Payment . If in any distribution described in Section 4(a) above the assets of the Issuer or proceeds thereof are not sufficient to pay in full the amounts payable with respect to all outstanding units of Designated Preferred and the corresponding amounts payable with respect of any other membership interests of the Issuer ranking equally with Designated Preferred as to such distribution, holders of Designated Preferred and the holders of such other membership interests shall share ratably in any such distribution in proportion to the full respective distributions to which they are entitled.

(c) Residual Distributions . If the Capital Preference has been paid in full to all holders of Designated Preferred and the corresponding amounts payable with respect of any other membership interests of the Issuer ranking equally with the Designated Preferred as to such distribution has been paid in full, the holders of other membership interests of the Issuer shall be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Issuer (or proceeds thereof) according to their respective rights and preferences.


(d) Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets Not Liquidation . For purposes of this Section 4, the merger or consolidation of the Issuer with any other corporation or other entity, including a merger or consolidation in which the holders of Designated Preferred receive cash, securities or other property for their units, or the sale, lease or exchange (for cash, securities or other property) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer, shall not constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer.

Section 5. Redemption .

(a) Optional Redemption . Except as provided below, the Designated Preferred may not be redeemed prior to the later of (i) the first Distribution Payment Date falling on or after the third anniversary of the Original Issue Date and (ii) the date on which all outstanding units of UST Preferred have been redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired by the Issuer. On or after the first Distribution Payment Date falling on or after the third anniversary of the Original Issue Date, the Issuer, at its option, subject to the approval of the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency, may redeem, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, out of funds legally available therefor, the units of Designated Preferred at the time outstanding, upon notice given as provided in Section 5(c) below, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) the Capital Amount per unit of Designated Preferred and (ii) except as otherwise provided below, any accrued and unpaid distributions (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, distributions on such amount) (regardless of whether any distributions are actually declared) to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the first Distribution Payment Date falling on or after the third anniversary of the Original Issue Date, the Issuer, at its option, subject to the approval of the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency, and subject to the requirement that all outstanding units of UST Preferred shall previously have been redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired by the Issuer, may redeem, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, the units of Designated Preferred at the time outstanding, upon notice given as provided in Section 5(c) below, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) the Capital Amount per unit of Designated Preferred and (ii) except as otherwise provided below, any accrued and unpaid distributions (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, distributions on such amount) (regardless of whether any distributions are actually declared) to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption; provided that (x) the Issuer (or any successor by Business Combination) has received aggregate gross proceeds of not less than the Minimum Amount (plus the “ Minimum Amount ” for each other outstanding series of preferred membership interests of such successor that was originally issued to the United States Department of the Treasury (the “ Successor Preferred Interests ”) in connection with the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program) from one or more Qualified Equity Offerings (including Qualified Equity Offerings of such successor), and (y) the aggregate redemption price of the Designated Preferred (and any Successor Preferred Interests) redeemed pursuant to this paragraph may not exceed the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Issuer (or any successor by Business Combination) from such Qualified Equity Offerings (including Qualified Equity Offerings of such successor).

The redemption price for any unit of Designated Preferred shall be payable on the redemption date to the holder of such units against surrender of the certificate(s) evidencing such units to the Issuer or its agent. Any declared but unpaid distributions payable on a redemption


date that occurs subsequent to the Distribution Record Date for a Distribution Period shall not be paid to the holder entitled to receive the redemption price on the redemption date, but rather shall be paid to the holder of record of the redeemed units on such Distribution Record Date relating to the Distribution Payment Date as provided in Section 3 above.

(b) No Sinking Fund . The Designated Preferred will not be subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or other similar provisions. Holders of Designated Preferred will have no right to require redemption or repurchase of any units of Designated Preferred.

(c) Notice of Redemption . Notice of every redemption of units of Designated Preferred shall be given by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the holders of record of the units to be redeemed at their respective last addresses appearing on the books of the Issuer. Such mailing shall be at least 30 days and not more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption. Any notice mailed as provided in this Subsection shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives such notice, but failure duly to give such notice by mail, or any defect in such notice or in the mailing thereof, to any holder of units of Designated Preferred designated for redemption shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other units of Designated Preferred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the units of Designated Preferred are issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Issuer or any other similar facility, notice of redemption may be given to the holders of Designated Preferred at such time and in any manner permitted by such facility. Each notice of redemption given to a holder shall state: (1) the redemption date; (2) the number of units of Designated Preferred to be redeemed and, if less than all the units held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such units to be redeemed from such holder; (3) the redemption price; and (4) the place or places where certificates for such units are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price.

(d) Partial Redemption . In case of any redemption of part of the units of Designated Preferred at the time outstanding, the units to be redeemed shall be selected either pro rata or in such other manner as the Board of Managers or a duly authorized committee thereof may determine to be fair and equitable. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Managers or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which units of Designated Preferred shall be redeemed from time to time. If fewer than all the units represented by any certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unredeemed units without charge to the holder thereof.

(e) Effectiveness of Redemption . If notice of redemption has been duly given and if on or before the redemption date specified in the notice all funds necessary for the redemption have been deposited by the Issuer, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the units called for redemption, with a bank or trust company doing business in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and having a capital and surplus of at least $500 million and selected by the Board of Managers, so as to be and continue to be available solely therefor, then, notwithstanding that any certificate for any unit so called for redemption has not been surrendered for cancellation, on and after the redemption date distributions shall cease to accrue on all units so called for redemption, all units so called for redemption shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights with respect to such units shall forthwith on such redemption date cease and terminate, except only the right of the holders thereof to receive the amount payable on such redemption


from such bank or trust company, without interest. Any funds unclaimed at the end of three years from the redemption date shall, to the extent permitted by law, be released to the Issuer, after which time the holders of the units so called for redemption shall look only to the Issuer for payment of the redemption price of such units.

Section 6. Conversion . Holders of Designated Preferred units shall have no right to exchange or convert such units into any other securities.

Section 7. Voting Rights .

(a) General . The holders of Designated Preferred shall not have any voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise from time to time required by law.

(b) Preferred Managers . Whenever, at any time or times, distributions payable on the units of Designated Preferred have not been paid for an aggregate of six quarterly Distribution Periods or more, whether or not consecutive, the authorized number of Managers of the Issuer shall automatically be increased by two and the holders of the Designated Preferred shall have the right to appoint two Managers (hereinafter the “ Preferred Managers ” and each a “ Preferred Manager ”) to fill such newly created Manager positions until all accrued and unpaid distributions for all past Distribution Periods, including the latest completed Distribution Period (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, distributions on such amount), on all outstanding units of Designated Preferred have been declared and paid in full at which time such right shall terminate with respect to the Designated Preferred, except as herein or by law expressly provided, subject to revesting in the event of each and every subsequent default of the character above mentioned; provided that it shall be a qualification for election for any Preferred Manager that the election of such Preferred Manager shall not cause the Issuer to violate any governance requirements of any securities exchange or other trading facility on which securities of the Issuer may then be listed or traded that listed or traded companies must have a majority of independent directors. Upon any termination of the right of the holders of units of Designated Preferred to select two Managers as provided above, the Preferred Managers shall cease to be qualified as Managers, the term of office of all Preferred Managers then in office shall terminate immediately and the authorized number of Managers shall be reduced by the number of Preferred Managers elected pursuant hereto. Any Preferred Manager may be removed at any time, with or without cause, and any vacancy created thereby may be filled, only by the affirmative vote of the holders a majority of the units of Designated Preferred at the time outstanding voting separately as a class together to the extent the voting rights of such holders described above are then exercisable. If the office of any Preferred Manager becomes vacant for any reason other than removal from office as aforesaid, the remaining Preferred Manager may choose a successor who shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred.

(c) Class Voting Rights as to Particular Matters . So long as any units of Designated Preferred are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of members required by law or by the LLC Agreement, the vote or consent of the holders of at least 66  2 / 3 % of the units of Designated Preferred at the time outstanding, voting as a separate class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary for effecting or validating:

(i) Authorization of Senior Stock . Any amendment or alteration of the LLC Agreement to authorize or create or increase the authorized amount of, or any issuance of, any membership interests of, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for membership interests of, any class or series of membership interests of the Issuer ranking senior to the Designated Preferred with respect to either or both the payment of distributions and/or the distribution of assets on any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer;


(ii) Amendment of Designated Preferred . Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of the LLC Agreement (including, unless no vote on such merger or consolidation is required by Section 7(c)(iii) below, any amendment, alteration or repeal by means of a merger, consolidation or otherwise) so as to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Designated Preferred; or

(iii) Exchanges, Reclassifications, Mergers and Consolidations . Any consummation of a binding exchange or reclassification involving the Designated Preferred, or of a merger or consolidation of the Issuer with another corporation or other entity, unless in each case (x) the units of Designated Preferred remain outstanding or, in the case of any such merger or consolidation with respect to which the Issuer is not the surviving or resulting entity, are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent, and (y) such units remaining outstanding or such preference securities, as the case may be, have such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, of Designated Preferred immediately prior to such consummation, taken as a whole;

provided , however , that for all purposes of this Section 7(c), any increase in the amount of the authorized Preferred Interests, including any increase in the authorized amount of Designated Preferred necessary to satisfy preemptive or similar rights granted by the Issuer to other persons prior to the Signing Date, or the creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, whether pursuant to preemptive or similar rights or otherwise, of any other series of Preferred Interests, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any other series of Preferred Interests, ranking equally with and/or junior to Designated Preferred with respect to the payment of distributions (whether such distributions are cumulative or non-cumulative) and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer will not be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers, and shall not require the affirmative vote or consent of, the holders of outstanding units of the Designated Preferred; provided , further , however , that (i) a GMAC Conversion, (ii) the adoption of the second amended and restated version of the LLC Agreement to be entered into on or about December 31, 2008 and (iii) any amendments to the LLC Agreement entered into in connection with the compliance by the Company, General Motors Corporation and/or FIM Holdings LLC with their commitments to the Board of Governors for purposes of such Board’s approval of the Company’s Bank Holding Act application and/or the United States Department of the Treasury for purposes of the Company’s participation in the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or any similar or successor program, will not be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers, and shall not require the affirmative vote or consent of, the holders


of outstanding units of the Designated Preferred, provided that, in the case of a GMAC Conversion, (i) the Designated Preferred are converted into or exchanged for preferred stock of the resulting corporation having terms substantially the same as the terms of the Designated Preferred and (ii) that the holders of the Designated Preferred will maintain a substantially equivalent economic interest, based on the capital amounts of their respective interests, in the Company after the GMAC Conversion as they held prior to the GMAC Conversion.

GMAC Conversion ” means, together with related transactions, any conversion of the Company into a corporation through a statutory conversion, the creation of a holding company above the Company and the exchange of all or substantially all of the Company’s outstanding equity interests for equity interests of such holding company, the direct or indirect acquisition by Preferred Blocker Inc. (“ Blocker Sub ”) of all or substantially all of the Company’s outstanding equity interests in exchange for stock of Blocker Sub, the merger of the Company with and into Blocker Sub, or any other direct or indirect incorporation of the assets and liabilities of the Company, including, without limitation, by merger, consolidation or recapitalization; statutory conversion; direct or indirect, sale, transfer, exchange, pledge or other disposal of economic, voting or other rights; sale, exchange or other acquisition of shares, equity interests or assets; contribution of assets and/or liabilities; liquidation; exchange of securities; conversion of entity, migration of entity or formation of new entity; or other transaction or group of related transactions.

(d) Changes after Provision for Redemption . No vote or consent of the holders of Designated Preferred shall be required pursuant to Section 7(c) above if, at or prior to the time when any such vote or consent would otherwise be required pursuant to such Section, all outstanding units of the Designated Preferred shall have been redeemed, or shall have been called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust for such redemption, in each case pursuant to Section 5 above.

(e) Procedures for Voting and Consents . The rules and procedures for calling and conducting any meeting of the holders of Designated Preferred (including, without limitation, the fixing of a record date in connection therewith), the solicitation and use of proxies at such a meeting, the obtaining of written consents and any other aspect or matter with regard to such a meeting or such consents shall be governed by any rules of the Board of Managers or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Managers, in its discretion, may adopt from time to time, which rules and procedures shall conform to the requirements of the LLC Agreement and applicable law and the rules of any national securities exchange or other trading facility on which Designated Preferred is listed or traded at the time.

Section 8. Record Holders . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Issuer and the transfer agent for Designated Preferred may deem and treat the record holder of any unit of Designated Preferred as the true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes, and neither the Issuer nor such transfer agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

Section 9. Notices . All notices or communications in respect of Designated Preferred shall be sufficiently given if given in writing and delivered in person or by first class mail, postage prepaid, or if given in such other manner as may be permitted in the LLC Agreement or by applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if units of Designated Preferred are issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Issuer or any similar facility, such notices may be given to the holders of Designated Preferred in any manner permitted by such facility.


Section 10. No Preemptive Rights . No unit of Designated Preferred shall have any rights of preemption whatsoever as to any securities of the Issuer, or any warrants, rights or options issued or granted with respect thereto, regardless of how such securities, or such warrants, rights or options, may be designated, issued or granted.

Section 11. Replacement Certificates . The Issuer shall replace any mutilated certificate at the holder’s expense upon surrender of that certificate to the Issuer. The Issuer shall replace certificates that become destroyed, stolen or lost at the holder’s expense upon delivery to the Issuer of reasonably satisfactory evidence that the certificate has been destroyed, stolen or lost, together with any indemnity that may be reasonably required by the Issuer.

Section 12. Other Rights . The units of Designated Preferred shall not have any rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers or relative, participating, optional or other special rights, or qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, other than as set forth herein or in the LLC Agreement or as provided by applicable law.

Exhibit 3.4

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT

OF

GMAC LLC

 

 

Dated as of December 31, 2008

 

 

THE MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS REPRESENTED BY THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH INTERESTS MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF AT ANY TIME WITHOUT EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND LAWS OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE OTHER SUBSTANTIAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY SET FORTH HEREIN.

THE MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS REPRESENTED BY THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

             

Page

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATIVE MATTERS

   2

Section 1.1

    

Definitions

   2

Section 1.2

    

Cross-References

   24

Section 1.3

    

Interpretative Matters

   27

Section 1.4

    

Expert Determination of Fair Market Value

   28

ARTICLE II ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS; GENERAL PROVISIONS

   28

Section 2.1

    

Formation

   28

Section 2.2

    

Name; Office; Registered Agent

   29

Section 2.3

    

Purposes; Powers

   29

Section 2.4

    

Duration

   30

Section 2.5

    

No State Law Partnership

   30

Section 2.6

    

Filings; Qualification in Other Jurisdictions

   30

Section 2.7

    

United States Income Tax Classification

   31

ARTICLE III CAPITALIZATION; MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS

   31

Section 3.1

    

Membership Interests; Capitalization; Capital Accounts

   31

Section 3.2

    

Authorization and Issuance of Additional Membership Interests

   32

Section 3.3

    

Application of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code

   33

Section 3.4

    

Certification of Membership Interests

   33

Section 3.5

    

Capital Accounts

   34

Section 3.6

    

Time of Adjustment for Capital Contributions

   35

Section 3.7

    

No Right of Partition

   35

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont’d)

 

Section 3.8

    

Additional Capital Contributions and Financing

   35

ARTICLE IV SCHEDULE OF MEMBERS; BOOKS AND RECORDS; AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

   36

Section 4.1

    

Schedule of Members

   36

Section 4.2

    

Books and Records; Other Documents

   36

Section 4.3

    

Reports and Audits

   37

Section 4.4

    

Tax Matters Member; Filing of Returns

   37

Section 4.5

    

Financial Statements and Other Information

   39

Section 4.6

    

Independent Auditor

   42

Section 4.7

    

Budget and Business Plan

   42

Section 4.8

    

Company Policies

   43

ARTICLE V DISTRIBUTIONS

   43

Section 5.1

    

Distributions other than from a Company Sale or Dissolution

   43

Section 5.2

    

Mandatory Distributions of Available Cash from a Company Sale or Dissolution

   47

Section 5.3

    

Discretionary Distributions

   47

Section 5.4

    

Restricted Payments; Restrictions on Certain Redemptions

   47

Section 5.5

    

Successors

   48

Section 5.6

    

Distributions of Assets other than Cash

   49

Section 5.7

    

No Set-Off

   49

ARTICLE VI ALLOCATIONS

   49

Section 6.1

    

Normal Allocations

   49

Section 6.2

    

Section 754 Election

   51

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont’d)

 

Section 6.3

    

Allocations for Tax and Book Purposes

   51

Section 6.4

    

Certain Accounting Matters

   51

Section 6.5

    

Tax Allocations; Code Section 704(c)

   51

Section 6.6

    

Qualified Income Offset

   52

Section 6.7

    

Gross Income Allocation

   52

Section 6.8

    

Company Minimum Gain Chargeback

   52

Section 6.9

    

Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain Chargeback

   53

Section 6.10

    

Limitations on Tax Book Loss Allocations

   53

Section 6.11

    

Member Nonrecourse Deductions

   53

Section 6.12

    

Nonrecourse Deductions

   53

Section 6.13

    

Excess Nonrecourse Liabilities

   53

Section 6.14

    

Ordering Rules

   53

Section 6.15

    

Curative Allocations

   53

Section 6.16

    

Members’ Tax Reporting

   54

Section 6.17

    

Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments on Behalf of a Member

   54

ARTICLE VII RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS

   54

Section 7.1

    

Members

   54

Section 7.2

    

No Management or Dissent Rights

   55

Section 7.3

    

No Member Fiduciary Duties

   55

Section 7.4

    

Meetings of the Common Holders

   56

Section 7.5

    

Notice of Meetings

   56

Section 7.6

    

Quorum

   57

Section 7.7

    

Voting

   57

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont’d)

 

Section 7.8

    

Action Without a Meeting; Telephonic Meetings

   58

Section 7.9

    

Record Date

   59

Section 7.10

    

Certain Matters Requiring Special Approval of the Joint Majority Holders

   59

Section 7.11

    

Certain Matters Requiring Special Approval of the Majority GM Preferred Holders

   63

Section 7.12

    

Certain Matters Requiring Special Approval of the Class E Preferred Holder

   64

Section 7.13

    

Certain Matters Requiring Special Approval of the Treasurer of GM

   64

Section 7.14

    

Removal or Resignation of Members

   64

Section 7.15

    

Liability of Members

   65

Section 7.16

    

Investment Representations of Members

   65

Section 7.17

    

Project Agreements

   65

ARTICLE VIII BOARD OF MANAGERS; OFFICERS

   65

Section 8.1

    

Establishment of Board of Managers

   65

Section 8.2

    

General Powers of the Board of Managers

   66

Section 8.3

    

Election of Managers

   66

Section 8.4

    

Meetings

   68

Section 8.5

    

Notice of Meetings

   69

Section 8.6

    

Quorum

   69

Section 8.7

    

Voting

   69

Section 8.8

    

Action Without a Meeting; Telephonic Meetings

   70

Section 8.9

    

Certain Matters Requiring Special Manager Approval

   70

Section 8.10

    

Certain Matters Requiring Special Independent Manager Approval

   71

Section 8.11

    

Certain Matters Requiring Board Discussion

   72

 

iv


TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont’d)

 

Section 8.12

    

Compensation of Managers; Expense Reimbursement

   72

Section 8.13

    

Committees of the Board of Managers

   73

Section 8.14

    

Delegation of Authority

   74

Section 8.15

    

Officers

   74

Section 8.16

    

Standard of Care; Fiduciary Duties; Liability of Managers and Officers

   77

ARTICLE IX TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS; SUBSTITUTED MEMBERS

   78

Section 9.1

    

Limitations on Transfer of Membership Interests

   78

Section 9.2

    

Right of First Offer; Co-Sale Rights

   79

Section 9.3

    

Void Transfers

   83

Section 9.4

    

Substituted Member

   83

Section 9.5

    

Effect of Transfer

   83

Section 9.6

    

Additional Transfer Restrictions

   83

Section 9.7

    

Transfer Fees and Expenses

   85

Section 9.8

    

Effective Date

   85

Section 9.9

    

Acceptance of Prior Acts

   85

ARTICLE X DISSOLUTION

   85

Section 10.1

    

In General

   85

Section 10.2

    

Liquidation and Termination

   86

Section 10.3

    

Complete Distribution

   87

Section 10.4

    

Filing of Certificate of Cancellation

   87

Section 10.5

    

Reasonable Time for Winding Up

   87

Section 10.6

    

Return of Capital

   87

Section 10.7

    

Antitrust Laws

   87

 

v


TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont’d)

 

Section 10.8

    

Other Remedies

   88

ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION

   88

Section 11.1

    

General Indemnity

   88

Section 11.2

    

Fiduciary Insurance

   89

Section 11.3

    

Rights Non-Exclusive

   89

Section 11.4

    

Merger or Consolidation; Other Entities

   89

Section 11.5

    

No Member Recourse

   89

ARTICLE XII OTHER AGREEMENTS

   90

Section 12.1

    

Transactions with Affiliates

   90

Section 12.2

    

Public Offering

   90

Section 12.3

    

Preemptive Rights

   92

Section 12.4

    

Take-Along Rights

   94

Section 12.5

    

Optional Redemption of GM Preferred Membership Interests

   96

Section 12.6

    

Optional Redemption of Class E Preferred Membership Interests

   97

Section 12.7

    

Transactions Involving Blocker Corps

   98

Section 12.8

    

Auto Finance and Other Separate Businesses

   100

Section 12.9

    

Certain Undertakings in Connection with a Company Conversion

   100

Section 12.10

    

Treasury Preferred Amendments

   101

ARTICLE XIII CONFIDENTIALITY

   101

Section 13.1

    

Non-Disclosure

   101

Section 13.2

    

Exceptions

   101

 

vi


TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont’d)

 

ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

   102

Section 14.1

    

Amendments

   102

Section 14.2

    

Remedies

   103

Section 14.3

    

Notice Addresses and Notices

   103

Section 14.4

    

Counterparts

   103

Section 14.5

    

Assignment

   104

Section 14.6

    

Entire Agreement; Waiver

   104

Section 14.7

    

Severability

   104

Section 14.8

    

Governing Law

   104

Section 14.9

    

Independent Contractors; Expenses

   104

Section 14.10

    

Press Release

   105

Section 14.11

    

Survival

   105

Section 14.12

    

Creditors

   105

Section 14.13

    

Further Action

   105

Section 14.14

    

Delivery by Facsimile or Email

   105

Section 14.15

    

Strict Construction

   105

Section 14.16

    

Consent to Jurisdiction

   106

Section 14.17

    

Waiver of Jury Trial

   106

Section 14.18

    

Specific Performance

   106

SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

Schedule of Members (as of the Effective Date)

Schedule of Material Subsidiaries

Schedule of Significant Joint Ventures

Exhibit A—Description of IO Business

Exhibit B—Description of NAO Business

 

vii


TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont’d)

 

Exhibit C—Project Agreements

Exhibit D—Transaction Documents

Exhibit E—Company Policies

Exhibit F—Environmental Guidelines

Exhibit G—Affiliate Transactions

Exhibit H—Replacement Capital Covenant

 

viii


SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT

OF

GMAC LLC,

A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT of GMAC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (the “ Company ”), is made and entered into as of December 31, 2008 (the “ Effective Date ”) by and among GM Finance Co. Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ GM Holdco ”), FIM Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ FIM ”), GMAC Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Management Company ”) and GM Preferred Finance Co. Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ GM Preferred Holdco ”), each as Members, and each other Member named herein, and each other Person who at any time becomes a Member in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Act.

RECITALS:

 

A. The Company is a worldwide diversified financial services company that directly, and indirectly through its Subsidiaries, provides automotive and non-automotive financing and leasing, insurance, banking, mortgage lending and other services to a variety of affiliated and unaffiliated consumer and commercial customers.

 

B. The predecessor of the Company, General Motors Acceptance Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Predecessor ”), was converted from a Delaware corporation to the Company, and on July 20, 2006, General Motors Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“ GM ”), as the initial Member of the Company, executed the initial Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company (as amended, the “ Original Agreement ”).

 

C. On November 30, 2006, GM Holdco, FIM, Management Company and GM Preferred Holdco entered into that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of the Company (as amended, the “ Amended and Restated Agreement ”).

 

D. Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Company is completing an offer to exchange and/or purchase for cash certain outstanding notes of the Company for newly issued senior guaranteed notes (the “ New Guaranteed Notes ”) and subordinated notes of the Company and 9% perpetual preferred stock (“ Blocker Preferred ”) of Preferred Blocker Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Blocker Sub ”) and up to $2,000,000,000 in cash, pursuant to that certain Confidential Offering Memorandum, dated as of November 20, 2008 (as supplemented, the “ Exchange Offer ”).

 

E. In connection with the consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Company will admit Blocker Sub as a Member of the Company and authorize the issuance of Class E Preferred Membership Interests to Blocker Sub.


F. On December 29, 2008, the Joint Majority Holders adopted (i) Amendment No. 6 to the Amended and Restated Agreement (“ Amendment No. 6 ”) and (ii) Amendment No. 7 to the Amended and Restated Agreement (“ Amendment No. 7 ” and, together with Amendment No. 6, the “ Treasury Preferred Amendments ”) authorizing the issuance of the Class D-1 Preferred Membership Interests and the Class D-2 Preferred Membership Interests, respectively.

 

G. The parties hereto desire to amend and restate the Amended and Restated Agreement to set forth, inter alia , their understandings and agreements regarding the governance and certain operations of the Company; it being understood that the terms of this Agreement will continue to be subject in all regards to the terms of Treasury Preferred Amendments, as amended pursuant to the terms thereof, and that in the event of any conflict between this Agreement (and any subsequent amendment or restatement, unless approved by the Treasury Preferred Holders pursuant to the terms of the Treasury Preferred Amendments, it being understood no amendment entered into in connection with the compliance by GM and FIM with their commitments to the Board of Governors for purposes of such Board’s approval of the Company’s Bank Holding Act application and/or the United States Department of the Treasury for purposes of the Company’s participation in the Troubled Assets Relief Program shall be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Treasury Preferred) and the Treasury Preferred Amendments, the terms of the Treasury Preferred Amendments shall prevail.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants, conditions and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto, each intending to be legally bound, agree that the Amended and Restated Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety (subject to Section 12.10 ), and further agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATIVE MATTERS

Section 1.1 Definitions . The following terms, as used herein, shall have the following meanings:

Act ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. Sections 18- 101 et seq.

Additional Member ” means any Person that has been admitted to the Company as a Member after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 3.2(b) by virtue of having received its Membership Interest from the Company and not from any other Member.

Adjusted Capital Account Balance ” means, with respect to any Member, the balance in such Member’s Capital Account after giving effect to the following adjustments:

(i) debits to such Capital Account of the items described in Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4) through (6) of the Treasury Regulations; and

 

2


(ii) credits to such Capital Account of such Member’s share of Company Minimum Gain or Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain or any amount which such Member would be required to restore under this Agreement or otherwise.

The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account Balance is intended to comply with the provisions of Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Treasury Regulations.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, whether through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by or is under common Control with such Person, excluding any employee benefit plan or related trust. For purposes of Section 8.9(b) and Section 8.10(b) , the definition of “Affiliate” does not include any Subsidiary of the Company.

Agreed Initial Value ” means $14,417,647,059, as adjusted pursuant to Section 3.4 of the Purchase Agreement.

Agreement ” means this Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement and those Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto.

Antitrust Law ” means any Law relating to the preservation of or restraint against competition in commercial activities, including the United States Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

Available Cash ” means (i) all cash and cash equivalents on hand of the Company from any source, less (ii) cash reasonably reserved by the Company or reasonably anticipated by the Board of Managers to be required (after application of anticipated cash revenues from any source) for debts and expenses, interest and scheduled principal payments on any indebtedness, capital expenditures, replacements, taxes or activities in the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

Bankruptcy ” means, with respect to any Person, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the filing of an application by such Person for, or a consent to, the appointment of a trustee or custodian of such Person’s assets; (ii) the filing by such Person of a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or the seeking of relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, or the filing of a pleading in any court of record admitting in writing such Person’s inability to pay its debts as they become due; (iii) the making by such Person of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (iv) the filing by such Person of an answer admitting the material allegations of, or such Person’s consenting to, or defaulting in answering, a bankruptcy petition filed against him in any bankruptcy proceeding or petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code; or (v) the entry of any order, judgment or decree by any court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating such Person a bankrupt or insolvent or for relief in respect of such Person or appointing a trustee or custodian of such Person’s assets and the continuance of such order, judgment or decree unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty consecutive calendar days.

Blocker Corp ” shall mean a direct or indirect equityholder of the Company that (i) is an entity organized under the laws of any State of the United States, (ii) is treated as a “C”

 

3


corporation for federal income tax purposes and (iii) has never engaged in any business activity other than owning either (A) a direct or an indirect membership interest in the Company or (B) a direct or indirect interest in certain businesses or assets of the Company, and activities ancillary thereto.

Business Day ” means any calendar day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks in Detroit, Michigan or New York, New York are authorized or required to close.

Call Option ” means the call option with respect to the NAO Business and the IO Business granted by the Company in favor of GM Holdco and its Affiliates pursuant to Article X of the Purchase Agreement.

Capital Contributions ” means any cash or cash equivalents or the Fair Market Value of other property that a Member contributes to the Company with respect to any Membership Interests or other Equity Securities issued pursuant to Article III (net of any liabilities assumed by the Company or to which such property is subject).

Cause ” means, with respect to any Independent Manager, one or more of the following: (i) the commission of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude or the commission of an act involving dishonesty or fraud with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their customers or suppliers; (ii) any act undertaken with the intent of aiding or abetting a competitor, supplier or customer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the disadvantage or detriment of the Company and its Subsidiaries; (iii) any breach of fiduciary duty, gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case which is detrimental to the Company in any material respect; (iv)(A) continued abuse of alcohol or illegal drugs, (B) repeated public drunkenness or (C) other repeated conduct (1) causing the Company or its Subsidiaries public disgrace or disrepute or economic harm or (2) materially impairing such Independent Manager’s ability to perform his or her duties and responsibilities as a Manager of the Company; or (v) any breach of his or her obligations of confidentiality to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Certificate of Formation ” means the Certificate of Formation of the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 20, 2006.

Class A Holders ” means the holders of the Class A Membership Interests.

Class A Membership Interest ” means a Membership Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Class A Membership Interests in this Agreement.

Class B Holders ” means the holders of the Class B Membership Interests.

Class B Membership Interest ” means a Membership Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Class B Membership Interests in this Agreement.

 

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Class C Holders ” means the holders of any series of the Class C Membership Interests.

Class C Membership Interest ” means a Membership Interest, issued in one or more series, having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Class C Membership Interests in this Agreement. Each series of Class C Membership Interests shall be consecutively numbered, commencing with the Class C-1 Membership Interests authorized under this Agreement.

Class C-1 Holders ” means the holders of the Class C-1 Membership Interests.

Class D-1 Preferred Membership Interests ” means a Membership Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Class D-1 Preferred Membership Interests in Amendment No. 6 and this Agreement.

Class D-2 Preferred Membership Interests ” means a Membership Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Class D-2 Preferred Membership Interests in Amendment No. 7 and this Agreement.

Class E Distribution Rate ” means a rate of 15.25% per annum, until such time as the New Capital Condition shall have been satisfied, after which time the rate shall be decreased to 11.86% per annum.

Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount ” means an amount accruing on the Class E Preferred Reference Amount at the Class E Distribution Rate, from time to time, from either (i) the most recent Class E Preferred Distribution Payment Date on which the then-current Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount was paid in full, or (ii) if no Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount has previously been paid, the Effective Date, whether or not in any distribution period or periods there have been funds legally available for the payment of such distribution, provided that if an amount or amounts less than the full amount of the Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount is paid on any Class E Preferred Distribution Payment Date or Dates, such amount or amounts shall be deducted from the Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount. The Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount payable on any Class E Preferred Distribution Payment Date shall include any and all Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amounts payable in respect of a prior distribution period or periods but not declared by the Board of Managers, provided that the Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount shall not compound or otherwise include interest on any Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount not paid in a prior distribution period or periods. For purposes of the Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount, a “distribution period” shall refer to a period commencing on and including a Class E Preferred Distribution Payment Date (or, in the case of the distribution period ending on February 15, 2009, commencing on and including the Effective Date), and ending on and including the day immediately preceding the next succeeding Class E Preferred Distribution Payment Date.

 

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Class E Preferred Distribution Payment Date ” means February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing with the first such date following the Effective Date.

Class E Preferred Holder ” means the holder of the Class E Preferred Membership Interests.

Class E Preferred Membership Interests ” means a Membership Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Class E Preferred Membership Interests in this Agreement.

Class E Preferred Reference Amount ” means, at any time, the aggregate liquidation preference (for the absence of doubt, excluding accrued dividends thereon) of all shares of the Blocker Preferred outstanding at such time. At the Effective Date, the Class E Preferred Reference Amount shall equal $2,576,601,000.

Code ” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and, to the extent applicable, any Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

Common Holders ” means the holders of the Common Membership Interests.

Common Membership Interests ” means, collectively, the Class A Membership Interests and the Class B Membership Interests.

Company Conversion ” means, together with related transactions, any conversion of the Company into a corporation through a statutory conversion, the creation of a holding company above the Company and the exchange of all or substantially all of the Company’s outstanding equity interests for equity interests of such holding company, the direct or indirect acquisition by Blocker Sub of all or substantially all of the Company’s outstanding equity interests in exchange for stock of Blocker Sub, the merger of the Company with and into Blocker Sub, or any other direct or indirect incorporation of the assets and liabilities of the Company, including, by merger, consolidation or recapitalization; statutory conversion; direct or indirect, sale, transfer, exchange, pledge or other disposal of economic, voting or other rights; sale, exchange or other acquisition of shares, equity interests or assets; contribution of assets and/or liabilities; liquidation; exchange of securities; conversion of entity, migration of entity or formation of new entity; or other transaction or group of related transactions; provided that so long as any Class E Preferred Membership Interests remain outstanding any Company Conversion shall be subject to Section 12.9.

Company Interest ” means, with respect to a particular Common Holder at any time, the quotient expressed as a percentage obtained by dividing (i) the number of Common Membership Interests held by such Common Holder at such time, by (ii) the number of Common Membership Interests held by all Common Holders at such time, as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Article III and Article IX .

 

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Company Minimum Gain ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.704-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations for “partnership minimum gain” and, as provided therein, shall generally be determined by computing, for each Nonrecourse Debt of the Company, any Tax Book Profit that the Company would realize if it disposed of the property subject to that liability for no consideration other than full satisfaction of the liability and then aggregating the separate amounts of Tax Book Profit so computed.

Company Sale ” means a transaction with a third Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company or group of third Persons that, acting in concert, do not collectively constitute Affiliates of the Company, pursuant to which such Person or Persons acquire, in any single transaction or series of related transactions, (i) all of the outstanding Equity Securities of the Company, (ii) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (iii) Equity Securities of the Company authorized and issued following the Effective Date and possessing the voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Managers (or any similar governing body of any surviving or resulting Person).

Confidential Information ” means, collectively, all documents and information that, in each case, is non-public, confidential or proprietary in nature concerning the Company (including commercial information and information with respect to customers, suppliers, vendors and proprietary technologies or processes), the Members or their Affiliates that was or may in the future be furnished to the Company, any Member or any of their respective Affiliates in connection with (i) the transactions leading up to and contemplated by this Agreement and the Purchase Agreement, including the terms hereof and thereof, or (ii) the operation and activities of the Company; provided that any such information will not be Confidential Information if it is (A) otherwise available to the public through no wrongful action by such Member or Affiliate or (B) otherwise in the rightful possession of such Member or Affiliate from any third Person having, to the knowledge of such Member or Affiliate after reasonable inquiry, no obligation of confidentiality with respect to such information to the other Members or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable.

Control ,” “ Controlled ” or “ Controlling ” means, with respect to any Person, any circumstance in which such Person is directly or indirectly controlled by another Person by virtue of the latter Person having the power to (i) elect, or cause the election of (whether by way of voting capital stock, by contract, trust or otherwise), the majority of the members of the Board of Managers or a similar governing body of the first Person, or (ii) direct (whether by way of voting capital stock, by contract, trust or otherwise) the affairs and policies of such Person.

Depreciation ” means, for each Fiscal Year, an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction as reported for federal income tax purposes with respect to an asset for such year or other period, except that if the Tax Book Value of an asset differs from its adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, Depreciation shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to such beginning Tax Book Value as the federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such Fiscal Year bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided , however , that if the adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes of an asset at the beginning of such Fiscal Year is zero, Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning Tax Book Value using any reasonable method selected by the Board of Managers.

 

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Distribution ” means each distribution after November 30, 2006 made by the Company to a Member, whether in cash, property or securities of the Company, pursuant to, or in respect of, Article V or Article X .

Entity ” means any general partnership, limited partnership, corporation, association, cooperative, joint stock company, trust, limited liability company, business or statutory trust, joint venture, unincorporated organization or Governmental Entity.

Equity Incentive Plan ” means the equity incentive plan adopted by Management Company on November 30, 2006.

Equity Securities ” means, as applicable, (i) any capital stock, membership or limited liability company interests or other share capital, (ii) any securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock, membership or limited liability company interests or other share capital or containing any profit participation features, (iii) any rights or options directly or indirectly to subscribe for or to purchase any capital stock, membership or limited liability company interests, other share capital or securities containing any profit participation features or to subscribe for or to purchase any securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock, membership or limited liability company interests, other share capital or securities containing any profit participation features, (iv) any share appreciation rights, phantom share rights or other similar rights, or (v) any Equity Securities issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, conversion or other reorganization.

Excess Nonrecourse Liability ” means an “excess nonrecourse liability” within the meaning of Section 1.752-3(a)(3) of the Treasury Regulations.

Exchange Act ” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Fair Market Value ” means (i) in reference to the Company or Membership Interests, the fair market value for the Company or such Membership Interests as between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s length transaction occurring on the date of valuation, taking into account all relevant factors determinative of value, as reasonably determined by the Board of Managers, (ii) in reference to property or assets owned by the Company, the fair market value of such property or assets as reasonably determined by the Board of Managers, and (iii) in reference to property or assets other than the Company, Membership Interests or properties or assets owned by the Company (including any property or assets contributed to the Company after the Effective Date), the fair market value of such property or assets as reasonably determined by the Board of Managers (including at least a majority of the Independent Managers); provided that if the Majority Minority Holders disagree with the Fair Market Value determined pursuant to clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, then the Majority Minority Holders shall have the right to require that the Fair Market Value be submitted to expert determination in accordance with Section 1.4 .

 

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Financial Book Income ” means the net financial book income of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as determined in accordance with GAAP for the applicable period. For purposes of Section 5.1 , Financial Book Income shall be determined prior to giving effect to any Distributions with respect to the GM Preferred Membership Interests and Class E Preferred Membership Interests pursuant to Section 5.1(a) and Section 5.1(b) respectively.

Fiscal Quarter ” means each fiscal quarter of the Company and its Subsidiaries, ending on the last day of each of March, June, September and December of any Fiscal Year unless otherwise required by the Code or, subject to Section 8.9(f) , as otherwise determined by the Board of Managers. Each Fiscal Quarter shall commence on the day immediately following the last day of the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter.

Fiscal Year ” means the fiscal year of the Company and shall be the same as its taxable year, which shall be the year ending December 31 unless otherwise required by the Code or, subject to Section 8.9(f) , as otherwise determined by the Board of Managers. Each Fiscal Year shall commence on the day immediately following the last day of the immediately preceding Fiscal Year.

GAAP ” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America as in effect from time to time, consistently applied and maintained throughout the applicable periods both as to classification or items and amounts.

GM Consolidated Group ” means GM and the other members of the affiliated group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code) of which GM is the common parent.

GM Group ” means GM and each of the other members of the GM Consolidated Group, other than the Company and its Subsidiaries.

GM Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount ” means, with respect to each GM Preferred Membership Interest during any Fiscal Quarter, the amount accruing on the Unreturned GM Preferred Capital Amount of such GM Preferred Membership Interest on a daily basis during such Fiscal Quarter, at a rate of ten percent (10%)  per annum . For the avoidance of doubt, the GM Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount shall be non-cumulative such that if such amount is not paid with respect to any Fiscal Quarter within the time period contemplated by Section 5.1(a) , then it shall be reduced to zero.

GM Preferred Capital Amount ” means for any GM Preferred Membership Interest, $1,000.00.

GM Preferred Holders ” means the holders of the GM Preferred Membership Interests.

 

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GM Preferred Membership Interest ” means a Membership Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to GM Preferred Membership Interests in this Agreement.

Governmental Entity ” means the United States of America or any other nation, any state, province or other political subdivision, any international or supra national entity, or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of government, including any court, in each case having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of the property or other assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Indebtedness ” means, for any Person at the time of any determination, without duplication, and without including any amounts owed by such Person to the Company or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, the following obligations, contingent or otherwise: (i) all obligations for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures, acceptances or similar instruments, or arising out of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued for such Person’s account, (iii) all obligations, whether or not assumed, secured by any Lien or payable out of the proceeds or production from any property or assets now or hereafter owned or acquired by such Person other than a Permitted Lien, (iv) the capitalized portion of lease obligations under capitalized leases, (v) all obligations arising from installment purchases of property or representing the deferred purchase price of property or services in respect of which such Person is liable, contingently or otherwise, as obligor or otherwise, other than trade payables and other current liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business, (vi) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid or accrued, and (vii) any other obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person that, in accordance with GAAP, should be classified upon the balance sheet of such Person as indebtedness, other than trade payables and other current liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business.

Independent Manager ” means an individual who: (i) is not, and has not been, a director, a manager, an officer or an employee, and has no immediate family member (as defined below) that is or has been a director, a manager, an officer or an employee within the last three years, of the Company, any Common Holder that has the right to elect a Manager pursuant to Section 8.3 , GM, Cerberus Capital Management L.P., Citigroup Inc., Aozora Bank Limited or PNC Bank, (ii) is not, and has not been, an officer, an employee or a consultant, and has no immediate family member that is or has been an officer, an employee or a consultant within the last three years, of any Affiliate of the Company, of any Common Holder that has the right to elect a Manager pursuant to Section 8.3 , GM, Cerberus Capital Management L.P., Citigroup Inc., Aozora Bank Limited or PNC Bank, (iii) has not received, and has no immediate family member who has received, during any twelve-month period within the last three years, more than $100,000 in direct compensation from the Company, any Common Holder that has the right to elect a Manager pursuant to Section 8.3 , GM, Cerberus Capital Management L.P., Citigroup Inc., Aozora Bank Limited or PNC Bank, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service, provided such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service; (iv)(A) is not, and has no immediate family member that is, a current partner of a firm that is the internal or external auditor of the Company, any Common Holder that has the right to elect a Manager pursuant to Section 8.3 , GM, Cerberus Capital Management L.P., Citigroup Inc., Aozora Bank Limited, PNC Bank or their respective

 

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Affiliates, (B) is not a current employee of such a firm, (C) has no immediate family member who is a current employee of such a firm and who participates in the firm’s audit, assurance or tax compliance (but not tax planning) practice, or (D) has not been, and has no immediate family member that has been, within the last three years (but is no longer) a partner or an employee of such a firm and personally worked on the audit within that time of the Company, any Common Holder that has the right to elect a Manager pursuant to Section 8.3 , GM, Cerberus Capital Management L.P., Citigroup Inc., Aozora Bank Limited, PNC Bank or their respective Affiliates; (v) is not, and has not been, employed as an executive officer, and has no immediate family member that is or has been employed as an executive officer, of another Entity where any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ present executive officers at the same time serves or served on such Entity’s compensation committee within the last three years; (vi) is not a current employee, and has no immediate family member who is a current executive officer, of an Entity that has made payments to, or received payments from, the Company or any Common Holder that has the right to elect a Manager pursuant to Section 8.3 for property or services in an amount which, in any of the last three fiscal years, exceeds the greater of $1 million or two percent (2%) of such other Entity’s consolidated gross revenues; (vii) is “financially literate” (as defined in the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange, as in effect from time to time); and (viii) is otherwise “independent” (as defined in the Listed Company Manual of the New York Stock Exchange, as in effect from time to time). In addition, one of the Independent Managers elected pursuant to Section 8.3(a)(iii) , the Independent Manager elected pursuant to Section 8.3(a)(iv) and each Independent Manager elected pursuant to Section 8.3(b) ) (other than one Independent Manager elected by the Common Holders, if any, that are entitled to elect more than one Independent Manager pursuant to Section 8.3(b) ) shall be (or shall have previously been) a director or senior executive officer of an Entity engaged in a substantial financial services business, or otherwise has or has had a substantial involvement (as an advisor, expert or otherwise) in the financial services industry. For purposes of this definition, “ immediate family member ” means an individual’s spouse, parents and parents-in-law, siblings and siblings-in-law, children and children-in-law, and any other Person (other than domestic employees) who shares such individual’s home.

Initial Class A Holders ” means FIM or any Person holding Class A Membership Interests originally acquired by FIM on November 30, 2006 that were Transferred to such Person either (i) in one or more Transfers occurring after November 30, 2006, all of which Transfers constituted Exempt Transfers (other than a Transfer of any Class A Membership Interests pursuant to clause (iii) of the definition of “Exempt Transfer” to any Person who is not a direct equityholder of FIM or an Affiliate thereof as of November 30, 2006), or (ii) in one or a series of related Transfers resulting in such Person holding at least seventy percent (70%) of such Class A Membership Interests.

Initial Class B Holders ” means GM Holdco or any Person holding Class B Membership Interests held by GM Holdco on November 30, 2006 that were Transferred to such Person either (i) in one or more Transfers occurring after November 30, 2006, all of which Transfers constituted Exempt Transfers, or (ii) in one or a series of related Transfers resulting in such Person holding at least seventy percent (70%) of such Class B Membership Interests (any such Person acquiring Class B Membership Interests pursuant to clause (ii) above, a “ GM Control Assignee ”).

 

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IO Business ” means the business and operations as described in Section IV of that certain Confidential Information Package regarding the Company, dated as of November 12, 2005 (as reproduced in Exhibit A ), including (i) the Company’s international auto finance operations located on November 30, 2006 in at least thirty-two markets in Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific, (ii) wholesale and retail automotive financing products, including full-service leasing and fleet management, as well as strategic alliances to provide private-label financing to companies, such as Suzuki, and (iii) all employees, systems, property, equipment, intellectual property, and other tangible and intangible assets primarily related to the businesses described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, in each case, as such businesses and operations may be modified or further develop or evolve following November 30, 2006.

IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Issuer ” means the Company, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company or any successor to the Company, or the issuer of any Equity Securities of which the Company distributes to the holders of Membership Interests or that are received or receivable by the holders of Membership Interests in connection with a transaction contemplated by Section 12.2 .

Joint Majority Holders ” means (i) for so long as each of the Initial Class A Holders and the Initial Class B Holders each hold in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the Voting Power, each of (A) the Majority Initial Class A Holders and (B) the Majority Initial Class B Holders, voting separately, (ii) at any time that the Initial Class A Holders hold in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the Voting Power and the Initial Class B Holders do not hold in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the Voting Power, the Majority Initial Class A Holders, voting separately, and (iii) at any time that the Initial Class B Holders hold in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the Voting Power and the Initial Class A Holders do not hold in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the Voting Power, the Majority Initial Class B Holders, voting separately. For the avoidance of doubt, (1) for so long as the Initial Class A Holders and the Initial Class B Holders each hold in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the Voting Power, any approval, consent or other determination hereunder required to be made by the Joint Majority Holders shall require the mutual and joint approval, consent or determination of (x) the Majority Initial Class A Holders, independently voting together as a separate class, and (y) the Majority Initial Class B Holders, independently voting together as a separate class, and (2) Voting Power means the combined Voting Power of the Class A Membership Interests and the Class B Membership Interests.

Junior Membership Interests ” means (x) each existing or future class or series of Membership Interests other than preferred membership interests (including the Class A Membership Interests and the Class B Membership Interests) and (y) each class or series of preferred membership interests established on or after the Effective Date, the terms of which preferred membership interests do not expressly provide that such class or series ranks on a parity with the Class E Preferred Membership Interests and the GM Preferred Membership Interest as to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, winding-up or dissolution. For the

 

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avoidance of doubt, as of the Effective Date, the Junior Membership Interests of the Company are the Class A Membership Interests, the Class B Membership Interests and the Class C Membership Interests.

Law ” means any applicable law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, code, order, judgment, tax ruling, injunction or decree of any Governmental Entity, including any Law relating to the protection of the environment.

License Agreement ” means that certain Trademark and Trade Name License Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2006, by and among the Company, GM and those of GM’s Subsidiaries from time to time party thereto.

Lien ” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof), any sale of receivables with recourse against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any filing or agreement to file a financing statement as a debtor under the Uniform Commercial Code or any similar statute of any jurisdiction other than to reflect ownership by a third Person of property leased to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under a lease that is not in the nature of a conditional sale or title retention agreement.

Majority Class A Holders ” means, at any time, the holders of a majority of the Class A Membership Interests then outstanding.

Majority Class B Holders ” means, at any time, the holders of a majority of the Class B Membership Interests then outstanding.

Majority Initial Class A Holders ” means, at any time, the holders of a majority of the Class A Membership Interests then outstanding held by the Initial Class A Holders.

Majority Initial Class B Holders ” means, at any time, the holders of a majority of the Class B Membership Interests then outstanding held by the Initial Class B Holders.

Majority Minority Holders ” means, at any time, the holders of a majority of the Membership Interests then held by the Minority Holders.

Majority GM Preferred Holders ” means, at any time, the holders of a majority of the GM Preferred Membership Interests then outstanding.

Management Holders ” means the holders of units in Management Company.

Management Units ” means the class C membership interests issued by Management Company in one or more series. Each series of class C membership interests issued by Management Company shall be consecutively numbered, commencing with the class C-1 membership interests authorized by Management Company on November 30, 2006.

 

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Material Subsidiary ” means each Subsidiary listed on the Schedule of Material Subsidiaries and each other Subsidiary of the Company that from time to time may be designated as a Material Subsidiary by the Joint Majority Holders.

Member ” means GM Holdco, FIM, GM Preferred Holdco, Management Company, Blocker Sub, and each other Person who is hereafter admitted as a member of the Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Act. The Members shall constitute the “members” (as such term is defined in the Act) of the Company. Except as otherwise set forth herein or in the Act, the Members shall constitute a single class or group of members of the Company for all purposes of the Act and this Agreement.

Member Nonrecourse Debt ” means any Company liability to the extent such liability is nonrecourse for purposes of Section 1.1001-2 of the Treasury Regulations, and a Member (or related Person within the meaning of Section 1.752-4(b) of the Treasury Regulations) bears the economic risk of loss with respect to such liability under Section 1.752-2 of the Treasury Regulations.

Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.704-2(i)(2) of the Treasury Regulations for “partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain.”

Member Nonrecourse Deductions ” shall have the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i) for “partner nonrecourse deductions.”

Membership Interest ” means the class or classes of limited liability company interests of a Member in the Company, as set forth opposite such Member’s name on the Schedule of Members (which shall be kept and updated in the books and records of the Company from time to time), including such Member’s share of the Tax Book Profits and Tax Book Losses of the Company, and also the right of such Member to any and all of the benefits to which such Member may be entitled as provided in this Agreement and in the Act, together with the obligations of such Member to comply with all the provisions of this Agreement and of the Act. The Company may issue whole or fractional Membership Interests pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

Minority Holders ” means, at any time, (i) the Initial Class A Holders, if the Majority Initial Class B Holders have the right to elect a greater number of Managers than the Majority Initial Class A Holders pursuant to Section 8.3 , or (ii) the Initial Class B Holders, if the Majority Initial Class A Holders have the right to elect a greater number of Managers than the Majority Initial Class B Holders pursuant to Section 8.3 .

NAO Business ” means the business and operations as described in Section III of that certain Confidential Information Package regarding the Company, dated as of November 12, 2005 (as reproduced in Exhibit B ), including (i) the Company’s United States and Canadian auto finance operations as well as Nuvell, (ii) financial services and products provided to automotive dealerships and retail automotive consumers, including prime and non-prime retail and lease financing, wholesale/floorplan financing, dealer loans, servicing (including Semperian), and remarketing (including SmartAuction), and (iii) all employees, systems, property, equipment,

 

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intellectual property, and other tangible and intangible assets primarily related to the businesses described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, in each case, as such businesses and operations may be modified or further develop or evolve following November 30, 2006.

New Capital ” means securities or other investments qualifying as Tier 1 capital under the regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System issued or made after the Effective Date, including subordinated debt and trust preferred equity qualifying as Tier 1 capital so long as the maturity date (or earliest mandatory redemption or repurchase date) of such subordinated debt and trust preferred equity is no earlier than the date that is 6 months after the latest maturity date of any then outstanding New Guaranteed Notes.

New Capital Condition ” shall be satisfied as of any date, if on or prior to such date, the Company shall have received in the aggregate at least $1.25 billion of gross cash proceeds from the issuance of New Capital by the Company or its Subsidiaries, provided that if any New Capital is provided by an Affiliate of the Company, (i) the terms of such New Capital shall not be less favorable in the aggregate to the Company than those that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arm’s length basis from a person who is not an Affiliate of the Company and (ii) the Company shall obtain a customary fairness opinion from an independent accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing to the effect that (A) the terms of such New Capital are fair to the Company from a financial point of view or (B) the terms of such New Capital are not less favorable in the aggregate to the Company than those that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arm’s length basis from a Person who is not an Affiliate of the Company.

Nonrecourse Debt ” means any Company liability to the extent that no Member or related Person bears the economic risk of loss for such liability under Section 1.752-2 of the Treasury Regulations.

Nonrecourse Deductions ” shall have the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1).

Ordinary Course of Business ” means the ordinary course of the business of the Company (including the Predecessor) and its Subsidiaries.

Outstanding Securities ” means, with respect to any Person and at any time of determination, the aggregate number of common Equity Securities of such Person then issued and outstanding, determined on a fully diluted basis.

Parity Membership Interests ” means (x) the GM Preferred Membership Interests, (y) the Treasury Preferred and (z) any class or series of preferred membership interests established by the Company after the Effective Date, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank on a parity with the Class E Preferred Membership Interests, the GM Preferred Membership Interest and the Treasury Preferred as to distribution rights or rights upon liquidation, winding-up or dissolution.

 

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Permitted Additional Membership Interests ” means (i) Membership Interests issued and/or created and issued following the Effective Date that are junior to, or rank pari passu with, the Common Membership Interests with respect to distributions from Available Cash or upon a sale or liquidation of the Company and in connection with the issuance and/or creation and issuance thereof, the voting and approval rights of the holders of the Common Membership Interests are not amended, changed or terminated, or (ii) additional GM Preferred Membership Interests issued and/or created and issued following the Effective Date; provided that the GM Preferred Capital Amounts with respect to such additional Preferred Membership Interests shall not exceed $3 billion in the aggregate. For the avoidance of doubt, (x) the granting of approval rights to any holder of Permitted Additional Membership Interests and (y) any dilution resulting from the issuance of such Permitted Additional Membership Interests each shall not be deemed a change to the voting and approval rights of the Common Holders hereunder, except as otherwise provided by the terms of the Permitted Additional Membership Interests.

Permitted Liens ” means:

(i) Liens securing Indebtedness that (A) is not required to be approved or (B) has been approved, in either case, pursuant to the approval rights set forth herein;

(ii) Liens with respect to taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies not yet due and payable or actively contested in good faith;

(iii) deposits or pledges made in the Ordinary Course of Business in connection with, or to secure payment of, utilities or similar services, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other social security, governmental insurance and governmental benefits, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return of money bonds and similar obligations;

(iv) purchase money Liens in any property acquired by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the Ordinary Course of Business to the extent permitted by this Agreement;

(v) interests or title of a licensor, licensee, lessor or sublessor under any license or lease permitted by this Agreement;

(vi) Liens in respect of property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries imposed by Law which were incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business, such as warehousemen’s, mechanic’s, statutory landlord’s, materialmen’s, carriers’ or contractors’ liens or encumbrances or any similar Lien or restriction for amounts not yet due and payable; and

(viii) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar charges and encumbrances on real property and minor defects or irregularities in the title thereof that do not (A) secure obligations for the payment of money or (B) materially impair the value of such property or its use by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the Ordinary Course of Business.

 

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Person ” means any individual or Entity.

Project Agreements ” means those certain agreements between the Company and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the Members and their Affiliates, on the other hand, set forth on Exhibit C .

Public Offering ” means an underwritten sale to the public of the Company’s (or its successor’s) Equity Securities pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC on Form S-1 and after which the Company’s (or its successor’s) Equity Securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or are quoted on The NASDAQ Stock Market; provided that a Public Offering shall not include any issuance of Equity Securities in any merger or other business combination, and shall not include any registration of the issuance of Equity Securities to existing securityholders or employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries on Form S-4 or Form S-8.

Purchase Agreement ” means the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated April 2, 2006, among GM, GM Holdco, the Company and FIM.

Qualified Public Offering ” means one or a series of Public Offerings by the Issuer and/or one or more securityholders of the Issuer that results in at least twenty percent (20%) of the issued and outstanding common stock (or equivalent Equity Securities) of the Issuer at the time of such determination having been sold at such time or previously through a Public Offering or Public Offerings.

Rating Agencies ” means, collectively, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., (“S&P”), and Fitch Ratings, and, in each case, any successor.

Registration Rights Agreement ” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2006, by and among the Company, GM Holdco, FIM, Management Company and each of the other Persons from time to time party thereto.

Required Capital Amount ” means a minimum amount of equity capital of the Company sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, or other applicable banking regulations.

Restricted Payment ” means (i) any dividend payment or distribution of assets on any Junior Membership Interest, other than (A) distributions in the form of Junior Membership Interests and (B) tax distributions as provided in Section 5.1(e) , (ii) any redemption, purchase or other acquisition of any Junior Membership Interests, other than upon conversion or exchange for other Junior Membership Interests, or (iii) any payment of monies, or making monies available, for a sinking fund for such Junior Membership Interests.

 

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Restricted Payment Conditions ” means (i) the New Capital Condition shall have been satisfied, (ii) Blocker Sub shall have paid in full all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Blocker Preferred for all past dividend periods, (iii) the New Guaranteed Notes are rated Baa3 or greater by Moody’s and BBB- or greater by S&P or (in the event that Moody’s and S&P shall no longer maintain ratings on the New Guaranteed Notes) any equivalent rating by any other Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act), and (iv) the Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company since the Effective Date, is less than 25% of the excess of (a) cumulative consolidated net income (giving effect to any net loss incurred (A) on or after January 1, 2014 and (B) during such period) determined under GAAP (without retroactively eliminating the effect of any discontinued operations and excluding the cumulative effect of any changes in accounting policies and any gain or loss from the early extinguishment or exchange of outstanding debt on or after January 1, 2014) of the Company and its subsidiaries for the period (taken as one accounting period) from January 1, 2014 to the end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment, minus (b) to the extent not deducted in determining such net income, the amount of tax distributions made pursuant to Section 5.4(c)(i) in respect of periods commencing on or after January 1, 2014.

SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

Senior Executive Officers ” means, collectively, the Chief Executive Officer, the Presidents and the Chief Financial Officer.

Significant Joint Venture ” means each joint venture listed on the Schedule of Joint Ventures and each other joint venture of which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries holds Equity Securities and that from time to time may be designated as a Significant Joint Venture by the Joint Majority Holders.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which a majority of the voting interests is owned directly or indirectly by such Person.

Substituted Member ” means any Person that has been admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to Section 9.4 by virtue of such Person receiving all or a portion of a Membership Interest from a Member and not from the Company.

Targeted Residual Distribution ” means the distribution priority in respect of all Available Cash upon a Company Sale or dissolution of the Company pursuant to Article X:

 

  (i) first , to the Treasury Preferred Holders, the GM Preferred Holders and the Class E Preferred Holder the following amounts; provided, however, that if all Available Cash resulting from such Company Sale or dissolution is insufficient to pay in full such amounts owed with respect to the Treasury Preferred, the GM Preferred Membership Interests and the Class E Preferred Membership Interests, the Treasury Preferred Holders, the GM Preferred Holders and the Class E Preferred Holder shall share ratably in any distribution in proportion to the full amounts to which each is entitled:

 

  (A) to the Treasury Preferred Holders, ratably among such Treasury Preferred Holders in proportion to the then aggregate Treasury Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount with respect to the Treasury Preferred then held by each such Treasury Preferred Holder until the Treasury Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount in respect of all outstanding Treasury Preferred is equal to zero;

 

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  (B) to the GM Preferred Holders, ratably among such GM Preferred Holders in proportion to the then aggregate GM Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount with respect to the GM Preferred Membership Interests then held by each such Preferred Holder until the GM Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount in respect of all outstanding GM Preferred Membership Interests is equal to zero; and

 

  (C) to the Class E Preferred Holder, ratably in proportion to the then aggregate Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount with respect to the Class E Preferred Membership Interests then held by the Class E Preferred Holder until the Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount in respect of all outstanding Class E Preferred Membership Interests is equal to zero;

 

  (ii) second , to the Treasury Preferred Holders, the GM Preferred Holders and the Class E Preferred Holder, the following amounts; provided, however, that if all Available Cash resulting from such Company Sale or dissolution is insufficient to pay in full such amounts owed with respect to the Treasury Preferred, the GM Preferred Membership Interests and the Class E Preferred Membership Interests, the Treasury Preferred Holders, the GM Preferred Holders and the Class E Preferred Holder shall share ratably in any distribution in proportion to the full amounts to which each is entitled:

 

  (A) to the Treasury Preferred Holders, ratably in proportion to the unreturned Treasury Preferred Reference Amount with respect to the Treasury Preferred then held by such Treasury Preferred Holder until the unreturned Treasury Preferred Reference Amount of all outstanding Treasury Preferred is equal to zero;

 

  (B) to the GM Preferred Holders, ratably among such GM Preferred Holders in proportion to the then aggregate Unreturned GM Preferred Capital Amount with respect to the GM Preferred Membership Interests then held by each such GM Preferred Holder until the Unreturned Preferred Capital Amount in respect of all outstanding GM Preferred Membership Interests is equal to zero; and

 

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  (C) to the Class E Preferred Holder, ratably in proportion to the unreturned Class E Preferred Reference Amount with respect to the Class E Preferred Membership Interests then held by the Class E Preferred Holder until the Class E Preferred Reference Amount of all outstanding Class E Preferred Membership Interests is equal to zero;

 

  (iii) third , to the Common Holders, ratably among such Members based on the Company Interest of each such Member either (A) immediately prior to such Distribution or, if applicable, (B) on the record date set by the Board of Managers pursuant to Section 7.9 with respect to such Distribution until such Common Holders have received (taking into account all prior Distributions) a return of their Agreed Initial Value plus the Hurdle Rate, provided that for the purpose of computing whether or not the Agreed Initial Value and the Hurdle Rate has been received by the Common Holders, Distributions to the Common Holders to the extent of the Tax Amount shall be disregarded; and

 

  (iv) thereafter , to the Class C-1 Holders (with respect to the Class C Membership Interests that would not be forfeited as a result of such Company Sale under the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan) and Common Holders based on the Total Interest of each such Class C-1 Holder (with respect to its Class C Membership Interests that would not be forfeited as a result of such Company Sale under the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan) and Common Holders either (A) immediately prior to such Distribution or, if applicable, (B) on the record date set by the Board of Managers pursuant to Section 7.9 with respect to such Distribution.

Tax Amount ” means, for each year, the amount of federal, state and local income taxes (net of all tax credits) that would be payable by a New York City individual resident in respect of all income allocable to the Common Holders under this Agreement (as reported on the applicable Internal Revenue Service Form Schedule K-1) as determined by the Board of Managers in good faith, taking into account, for example, a net loss for such resident in a prior year to the extent it offsets income allocable in a current year.

Tax Book Profit ” and “ Tax Book Loss ” means, for each Fiscal Year, or other period, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such year or period, determined in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code; provided that for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Section 703(a)(1) of the Code shall be included in taxable income or loss, with the following adjustments:

(i) any income of the Company that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise taken in account in computing Tax Book Profit or Tax Book Loss pursuant to this provision shall be added to such taxable income or loss;

 

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(ii) any expenditures of the Company described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code or treated as Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) (i) of the Treasury Regulations, and not otherwise taken into account in computing Tax Book Profit or Tax Book Loss pursuant to this provision, shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss;

(iii) gain or loss resulting from any disposition of any asset of the Company with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Tax Book Value of the asset disposed of as determined under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv), notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such asset may differ from such Tax Book Value;

(iv) in lieu of depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken in account Depreciation for such Fiscal Year, computed as provided in this Agreement; and

(vi) in the event the Tax Book Value of any Company asset is adjusted to reflect the Fair Market Value of such asset in accordance with the last sentence of the definition of “Tax Book Value,” the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such asset for purposes of computing Tax Book Profit or Tax Book Loss.

If the Company’s taxable income or loss for such Fiscal Year, as adjusted in the manner provided above, is a positive amount, such amount shall be the Company’s Tax Book Profit for such Fiscal Year, and, if a negative amount, such amount shall be the Company’s Tax Book Loss for such Fiscal Year. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this definition of Tax Book Profit and Tax Book Loss, any gross items specially allocated pursuant to Article VI shall not be taken into account in computing Tax Book Profit and Tax Book Loss.

Tax Book Value ” of an asset means, as of any particular date, the value at which the asset is properly reflected on the books and records of the Company as of such date in accordance with Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) of the Treasury Regulations as follows:

(i) The initial Tax Book Value of each asset shall be its cost, unless such asset was contributed to the Company by a Member, in which case the initial Tax Book Value shall be the Fair Market Value for such asset as reasonably determined by the Board of Managers, and, in each case, such Tax Book Value shall thereafter be adjusted for Depreciation with respect to such asset rather than for the cost recovery deductions to which Company is entitled for federal income tax purposes with respect thereto.

 

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(ii) The Tax Book Values of all Company assets shall be adjusted to equal their respective Fair Market Values, as reasonably determined by the Board of Managers, as of the following times (it being understood that the Tax Book Values of all Company assets shall be so adjusted as of the date of issuance of the Treasury Preferred and as of the Effective Date):

(A) the acquisition of an additional interest in the Company by any new or existing Member in exchange for more than a de minimis additional Capital Contribution or, as provided in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f)(5)(iii), in exchange for services;

(B) the Distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of the Company assets, including money, if, as a result of such Distribution, such Member’s interest in the Company is reduced;

(C) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g); and

(D) at any other time, as permitted by the Treasury Regulations, at the discretion of the Board of Managers.

Total Interest ” means, with respect to a particular Member at any time, the quotient expressed as a percentage obtained by dividing (i) the number of Common Membership Interests or Class C Membership Interests, as the case may be, held by such Member at such time, by (ii) the number of Common Membership Interests and Class C Membership Interests, in the aggregate, held by all Members at such time.

Transaction Documents ” means the agreements and other documents set forth on Exhibit D .

Transfer ” means any sale, transfer, assignment (other than a contingent assignment for the benefit of creditors), exchange, or other disposition of an interest (whether with or without consideration, whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by operation of Law). The terms “ Transferee ,” “ Transferor ,” “ Transferred ,” and other forms of the word “Transfer” shall have the correlative meanings.

Treasury Distribution Rate ” means (i) with respect to the Class D-1 Preferred Membership Interest, the Applicable Distribution Rate (as defined in Amendment No. 6) and (ii) with respect to the Class D-2 Preferred Membership Interest, a per annum rate of 9.0%, in each case as determined in accordance with the applicable Treasury Preferred Amendment.

Treasury Preferred ” means the Class D-1 Preferred Membership Interests and Class D-2 Preferred Membership Interests. Where appropriate, the provisions of this Agreement shall apply separately to the Class D-1 Preferred Membership Interests and Class D-2 Preferred Membership Interests.

 

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Treasury Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount ” means an amount accruing on the Treasury Preferred Reference Amount at the applicable Treasury Distribution Rate, from time to time, from either (i) the most recent Treasury Preferred Distribution Payment Date on which the then-current Treasury Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount was paid in full, or (ii) if no Treasury Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount has previously been paid, the date of issuance of the applicable series of Treasury Preferred, whether or not in any distribution period or periods there have been funds legally available for the payment of such distribution, provided that if an amount or amounts less than the full amount of the Treasury Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount is paid on any Treasury Preferred Distribution Payment Date or Dates, such amount or amounts shall be deducted from the Treasury Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount. The Treasury Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount payable on any Treasury Preferred Distribution Payment Date shall include any and all Treasury Preferred Accrued Distribution Amounts payable in respect of a prior distribution period or periods but not declared by the Board of Managers, provided that the Treasury Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount shall compound on any Treasury Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount not paid in a prior distribution period or periods. For purposes of the Treasury Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount, a “distribution period” shall refer to a period commencing on and including a Treasury Preferred Distribution Payment Date (or, in the case of a distribution period ending on the day immediately preceding the first Treasury Preferred Distribution Payment Date following issuance of the applicable series of Treasury Preferred, commencing on and including such date of issuance), and ending on and including the day immediately preceding the next succeeding Treasury Preferred Distribution Payment Date.

Treasury Preferred Distribution Payment Date ” means February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing with the first such date following the Effective Date.

Treasury Preferred Reference Amount ” means, the product of (i) $1,000 multiplied by (ii) the number of units of Treasury Preferred outstanding at such time. At the Effective Date, the Treasury Preferred Reference Amount shall equal $5,250,000,000.

Treasury Preferred Holder ” means holders of Class D-1 Preferred Membership Interests and/or Class D-2 Preferred Membership Interests.

Treasury Regulations ” means the regulations, including temporary regulations, promulgated by the United States Treasury Department under the Code.

Unreturned GM Preferred Capital Amount ” means, for any GM Preferred Membership Interest, as of any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the GM Preferred Capital Amount of such GM Preferred Membership Interest, over (ii) the aggregate amount of Distributions made by the Company prior to such time with respect to such GM Preferred Membership Interest under, or in respect of, Section 5.2 . The Unreturned GM Preferred Capital Amount shall be considered the “reference amount” for any GM Preferred Membership Interest.

1940 Act ” means the United States Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

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Section 1.2 Cross-References . In addition to the terms set forth in Section 1.1 , the following terms are defined in the text of this Agreement in the locations specified below:

 

Term

  

Cross-Reference

Acceptance/Rejection Notice    Section 9.2(c)
Accepted Offer    Section 9.2(d)
Accepting Offering Members    Section 9.2(d)
Agents    Section 13.1
Audit Committee    Section 8.13(d)
Blocker Corp Interests    Section 12.7(a)
Blocker Preferred    Recitals
Blocker Sub    Preamble
Board of Managers    Section 8.1
Capital Account    Section 3.5
Capmark    Section 12.8
Chairman    Section 8.3(a)(v)
Chief Executive Officer    Section 8.15(c)(i)
Chief Financial Officer    Section 8.15(c)(iii)
Class A Managers    Section 8.3(a)(i)
Class B Managers    Section 8.3(a)(ii)
Class C-1 Membership Interests    Section 3.1(a)
Class E Preferred Redemption Date    Section 12.6(a)
Class E Preferred Redemption Notice    Section 12.6(a))
Class E Preferred Redemption Value    Section 12.6(a)
Co-Sale Member    Section 9.2(f))

 

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Term

  

Cross-Reference

Co-Sale Offer    Section 9.2(b)
Company    Preamble
Compensation Committee    Section 8.13(e)
Credit Downgrade    Section 5.3
Direct Conflict    Section 8.7
Distributable Amount    Section 5.1(b)
Effective Date    Preamble
Exchange Offer    Recitals
Exempt Transfer    Section 9.1
FIM    Preamble
GM    Recitals
GM Control Assignee    Definition of “Initial Class B Holders”
GM Holdco    Preamble
GM Preferred Holdco    Preamble
GM Preferred Redemption Date    Section 12.5(b)
GM Preferred Redemption Notice    Section 12.5(b)
GM Preferred Redemption Value    Section 12.5(b)
Hurdle Rate    Section 5.1(d)(i)
Managers    Section 8.1
Moody's    Definition of “Rating Agencies”
New Guaranteed Notes    Recitals
Newco    Section 12.7(a)
Offer    Section 9.2(b)

 

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Term

  

Cross-Reference

Offering Members    Section 9.2(b)
Offered Membership Interests    Section 9.2(a)
Officers    Section 8.15(a)
Original Agreement    Recitals
Pass-through Entity    Section 9.6(d)
Predecessor    Recitals
Preemptive Holder    Section 12.3(a)
Preemptive Offer    Section 12.3(a)
Preemptive Offer Period    Section 12.3(a)
Preemptive Reoffer Period    Section 12.3(c)
Preemptive Securities    Section 12.3(a)
Preemptive Share    Section 12.3(b)
President    Section 8.15(c)(ii)(A)
President, Auto Finance    Section 8.15(c)(ii)(B)
Pro Rata Share    Section 9.2(f)
Proceeding    Section 11.1(a)
Purchasing Holder    Section 12.3(f)
Regulatory Allocations    Section 6.15
ResCap    Section 12.8
S&P    Definition of “Rating Agencies”
Sale Notice    Section 9.2(a)
Secretary    Section 8.15(c)(iv)
Subinterest    Section 12.8

 

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Term

  

Cross-Reference

Tax Distributions    Section 5.1(e)(ii)
Tax Matters Member    Section 4.4
Ten Percent Holders    Section 9.2(b)
Transferring Holder    Section 9.2(a)
Voting Power    Section 7.7(a)

Section 1.3 Interpretative Matters . In this Agreement, unless otherwise specified or where the context otherwise requires:

(a) the headings of particular provisions of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not be construed as a part of this Agreement or serve as a limitation or expansion on the scope of any term or provision of this Agreement;

(b) words importing any gender shall include other genders;

(c) words importing the singular only shall include the plural and vice versa;

(d) the words “include,” “includes” or “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(e) the words “hereof,” “herein” and “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement;

(f) references to “Articles,” “Exhibits,” “Sections” or “Schedules” shall be to Articles, Exhibits, Sections or Schedules of or to this Agreement;

(g) references to any Person include the heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns of such Person where the context so permits;

(h) the use of the words “or,” “either” and “any” shall not be exclusive;

(i) wherever a conflict exists between this Agreement and any other agreement, this Agreement shall control but solely to the extent of such conflict;

(j) references to “$” mean the lawful currency of the United States of America;

 

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(k) references to any agreement, contract, guideline, exhibit or schedule, unless otherwise stated, are to such agreement, contract, guideline, exhibit or schedule as amended, amended and restated, replaced, substituted, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof;

(l) references to any Law or a particular provision of any Law, unless otherwise stated, are to such Law and any successor Law or to such provision of Law and the corresponding provision in any successor Law, as applicable; and

(m) references in this Agreement to redemptions shall not be deemed to include actions taken upon a liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company, and a reference to any of a dissolution, liquidation or winding—up of the Company shall refer to each such transaction.

Section 1.4 Expert Determination of Fair Market Value . If the Majority Minority Holders disagree with the Fair Market Value determined pursuant to clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the definition of “Fair Market Value,” then the Majority Minority Holders shall have twenty calendar days following the date of the Board of Managers’ valuation to make a written request to the Independent Managers requiring the Independent Managers to engage, on behalf of the Company, an investment bank of national reputation to determine such Fair Market Value. In the event that the Minority Holders collectively hold less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the Common Membership Interests at the time of such request, then the Majority Minority Holders shall include in such request their determination of the Fair Market Value. The investment bank engaged by the Company shall determine the Fair Market Value based on the factors referenced in clause (i) of the definition of “Fair Market Value” and otherwise taking into consideration such factors as it deems relevant. The fees, costs and expenses of such investment bank shall be paid, (i) if the Minority Holders collectively hold twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the Common Membership Interests at the time of such request of the Majority Minority Holders to engage an investment bank, by the Company, or (ii) if the Minority Holders collectively hold less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the Common Membership Interests at the time of such request of the Majority Minority Holders to engage an investment bank, either (A) by the Company if the investment bank’s determination of the Fair Market Value is closer to the Fair Market Value determined by the Majority Minority Holders or (B) by the Majority Minority Holders ( pro rata based upon their relative Percentage Interests), if the investment bank’s determination of the Fair Market Value is closer to the Fair Market Value determined by the Board of Managers.

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS; GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 2.1 Formation .

(a) The Company was converted to a limited liability company under the Act by the filing of a certificate of conversion and the Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 20, 2006. The Members agree to continue the Company as a limited liability company under the Act, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set

 

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forth in this Agreement. Effective as of November 30, 2006, GM shall be deemed to have withdrawn as a Member of the Company and shall have no further rights or obligations hereunder in its capacity as a Member of the Company, other than its indemnification right pursuant to Article XI .

(b) The rights, duties and liabilities of the Members shall be as provided in the Act, except as otherwise provided herein. To the extent that the rights, powers, duties, obligations and liabilities of any Members are different by reason of any provision of this Agreement than they would be in the absence of such provision, this Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by the Act, control.

Section 2.2 Name; Office; Registered Agent .

(a) The name of the Company is GMAC LLC. Subject to Section 8.9(e) , the Board of Managers may change the name of the Company at any time and from time to time. Prompt notification of any such change shall be given to all Members. The Company may conduct business under its name, the name “GMAC” pursuant to the License Agreement, or, subject to the terms of the License Agreement, one or more assumed names approved by the Board of Managers from time to time. The Company shall continue to use the trade name and trademark “GMAC” in connection with GM-directed automotive consumer and dealer finance incentive, and other promotional programs involving GM products for which GM compensates GMAC, except as provided for in the License Agreement or as otherwise may be agreed by the Company and the Joint Majority Holders; provided that such requirement shall terminate at such time as the GM Control Assignee constitutes the Majority Initial Class B Holder. Except as provided for in the License Agreement, the Company may not use any names, trade names, service marks or logos of any Member or any of its Affiliates without the prior written consent of such Member or Affiliate.

(b) The Company’s principal office shall be located at 200 Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan 48265-2000, or such other location in the United States of America as the Board of Managers shall designate from time to time in the manner provided by Law, which need not be in the State of Delaware, and the Company shall maintain records at such place. The Company may maintain offices at such other place or places as the Board of Managers deems advisable. Prompt notice of any change in the principal office shall be given to all Members. The Company’s initial registered agent in the State of Delaware for the service of process is as identified in the Certificate of Formation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Board of Managers may from time to time change the registered agent, and any such change shall be reflected in appropriate filings with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

Section 2.3 Purposes; Powers .

(a) The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be organized under the Act. The Company may engage in any and all activities necessary, desirable or incidental to the accomplishment of the foregoing. Notwithstanding anything herein to the

 

29


contrary, nothing set forth herein shall be construed as authorizing the Company to possess any purpose or power, or to do any act or thing, forbidden by Law to a limited liability company organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware.

(b) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement and except as prohibited by Law, (i) the Company may, with the approval of the Board of Managers, enter into, deliver and perform any and all agreements, consents, deeds, contracts, proxies, covenants, bonds, checks, drafts, bills of exchange, notes, acceptances and endorsements, and all evidences of indebtedness and other documents, instruments or writings of any nature whatsoever, all without any further act, vote or approval of any Member, and (ii) the Board of Managers may, pursuant to Section 8.14 , authorize (including by general delegated authority) any Person (including any Member, Manager or Officer) to enter into, deliver and perform on behalf of the Company any and all agreements, consents, deeds, contracts, proxies, covenants, bonds, checks, drafts, bills of exchange, notes, acceptances and endorsements, and all evidences of indebtedness and other documents, instruments or writings of any nature whatsoever.

(c) Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company shall do all things necessary to maintain its existence separate and apart from each Member and any Affiliate of any Member, including holding regular meetings of the Board of Managers and maintaining its books and records on a current basis separate from that of any Affiliate of the Company or any other Person.

Section 2.4 Duration . The period of the Company’s duration commenced on the commencement of the existence of the Predecessor and shall continue in full force and effect in perpetuity; provided that Company may be dissolved and wound up in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Act.

Section 2.5 No State Law Partnership . The Members intend that the Company shall not be a partnership (including a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Member, Manager or Officer shall be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member, Manager or Officer by virtue of this Agreement, for any purposes other than as is set forth in the penultimate sentence of Section 2.7 , and this Agreement shall not be construed to the contrary.

Section 2.6 Filings; Qualification in Other Jurisdictions . The Company shall prepare, following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any documents required to be filed or, in the Board of Managers’ view, appropriate for filing under the Act, and the Company shall cause each such document to be filed in accordance with the Act, and, to the extent required by Law, to be filed and recorded, and/or notice thereof to be published, in the appropriate place in each jurisdiction in which the Company may have established, or after the Effective Date may establish, a place of business. The Board of Managers may cause the Company to be qualified, formed or registered under assumed or fictitious name statutes or similar Laws in any jurisdiction in which the Company transacts business where the Company is not currently so qualified, formed or registered. Any Manager or Officer, acting individually as an authorized person within the meaning of the Act, shall execute, deliver and file any such documents (and any amendments and/or restatements thereof) necessary for the Company to accomplish the foregoing. The Board of Managers may appoint any other authorized persons to execute, deliver and file any such documents.

 

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Section 2.7 United States Income Tax Classification . Pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3, the Company, an eligible entity with at least two members, has taken all necessary actions to be classified as a partnership for federal and, if applicable, state and local income tax purposes. In addition, certain Subsidiaries of the Company are eligible entities with one or more members which currently are classified as disregarded entities or partnerships for federal and, if applicable, state and local income tax purposes. Without the prior written consent of the Joint Majority Holders, (a) no Member or Manager shall elect or authorize any Person to elect to treat the Company or any such Subsidiary as anything other than a partnership or disregarded entity (as appropriate) for federal and, if applicable, state and local income tax purposes, and (b) the Company shall take such actions as may be reasonably necessary to operate its domestic businesses through entities which will be classified as disregarded entities or partnerships for federal and, if applicable, state and local income tax purposes, except as otherwise may be required by Law. Each Member and the Company shall file all tax returns and shall otherwise take all tax and financial reporting positions in a manner consistent with such classification.

ARTICLE III

CAPITALIZATION; MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS

Section 3.1 Membership Interests; Capitalization; Capital Accounts .

(a) The Company shall have six authorized classes of Membership Interests, consisting of 137,680 Class A Membership Interests and 132,280 Class B Membership Interests, which shall have equal rights and preferences in the assets of the Company, 8,330 Class C Membership Interests, which shall be “profits interests” and not “capital interests” as such terms are defined in Revenue Procedure 93-27, 1993-2 C.B. 343, which may be issued in one or more series and which shall be issued in the same amount and same series as the Management Units issued by Management Company, 1,021,764 GM Preferred Membership Interests, 5,000,000 Class D-1 Preferred Membership Interests, 250,000 Class D-2 Preferred Membership Interests and 2,576,601 Class E Preferred Membership Interests. The Company has authorized for issuance a single series of Class C Membership Interests consisting of 4,799 Class C series C-1 Membership Interests (the “ Class C-1 Membership Interests ”). A Membership Interest shall for all purposes be personal property. For purposes of this Agreement, except for the Class E Preferred Membership Interests held by Blocker Sub, Membership Interests held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed not to be outstanding. The Company may issue fractional Membership Interests pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and all Membership Interests shall be rounded to the fourth decimal place.

(b) Without limiting the generality of Section 3.1(a) above, from time to time after the Effective Date, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) in the event that any of the Management Units issued by Management Company are forfeited under the Equity Incentive Plan, then Management Company shall forfeit the same number and series of Class C Membership Interests to the Company, and (ii) in the event that Management

 

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Company elects to exercise its rights or is required under the Equity Incentive Plan to repurchase Management Units from a Management Holder, the Company will promptly redeem for cash an equal number of Class C Membership Interests held by Management Company at a redemption price equal to the repurchase price payable by Management Company for such Management Units pursuant to the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan. Class C Membership Interests which are forfeited will be deemed cancelled and not outstanding but may be reissued in a different series. Class C Membership Interests which are redeemed will be deemed cancelled and not outstanding and shall not be reissued.

(c) Upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the existing Schedule of Members shall be updated as set forth on the Schedule of Members attached hereto, with effect as of the Effective Date. Following the Effective Date, the Company shall update the Schedule of Members to reflect any changes in the Members, the Membership Interests and the Company Interests of the Members in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The initial Capital Account balance of each of FIM, GM Holdco, GM Preferred Holdco, the Class E Preferred Holder and the Treasury Preferred Holder (as of the Effective Date) shall be reflected in the Company books and records. The initial Capital Account balance of Management Company was equal to zero.

Section 3.2 Authorization and Issuance of Additional Membership Interests .

(a) The Board of Managers shall have the right to cause the Company to issue and/or create and issue at any time after the Effective Date, and for such amount and form of consideration as the Board of Managers may determine, subject to the provisions of Section 7.10(a)(ii) , Section 7.10(a)(v) and Section 12.3 , (i) Permitted Additional Membership Interests, (ii) additional GM Preferred Membership Interests to be issued to the Initial Class A Holders pursuant to Section 5.1(d) , and (iii) also subject to Section 7.10(a)(viii) , Section 7.11(a) and Section 7.12(a) , (A) other additional Membership Interests (of existing classes or new classes) or other Equity Securities of the Company (including creating additional classes or series thereof having such powers, designations, preferences and rights as may be determined by the Board of Managers) and (B) Class C Membership Interests, in one or more series. In connection with the foregoing, the Board of Managers shall have the power to make such amendments to this Agreement in order to provide for such Permitted Additional Membership Interests, GM Preferred Membership Interests or additional series of Class C Membership Interests (provided, that the aggregate Class C Membership Interests shall not exceed 6,970) or, subject to Section 7.10(a)(viii) , Section 7.11(a) and Section 7.12(a) , other additional Membership Interests, and such powers, designations and preferences and rights as the Board of Managers in its discretion deems necessary or appropriate to give effect to such additional authorization or issuance notwithstanding Section 14.1 ; provided that any such amendment shall not reasonably be expected to have a material and adverse effect on any Member, in its capacity as such, that would be borne disproportionately by such Member relative to other Members having comparable rights under this Agreement with respect to the Membership Interests held by such Member and other Members prior to such amendment (unless such Member consents in writing thereto); provided further that any such amendment shall not have the effect of treating any Member’s right to receive distributions pursuant to Article V or Article X differently with

 

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respect to such distributions than other Members that are entitled to receive distributions pursuant to the same provision of Article V or Article X with respect to the Membership Interests held by such Member and other Members prior to such amendment, whether or not of the same class of Membership Interests (unless the holders of a majority of the Membership Interests so differently treated consent in writing thereto).

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 7.10(a)(ii) , Section 7.10(a)(v) , Section 7.10(a)(viii) (other than an additional Member acquiring Permitted Additional Membership Interests) and Section 12.3 , the Board of Managers shall have the right to admit Additional Members. A Person may be admitted to the Company as an Additional Member upon furnishing to the Board of Managers (i) a joinder agreement pursuant to which such Person agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Call Option, and (ii) such other documents or instruments as may be necessary or appropriate to effect such Person’s admission as a Member (including entering into an investor representation agreement or such other documents as the Board of Managers may deem appropriate), which joinder agreement, documents and instruments shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Managers. Such admission shall become effective on the date on which the Board of Managers determines that the foregoing conditions have been satisfied and when any such admission is shown on the books and records of the Company. Upon the admission of an Additional Member, the Schedule of Members shall be amended to reflect the name, notice address, Membership Interests and other interests in the Company. Such Member’s Capital Contributions and initial Capital Account are reflected in the Company’s books and records.

Section 3.3 Application of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code . Each Membership Interest shall constitute a “security” within the meaning of and shall be governed by (a) Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (including Section 8-102(a)(15) thereof) as in effect from time to time in the State of Delaware, and (b) the Uniform Commercial Code of any other applicable jurisdiction that now or hereafter substantially includes the 1994 revisions to Article 8 thereof as adopted by the American Law Institute and the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and approved by the American Bar Association on February 14, 1995.

Section 3.4 Certification of Membership Interests . Membership Interests shall be issued in non-certificated form; provided that the Board of Managers may cause the Company to issue certificates to a Member representing the Membership Interests held by such Member. If any Membership Interest certificate is issued, then such certificate shall bear a legend substantially in the following form:

This certificate evidences a [Insert specific title of class of Membership Interests] representing an interest in GMAC LLC and shall constitute a “security” within the meaning of and shall be governed by (i) Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (including Section 8-102(a)(15) thereof) as in effect from time to time in the State of Delaware, and (ii) the Uniform Commercial Code of any other applicable jurisdiction that now or hereafter substantially includes the 1994 revisions to Article 8 thereof as

 

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adopted by the American Law Institute and the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and approved by the American Bar Association on February 14, 1995.

The Membership Interest in GMAC LLC represented by this certificate is subject to restrictions on transfer set forth in that certain Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of GMAC LLC, dated as of December 31, 2008, by and among the members from time to time party thereto, as the same may be amended from time to time.

The Membership Interest in GMAC LLC represented by this certificate has not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under any other applicable securities laws. Such Membership Interest may not be sold, assigned, pledged or otherwise disposed of at any time without effective registration under such Act and laws or, in each case, exemption therefrom.

Section 3.5 Capital Accounts . The Company shall maintain a separate capital account (a “ Capital Account ”) for each Member in accordance with Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) of the Treasury Regulations. Subject to the foregoing:

(a) each Member’s Capital Account shall be increased by the amount of cash and the Fair Market Value of the property actually contributed to the Company, such Member’s allocable share, if any, of any Tax Book Profits or items of income or gain of the Company, and the amount of any Company liabilities for which principal responsibility for payment is assumed by such Member or which are secured by any property distributed to such Member;

(b) each Member’s Capital Account shall be decreased by the amount of cash and the Fair Market Value of any Company property distributed to the Member pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, such Member’s allocable share, if any, of any Tax Book Losses or items of deduction or loss of the Company, and the amount of any liabilities of such Member for which principal responsibility for payment is assumed by the Company or which are secured by any property contributed by such Member to the Company;

(c) any transactions that occur or that are deemed to occur as a result of Section 3.3 or Section 3.4 of the Purchase Agreement shall not affect the balance in any Member’s Capital Account; provided , however , that the preceding provision shall not apply with respect to any interest paid pursuant to Section 3.4(g) of the Purchase Agreement;

(d) the provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) of the Treasury Regulations, and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Treasury Regulations;

 

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(e) no interest shall be paid by the Company on Capital Contributions or on balances in Capital Accounts;

(f) a Member shall not be entitled to withdraw any part of its Capital Account or to receive any Distributions from the Company, except as expressly provided herein;

(g) no loan made to the Company by any Member shall constitute a Capital Contribution to the Company for any purpose. The amount of any loan shall be a debt of the Company to such Member and shall be payable or collectible in accordance with the terms and conditions upon which such loan is made;

(h) except as required by the Act, no Member shall have any liability for the return of the Capital Contributions of any other Member;

(i) as of the Effective Date, the initial Capital Account balance of the Class E Preferred Holder shall be the fair market value of the Blocker Preferred as determined in good faith by the Class E Preferred Holder and furnished to the Company and the Company shall inform a holder of Blocker Preferred of such amount within a reasonable period after such a holder’s request; and

(j) as of the Effective Date, the Capital Account balances of the Common Membership Interests shall be “booked up” or “booked down” to reflect their current market values, as determined in good faith by the Company.

Section 3.6 Time of Adjustment for Capital Contributions . For purposes of computing the balance of a Member’s Capital Account, no credit shall be given for any Capital Contribution which such Member is obligated to make until such Capital Contribution is actually made.

Section 3.7 No Right of Partition . All property of the Company, whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Company as an entity. No Member shall have any interest in specific Company property solely by reason of being a Member. Except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement, any other Transaction Document or any other written agreement between the Company and any Member, no Member shall (a) have the right to seek or obtain partition by court decree or operation of Law of any property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) have the right to own or use particular or individual assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (c) be entitled to distributions of specific assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Section 3.8 Additional Capital Contributions and Financing . No Member shall be required to make any additional Capital Contribution to the Company in respect of the Membership Interests then held by such Member or to provide any additional financing to the Company; provided that a Member may make, in its sole discretion, additional Capital Contributions or provide additional financing to the Company if approved by the Board of Managers in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement (including any approval rights applicable thereto). The provisions of this Section 3.8 are intended solely for the benefit of the

 

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Members in their capacity as Members, and, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, shall not be construed as conferring any benefit upon any creditor (including a Member in its capacity as a creditor) of the Company (and no such creditor shall be a third party beneficiary of this Agreement), and no Member shall have any duty or obligation to any creditor of the Company to make any additional Capital Contributions or to provide any additional financing or to cause the Board of Managers or any other Member to consent to the making of additional Capital Contributions or to the provision of additional financing.

ARTICLE IV

SCHEDULE OF MEMBERS; BOOKS AND RECORDS; AFFIRMATIVE

COVENANTS

Section 4.1 Schedule of Members . The Company shall maintain and keep at its principal office the Schedule of Members on which it shall set forth the name and notice address of each Member, the aggregate number of Membership Interests of each class and the aggregate amount of cash Capital Contributions that have been made by such Member at any time, and the Fair Market Value of any property other than cash contributed by such Member with respect to the Membership Interests (including, if applicable, a description and the amount of any liability assumed by the Company or to which contributed property is subject).

Section 4.2 Books and Records; Other Documents .

(a) The Company shall keep, or cause to be kept, (i) complete and accurate books and records of account of the Company, (ii) minutes of the proceedings of meetings of the Common Holders, any class of Members, the Board of Managers and any committee of the Board of Managers (including the Compensation Committee), and (iii) a current list of the Managers and Officers and their notice addresses. Any of the foregoing books, minutes or records may be in written form or in any other form capable of being accurately and completely converted into written form within a reasonable time. The books of the Company (other than books required to maintain Capital Accounts) shall be kept on the accrual basis of accounting, and otherwise in accordance with GAAP, and shall at all times be maintained or made available at the principal office of the Company. The Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, (A) make and keep financial records in reasonable detail that accurately and fairly reflect all financial transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries and (B) maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (1) transactions are executed in accordance with authorization by the Person in charge and are recorded so as to provide proper financial statements and maintain accountability for assets and (2) safeguards are established to prevent unauthorized persons from having access to the assets, including the performance of periodic physical inventories.

(b) At all times the Company shall maintain at its principal office a current list of the name and notice address of each Member, a copy of the Certificate of Formation, including any amendments thereto, copies of this Agreement and all amendments hereto, and all other records required to be maintained pursuant to the Act.

 

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(c) The Company also shall maintain at all times, at its principal office, copies of the Company’s federal, state, local and foreign income tax returns and reports, if any, and all financial statements of the Company for all years ending after the Effective Date; provided , however , the Company shall not be required to maintain copies of income tax returns and reports, if any, and any financial statements of the Company for any year which each Member has notified Company in writing that such Member’s tax year has been closed.

Section 4.3 Reports and Audits .

(a) Promptly upon request, the Company shall, at the cost and expense of the Company, furnish, or cause to be furnished, to each Member holding in excess of ten percent (10%) of the Common Membership Interests such information relating to the financial condition, operations of the Company or any other aspect of the Company or its business in possession of the Company as any such Member may from time to time reasonably request, excluding access to information that is privileged or that is subject to restrictions of Law on such access.

(b) Each Member holding in excess of ten percent (10%) of the Common Membership Interests shall have the right, at all reasonable times and upon reasonable notice during normal business hours, and at its own expense, so long as such access does not unreasonably interfere with the normal operation of the Company, to examine and make copies of or extracts from the books of account of the Company or any other Company record for any purpose reasonably related to such Member’s interest as a Member of the Company, including to satisfy any reporting obligations of such Member under the Exchange Act, and for federal, state, local or foreign income or franchise tax purposes. For so long as the Initial Class A Holders collectively, and/or the Initial Class B Holders collectively, as applicable, hold at least twenty percent (20%) of the Common Membership Interests, such Initial Class A Holders ands/or Initial Class B Holders, as applicable, shall have the right, at all reasonable times and upon reasonable notice during normal business hours and at their own expense, so long as such access does not unreasonably interfere with the normal operation of the Company, to conduct an audit of the accounting, financial, disclosure and internal controls of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Such audit right may be exercised through any designated agent or employee of such Initial Class A Holders and/or Initial Class B Holders, as applicable, or their respective Affiliates. The parties agree that such audit is not intended to duplicate in its entirety the audit conducted by the Independent Auditor. The Company and the Member conducting such review or audit shall each bear its own cost of involvement in such review or audit.

(c) Any information provided to any Member pursuant to this Section 4.3 shall be subject to the provisions of Article XIII .

Section 4.4 Tax Matters Member; Filing of Returns .

(a) Pursuant to Section 6231(a) of the Code, or any subsequent similar provision, until changed by a resolution of the Members, FIM is hereby designated as the Company’s “tax matters partner” within the meaning of Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code (the “ Tax Matters Member ”) and shall have the following rights and responsibilities:

(i) Subject to the provisions of this Section 4.4 , the Tax Matters Member shall be entitled to take any action or decline to take any action with respect to taxes, all as required by Law.

 

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(ii) The Tax Matters Member shall take such action as may be necessary to cause each of the other Members to become a “notice partner” within the meaning of Section 6231(a)(8) of the Code.

(iii) The Tax Matters Member is authorized to represent the Company before the IRS and any other Governmental Entity with jurisdiction, and to sign such consents and to enter into settlements and other agreements with such agencies as the Board of Managers deems necessary or advisable.

(iv) The Tax Matters Member shall promptly inform the Joint Majority Holders of all significant matters that may come to its attention in its capacity as the Tax Matters Member and shall forward to the Joint Majority Holders copies of all significant written communications it may receive or submit in such capacity, including any written adjustment by any taxing authority which would affect such Members’ liability for taxes. The Tax Matters Member agrees to consult with the Joint Majority Holders in good faith with respect to any written notice of any inquiries, claims, assessments, audits, controversies or similar events received from any taxing authority, and the Tax Matters Member will not settle or otherwise compromise any material tax issue with respect to the Company without the prior written consent of the Joint Majority Holders, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

(b) At the direction of the Tax Matters Member, the Company shall prepare or cause to be prepared the United States federal, state, local, foreign and any other required tax returns of the Company and shall file or cause to be filed such returns on a timely basis, which returns may have been reviewed by the Independent Auditor.

(c) The Company shall transmit copies of the United States federal tax returns referenced in Section 4.4(b) to the Joint Majority Holders on or before the earliest of (i) July 2, (ii) forty-five calendar days before the due date of each such return, and (iii) such date as is reasonably requested by the Joint Majority Holders. The Company shall not cause any such tax return to be filed unless the Joint Majority Holders have consented to its filing (with a failure to respond within thirty calendar days after receipt being deemed consent); provided , however , that, if the Joint Majority Holders do not consent to the filing of any tax return at least fifteen calendar days before the due date, then the Company (A) shall promptly notify the Joint Majority Holders of the disputed issues; and (B) may file such return after making a good faith effort to incorporate in such return any comments previously received from the Joint Majority Holders.

(d) To the extent appropriate, the Joint Majority Holders shall be consulted in connection with the preparation and filing of tax returns contemplated by this Section 4.4 .

(e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 4.4 , the Company shall not take any position on any return for which it does not have substantial authority under

 

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relevant tax Law. At the request of the Majority Class A Holders or the Majority Class B Holders, as applicable, the Company shall provide, with respect to any proposed return position, such requesting party with the opinion of a nationally recognized law or accounting firm reasonably acceptable to the Board of Managers stating that such position has substantial authority in relevant tax Law. The fees and costs of such law or accounting firm shall be borne by the Company.

(f) The provisions of this Section 4.4 shall survive the termination of the Company or any Member’s interest in the Company and shall remain binding on the Members for as long as necessary to resolve any and all matters regarding the federal income taxation of the Company or the Members with respect to the Company.

(g) Promptly following the written request of the Tax Matters Member, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, reimburse and indemnify the Tax Matters Member for all reasonable expenses, including reasonable legal and accounting fees, incurred in connection with any administrative or judicial proceeding with respect to the tax liability of (i) the Company and/or (ii) the Members in connection with the operations of the Company.

(h) For so long as the Initial Class B Holders collectively hold at least twenty percent (20%) of the Common Membership Interests, except in the case of the Company Conversion, each of the Company and the Members shall use their respective best efforts to structure any merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, contribution, conversion, initial or subsequent Public Offering, initial or subsequent public offering by any Subsidiary of the Company (which is not treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes prior to such Public Offering) or Public Offering of the Equity Securities of the Company in such a way as not to cause the Company or the relevant Subsidiary to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 4.4(h) is intended to allow a proportionate amount of the income, gain, loss and deductions of the Company or the relevant Subsidiary to continue to be reported on the tax return of the Class B Holders.

(i) Management Company hereby represents and warrants that it has taken all necessary actions to be classified as an association (taxable as a corporation) under Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3 and that it has not made an election pursuant to Code Section 1362. Management Company covenants that it will not change its status for federal income tax purposes without the prior written consent of GM Holdco, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

Section 4.5 Financial Statements and Other Information .

(a) Without limiting the generality of Section 4.3 , the Company (which, for purposes of this Section 4.5 shall include GMACI Holdings LLC and its Subsidiaries) shall deliver to each Member holding in excess of five percent (5%) of the Common Membership Interests, the following:

(i) (A) as soon as available, but in any event within four Business Days after the end of each calendar month in each Fiscal Year, a statement of the

 

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unaudited Financial Book Income (it being understood that such report shall include pre-tax income, after-tax income and converting entity and non-converting entity income), and within five Business Days after the end of each calendar month in each Fiscal Year, ending month shareholders equity for such monthly period; (B) as soon as available, but in any event within fifteen Business Days after the end of each calendar month in each Fiscal Year, a monthly management financial report summarizing results of the Company for such monthly period and for the period from the beginning of the Fiscal Year setting forth, in each case, comparisons to the annual budget for such Fiscal Year and to the corresponding period in the preceding Fiscal Year; and (C) as soon as available, but in any event within twelve calendar days after the end of each calendar month in each Fiscal Year, a monthly management forecast summarizing the financial projections for the Company for the remainder of such Fiscal Year and setting forth a comparison to the annual budget for such Fiscal Year and to the corresponding period in the preceding Fiscal Year, and all such statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP. To the extent the twelfth calendar day falls on a non-Business Day, GM and the Company shall agree to a mutually acceptable due date for such monthly period, to be determined at the beginning of each calendar year;

(ii) (A) as soon as available, but in any event within four Business Days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter in each Fiscal Year, a statement of the unaudited Financial Book Income for such quarterly period, and within five Business Days after the end of each calendar month in each Fiscal Year, ending month shareholders equity; and (B) as soon as available, but in any event within fifteen Business Days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter in each Fiscal Year, a management financial report summarizing results of the Company as of the end of such quarterly period, setting forth, in each case, comparisons to the annual budget for such Fiscal Year and to the corresponding period in the preceding Fiscal Year, and all such statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to the absence of footnote disclosures and to normal year-end adjustments for recurring accruals;

(iii) as soon as available, but in any event within forty calendar days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters in each Fiscal Year in order to accommodate GM’s accelerated filing of its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, (A) the final unaudited consolidated statements of Financial Book Income (it being understood that such report shall include pre-tax income, after-tax income and converting entity and non-converting entity income) and cash flows of the Company for such quarterly period and for the period from the beginning of the Fiscal Year to the end of such Fiscal Quarter, and (B) the final unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of the end of such quarterly period, and all such statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to the absence of footnote disclosures and to normal year-end adjustments for recurring accruals, shall have been reviewed by the Independent Auditor and shall be certified by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer;

(iv) (A) as soon as available, but in any event within four Business Days after the end of each Fiscal Year, a statement of the unaudited Financial Book Income for such Fiscal Year, and within five Business Days after the end of each

 

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calendar month in each Fiscal Year, ending month shareholders equity; and (B) as soon as available, but in any event within fifteen Business Days after the end of each Fiscal Year a management financial report summarizing results of the Company for such Fiscal Year, and (2) a draft of the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of the end of such Fiscal Year, and all such statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to the absence of footnote disclosures and to normal year-end adjustments for recurring accruals;

(v) as soon as available, but in any event within sixty calendar days after the end of each Fiscal Year in order to accommodate GM’s accelerated filing of its annual reports on Form 10-K, the final consolidated statements of Financial Book Income (it being understood that such report shall include pre-tax income, after-tax income and converting entity and non-converting entity income) and cash flows of the Company for such Fiscal Year and the final consolidated balance sheet of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Year, in each case, prepared in accordance with GAAP, and accompanied by an opinion, unqualified as to scope or compliance with GAAP, of the Independent Auditor;

(vi) promptly, but in any event within two Business Days of discovery, notice of any material revision, modification, amendment, supplement or other change to any of the draft financial statements described in subsections (ii) and (iv) above, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail such revision, modification, amendment, supplement or other change and the reason therefor;

(vii) within ten Business Days after generation thereof, copies of any internal valuation study or analyses regarding a material portion of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business taken as a whole; and

(viii) prior to the transmission to the public thereof, copies of all press releases and other written statements made available generally by the Company to the public concerning material developments in the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ businesses.

(b) The Members shall be supplied with all other Company information necessary to enable each Member to prepare its federal, state, local and foreign income tax returns. Such information shall be prepared by the Company, and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to deliver such information to each Member with reasonable promptness in light of the timing applicable to the purpose for which such information is to be used by such Member.

(c) All determinations, valuations and other matters of judgment required to be made for ordinary course accounting purposes and in respect of tax accounting policies under this Agreement shall be made by the Board of Managers (subject, as applicable, to Section 8.9(f) ) and shall be conclusive and binding on all Members, their Successors in Interest and any other Person, and to the fullest extent permitted by Law or as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no such Person shall have the right to an accounting or an appraisal of the assets of the Company or any successor thereto.

 

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(d) The Company agrees to cooperate and provide to its Members on a quarterly basis any information reasonably required by the Members to permit such Members to comply with any requirements imposed by Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48.

(e) If GM is required by Law or GAAP to consolidate the financial results of the Company into GM’s financial statements, then the Company shall provide to GM, reasonably promptly upon request (and, so long as GM has timely made such request, within a sufficient period of time so as to enable GM to comply with any Law or GAAP requirement applicable to it), any information reasonably requested by GM for the purposes of such consolidation.

Section 4.6 Independent Auditor . The Company and its Subsidiaries at all times shall engage a Person to audit its financial statements (the “ Independent Auditor ”) that (a) is an independent public accounting firm within the meaning of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Code of Professional Conduct (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Professional Standards, vol. 2, et sec. 101), (b) is a registered public accounting firm (as defined in Section 2(a)(12) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”)), and (c) if the Company were an “issuer” (as defined in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), would not be in violation of the auditor independence requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by reason of its acting as the auditor of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Subject to Section 8.9(d) , if applicable, the Independent Auditor shall be appointed by the Board of Managers and shall be a nationally recognized certified public accounting firm. The Company shall engage the Independent Auditor from time to time to conduct such review and testing as from time to time may be necessary or reasonably required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and to issue to the Company its written opinions and recommendations with respect thereto.

Section 4.7 Budget and Business Plan . The Company shall (a) deliver to each Common Holder holding in excess of ten percent (10%) of the Common Membership Interests a draft of the annual budget and business plan and the corresponding three-year or longer-term business plan of the Company (which, for purposes of this Section 4.7 shall include GMACI Holdings LLC and its Subsidiaries), as submitted by the senior executive officers of the Company for delivery to such Common Holders, not less than fifty calendar days prior to the beginning of the initial Fiscal Year to which such budget and business plan relate; provided that only summary information consistent with the type provided in the monthly forecast described in Section 4.5(a)(i) is due within such fifty-day period (it being understood that such report shall include pre-tax income, after-tax income and converting entity and non-converting entity income and preferred distributions), and the remaining details as described in the last sentence of this Section 4.7 is due not less than thirty days prior to the beginning of the initial Fiscal Year to which such budget and business plan relate; and (b) provide access to the Majority Initial Class A Holders, the Majority Initial Class B Holders and their respective Affiliates so that they may independently discuss such budget and business plan with the senior executive officers of the Company prior to submitting the budget and business plan to the Board of Managers for approval. Upon the request of any Common Holder holding in excess of ten percent (10%) of

 

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the Common Membership Interests, the Company shall provide to the requesting Common Holder an update of the information provided under Section 4.7(a) above within a reasonable period of time after receiving such request. The Company shall deliver to each Common Holder holding in excess of ten percent (10%) of the Common Membership Interests a copy of the final budget and business plan approved by the Board of Managers not more than ten calendar days after such approval, which approval shall occur prior to the beginning of the initial Fiscal Year to which such budget and business plan relate. Each such budget shall include a projected GAAP income statement, dividends and balance sheet for the entire Fiscal Year and net income on a monthly basis for the ensuing Fiscal Year and on an annual basis for any subsequent Fiscal Years, together with underlying assumptions and a brief qualitative description of the Company’s business plan by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer in support of such budget.

Section 4.8 Company Policies . On December 18, 2006, the Board of Managers (a) reconfirmed the policies, standards and procedures relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries set forth on Exhibit E and (b) adopted or reconfirmed, as applicable, the environmental guidelines set forth on Exhibit F . It is the intent of the parties hereto that the Company and its Subsidiaries operate in compliance with all Laws.

ARTICLE V

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 5.1 Distributions other than from a Company Sale or Dissolution .

(a) Subject to the Act, Section 5.4 , and the right of the Board of Managers to suspend the payment of the GM Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount with respect to any one or more Fiscal Quarters with the consent of the Joint Majority Holders, and except as set forth in Section 5.2 , Distributions of the GM Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount with respect to the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter shall be made in cash, except as otherwise may be permitted pursuant to Section 5.6 , to the GM Preferred Holders no later than the tenth Business Day following (x) with respect to the first three Fiscal Quarters in each Fiscal Year, the delivery of the financial statements required to be delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 4.5(a)(iii) with respect to such Fiscal Quarter, and (y) with respect to the fourth Fiscal Quarter in each Fiscal Year, the delivery of the financial statements required to be delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 4.5(a)(v) with respect to such Fiscal Year, in each case, ratably among such GM Preferred Holders in proportion to the aggregate GM Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount with respect to the GM Preferred Membership Interests then held by each such GM Preferred Holder either (1) immediately prior to such Distribution or, if applicable, (2) on the record date set by the Board of Managers pursuant to Section 7.9 with respect to such Distribution; provided that the Board of Managers may reduce any such Distribution to the extent required to avoid a reduction of the equity capital of the Company below the Required Capital Amount, as determined in good faith by the Board of Managers. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to give written notice to each GM Preferred Holder at least three Business Days prior to any Distribution pursuant to this Section 5.1(a) . Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, in the event that the Company fails to make the full amount of Distributions of the GM Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount pursuant to this

 

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Section 5.1(a) with respect to any Fiscal Quarter, then the Company shall not make any Distributions pursuant to (1)  Section 5.1(d) and (2)  Section 5.3 , in each case, until such time as the Company has made a full Distribution of the GM Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount pursuant to this Section 5.1(a) with respect to a subsequent Fiscal Quarter.

(b) Subject to the Act, except as set forth in Section 5.2 , and subject to Section 5.4 , Distributions of the Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount shall be payable when, as and if declared by the Board of Managers in cash, in arrears, on a Class E Preferred Payment Distribution Date, ratably among such Class E Preferred Membership Interests then held by the Class E Preferred Holder, either (i) immediately prior to such Distribution, or (ii) if applicable, on the record date set by the Board of Managers pursuant to Section 7.9 with respect to such Distribution.

(c) [Reserved.]

(d) Subject to the Act, and except as set forth in the last sentence of Section 5.1(a) , Section 5.2 , Section 5.3 , and Section 5.4 at any time after the Fiscal Quarter ended December 31, 2008, Distributions shall be made when, as and if declared by the Board of Managers, and distributed in the following amounts and order of priority:

(i) first , to the Common Holders, ratably among such Common Holders based on the Company Interest of each such Common Holder either (A) immediately prior to such Distribution or, if applicable, (B) on the record date set by the Board of Managers pursuant to Section 7.9 with respect to such Distribution, until such Common Holders have received (1) a return of the Agreed Initial Value (taking into account all prior Distributions) plus (2) an amount equal to a ten percent (10%) per annum compound rate of return on the Agreed Initial Value outstanding from time to time after reduction for amounts Distributed to the Common Holders hereunder (disregarding Distributions of the Tax Amount) (the “ Hurdle Rate ”), provided that for the purpose of computing whether or not the Agreed Initial Value and an amount equal to the Hurdle Rate has been received by the Common Holders, Distributions to the Common Holders to the extent of the Tax Amount shall be disregarded; and

(ii) thereafter , to the Class C-1 Holders and Common Holders based on the Total Interest of each such Class C-1 Holder and Common Holder either (A) immediately prior to such Distribution or, if applicable, (B) on the record date set by the Board of Managers pursuant to Section 7.9 with respect to such Distribution;

provided , first , that, after the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2008 through the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2011, to the extent that any Distribution contemplated by this clause (d) would in the aggregate exceed forty percent (40%) of the excess of (i) the Financial Book Income generated in any Fiscal Quarter, over (ii) an amount equal to the Distributions made or reserved to be made pursuant to Section 5.1(a) and Section 5.1(b) with respect to such Fiscal Quarter (such excess, the “ Distributable Amount ”), then that portion of such Distribution in excess of forty percent (40%) of the Distributable Amount that would otherwise have been made to the Initial Class A Holders with respect to 51,631.2902653 Class A Membership

 

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Interests shall instead be retained by the Company, and the Company shall, subject to Section 5.4 , issue to each Initial Class A Holder a number of GM Preferred Membership Interests equal to the quotient of (1) (x) the amount of cash Distributions in excess of forty percent (40%) of the Distributable Amount that such Initial Class A Holder otherwise would have been entitled to receive with respect to such Class A Membership Interests pursuant to this Section 5.1(d), divided by (y) 0.9, divided by (2) 1,000; and provided , second , that to the extent any of the Management Units issued by Management Company are not vested, then that portion of the Distributable Amount that would otherwise have been made to the Class C-1 Holders with respect to that portion of Class C-1 Membership Interests equivalent to the Management Units that are not vested at such time shall be held by the Company and shall not be distributed to the Class C-1 Holders until such time as such Management Units are vested. With respect to any such Distribution of additional GM Preferred Membership Interests pursuant to this Section 5.1(d) , the Company shall be treated as making a Distribution equal to the product of (1) the GM Preferred Capital Amount of such Preferred Membership Interests and (2) 0.9 for the purposes of determining whether the Hurdle Rate has been satisfied pursuant to Section 5.1(d)(i) , and Section 5.2 .

(e) (i) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 5.1 , Distributions equal to the amount of income taxes that are payable by Management Company on income allocated to Management Company pursuant to Article VI hereof on account of the Class C Membership Interests held by Management Company as determined by the Board of Managers in good faith, shall be made from time to time to the Management Company to the extent the Distributions to Management Company pursuant to this Section 5.1 are otherwise insufficient to pay such income taxes. The aggregate amount of such payments pursuant to this Section 5.1(e)(i) shall be deducted from the next amounts to be Distributed to the Class C-1 Holders pursuant to Section 5.1(d)(i) and/or Section 5.1(d)(ii) , as applicable, and Section 5.2 , as applicable, and the aggregate amount to be Distributed to all Members pursuant to Section 5.1(d)(ii) and Section 5.2 shall be increased by such deducted amount.

(i) With respect to any taxable period during which the Company continues to be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, the Company shall periodically make tax distributions on Junior Membership Interests to the extent determined to be reasonably necessary by the Board of Managers (“ Tax Distributions ”) as follows (it being understood that on December 28, 2008 the Board adopted resolutions determining that (x) Tax Distributions with respect to the cancellation of debt income pursuant to clause (A)(1)(b) and the corresponding Tax Distributions pursuant to clause (A)(2) are reasonably necessary and (y) Tax Distributions for the fiscal year 2009 pursuant to clause (A)(1)(a) and the corresponding Tax Distributions pursuant to clause (A)(2), unless GMAC experiences an unforeseen adverse financial condition as determined by the Board, are reasonably necessary):

 

  (A) (1) For the Class A Holders, pro rata- the sum of:

 

  (a)

The amount of Federal, state, and local income taxes (net of credits) that would be payable by the Class A Holders at an effective tax rate reasonably determined by the Board on the items

 

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of net taxable income allocable to such Class A Holder under Article VI with respect to all taxable periods (or portions thereof) beginning on or after January 1, 2009 (as reported on the applicable Internal Revenue Service Schedule K-1) as reasonably determined by the Board of Managers; plus

 

  (b) The amount determined by dividing:

 

  (i) The actual aggregate Federal, state, and local income tax actually payable by the Blocker Corps established by affiliates of FIM with respect to cancellation of debt income (and related income items) resulting from the Company’s bond exchanges commenced November 20, 2008 allocated to the Class A Holders (taking into account the impact of any Section 754 election, operating losses, net operating losses, and other tax attributes), by

 

  (ii) The aggregate indirect Company Interest of such Blocker Corps relative to the Class A Holders as a group with respect to such income, as reasonably determined by the Board of Managers; and

 

  (2) For the Class B Holders, pro rata: the sum of the amounts set forth in clauses (1)(a) and (b) above multiplied by the aggregate Company Interest of the Class B Holders divided by the aggregate Company Interest of the Class A Holders, as reasonably determined by the Board of Managers.

 

  (B) The Tax Distributions to the Class A Holders and the Class B Holders referred to in clause A above are, in all events, subject to (i) the approval of the United States Treasury by and through the President’s Designee (as defined in H.R. 7321) and (ii) the Company continuing to meet the minimum amount of equity capital sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, or other applicable banking regulations. The President’s Designee has complete discretion to approve or reduce, in whole or in part, any such Tax Distributions and any such action by the President’s Designee is binding on all parties without further review or appeal.

(iii) Any amounts distributed with respect to a Membership Interest pursuant to Section 5.1(e)(ii) shall reduce the amounts that would otherwise be distributable to the holder of such Membership Interest under this Agreement and shall be treated as an advance thereof.

(f) Distributions pursuant to Section 5.1(d) shall be made in cash, except as otherwise contemplated by the second proviso of Section 5.1(d) or as otherwise may be permitted pursuant to Section 5.6 , no later than the tenth Business Day following the delivery of the financial statements required to be delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 4.5(a)(iii) with respect to such Fiscal Quarter.

 

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(g) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 5.1 , in the event that any Distribution (or portion thereof) that is required to be made pursuant to this Section 5.1 would, based on a good faith determination of the Board of Managers, result in a reduction of the equity capital of the Company below the Required Capital Amount, then such Distribution (or such portion) shall not be made unless it has been approved in writing by at least a majority of the Independent Managers.

Section 5.2 Mandatory Distributions of Available Cash from a Company Sale or Dissolution .

Upon the consummation of a Company Sale or the dissolution of the Company pursuant to Article X , all Available Cash resulting from such Company Sale or from any source during the period of winding up of the Company (and, in the case of the winding up of the Company, subject to Section 10.2 ) available for distribution to the Members shall be distributed to the Members, subject to the Act, first to the Class E Preferred Membership Interests, the Treasury Preferred and the GM Preferred Membership Interests, in accordance with the Members’ Capital Account balances (determined after taking into account all allocations of Tax Book Profit and Tax Book Loss and items of income, gain, loss or deduction made pursuant to Article VI ), and then any remaining amounts shall be distributed in accordance with clauses (iii) and (iv) of the definition of Targeted Residual Distribution.

Section 5.3 Discretionary Distributions . Subject to the provisions of this Article V including Section 5.4 , the Board of Managers shall have sole discretion regarding the amount and timing of Distributions to the Common Holders and the Class C Holders, if applicable, in an amount greater than the Distributions required to be made pursuant to Section 5.1(d) , Section 5.1(e) or Section 5.2 ; provided that any Distribution in an amount greater than the Distributions required to be made pursuant to Section 5.1(d) , Section 5.1(e) (other than tax distributions pursuant to Section 5.1(e)(ii) ) and Section 5.2 shall require the prior written consent of at least a majority of the Independent Managers if, and then only to the extent that, (a) any Rating Agency shall have communicated to the Company, after inquiry, that such proposed Distribution is reasonably likely to result in a downgrade of the credit rating of any unsecured indebtedness of the Company or any Material Subsidiary or a negative change in the outlook of such credit rating of the Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries (a “ Credit Downgrade ”) or (b) the Board of Managers shall have determined in good faith that if the Company makes all or any portion of such Distribution, it will result in a reduction of the equity capital of the Company below the Required Capital Amount. Distributions made pursuant to this Section 5.3 , subject to the Act, shall be distributed in accordance with Section 5.1 .

Section 5.4 Restricted Payments; Restrictions on Certain Redemptions .

(a) Unless all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Blocker Preferred for all past dividend periods shall have been paid in full, the Company will not: (i) make any Restricted Payments; (ii) except as set forth in Section 5.4(b) , declare or pay any distribution or make any

 

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distribution of assets on any Parity Membership Interests, other than distributions in the form of Parity Membership Interests or Junior Membership Interests (it being understood that the Company shall be permitted to make tax distributions on its Junior Membership Interests as provided in clause (i) of the definition of Restricted Payments); or (iii) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any Parity Membership Interests, except upon conversion into or exchange for other Parity Membership Interests or Junior Membership Interests.

(b) Whether or not all accrued and unpaid distributions or dividends on the Class E Preferred Membership Interests or Blocker Preferred for all past dividend periods shall have been paid in full, (i) the Company will not make any Restricted Payments on or prior to January 1, 2014, and may only make Restricted Payments after January 1, 2014 if the Restricted Payment Conditions are satisfied, and (ii) so long as any Class E Preferred Membership Interests are outstanding, any Distributions in respect of the Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount, the GM Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount, the Class D-1 Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount or the Class D-2 Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount shall be made on a pro-rata basis based on the aggregate reference amounts of the Class E Preferred Membership Interests and such Parity Membership Interests; provided, however, that the Company may make any such distributions on the Class E Preferred Membership Interests and any Parity Membership Interests while all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Blocker Preferred for all past dividend periods shall have not been paid in full so long as all such distributions are paid either (A) pro rata so that the amount of Distributions on the Class E Preferred Membership Interests and each such other class or series of Parity Membership Interests shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio as the accrued returns on the Class E Preferred Membership Interests and such class or series of Parity Membership Interests bear to each other or (B) on another basis that is at least as favorable to the Class E Preferred Holder in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Managers.

(c) So long as any Class E Preferred Membership Interests remain outstanding, if any Parity Membership Interests are redeemed (other than in connection with distributions of stock of the corporation resulting from a Company Conversion), then the Class E Preferred Membership Interests shall also be redeemed on a pro-rata basis based on the aggregate reference amounts of the Class E Preferred Membership Interests and such Parity Membership Interests.

(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the restrictions set forth in Section 5.4(a) and Section 5.4(b) shall not prohibit (i) tax distributions on Junior Membership Interests as provided in Section 5.1(e) ; (ii) the conversion or exchange of Junior Membership Interests for other Junior Membership Interests; and (iii) an exchange pursuant to the Company Conversion.

Section 5.5 Successors . For purposes of determining the amount of Distributions, each Member shall be treated as having made the Capital Contributions and as having received the Distributions made to or received by its predecessors in respect of any of such Member’s Membership Interests.

 

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Section 5.6 Distributions of Assets other than Cash . With the consent of (a) in the case of Distributions to the GM Preferred Holders, the Majority GM Preferred Holders, and (b) in the case of Distributions to the Common Holders, the Joint Majority Holders, and in each case subject to the Act, the Company shall be permitted to distribute property consisting of assets other than cash to the Members; provided that no such consent shall be required in connection with any distribution in-kind pursuant to Section 10.2 . For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not be permitted to distribute property consisting of assets other than cash to the Class E Preferred Holder (other than pursuant to a GMAC Conversion or, where no distributions are made with respect to any Junior Membership Interest, a liquidation of the Company). With respect to any Distribution of such property, the Company shall be treated as making a Distribution equal to the Fair Market Value of such property for purposes of Section 5.1 , Section 5.2 , Section 5.3 , and Section 5.4 and such property shall be treated, for purposes of determining the Company’s Tax Book Profit or Tax Book Loss, as if it were sold for an amount equal to its Fair Market Value. Any resulting gain or loss shall be allocated to the Members’ Capital Accounts in accordance with Article VI .

Section 5.7 No Set-Off . The Company shall make all Distributions without regard to any claims that the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any Member may have against any other Member or any Affiliate of a Member except as provided in Section 5.1(e)(ii).

ARTICLE VI

ALLOCATIONS

Section 6.1 Normal Allocations .

(a) Except as otherwise provided by this Article VI , the Tax Book Profit and Tax Book Loss of the Company for each Fiscal Year (or portion thereof) shall be determined as of the end of each such Fiscal Year (or portion thereof). For each Fiscal Year of the Company, after adjusting each Member’s Capital Account for all Capital Contributions and distributions during such Fiscal Year and all special allocations pursuant to this Article VI , including the allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(b) , with respect to such Fiscal Year, all Tax Book Profits and Tax Book Losses (and items of income, gain, loss and deduction for the Fiscal Year in which the Company consummates a Company Sale or dissolution of the Company pursuant to Article X ) shall be allocated to the Members’ Capital Accounts (in the case of Tax Book Profits, income and gain, other than the Capital Account of the Class E Preferred Holder in respect of the Class E Preferred Membership Interests or the Capital Account of any holder of Treasury Preferred in respect of such Treasury Preferred, except to the extent set forth in the last sentence of this Section 6.1(a) ) in a manner such that, as of the end of such Fiscal Year, the Capital Account of each Member (which may be either a positive or negative balance) shall be equal to (a) the amount which would be distributed to such Member, determined as if the Company were to liquidate all of its assets for the Tax Book Value thereof and distribute the proceeds thereof pursuant to the priorities established in the definition of the Targeted Residual Distribution, minus (b) the sum of (i) such Member’s share of Company Minimum Gain (as determined according to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(d) and (g)(3)) and Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain (as determined according to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)) and

 

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(ii) the amount, if any, which such Member is obligated to contribute to the capital of the Company as of the last day of such Fiscal Year. Tax Book Profits, income and gain shall not be allocated to the Class E Preferred Holder in respect of the Class E Preferred Membership Interests or to any holder of Treasury Preferred in respect of Treasury Preferred pursuant to this Section 6.1(a) , except for a priority allocation of Tax Book Profits to the extent necessary to reverse allocations of Tax Book Loss required to be made to such holders, respectively, pursuant to this Section 6.1(a) (and such an allocation of Tax Book Profit shall so be made to such extent).

(b) Class E Preferred Membership Interest and Treasury Preferred Allocations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article VI :

(i) Tax Book Profit, if any, shall be allocated to the Capital Account of the Class E Preferred Holder on a priority basis such that at the end of each Fiscal Year, cumulative Tax Book Profit (other than Tax Book Profit allocated pursuant to the last sentence of Section 6.1(a)) allocated to the Capital Account of the Class E Preferred Holder in respect of the Class E Preferred Membership Interest (plus the sum of all amounts allocated pursuant to subsections 6.1(b)(ii) or 6.1(b)(iii) below to the extent attributable to the Class E Preferred Total Coupon, as defined below) from the Effective Date through the end of such Fiscal Year equals the sum of (A) the cumulative amount of cash Distributions made on the Class E Preferred Membership Interest pursuant to Section 5.1(b) and (B) the Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount (such sum, the “Class E Preferred Total Coupon”) (it being understood and agreed that allocations pursuant to this clause (i) shall be considered to be attributable to the Class E Preferred Total Coupon);

(ii) in the event that the Tax Book Value of any Company asset is adjusted after the Effective Date in accordance with the last sentence of the definition of Tax Book Value, any items of book gain attributable to any unrealized appreciation in any Company assets shall be allocated on a priority basis to the Capital Account of the Class E Preferred Holder to the extent that the sum of the Class E Preferred Reference Amount and the Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount immediately prior to such special allocation exceeds the Capital Account balance of the Class E Preferred Holder immediately prior to such special allocation (it being understood and agreed that allocations pursuant to this clause (ii) for any Fiscal Year shall first be considered to reverse allocations of Tax Book Loss not previously reversed, if any, then be considered to be attributable to the Class E Preferred Total Coupon (to the extent the Class E Preferred Total Coupon exceeds prior allocations attributable thereto) and then be considered residual allocations);

(iii) in any Fiscal Year in which the Company liquidates or redeems any Class E Preferred Membership Interest (other than in connection with a Company Conversion unless and to the extent the Company so chooses in connection with a Company Conversion), any gross income items of the Company for such Fiscal Year and any items of book gain attributable to any unrealized appreciation in any of the Company assets shall be allocated on a priority basis to the Capital Account of the Class E Preferred Holder immediately prior to such liquidation or redemption to the extent that

 

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the sum of the Class E Preferred Reference Amount attributable to the Class E Membership Interests receiving liquidating distributions or being redeemed and the Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount attributable thereto, exceeds the Capital Account balance attributable to such Class E Membership Interests immediately prior to such special allocation (it being understood and agreed that allocations pursuant to this clause (iii) for any Fiscal Year shall first be considered to reverse allocations of Tax Book Loss not previously reversed, if any, then be considered to be attributable to the Class E Preferred Total Coupon (to the extent the Class E Preferred Total Coupon exceeds prior allocations attributable thereto) and then be considered residual allocations); and

(iv) allocations shall be made in respect of the Treasury Preferred as provided in the Treasury Preferred Amendments.

Section 6.2 Section 754 Election . At the request of any Member, the Company shall elect, pursuant to Section 754 of the Code, to adjust the basis of the Company property as permitted and provided in Sections 734 and 743 of the Code, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to make similar elections, if available. Such election shall be effective solely for federal (and, if applicable, state and local) income tax purposes and shall not result in any adjustment to the Tax Book Value of any Company asset or to the Members’ Capital Accounts (except as provided in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)) or in the determination or allocation of Tax Book Profit or Tax Book Loss for purposes other than such tax purposes.

Section 6.3 Allocations for Tax and Book Purposes . Except as otherwise provided herein, any allocation to a Member for a Fiscal Year or other period of a portion of the Tax Book Profit or Tax Book Loss, or of a specially allocated item, shall be determined to be an allocation to such Member of the same proportionate part of each item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit, as the case may be, as is earned, realized or available by or to the Company for federal tax purposes.

Section 6.4 Certain Accounting Matters . For purposes of determining Tax Book Profit, Tax Book Loss or any other items allocable to any period, such items shall be determined on a daily, monthly or other basis, as determined by the Board of Managers using any permissible method under Section 706 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

Section 6.5 Tax Allocations; Code Section 704(c) .

(a) In accordance with Section 704(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to any property contributed to the capital of the Company shall, solely for income tax purposes, be allocated among the Members so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the Company for federal income tax purposes and its Fair Market Value at the time of contribution. In addition, all cancellation of indebtedness income resulting from the Exchange Offer and related transactions relating to the Company achieving Bank Holding

 

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Company Status shall be allocated only among the Common Holders owning Common Membership Interests immediately prior to the Exchange Offer (and such related transactions) in accordance with their relative Company Interests.

(b) In the event that the Tax Book Value of any Company asset is subsequently adjusted in accordance with the last sentence of the definition of Tax Book Value, any allocation of income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to such asset shall thereafter take account of any variation between the adjusted tax basis of the asset to the Company and its Tax Book Value in the same manner as under Section 704(c) of the Code and any Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. Any elections or other decisions relating to such allocations shall be made by the Board of Managers in a manner that reasonably reflects the purpose and intention of this Agreement.

(c) Allocations pursuant to this Section 6.5 are solely for purposes of federal, state and local taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Member’s Capital Account or share of Tax Book Profit, Tax Book Loss or Distributions pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.

Section 6.6 Qualified Income Offset . If any Member receives an unexpected adjustment, allocation or Distribution described in Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4) through (6) of the Treasury Regulations in any Fiscal Year or other period which would cause such Member to have a deficit Adjusted Capital Account Balance as of the end of such Fiscal Year or other period, items of Company taxable income and gain as adjusted pursuant to the definition of “Tax Book Profit” shall be specially allocated to such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations, the deficit in such Member’s Adjusted Capital Account Balance as quickly as possible. This Section 6.6 is intended to comply with the qualified income offset provision in Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Treasury Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

Section 6.7 Gross Income Allocation . If any Member would otherwise have a deficit Adjusted Capital Account Balance as of the last day of any Fiscal Year or other period, items of Company taxable income and gain as adjusted pursuant to the definition of “Tax Book Profit” shall be specially allocated to such Member so as to eliminate such deficit as quickly as possible.

Section 6.8 Company Minimum Gain Chargeback . If there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during a Fiscal Year or other period, each Member shall be allocated items of the Company taxable income and gain as adjusted pursuant to the definition of “Tax Book Profit” for such Fiscal Year or other period (and, if necessary, for subsequent Fiscal Years or periods) in proportion to, and to the extent of, such Member’s share of such net decrease, except to the extent such allocation would not be required by Section 1.704-2(f) of the Treasury Regulations. The amounts referred to in this Section 6.8 , and the items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.704-2 of the Treasury Regulations. This Section 6.8 is intended to constitute a “minimum gain chargeback” provision as described in Section 1.704-2(f) or 1.704-2(j)(2) of the Treasury Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

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Section 6.9 Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain Chargeback . If there is a net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during a Fiscal Year or other period, then each Member shall be allocated items of the Company income or gain equal to such Member’s share of such net decrease, except to the extent such allocation would not be required under Section 1.704-2(i)(4) or 1.704-2(j)(2) of the Treasury Regulations. The amounts referred to in this Section 6.9 and the items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.704-2 of the Treasury Regulations. This Section 6.9 is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement contained in Section 1.704-2(i)(4) of the Treasury Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

Section 6.10 Limitations on Tax Book Loss Allocations . With respect to any Member, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.1 , the amount of Tax Book Loss for any Fiscal Year or other period that would otherwise be allocated to a Member shall not cause or increase a deficit Adjusted Capital Account Balance. Any Tax Book Loss in excess of the limitation set forth in this Section 6.10 shall be allocated among the remaining Members, pro rata based on their respective Company Interests, to the extent such allocations would not cause such remaining Members to have a deficit Adjusted Capital Account Balance.

Section 6.11 Member Nonrecourse Deductions . Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year or other period shall be specially allocated to the Members who bear the economic risk of loss with respect to the Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Section 1.704-2(i)(1) of the Treasury Regulations.

Section 6.12 Nonrecourse Deductions . Nonrecourse Deductions, other than Member Nonrecourse Deductions, for any Fiscal Year shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with their respective Company Interests.

Section 6.13 Excess Nonrecourse Liabilities . Nonrecourse Debts of the Company which constitute Excess Nonrecourse Liabilities shall be allocated among the Members in accordance with their respective Company Interests.

Section 6.14 Ordering Rules . Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, allocations for any Fiscal Year or other period of Nonrecourse Deductions or Member Nonrecourse Deductions, or of items required to be allocated pursuant to the minimum gain chargeback requirements contained in this Article VI , shall be made before any other allocations hereunder.

Section 6.15 Curative Allocations . The allocations set forth in Section 6.6 through Section 6.14 inclusive (collectively, the “ Regulatory Allocations ”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2 of the Treasury Regulations. The Regulatory Allocations may result in allocations which are not consistent with the manner in which the Members intend to allocate Tax Book Profit and Tax Book Loss or make Company Distributions. Accordingly, notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, Members shall reallocate items of income, gain, deduction and loss among the Members so as to eliminate the effect of the Regulatory Allocations and thereby cause the

 

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respective Capital Accounts of the Members to be in the amounts (or as close thereto as possible) they would have been if Tax Book Profit and Tax Book Loss (and such other items of income, gain, deduction and loss) had been allocated without reference to the Regulatory Allocations. In general, the Members anticipate that this will be accomplished by specially allocating other Tax Book Profit and Tax Book Loss (and such other items of income, gain, deduction and loss) among the Members so that the net amount of the Regulatory Allocations and such special allocations to each such Member is zero. In addition, if in any Fiscal Year or other period there is a decrease in Company Minimum Gain, or in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, and application of the minimum gain chargeback requirements set forth in this Section would cause a distortion in the economic arrangement among the Members, the Members may, if they do not expect that the Company will have sufficient other income to correct such distortion, request the IRS to waive either or both of such minimum gain chargeback requirements. If such request is granted, this Agreement shall be applied in such instance as if it did not contain such minimum gain chargeback requirements.

Section 6.16 Members’ Tax Reporting . The Members acknowledge and are aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made pursuant to this Article VI and, except as may otherwise be required by Law, hereby agree to be bound by the provisions of this Article VI in reporting their shares of Company income, gain, loss, deduction and credit for federal, state and local income tax purposes.

Section 6.17 Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments on Behalf of a Member . If the Company is required by Law to make any payment to a Governmental Entity that is specifically attributable to a Member or a Member’s status as such (including federal withholding taxes, state or local personal property taxes and state or local unincorporated business taxes), then such Member other than Blocker Sub shall indemnify the Company in full for the entire amount paid (including interest, penalties and related expenses). A Member’s obligation to indemnify the Company under this Section 6.17 shall survive the termination, dissolution, liquidation and winding up of the Company, and for purposes of this Section 6.17 , the Company shall be treated as continuing in existence. The Company may pursue and enforce all rights and remedies it may have against each Member under this Section 6.17 , including instituting a lawsuit to collect such indemnification, with interest calculated at a floating rate equal to the prime rate as published from time to time in The Wall Street Journal , plus one percentage point (1%)  per annum (but not in excess of the highest rate per annum permitted by Law), compounded annually.

ARTICLE VII

RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS

Section 7.1 Members . The Members of the Company, and their respective class and numbers of Membership Interests, are listed on the Schedule of Members . No Person may be a Member without the ownership of a Membership Interest. The Members shall have only such rights and powers as are granted to them pursuant to the express terms of this Agreement and the Act. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, no Member, in such capacity, shall have any authority to bind, to act for, to sign for or to assume any obligation or responsibility on behalf of, any other Member or the Company.

 

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Section 7.2 No Management or Dissent Rights . Except as set forth herein or otherwise required by Law, the Members shall not have any right to take part in the management or operation of the Company other than through the Managers appointed by the Members to the Board of Managers. No Member shall, without the prior written approval of the Board of Managers, take any action on behalf of or in the name of the Company, or enter into any commitment or obligation binding upon the Company, except for actions expressly authorized by the terms of this Agreement. Except as required by Law, Members shall not be entitled to any rights to dissent or seek appraisal with respect to any transaction, including the merger or consolidation of the Company with any Person.

Section 7.3 No Member Fiduciary Duties .

(a) No Member shall, to the maximum extent permitted by the Act and other applicable Law, owe any duties (including fiduciary duties) as a Member to the other Members or the Company, notwithstanding anything to the contrary existing at law, in equity or otherwise; provided , however , that each Member shall have the duty to act in accordance with the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

(b) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any other contractual arrangements between the Company and one or more Members, any Member may engage in or possess any interest in another business or venture of any nature and description, independently or with others, whether or not such business or venture is competitive with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and neither the Company nor any other Member shall have any rights in or to any such independent business or venture or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the doctrine of corporate opportunity or any analogous doctrine shall not apply to the Members and the members, shareholders, partners and Affiliates thereof. The pursuit of any such business or venture shall not be deemed wrongful, improper or a breach of any duty hereunder, at law, in equity or otherwise. Any Member and the members, shareholders, partners and Affiliates thereof shall be able to transact business or enter into agreements with the Company to the fullest extent permissible under the Act, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

(c) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any other contractual arrangements between the Company and one or more Members, if a Member acquires knowledge, other than solely from or through the Company, of a potential transaction or matter that may be a business opportunity for both such Member and the Company or another Member, such Member shall have no duty to communicate or offer such business opportunity to the Company or any other Member and shall not be liable to the Company or the other Members for breach of any duty (including fiduciary duties) as a Member by reason of the fact that such Member pursues or acquires such business opportunity for itself, directs such opportunity to another Person, or does not communicate information regarding such opportunity to the Company.

(d) The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict or eliminate the duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities of a Member otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Members to replace such duties and liabilities of such Member.

 

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Section 7.4 Meetings of the Common Holders .

(a) An annual meeting of the Common Holders shall be held in Detroit, Michigan, New York, New York or at such other place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Managers. In addition to the annual meeting, the Common Holders shall hold three additional meetings on a regular basis, once during each calendar quarter in which the annual meeting is not held, in Detroit, Michigan, New York, New York or at such other place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Managers. Prior to each annual and quarterly meeting, the Secretary shall circulate an agenda for such meeting, which agenda shall include a discussion of the financial reports of the Company most recently delivered pursuant to Section 4.5 , such other matters relating to the Company as any Common Holder holding in excess of ten percent (10%) of the Voting Power shall request to be included in such agenda and such other matters relating to the Company as the representatives of the Common Holders attending such meeting shall elect to discuss. Any Common Holder holding in excess of ten percent (10%) of the Voting Power may request that the Managers or Officers of the Company participate in such annual and quarterly meetings or make presentations regarding such matters relating to the Company as such Common Holder(s) shall reasonably request; provided that such participation does not unreasonably interfere with the normal performance of their duties.

(b) A special meeting of the Common Holders for any purpose or purposes specified by the person calling the meeting may be called at any time by (i) the Board of Managers, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) any Common Holder holding in excess of ten percent (10%) of the Voting Power. At a special meeting, no business shall be transacted and no action shall be taken other than that stated in the notice for such meeting.

(c) Each Common Holder shall have the right to attend any such meeting. Any Common Holder who is not a natural person shall designate one individual to act as such Common Holder’s legal representative for purposes of voting at such meeting.

Section 7.5 Notice of Meetings . Written notice stating the place, day and time of every meeting of the Common Holders and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be mailed (a) with respect to any annual or quarterly meeting, not less than ten nor more than sixty calendar days before the date of the meeting (or if sent by facsimile, not less than five Business Days before the date of the meeting) or (b) with respect to any special meeting, not less than five nor more than thirty calendar days before the date of the meeting (or if sent by facsimile, not less than three Business Days before the date of the meeting), in either case to each Common Holder entitled to vote at such meeting, at its notice address maintained in the records of the Company by the Secretary. Such further notice shall be given as may be required by Law, but meetings may be held without notice if all the Common Holders entitled to vote at the meeting are present in person or by telephone or represented by proxy or if notice is waived in writing by those not present, either before or after the meeting.

 

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Section 7.6 Quorum . Any number of Common Holders holding at least a majority of each class or classes of Membership Interests entitled to vote with respect to the business to be transacted and who shall be present in person or by telephone or represented by proxy at any meeting duly called shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If such quorum is not present within sixty minutes after the time appointed for such meeting, such meeting shall be adjourned and the Board of Managers shall reschedule the meeting no fewer than three nor more than ten Business Days thereafter. If such meeting is rescheduled two consecutive times, then those Common Holders who are present or represented by proxy at the second such rescheduled meeting shall constitute a valid quorum for all purposes hereunder; provided that written notice of any rescheduled meetings shall have been delivered to all Common Holders at least three Business Day prior to the date of each rescheduled meeting.

Section 7.7 Voting .

(a) Except with respect to matters where the separate vote of a particular class of Membership Interests is expressly required hereunder (including in connection with any vote by the Members constituting the Joint Majority Holders, the Majority GM Preferred Holders, the Class E Preferred Holder and as provided in Section 8.3 ) and as otherwise required by Law, (i) Common Holders holding Class A Membership Interests and Common Holders holding Class B Membership Interests shall vote together as a single class and (ii) Members holding Class C Membership Interests, GM Preferred Membership Interests and Class E Preferred Membership Interests in their capacity as such holders shall have no voting power in connection with the election of Managers and no right or authority to vote on or approve any other matter to be voted on or approved by the Members, whether hereunder, under the Act, at law, in equity or otherwise. Each Class A Holder shall be entitled to one vote for each Class A Membership Interest held by such Common Holder and each Class B Holder shall be entitled to one vote for each Class B Membership Interest held by such Common Holder, in each case, in connection with the election of Managers and on all matters to be voted upon by the Members (without prejudice to any consent rights that the holders of any class or portion of any particular class of Membership Interests have expressly been granted under this Agreement). Each GM Preferred Holder shall be entitled to one vote for each GM Preferred Membership Interest held by such GM Preferred Holder in connection with any matter where the separate vote of the GM Preferred Holders is expressly required hereunder (including in connection with any vote by the Members constituting the Majority GM Preferred Holders) and as otherwise required by Law. Only the Class E Preferred Holder shall be entitled to vote in connection with any matter where only the separate vote of the Class E Preferred Membership Interests is expressly required hereunder. The percentage of the total votes entitled to be cast by any Common Holder or group of Common Holders with respect to such Common Holder’s or group of Common Holders’ Common Membership Interests, calculated pursuant to this Section 7.7 , is herein referred to as the “ Voting Power ” of such Common Holder or Common Holders. Immediately following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the Class A Holders holding the Class A Membership Interests shall have fifty-one percent (51%) of the Voting Power and the Class B Holders holding the Class B Membership Interests shall have forty-nine percent (49%) of the Voting Power.

 

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(b) At any meeting of the Common Holders, each Common Holder entitled to vote on any matter coming before the meeting shall, as to such matter, have a vote, in person, by telephone or by proxy, equal to the Voting Power of the number of Membership Interests held in its name on the relevant record date established pursuant to Section 7.9 .

(c) Except as otherwise specified herein, when a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Voting Power of the Membership Interests present in person or represented by proxy at a duly called meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the Common Holders, unless the question is one upon which by express provisions of Law or of this Agreement a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Where a separate vote by any class of Membership Interests is required, the affirmative vote of the Common Holders holding at least a majority of the Voting Power of the Membership Interests of such class present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting of such class shall be the act of such class, unless the question is one upon which by express provisions of Law or of this Agreement a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

(d) Each Member entitled to vote at a meeting of Common Holders or any class of Members or to express consent or dissent to any action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for him or her by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. At each meeting of Common Holders or any class of Members, and before any voting commences, all proxies filed at or before the meeting shall be submitted to and examined by the Secretary or a person designated by the Secretary, and no Membership Interests may be represented or voted under a proxy that have been found to be invalid or irregular.

Section 7.8 Action Without a Meeting; Telephonic Meetings .

(a) Any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of Common Holders, or at any meeting of any class of Members, or any action that may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such Common Holders or class of Members, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken and bearing the dates of signature of the Members who signed the consent or consents, shall be signed by Members holding (i) in the case of any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the Common Holders, not less than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2 / 3 %) of the Voting Power of the outstanding Membership Interests, or (ii) in the case of any action required to be taken at any meeting of the Members holding a particular class of Membership Interests, not less than a majority of the Membership Interests of such class, as applicable. Any such consent or consents shall be delivered to the Company by delivery to the Company’s principal place of business, or an Officer or agent of the Company having custody of the book or books in which proceedings of meetings of the Members are recorded. If action is so taken without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent of the Common Holders or of any class of Members, a copy of such written consent shall be delivered promptly to all Common Holders or all Members of such class who have not consented in writing. Any action taken pursuant to such written consent or consents of the Common Holders or any class of Members shall have the same force and effect as if taken by the Members at a meeting of the Common Holders or the Members of such class.

 

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(b) Common Holders may participate in meetings of the Common Holders, and Members of any class of Members may participate in meetings of such class of Members, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all Persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a telephonic meeting pursuant to this Section 7.8(b) shall constitute presence at such meeting and shall constitute a waiver of any deficiency of notice.

Section 7.9 Record Date . For the purpose of determining the Members entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of Common Holders or any class of Members or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive a payment of any kind, or in order to make a determination of Members for any other proper purpose, the Board of Managers may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of Members, such date in any case to be not more than seventy calendar days prior to the date on which the particular meeting or action requiring such determination of Common Holders is to be held or taken. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Managers, the date on which notices of the meetings are mailed or the date on which the resolution of the Board of Managers declaring such Distribution is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date. When a determination of the Common Holders has been made as provided in this Section 7.9 , such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof unless the Board of Managers fixes a new record date, which it shall do if the meeting is adjourned to a date more than one hundred twenty calendar days after the date originally fixed.

Section 7.10 Certain Matters Requiring Special Approval of the Joint Majority Holders .

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company and the Board of Managers shall not, and shall take all action possible to ensure that each Subsidiary of the Company shall not, engage in any of the following transactions without the prior written consent of the Joint Majority Holders:

(i) any transaction that results in a Company Sale;

(ii) (A) until November 30, 2011, a Public Offering of any Equity Securities by the Company (or any successor thereto) (other than the issuance of any Class D-2 Membership Interests pursuant to the Warrant dated December 29, 2008) if, immediately following the consummation of such Public Offering, the Equity Securities of the Company (or such successor) held by the Initial Class B Holders would cease to represent at least thirty-five and one-tenth percent (35.1%) of the Outstanding Securities of the Company (or of such successor) (after giving effect to any Equity Securities issued in connection therewith); provided that such percentage threshold shall be reduced on a percentage point for percentage point basis to give effect to any Membership Interests Transferred (other than pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of Exempt Transfer) by the Initial Class B Holders on or prior to the date of such Public Offering; provided , further , that in no event shall such percentage threshold be reduced to less than twenty

 

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and one-tenth percent (20.1%) of the Outstanding Securities of the Company (or of such successor) (after giving effect to any Equity Securities issued in connection therewith); and (B) after November 30, 2011, a Public Offering of any Equity Securities by the Company (or any successor thereto) if, immediately following the consummation of such Public Offering, the Equity Securities of the Company held by the Initial Class B Holders would cease to represent at least twenty and one-tenth percent (20.1%) of the Outstanding Securities of the Company (or of such successor) (after giving effect to any Equity Securities issued in connection therewith);

(iii) (A) until November 30, 2011, or GM Holdco’s exercise of its rights under the Call Option, any Public Offering or authorization or issuance of the Equity Securities of any Material Subsidiary of the Company (or any successor thereto) if (1) any Rating Agency has communicated to the Company, after inquiry, that such proposed transaction is reasonably likely to result in a Credit Downgrade, or (2) such Public Offering or issuance of Equity Securities would result in the Company directly or indirectly ceasing to hold in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Outstanding Securities of such Material Subsidiary, determined on a fully diluted basis, that will represent a majority of the voting rights and economic interest of such Material Subsidiary (after giving effect to any Equity Securities issued in connection therewith), or (B) prior to the earlier to occur of GM Holdco’s exercise of its rights under the Call Option or the termination of the Call Option, any Public Offering or authorization or issuance of the Equity Securities of any Subsidiary of the Company (or any successor thereto) or of any Significant Joint Venture if such Subsidiary or Significant Joint Venture is part of the NAO Business or the IO Business or any portion thereof;

(iv) until November 30, 2011, a Public Offering by the Class A Holders or a Public Offering (provided that the word “Company” in the definition of such term for this purpose is replaced with the phrase “such Person”) by any Class A Holder or any Person directly or indirectly Controlling a Class A Holder, involving, directly or indirectly, any Equity Securities of the Company;

(v) (A) until November 30, 2011, the authorization or issuance by the Company of any Membership Interests if, immediately following such issuance, the Membership Interests held by the Initial Class B Holders would cease to represent at least thirty-five and one-tenth percent (35.1%) of the Company Interests; provided that such percentage threshold shall be reduced on a percentage point for percentage point basis to give effect to any Membership Interests Transferred (other than pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of Exempt Transfer) by the Initial Class B Holders on or prior to the date of such Public Offering; provided , further , that in no event shall such percentage threshold be reduced to less than twenty and one-tenth percent (20.1%) of the Company Interests; or (B) after November 30, 2011, the authorization or issuance by the Company of any Membership Interests if, immediately following the consummation of such issuance, the Membership Interests held by the Initial Class B Holders would cease to represent at least twenty and one-tenth percent (20.1%) of the Company Interests;

 

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(vi) any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries, other than any merger or consolidation (A) of any Material Subsidiary of the Company with and into the Company, (B) of two or more Subsidiaries of the Company into one another, (C) that qualifies as a Company Sale required to be approved, and which is so approved, as provided in subsection (i) above, (D) that constitutes an acquisition that does not require approval under subsection (vii) below, or (E) that constitutes a Transfer that does not require approval under subsection (ix) below;

(vii) the acquisition, including by merger or consolidation, of any business, entity, asset or group of related assets if (A) the equity value, in any one transaction or a series of related transactions in any twelve-month period, of such acquired business, entity, asset or group of related assets exceeds $1 billion, (B) the equity value, in any one transaction or a series of related transactions in any twelve-month period, of such acquired business, entity, asset or group of related assets exceeds $250 million and any Rating Agency has communicated to the Company, after inquiry, that such proposed transaction is reasonably likely to result in a Credit Downgrade or (C) a majority of the Independent Managers determine, regardless of the size of any acquisition otherwise described above, such acquisition is reasonably likely to result in a Credit Downgrade and, after inquiry, any Rating Agency has communicated to the Company that such proposed transaction is reasonably likely to result in a Credit Downgrade, or (D) prior to the termination of the Call Option, such transaction involves the NAO Business or the IO Business or any portion thereof;

(viii) any amendment to the organizational documents of (A) the Company, including the Certificate of Formation and this Agreement, or (B) any of the Material Subsidiaries if, in either case, such amendment could reasonably be expected to have an adverse impact on any Member (including any Member’s rights under this Agreement), the Company or such Material Subsidiary, other than any amendment, but only to the extent necessary, to implement the issuance of Permitted Additional Membership Interests;

(ix) the Transfer of, or permitting any Subsidiary or Significant Joint Venture to Transfer, directly or indirectly, including by merger or consolidation, in any transaction or series of related transactions, assets or any business group, unit or line of business of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries or any Equity Securities of any Subsidiary of the Company or of any Significant Joint Venture if, (A) prior to the earlier of November 30, 2011, or any Transfer pursuant to the exercise by GM Holdco of its rights under the Call Option, (1) the equity value, in any one transaction or a series of related transactions in any twelve-month period, of such transferred business, entity, asset or group of related assets exceeds $1 billion, (2) the equity value, in any one transaction or a series of related transactions in any twelve-month period, of such transferred business, entity, asset or group of related assets exceeds $250 million and any Rating Agency has communicated to the Company, after inquiry, that such proposed transaction is reasonably likely to result in a Credit Downgrade or (3) a majority of the Independent Managers determine, regardless of the size of any Transfer otherwise described above, such Transfer is reasonably likely to result in a Credit Downgrade and, after inquiry, any

 

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Rating Agency has communicated to the Company that such proposed transaction is reasonably likely to result in a Credit Downgrade, or (B) prior to the termination of the Call Option, such transaction involves the NAO Business or the IO Business or any portion thereof; other than, in either case, (w) securitization transactions entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business, (x) other financing related transactions entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business, (y) any Transfer pursuant to the exercise by GM Holdco of its rights under the Call Option or (z) any Transfer contemplated and approved as required by clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (vi) above;

(x)(A) entering into a new material line of business of the Company or any Subsidiary or (B) engaging in acts making it impossible to carry on the business of the Company or any Material Subsidiary;

(xi) the redemption, purchase or other acquisition, directly or indirectly, of any Membership Interests or other Equity Securities of the Company, other than (A) those Membership Interests or other Equity Securities of the Company held by any current or former officer, manager, director, consultant or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the extent applicable, their respective estates, spouses, former spouses or family members, in each case pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, option agreement, members’ agreement or similar agreement or benefit of any kind, (B) redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions that are made pro rata among the Members holding a particular class of Membership Interests or other Equity Securities (provided that the Class A Membership Interests and the Class B Membership Interests shall be treated as a single class of Membership Interests for such purpose), in each case, to the extent that (1) no Rating Agency has communicated to the Company, after inquiry, that such proposed redemption, purchase or other acquisition is reasonably likely to result in a Credit Downgrade or (2) such proposed redemption, purchase or other acquisition will not result in a reduction of the equity capital of the Company (as determined by the Board of Managers) below the Required Capital Amount, unless approved by a majority of the Independent Managers and (C) redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions contemplated by Section 3.1(b) ; and

(xii) any act or omission resulting in the failure by the Company to make Distributions pursuant to Section 5.1(a) , other than any reduction of such Distributions to the extent required to avoid a reduction of the equity capital of the Company below the Required Capital Amount;

provided , first , that the approval rights of the Majority Initial Class B Holders with respect to the matters described in Section 7.10(a)(iii)(B) , Section 7.10(a)(vii)(C) and Section 7.10(a)(x)(B) shall terminate at such time as the GM Control Assignee constitutes the Majority Initial Class B Holder; and, provided , second , that, at such time as the GM Control Assignee constitutes the Majority Initial Class B Holder, (x) the reference in each of Section 7.10(a)(ii)(A) and Section 7.10(a)(v)(A) to “thirty-five and one-tenth percent (35.1%)” shall be deemed to be replaced with a reference to “twenty and one-tenth percent (20.1%)” and (y) the proviso in each of Section 7.10(a)(ii)(A) and Section 7.10(a)(v)(A) shall be deemed to be deleted.

 

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(b) The Members hereby acknowledge and agree that the determination of the Majority Initial Class A Holders and the Majority Initial Class B Holders, respectively, as to whether to consent to any of the actions described in Section 7.10(a) , shall be entitled to be made in the sole discretion of the Majority Initial Class A Holders and the Majority Initial Class B Holders, respectively, acting in their own best interests.

(c) At such time as neither the Initial Class A Holders nor the Initial Class B Holders hold in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the Voting Power, the provisions of this Section 7.10 shall terminate.

Section 7.11 Certain Matters Requiring Special Approval of the Majority GM Preferred Holders .

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company and the Board of Managers shall not engage in any of the following transactions without the prior written consent of the Majority GM Preferred Holders:

(i) authorize or issue any Equity Securities or debt securities of the Company that (A) rank senior to the GM Preferred Membership Interests with respect to distributions from Available Cash or upon a sale or liquidation of the Company and (B) are accorded the same equity treatment by the Ratings Agencies as the GM Preferred Membership Interests at the time of the authorization or issuance thereof; and

(ii) to the extent that the Company has failed to make Distributions of the GM Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount with respect to the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter, the redemption, purchase or other acquisition, directly or indirectly, of any Common Membership Interests, Class C Membership Interests or other Equity Securities of the Company in any Fiscal Quarter, other than (A) those Membership Interests or other Equity Securities of the Company or Management Company held by any current or former officer, manager, director, consultant or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Class E Preferred Membership Interests) or, to the extent applicable, their respective estates, spouses, former spouses or family members, in each case pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, option agreement, members’ agreement or similar agreement or benefit of any kind, and (B) GM Preferred Membership Interests in accordance with the terms hereof.

(b) The Members hereby acknowledge and agree that the determination of the Majority GM Preferred Holders as to whether to consent to any of the actions described in Section 7.11(a) shall be entitled to be made in the sole discretion of the Majority GM Preferred Holders acting in their own best interests.

(c) The provisions of this Section 7.11 shall terminate upon the earlier to occur of (i) the redemption of all GM Preferred Membership Interests pursuant to Section 12.5 or (ii) such time as the Unreturned GM Preferred Capital Amount in respect of all outstanding GM Preferred Membership Interests is equal to zero.

 

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Section 7.12 Certain Matters Requiring Special Approval of the Class E Preferred Holder .

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company and the Board of Managers shall not engage in any of the following transactions (other than pursuant to a Company Conversion) without the prior written consent of the Class E Preferred Holder:

(i) alter, repeal or amend, whether by merger, consolidation, combination, reclassification or otherwise, any provisions of this Agreement if such action would amend, alter or affect the powers, preferences or rights of, or limitations relating to, the Class E Preferred Membership Interests in any manner materially adverse to the holders of Blocker Preferred, including, the creation of, increase in the authorized number of, or issuance of, any membership interests that rank senior to the Class E Preferred Membership Interests as to distribution rights or rights upon a Company Sale or a liquidation, winding-up or dissolution; and

(ii) redeem any Class E Preferred Membership Interests until such time as the Capital Account balance attributable to the Class E Preferred Membership Interests is equal to at least the sum of the Class E Preferred Reference Amount and the Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount .

For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding the foregoing, the authorization of, the increase in the authorized amount of, or the issuance of any Junior Membership Interests or Parity Membership Interests will not require the consent of the Class E Preferred Holder, and will not be deemed to adversely affect the powers, preferences or right of the holders of Blocker Preferred.

(b) The provisions of this Section 7.12 shall terminate upon the redemption of all Class E Preferred Membership Interests pursuant to Section 12.6 .

Section 7.13 Certain Matters Requiring Special Approval of the Treasurer of GM . In addition to (and not in lieu of) any consent, approval or authorization otherwise required pursuant to this Agreement or the internal policies of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be authorized to enter into any secured financing arrangement with any of the GM Entities without the prior written consent of the Treasurer of GM. For purposes of this Section 7.13 , “GM Entities” shall mean GM and each of its Subsidiaries, including Subsidiaries formed or acquired after the date of this Agreement, incorporated, domiciled or that has or have a principal place of business in the United States or any territory thereof (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries).

Section 7.14 Removal or Resignation of Members . A Member may not (a) be removed as a Member of the Company without such Member’s prior written consent or (b) resign from the Company without the written consent of the Joint Majority Holders, unless otherwise provided in this Agreement.

 

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Section 7.15 Liability of Members .

(a) Except as otherwise required by Law or as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no Member or Manager shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a Member or Manager, whether to the Company, to any of the other Members, to the creditors of the Company or to any other third Person. Except as required by the Act, each Member shall be liable only to make such Member’s Capital Contribution to the Company, if applicable, and the other payments provided for expressly herein.

(b) Under the Act, a member of a limited liability company may, under certain circumstances, be required to return amounts previously distributed to such member. It is the intent of the Members that no Distribution to any Member pursuant to Article V or Article X shall be deemed to constitute money or other property paid or distributed in violation of the Act, and the Members agree that each such Distribution shall constitute a compromise of the Members within the meaning of Section 18-502(b) of the Act, and, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the Member receiving such Distribution shall not be required to return to any Person any such money or property, except as otherwise expressly set forth herein. If, however, any court of competent jurisdiction holds that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement, any Member is obligated to make any such payment, such obligation shall be the obligation of such Member and not of the other Members, and, when funded, shall constitute a Capital Contribution by such Member.

Section 7.16 Investment Representations of Members . Each Member hereby represents, warrants and acknowledges to the Company that: (a) such Member has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Company and is making an informed investment decision with respect thereto; (b) such Member is acquiring interests in the Company for strategic business or investment purposes only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution to the public or public offering thereof; and (c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by such Member.

Section 7.17 Project Agreements . Each party hereto either holding Common Membership Interests or executing this Agreement specifically to be party to this Section 7.17 , hereby agrees, and agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to cause each of its Affiliates (including, in the case of FIM, the Company and its Subsidiaries) to promptly and in good faith comply in all material respects with, and perform in all material respects its duties and obligations under, each of the Project Agreements to which such party or any of its Affiliates is a party.

ARTICLE VIII

BOARD OF MANAGERS; OFFICERS

Section 8.1 Establishment of Board of Managers . There is hereby established a committee of Member representatives (the “ Board of Managers ”) comprised of natural Persons (the “ Managers ”) having the authority and duties set forth in this Agreement.

 

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The size of the Board of Managers shall initially be thirteen and may from time to time be increased by the Board of Managers with the prior written consent of the Joint Majority Holders. Subject to Section 8.3 , the Managers shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Common Holders. Each Manager elected shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal as provided in this Article VIII .

Section 8.2 General Powers of the Board of Managers . The property, affairs and business of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Managers, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred on it by this Agreement, the Board of Managers may exercise all such powers of the Company and do all such lawful acts and things as are permitted by the Act and the Certificate of Formation. Each Manager shall be a “manager” (as such term is defined in the Act) of the Company but, notwithstanding the foregoing, no Manager shall have any rights or powers beyond the rights and powers granted to such Manager in this Agreement. Except as such power is delegated pursuant to Section 8.14 , no Manager acting alone, or with any other Managers, shall have the power to act for or on behalf of, or to bind the Company.

Section 8.3 Election of Managers .

(a) For so long as the Initial Class A Holders collectively hold at least fifty percent (50%) of the Class A Membership Interests acquired by FIM pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the Initial Class B Holders collectively hold at least fifty percent (50%) of the Class B Membership Interests held by them on November 30, 2006, the Board of Managers shall be comprised of the following thirteen Managers:

(i) the Majority Initial Class A Holders shall elect six representatives (the “ Class A Managers ”) to the Board of Managers to serve as Managers;

(ii) the Majority Initial Class B Holders shall elect four representatives (the “ Class B Managers ”) to the Board of Managers to serve as Managers;

(iii) in addition to the Class A Managers elected pursuant to Section 8.3(a)(i) , the Majority Initial Class A Holders shall elect two representatives who shall be Independent Managers to the Board of Managers to serve as Managers;

(iv) in addition to the Class B Managers elected pursuant to Section 8.3(a)(ii) , the Majority Initial Class B Holders shall elect one representative who shall be an Independent Manager to the Board of Managers to serve as a Manager; and

(v) the Joint Majority Holders shall appoint the Chairman of the Board of Managers (the “ Chairman ”); provided , however , that, following such time as the GM Control Assignee constitutes the Majority Initial Class B Holder, the Chairman shall be appointed by at least a majority of the Class A Managers; and

(b) following such time as the Initial Class A Holders collectively hold less than fifty percent (50%) of the Class A Membership Interests acquired by FIM pursuant to the Purchase Agreement or the Initial Class B Holders collectively hold less than fifty percent (50%) of the Class B Membership Interests held by them on November 30, 2006:

(i) the Majority Initial Class A Holders shall be entitled to elect the number of Managers equal to the product of (A) ten, multiplied by (B) the quotient of (1) the aggregate Voting Power of the Initial Class A Holders, divided by (2) the combined Voting Power of the Initial Class A Holders and the Initial Class B Holders (rounded to the nearest whole number, it being understood that any number ending in .5 will be rounded up);

 

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(ii) the Majority Initial Class B Holders shall be entitled to elect the number of Managers equal to the product of (A) ten, multiplied by (B) the quotient of (1) the aggregate Voting Power of the Initial Class B Holders, divided by (2) the combined Voting Power of the Initial Class A Holders and the Initial Class B Holders (rounded to the nearest whole number, it being understood that any number ending in .5 will be rounded down);

(iii) in addition to the Managers elected pursuant to Section 8.3(b)(i) , the Majority Initial Class A Holders shall be entitled to elect the number of Independent Managers equal to the product of (A) three, multiplied by (B) the quotient of (1) the aggregate Voting Power of the Initial Class A Holders, divided by (2) the combined Voting Power of the Initial Class A Holders and the Initial Class B Holders (rounded to the nearest whole number, it being understood that any number ending in .5 will be rounded up);

(iv) in addition to the Managers elected pursuant to Section 8.3(b)(ii) , the Majority Initial Class B Holders shall be entitled to elect the number of Independent Managers equal to the product of (A) three, multiplied by (B) the quotient of (1) the aggregate Voting Power of the Initial Class A Holders, divided by (2) the combined Voting Power of the Initial Class A Holders and the Initial Class B Holders (rounded to the nearest whole number, it being understood that any number ending in .5 will be rounded down); and

(v) the Common Holders entitled to elect at least a majority of the Managers pursuant to this Section 8.3(b) shall appoint the Chairman;

provided that the right of the Majority Initial Class A Holders to elect one or more Managers pursuant to this Section 8.3(b) shall terminate following such time as the Initial Class A Holders collectively do not hold at least ten percent (10%) of the Class A Membership Interests; and, provided further that the right of the Majority Initial Class B Holders to elect one or more Managers pursuant to this Section 8.3(b) shall terminate following such time as the Initial Class B Holders collectively do not hold at least ten percent (10%) of the Class B Membership Interests.

(c) Any Class A Manager or Class B Manager shall be removed from the Board of Managers or any committee of the Board of Managers with or without cause at the

 

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written request of the holders or other Person that has the right to elect such Manager under this Section 8.3 , but only upon such written request and under no other circumstances. Any Independent Manager shall be removed from the Board of Managers or any committee of the Board of Managers with Cause at the written request of the Board of Managers (approved by a majority of members of the Board of Managers other than the Manager being removed), but only upon such written request and under no other circumstances.

(d) Any Manager may resign at any time by giving written notice to the members of the Board of Managers and the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary. The resignation of any Manager shall take effect upon receipt of notice thereof or at such later time as shall be specified in such notice, and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

(e) If any Manager elected pursuant to this Section 8.3 for any reason ceases to serve as a member of the Board of Managers during such Manager’s term of office, the resulting vacancy on the Board of Managers shall be filled, subject to the conditions of this Section 8.3 , by a Manager elected by the Persons who initially elected such Manager, unless Section 8.3(b) would provide for a different right of designation.

(f) The Common Holders entitled to elect a Manager pursuant to this Section 8.3 shall use commercially reasonable efforts to fill a vacancy of its representative, within ninety calendar days after such Common Holders’ representative ceases to serve as a member of the Board of Managers or a committee of the Board of Managers.

Section 8.4 Meetings .

(a) Regular meetings of the Board of Managers may be held in Detroit, Michigan, New York, New York or at such other place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Managers, but in no event less than (i) four times during any twelve-month period and (ii) once during any three-month period. Special meetings of the Board of Managers may be called by or at the request of the Chief Executive Officer, and in any event shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer upon the written request of any Manager. Special meeting notices shall state the purposes of the proposed meeting.

(b) Any Manager or any member of a committee of the Board of Managers who is present at a meeting shall be conclusively presumed to have waived notice of such meeting except when such Manager attends for the express purpose of objecting or abstaining at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Such Manager shall be conclusively presumed to have assented to any action taken unless his or her dissent or abstention shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless his or her written dissent or abstention to such action shall be filed with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall be forwarded by registered mail to the Secretary immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent or abstain shall not apply to any Manager who voted in favor of such action.

 

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Section 8.5 Notice of Meetings . Written notice stating the place, day and time of every meeting of the Board of Managers and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be mailed not less than five nor more than thirty calendar days before the date of the meeting (or if sent by facsimile or email, not less than three Business Days before the date of the meeting), in each case to each Manager at his or her notice address maintained in the records of the Company by the Secretary. Such further notice shall be given as may be required by Law, but meetings may be held without notice if all the Managers entitled to vote at the meeting are present in person or by telephone or represented by proxy or if notice is waived in writing by those not present, either before or after the meeting.

Section 8.6 Quorum . Unless otherwise provided by Law or this Agreement, the presence of Managers constituting a majority of the voting authority of the whole Board of Managers shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; provided that the presence of at least a majority of the Class A Managers and at least a majority of the Class B Managers shall be required for a quorum to exist. If such quorum is not present within sixty minutes after the time appointed for such meeting, such meeting shall be adjourned and the President or acting Chairman shall reschedule the meeting to be held not fewer than two nor more than ten Business Days thereafter. If such meeting is rescheduled two consecutive times, then those Managers who are present or represented by proxy at the second such rescheduled meeting shall constitute a valid quorum for all purposes hereunder; provided that written notice of any rescheduled meeting shall have been delivered to all Managers at least two Business Days prior to the date of such rescheduled meeting. Each Manager may designate by proxy any other Manager to attend and act on behalf of the Manager (including voting on all matters brought before the Board of Managers) at a meeting of the Board of Managers, a copy of which proxy shall be delivered to each other Manager at or prior to the meeting. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, interested Managers may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Managers or of a committee that authorizes any interested party contract or transaction.

Section 8.7 Voting . Each Manager shall be entitled to cast one vote with respect to each matter brought before the Board of Managers (or any committee of the Board of Managers of which such Manager is a member) for approval. Except as otherwise provided by this Agreement, the Act, other Law or the Certificate of Formation, all policies and other matters to be determined by the Managers shall be determined by a majority vote of the members of the Board of Managers present at a meeting at which a quorum is present. No Manager shall be disqualified from voting on matters as to which such Manager or the Persons that elected such Manager may have a conflict of interest, whether such matter is a direct conflict of interest in connection with which the Person that elected such Manager or any affiliate of such Person will engage in a transaction with the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries (a “ Direct Conflict ”) or of another nature (an “ Indirect Conflict ”); provided that (a) prior to voting on any such matter, such Manager shall disclose the fact of any such conflict to the other Managers (other than conflicts arising from such Manager’s relationship with the Persons who elected such Manager) and, if such conflict is a Direct Conflict, the material terms of such transaction and the material facts as to the relationship or interest of the Person that elected such Manager or such Person’s affiliate, (b) any Manager may determine to recuse himself or herself from voting on any matter

 

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as to which such Manager or the Person that elected such Manager may have a conflict of interest, and whether or not a Manager recuses himself or herself, if such matter is an Indirect Conflict, the Manager shall have no obligation to disclose the nature or substance of the conflict or any information related thereto other than the fact that a conflict exists and (c) no Manager shall have any duty to disclose to the Company or the Board of Managers confidential information in such Manager’s possession even if it is material and relevant information to the Company and/or the Board of Managers and, in any such case, such Manager shall not be liable to the Company or the other Members for breach of any duty (including the duty of loyalty and any other fiduciary duties) as a Manager by reason of such lack of disclosure of such confidential information.

Section 8.8 Action Without a Meeting; Telephonic Meetings .

(a) On any matter requiring an approval or consent of Managers under this Agreement or the Act, the Managers may take such action without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the Managers.

(b) Managers may participate in meetings of the Board of Managers by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all Persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a telephonic meeting pursuant to this Section 8.8(b) shall constitute presence at such meeting and shall constitute a waiver of any deficiency of notice.

Section 8.9 Certain Matters Requiring Special Manager Approval . In addition to a majority vote of the Board of Managers or any committee of the Board of Managers or any comparable body of any Subsidiary of the Company and, where applicable, the approval rights set forth in Section 8.10 , the prior written consent of (x) at least a majority of the Class A Managers for so long as the Initial Class A Holders hold in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the Voting Power and (y) at least a majority of the Class B Managers for so long as the Initial Class B Holders hold in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the Voting Power shall be required at any time to do, or cause to be done, any of the following:

(a) the declaration of a Bankruptcy (or acquiescence with respect thereto), dissolution (to the fullest extent permitted by Law), liquidation, recapitalization or reorganization in any form of transaction, in each case of the Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries;

(b) the entering into, amendment or other modification of any transaction with any Affiliate, Member (other than the Class E Preferred Holder) or any of their Affiliates or any Senior Executive Officer (other than, in the case of any Senior Executive Officer, any agreement or arrangement entered into with such Person in connection with and relating to such Person’s employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including compensation arrangements), if the value of the consideration provided by the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries to any such Affiliate, Member or any of their Affiliates or any Senior Executive Officer involves in excess of $5 million or, if there is no monetary consideration paid or quantifiable value exchanged, if the agreement is otherwise material to the Company and/or any

 

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of its Subsidiaries (and in any event any amendment or other modification to any agreement set forth on Exhibit G ), unless at least a majority of the Independent Managers determines that such transaction is entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business and is on terms no less favorable to the Company or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, with a Person that is not an Affiliate;

(c) the incurrence by the Company and its Subsidiaries of Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) to the extent that any Rating Agency has communicated to the Company, after inquiry, that such proposed incurrence of Indebtedness is reasonably likely to result a Credit Downgrade, unless, following such time as the GM Control Assignee constitutes the Majority Initial Class B Holder, approved by the Independent Managers pursuant to Section 8.10(c) ;

(d) any change of the Independent Auditor, unless such replacement Independent Auditor is a “Big Four” accounting firm;

(e) any change in the Company’s or any Material Subsidiary’s name or the adoption of an assumed name under which to conduct the business of the Company or any Material Subsidiary, except as otherwise expressly permitted under or required by the Project Agreements; and

(f) any change in the Company’s Fiscal Year or material change in the Company’s accounting practices and procedures (including internal accounting standards) unless required by GAAP.

Section 8.10 Certain Matters Requiring Special Independent Manager Approval . In addition to a majority vote of the Board of Managers or any committee of the Board of Managers or any comparable body of any Subsidiary of the Company and, where applicable, the approval rights set forth in Section 8.9 , the prior written consent of at least a majority of the Independent Managers shall be required at any time to do, or cause to be done, any of the following:

(a) the declaration of a Bankruptcy (or acquiescence with respect thereto), dissolution (to the fullest extent permitted by Law) or liquidation, in each case of the Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries;

(b) the entering into, amendment or other modification of any transaction with any Affiliate, Member (other than the Class E Preferred Holder) or any of their Affiliates or any Senior Executive Officer (other than, in the case of any Senior Executive Officer, any agreement or arrangement entered into with such Person in connection with and relating to such Person’s employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including compensation arrangements), if the value of the consideration provided by the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries to any such Affiliate, Member or any of their Affiliates or any Senior Executive Officer involves in excess of $5 million or, if there is no monetary consideration paid or quantifiable value exchanged, if the agreement is otherwise material to the Company and/or any

 

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of its Subsidiaries (and in any event any amendment or other modification to any agreement set forth on Exhibit G ), unless at least a majority of the Independent Managers determines that such transaction is entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business and is on terms no less favorable to the Company or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, with a Person that is not an Affiliate or any their Affiliates; and

(c) the incurrence by the Company and its Subsidiaries of Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) to the extent that any Rating Agency has communicated to the Company, after inquiry, that such proposed incurrence of Indebtedness is reasonably likely to result in a Credit Downgrade.

Section 8.11 Certain Matters Requiring Board Discussion . Without limiting the matters to be discussed from time to time by the Board of Managers, the prior discussion by the Board of Managers shall be required at any time to do, or cause to be done, any of the following:

(a) any Transfer by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, in any transaction or series of related transactions, of assets or any business group, unit or line of business of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries or any Equity Securities of any Subsidiary of the Company if the equity value of such assets, business group, unit or line of business or Equity Securities in any one or a series of related transactions in any twelve-month period exceeds $250 million; provided that (i) securitization transactions entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business, (ii) other financing related transactions entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business, or (iii) any Transfer pursuant to the terms of the Call Option shall be discussed by the Board of Managers only if and to the extent that the Board of Managers from time to time shall establish a policy requiring such discussions; and

(b) the acquisition, including by merger or consolidation, of any business, entity, asset or group of related assets, in any one or a series of related transactions in any twelve-month period, if the equity value of such acquired businesses, entities, assets or groups of related assets exceeds $250 million.

Section 8.12 Compensation of Managers; Expense Reimbursement . Managers that are also Officers of the Company or employees of any of the Members or their Affiliates shall not receive any stated fee for services in their capacity as Managers; provided , however , that nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any Manager from serving the Company or any Subsidiary in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Managers that are not also Officers of the Company or employees of any of the Members or their Affiliates may receive a stated salary for their services as Managers, in each case as determined from time to time by the Board of Managers. Managers shall be reimbursed by the Company for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board of Managers subject to the Company’s requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of such expenses.

 

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Section 8.13 Committees of the Board of Managers .

(a) The Board of Managers may by resolution designate one or more committees, each of which shall be comprised of two or more Managers, and may designate one or more of the Managers as alternate members of any committee, who may, subject to any limitations imposed by the Board of Managers, replace absent or disqualified Managers at any meeting of that committee. Except as set forth in this Section 8.12 , otherwise waived by the Majority Initial Class A Holders or the Majority Initial Class B Holders, as applicable, or required by Law or the rules of any securities exchange or other self regulatory organization from time to time applicable to the Company, the proportion of Class A Managers and the Class B Managers on each committee of the Board of Managers shall be as nearly as possible given the number of Managers serving on the committee the same as the relative proportion of such Managers on the Board of Managers; provided that at least one Class A Manager and at least one Class B Manager shall serve on each committee of the Board of Managers, except, in each case, as otherwise may be provided herein. Subject to Section 8.9 , any decisions to be made by a committee of the Board of Managers shall require the approval of a majority of the votes of such committee of the Board of Managers. To the extent not prohibited by Law or stock exchange listing requirement, any Manager may attend the meetings of any committee of the Board of Managers on which he or she does not serve, as a non-voting observer.

(b) Any committee of the Board of Managers, to the extent provided in any resolution of the Board of Managers, shall have and may exercise all of the authority of the Board of Managers, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8.13(c) or in the establishment of such committee. Any committee members may be removed, or any authority granted thereto may be revoked, at any time for any reason by a majority of the Board of Managers subject to the limits on designation of replacement provided above and provided that a Class A Manager may be removed only by the Majority Initial Class A Holders and that a Class B Manager may be removed only by the Majority Initial Class B Holders. Each committee of Managers may fix its own rules of procedure and shall hold its meetings as provided by such rules, except as may otherwise be provided in this Agreement or by a resolution of the Board of Managers designating such committee.

(c) No committee of the Board of Managers shall have the authority of the Board of Managers with respect to any matters (i) subject to the approval rights set forth in Section 7.10 and Section 8.10 , (ii) subject to the approval rights set forth in Section 8.9 , unless the Joint Majority holders first consent in writing to such delegation, in which case (x) the voting requirements set forth in Section 8.9 will not apply to matters that come before the committee notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement and (y) the committee will act on delegated matters that come before it in accordance with any terms and conditions of such delegation, or (iii) otherwise subject to the approval rights of the Joint Majority Holders or the Independent Managers.

(d) There is hereby established an audit committee of the Board of Managers (the “ Audit Committee ”) initially comprised of three Independent Managers consisting of the Independent Managers; provided , however , that if any of the Independent Managers is prohibited from serving on the Audit Committee by any Law or stock exchange listing requirement, then the Audit Committee may be comprised of fewer than three Independent Managers during the period of such prohibition, but in no event less than two Independent Managers ( provided , that if

 

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there are less than two Independent Managers that are able to serve on the Audit Committee, the Majority Initial Class A Holders and Majority Initial Class B Holders shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide for a mutually acceptable solution). The Majority Initial Class B Holders shall have the right to designate the Chairman of the Audit Committee so long as the Independent Manager elected by the Majority Initial Class B Holders is a member of the Audit Committee, and, if not, the Majority Initial Class A Holders shall have the right to designate the Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall have and may exercise the powers, authority and responsibilities that are normally appropriate for the functions of an audit committee. The Audit Committee shall report its actions, findings and reports to the Board of Managers on a regular basis.

(e) There is hereby established the compensation committee of the Board of Managers (the “ Compensation Committee ”) initially comprised of three Managers consisting of two Class A Managers and one Class B Manager. One of the Class A Managers serving on the Compensation Committee initially shall be the Chairman of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee shall be responsible for matters related to executive compensation and all other equity-based incentive compensation plans of the Company. The Compensation Committee shall determine the compensation of (i) employees of the Company who are Managers of the Company and (ii) upon the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, all Officers or any other employee of the Company who occupies such other position as may be designated by the Compensation Committee from time to time. The Compensation Committee shall review the compensation of any director, manager, officer or other employee of any Subsidiary of the Company as may be designated by the Compensation Committee from time to time to determine if it has any objection to such compensation. The Compensation Committee shall have and may exercise the powers and authority granted to it by any incentive compensation plan for employees of the Company.

Section 8.14 Delegation of Authority . The Board of Managers may, from time to time (acting in any applicable case with any required consent under this Agreement), delegate to any Person (including any Member, Officer or Manager) such authority and powers to act on behalf of the Company as it shall deem advisable in its discretion, except with respect to any matters (a) subject to the approval rights set forth in Section 7.10 and Section 8.10 , (b) subject to the approval rights set forth in Section 8.9 , other than delegations to a committee of the Board of Managers pursuant to Section 8.13(c) , or (c) otherwise subject to the approval rights of the Joint Majority Holders or the Independent Managers. Any delegation pursuant to this Section 8.14 may be revoked at any time and for any reason or no reason by the Board of Managers.

Section 8.15 Officers .

(a) The officers of the Company (the “ Officers ”) shall consist of a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Presidents, a Secretary and such other Officers as may be appointed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. One Person may hold, and perform the duties of, any two or more of such offices.

(b) The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer each shall be appointed by a majority of the Class A Managers following discussion with the Class B

 

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Managers; provided that a majority of the Class B Managers shall have the right to object to the appointment of any individual if such Managers reasonably believe that such individual is not properly qualified (which qualifications shall include such individual’s work experience, education and background) to serve as the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer, as applicable, in which case the Class A Managers shall propose another individual to act as the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer, as applicable. The President, Auto Finance shall be appointed by the Joint Majority Holders; provided , however , that, following such time as the GM Control Assignee constitutes the Majority Initial Class B Holder, the President, Auto Finance shall be appointed by a majority of the members of the Board of Managers in accordance with the following sentence. All other Officers shall be appointed by a majority of the members of the Board of Managers; provided that each such Officer (other than the Secretary) shall be appointed following the nomination of such Officer by the Chief Financial Officer or any President, as applicable, following consultation with the Chief Executive Officer. Any Officer may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the Persons who initially appointed such Officer; provided that the Persons that did not initially appoint such Officer shall have the right, by written notice to the Persons who initially appointed such Officer, to request the removal of such Officer, which notice shall set forth in reasonable details the reasons for such request, and the Persons who initially appointed such Officer shall in good faith consider such request.

(c) No Officer shall have any rights or powers beyond the rights and powers granted to such Officers in this Agreement or by action of the Board of Managers. The Chief Executive Officer, Presidents, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

(i) Chief Executive Officer . The Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “ Chief Executive Officer ”) shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them from time to time by the Board of Managers. Subject to the direction of the Board of Managers, he or she shall have, and exercise, direct charge of, and general supervision over, the business and affairs of the Company. He or she shall from time to time report to the Board of Managers all matters within his or her knowledge that the interest of the Company may require to be brought to its notice, and shall also have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be specifically assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of Managers. The Chief Executive Officer shall see that all resolutions and orders of the Board of Managers are carried into effect, and in connection with the foregoing, shall be authorized to delegate to any President and the other Officers such of his or her powers and such of his or her duties as the Board of Managers may deem to be advisable.

(ii) Presidents .

(A) The Presidents of the Company (each a “ President ”) shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them from time to time by the Board of Managers or as may be designated by the Chief Executive Officer. Each President shall have the right, subject to the approval of the Board of Managers pursuant to Section 8.15(b) and following consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, to nominate the Officers who will report to such President or to any Person to whom such President delegates his or her authority.

 

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(B) The President, Auto Finance of the Company (the “ President, Auto Finance ”) shall perform such duties as may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of Managers or as may be designated by the Chief Executive Officer. Subject to the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, he or she shall have, and exercise, direct charge of, and general supervision over, the business and affairs of the global Auto Finance division of the Company.

(C) The President, Residential Capital, LLC of the Company shall perform such duties as may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of Managers or as may be designated by the Chief Executive Officer. Subject to the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, he or she shall have, and exercise, direct charge of, and general supervision over, the business and affairs of the mortgage operations division of the Company.

(iii) Chief Financial Officer . The Chief Financial Officer of the Company (the “ Chief Financial Officer ”) shall have the custody of the Company’s funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Company and shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Company, in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Managers or by any Officer authorized by the Board of Managers to make such designation. The Chief Financial Officer shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as generally pertain or are necessarily incident to his or her office and shall perform such other duties as may be specifically assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of Managers or the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have the right, subject to the approval of the Board of Managers pursuant to Section 8.15(b) and following consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, to nominate the Officers who will report to him or her or to any Person to whom the Chief Financial Officer delegates his or her authority.

(iv) Secretary . The Secretary of the Company (the “ Secretary ”) shall attend all meetings of the Members and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for any committee when required. He or she shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the Members and, when necessary, of the Board of Managers. The Secretary shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as generally pertain or are necessarily incident to his or her office, and he or she shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of Managers or the Chief Executive Officer. To the greatest extent possible, the Secretary shall vote, or cause to be voted, all of the Equity Securities of any Subsidiary of the Company as directed by the Board of Managers.

 

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Section 8.16 Standard of Care; Fiduciary Duties; Liability of Managers and Officers .

(a) Any Member, Manager or Officer, in the performance of such Member’s, Manager’s or Officer’s duties, shall be entitled to rely in good faith on the provisions of this Agreement and on opinions, reports or statements (including financial statements, books of account any other financial information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value or amount of the assets, liabilities, profits or losses of the Company and its Subsidiaries) of the following other Persons or groups: (i) one or more Officers or employees of such Member or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any legal counsel, certified public accountants or other Person employed or engaged by such Member, the Board of Managers or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iii) any other Person who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of such Member, Manager, Officer or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case as to matters which such relying Person reasonably believes to be within such other Person’s professional or expert competence. The preceding sentence shall in no way limit any Person’s right to rely on information to the extent provided in Section 18-406 of the Act.

(b) On any matter involving a conflict of interest not provided for in this Agreement, each Manager and Officer shall be guided by its reasonable judgment as to the best interests of the Company and its Subsidiaries and shall take such actions as are determined by such Person to be necessary or appropriate to ameliorate such conflict of interest.

(c) Subject to, and as limited by the provisions of this Agreement (including Section 8.7 ), the Managers and the Officers, in the performance of their duties as such, shall owe to the Company and its Members duties of loyalty and due care of the type owed under Law by directors and officers of a business corporation incorporated under the Delaware General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; provided that the doctrine of corporate opportunity or any analogous doctrine shall not apply to the Managers and provided , further , that, other than in connection with a Direct Conflict, no Manager and no Common Holder that elected such Manager shall have any duty to disclose to the Company or the Board of Managers confidential information in such Manager’s or Common Holder’s possession even if it is material and relevant information to the Company and/or the Board of Managers and neither such Manager nor such Common Holder shall be liable to the Company or the other Members for breach of any duty (including the duty of loyalty and any other fiduciary duties) as a Manager or Member by reason of such lack of disclosure of such confidential information. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict or eliminate the duties (including the duty of loyalty and other fiduciary duties) and liabilities of a Manager or Officer otherwise existing at Law or in equity or by operation of the preceding sentence, are agreed by the Members to replace such duties and liabilities of such Manager or Officer. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions and Section 8.16(f) , except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any other written agreement entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and any Manager, if a Manager acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a business opportunity for both the Common Holder that has the right to designate such Manager hereunder and the Company or another Member, such Manager shall have no duty to communicate or offer such business opportunity to the Company or any other Member and shall not be liable to the Company or the other Members for breach of any duty (including the duty of loyalty and any other fiduciary duties) as a Manager by reason of the fact that such Manager directs such opportunity to the Common Holder that has the right to designate such Manager or any other

 

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Person, or does not communicate information regarding such opportunity to the Company, and any such direction of an opportunity by such Manager, and any action with respect to such an opportunity by such Common Holder, shall not be wrongful or improper or constitute a breach of any duty hereunder, at law, in equity or otherwise.

(d) Except as required by the Act, no individual who is a Manager or an Officer, or any combination of the foregoing, shall be personally liable under any judgment of a court, or in any other manner, for any debt, obligation or liability of the Company, whether that liability or obligation arises in contract, tort or otherwise solely by reason of being a Manager or an Officer or any combination of the foregoing.

(e) No Manager or Officer shall be liable to the Company or any Member for any act or omission (including any breach of duty (fiduciary or otherwise)), including any mistake of fact or error in judgment taken, suffered or made by such Person if such Person acted in good faith and in a manner such Person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and which act or omission was within the scope of authority granted to such Person; provided that such act or omission did not constitute fraud, willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence in the conduct of such Person’s office.

(f) No Manager shall be liable to the Company or any Member for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Manager; provided that the foregoing shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a Manager: (i) for any breach of such Manager’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its Members (as such duty is modified pursuant to the terms of this Agreement); (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of Law; or (iii) for any transaction from which such Manager derived an improper personal benefit.

ARTICLE IX

TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS; SUBSTITUTED MEMBERS

Section 9.1 Limitations on Transfer of Membership Interests .

(a) From November 30, 2006 until November 30, 2011, no Common Holder may Transfer any Common Membership Interests (or any portion thereof), except (i) pursuant to Section 12.2 , Section 12.4 or Section 12.7 , (ii) to any Affiliate of such Common Holder, (iii) in the case of any Class A Holder, to any direct or indirect equityholder (or Affiliate of any direct or indirect equityholder) of such Class A Holder, (iv) in the case of any Class A Holder, to any Person with the prior written consent of the Majority Initial Class B Holders (which may be given or withheld in their discretion), (v) in the case of any Class B Holder, to any Person with the prior written consent of the Majority Initial Class A Holders (which may be given or withheld in their discretion), (vi) in the case of GM Holdco, up to thirty percent (30%) of the Common Membership Interests held by GM Holdco as of the Effective Date, subject to compliance with Section 9.2 , to any Person, so long as, with respect to clause (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) or (vi) above, the Person to whom such Common Membership Interests are Transferred, executes, simultaneously with such Transfer, an addendum to this Agreement, setting forth such Person’s agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Call

 

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Option, and assuming all obligations of the assignor with respect to the acquired Common Membership Interest, on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Company and, in the case of a Transfer by any Class B Holder, to the Majority Initial Class A Holders or (vii) in connection with a Company Conversion (each Transfer pursuant to clause (i) through (vii) inclusive, an “ Exempt Transfer ”).

(b) From and after November 30, 2011, no Common Holder may Transfer any Common Membership Interests (or any portion thereof) except (i) in compliance with Section 9.2 , (ii) pursuant to an Exempt Transfer or as contemplated by Section 12.2 , Section 12.4 or Section 12.7 or (iii) in connection with a Company Conversion.

(c) From and after the Effective Date, no Member may Transfer any Class C Membership Interests (or any portion thereof) except in compliance with Section 9.2(f) or as contemplated by Section 12.2 or Section 12.4 or in connection with a Company Conversion.

(d) From and after the Effective Date, the Class E Holder agrees that it shall not be permitted to Transfer any Class E Preferred Membership Interest except with prior written consent of the Board of Managers of the Company (other than pursuant to a Company Conversion).

(e) Each Member agrees that the Transfer restrictions set forth in this Agreement may not be avoided by Transferring interests in any Person who directly holds Common Membership Interests in the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, (i) the equityholders of FIM (other than funds and accounts managed by Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.) shall have the right to Transfer, directly or indirectly, any or all of their interests in FIM to any other Person that is an equityholder of FIM or Cerberus FIM Investors, LLC as of the Effective Date, and (ii) Aozora Bank Limited shall have the right to Transfer, directly or indirectly, its interests in FIM to one or more third Persons so long as Aozora Bank Limited continues to hold interests of FIM representing not less than fifty percent (50%) of its capital commitment to FIM as of the date of the Purchase Agreement.

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.1 , no Transfer of any Membership Interests to an Affiliate may take place without the consent of the other Members if such Transfer would result in the termination of the Company within the meaning of Section 708 of the Code and such termination would have a material adverse effect on the Company or any Member.

Section 9.2 Right of First Offer; Co-Sale Rights .

(a) From and after the Effective Date, if GM Holdco as contemplated by Section 9.1(a)(vi) , or, from and after November 30, 2011, if any Common Holder (the “ Transferring Holder ”) desires to Transfer any or all of its Common Membership Interests (the direct or indirect interests of the Company that are proposed to be Transferred, the “ Offered Membership Interests ”), then prior to entering into a binding agreement with respect to such Transfer, the Transferring Holder shall deliver a notice (the “ Sale Notice ”) to the other Common Holders of its desire to Transfer the Offered Membership Interests.

 

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(b) Each of the Common Holders holding in excess of ten percent (10%) of the Common Membership Interests (such Common Holders, collectively, the “ Ten Percent Holders ”) may (in its sole discretion, without any obligation to do so) within twenty calendar days after receipt of the Sale Notice, offer to purchase all (but not less than all) of the Offered Membership Interests specified in the Sale Notice, whether by itself or together with one or more other Ten Percent Holders (each Ten Percent Holders submitting such offer, an “ Offering Member ”), by delivering a written notice to the Transferring Holder and the other Common Holders, specifying the proposed purchase price and in reasonable detail the other material terms and conditions of the offer (each an “ Offer ”). In addition, each Common Holder may (in its sole discretion without any obligation to do so) within such time period elect to participate in the contemplated Transfer by delivering a written notice to the Transferring Holder, specifying the sale price at or above which it would sell all or any portion of its Pro Rata Share of the Offered Membership Interests (each a “ Co-Sale Offer ”).

(c) Within ten calendar days after the delivery of one or more Offers to the Transferring Holder and the other Ten Percent Holders, the Transferring Holder may accept any one of the Offers or reject any or all of the Offers in its sole discretion by delivery of a written notice of such acceptance or rejection, as the case may be, to the Offering Members (the “ Acceptance/Rejection Notice ”).

(d) If the Transferring Holder accepts one of the Offers (the “ Accepted Offer ”), then the Offering Members whose Offer(s) were rejected by the Transferring Holder shall have the right (but not the obligation), by giving written notice to the Transferring Holder and the Offering Member(s) that submitted the Accepted Offer within five calendar days following the delivery of the Acceptance/Rejection Notice, to participate in the proposed Transfer on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Accepted Offer (all Offering Members participating in such Transfer, the “ Accepting Offering Members ”) and to purchase the number of Offered Membership Interests to be Transferred by the Transferring Member as shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the total number of Offered Membership Interests, by (ii) a fraction (A) the numerator of which shall be the total number of Common Membership Interests held by such Accepting Offering Member as of the date of the Acceptance/Rejection Notice and (B) the denominator of which shall be the total number of Common Membership Interests then held by all Accepting Offering Members. If the Transferring Holder has accepted one of the Offers, then the Transferring Holder and the Accepting Offering Members shall promptly and in good faith negotiate and enter into written definitive agreements setting forth the definitive terms of the Accepted Offer.

(e) If (i)(A) the Transferring Holder and the Accepting Offering Members do not enter into a definitive agreement regarding the purchase of the Offered Membership Interests within forty calendar days after delivery of the Acceptance/Rejection Notice, (B) the Transferring Holder rejects all of the Offers or (C) no Offer is made and either (ii)(A) none of the other Common Holders gives a Co-Sale Offer within the time period set forth in Section 9.2(b) or (B) the Transferring Holder accepts a price lower than the price set forth in the Co-Sale Offer(s), then the Transferring Holder may Transfer all (but not less than all) of the Offered Membership Interests (in the case of clause (i)(A) or (i)(B) above, at a price and on terms that are no more favorable to the prospective acquirer than the terms and conditions specified in any

 

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Offer) for a period ending on the later to occur of (x) one hundred twenty calendar days thereafter or (y) if a definitive agreement to Transfer the Offered Membership Interests is entered into by the Transferring Holder within such one hundred twenty calendar day period, the date on which all applicable approvals and consents of Governmental Entities and other Persons with respect to such proposed Transfer have been obtained and any applicable waiting periods under Law have expired or been terminated; provided that each of the Company and the Members hereby agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly obtain, or to assist the Company or any other Member in promptly obtaining, all of the foregoing approvals and consents and to take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the Company or any other Member in connection with such Transfer. If, however, the Transferring Holder fails so to complete such Transfer of the Offered Membership Interests within such time period or if any such agreement to Transfer is terminated, then any proposed Transfer shall again become subject to the Ten Percent Holders’ right of first offer and the Common Holders’ co-sale rights set forth in this Section 9.2 and to the other provisions of this Article IX .

(f) If (i)(A) the Transferring Holder and the Accepting Offering Members do not enter into a definitive agreement regarding the purchase of the Offered Membership Interests within forty calendar days after delivery of the Acceptance/Rejection Notice, (B) the Transferring Holder rejects all of the Offers or (C) no Offer is made and (ii) any of the Common Holders have elected to participate in such Transfer at or above the sale price set forth in the definitive agreements governing such Transfer (such Common Holders, the “ Co-Sale Members ”), then the Transferring Holder may Transfer Offered Membership Interests to any Person and the Co-Sale Members shall be entitled to sell in the contemplated Transfer, for a period ending on the later to occur of (1) one hundred twenty calendar days thereafter or (2) if a definitive agreement to Transfer the Offered Membership Interests is entered into by the Transferring Holder within such one hundred twenty calendar day period, the date on which all applicable approvals and consents of Governmental Entities and other Persons with respect to such proposed Transfer have been obtained and any applicable waiting periods under Law have expired or been terminated; provided that each of the Company and the Members hereby agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly obtain, or to assist the Company or any other Member in promptly obtaining, all of the foregoing approvals and consents and to take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the Company or any other Member in connection with such Transfer. In such Transfer, the Co-Sale Members shall each be entitled to sell, at the same price and on the same terms as the Transferring Holder, all or any portion of such Co-Sale Member’s Pro Rata Share of the Offered Membership Interests. “ Pro Rata Share ” means a number of Common Membership Interests up to the number equal to the total number of Offered Membership Interests, multiplied by a fraction (x) the numerator of which is the number of Common Membership Interests held by such Co-Sale Member, and (y) the denominator of which is the number of Common Membership Interests held, in the aggregate, by the Transferring Holder and all Co-Sale Members. Subject to Section 12.7(d) , the Transferring Holder shall not Transfer any of the Offered Membership Interests to any prospective Transferee if such prospective Transferee declines to allow the participation of the Co-Sale Members, unless the Transferring Holder acquires from each Co-Sale Member (at the price set forth in the definitive agreement governing the Transfer by the Transferring Holder) the number of Common Membership Interests such Co-Sale Member would have been entitled to Transfer to the

 

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prospective Transferee (or, if less, the number of Membership Interests that such Co-Sale Member requested to Transfer to such Transferee). Each Co-Sale Member Transferring Common Membership Interests pursuant to this Section 9.2(f) shall pay its own costs of any sale and a pro rata share (based on the relative consideration to be received in respect of the Common Membership Interests to be sold) of the expenses incurred by the Co-Sale Members Transferring Common Membership Interests pursuant to this Section 9.2(f) (to the extent such costs are incurred for the benefit of all of such Co-Sale Members and are not otherwise paid by the Transferee) in connection with such Transfer and shall be obligated to provide the same representations, warranties, covenants and agreements that the Transferring Holder agrees to provide in connection with such Transfer. Each Co-Sale Member Transferring Common Membership Interests pursuant to this Section 9.2(f) shall be obligated to join severally on a pro rata basis (based on the relative consideration to be received in respect of the Common Membership Interests to be sold) in any indemnification or other obligations that the Transferring Holder agrees to provide or undertake in connection with such Transfer (including any representations given with respect to the business and condition of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries, but other than any such obligations that relate specifically to a particular Co-Sale Member, such as indemnification with respect to representations and warranties given by a Co-Sale Member regarding such Co-Sale Member’s non-contravention, title and ownership of, and authority to sell, such Common Membership Interests); provided that the liability resulting from any such indemnity or similar obligation shall be several and not joint as among the indemnitors. If, however, the Transferring Holder fails so to complete such Transfer of the Offered Membership Interests within the time period set forth above or if any such agreement to Transfer is terminated, then any proposed Transfer shall again become subject to the Ten Percent Holders’ right of first offer and the Co-Sale Member’s co-sale rights set forth in this Section 9.2 and to the other provisions of this Article IX . The right of first offer and co-sale rights set forth in this Section 9.2 shall not apply to any Transfer contemplated by Section 12.2 and/or Section 12.7(a) , and the co-sale rights set forth in this Section 9.2 shall not apply with respect to any Transfer consummated in accordance with the participation rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. The co-sale rights set forth in this Section 9.2 shall terminate with respect to any Co-Sale Member at such time as such Co-Sale Member holds less than twenty percent (20%) of the Common Membership Interests. For the purposes of this Section 9.2(f) , in the event that a Transferring Holder is Transferring Offered Membership Interests, following the later to occur of (x) November 30, 2011, and (y) two years following the initial Public Offering of the Company unless such Public Offering occurs prior to November 30, 2009, in which case following the second anniversary of such Public Offering, in excess of forty percent (40%) of the Common Membership Interests outstanding at such time are proposed to be Transferred, then (1) the definition of “Co-Sale Members” shall be deemed to include the Class C-1 Holders with respect to that portion of Class C-1 Membership Interest equivalent to the vested Management Units, provided that the Transferee shall have agreed in writing to accept Class C-1 Membership Interests, in which case the price at which such Class C-1 Holders may sell their Class C-1 Membership Interests shall be the consideration proposed to be paid by the Transferee with respect to the Class C-1 Membership Interests, which consideration may be less than the consideration to be paid to the other members with respect to the Membership Interests to be Transferred by them in such transfer and (2) the phrase “Common Membership Interests” in the definition of “Pro Rata Share” shall be replaced with the phrase “Membership Interests.”

 

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Section 9.3 Void Transfers . To the greatest extent permitted by the Act and other Law, any Transfer by any Member of any Membership Interests or other interest in the Company in contravention of this Agreement shall be void and ineffective and shall not bind or be recognized by the Company or any other Person. In the event of any Transfer in contravention of this Agreement, to the greatest extent permitted by the Act and other Law, the purported Transferee shall have no right to any profits, losses or Distributions of the Company or any other rights of a Member.

Section 9.4 Substituted Member . Each Person to whom any Membership Interest is Transferred in accordance with the provisions of this Article IX shall agree in writing to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and the Call Option as a holder of such Membership Interests. Upon such agreement, such Person shall become a Substituted Member entitled to all the rights of a Member with respect to such Membership Interest, and the Schedule of Members shall be amended to reflect the name, notice address, Membership Interests and Company Interests of such Substituted Member and to eliminate the name and notice address of and other information relating to the Transferee with regard to the Transferred Membership Interests.

Section 9.5 Effect of Transfer . Following a Transfer of any Membership Interests that is permitted under this Article IX , the Transferee of such Membership Interests shall be treated as having made all of the Capital Contributions in respect of, and received all of the Distributions received in respect of, such Membership Interests, and shall receive allocations and Distributions under Article V and Article X in respect of such Membership Interests as if such Transferee were a Member.

Section 9.6 Additional Transfer Restrictions .

(a) For so long as GM Holdco and its Affiliates collectively hold at least twenty percent (20%) of the Common Membership Interests, no Member (other than GM Holdco and its Affiliates) may Transfer, without the prior written consent of GM Holdco or in connection with a Transfer pursuant to Section 9.2(f) , any of its Membership Interests to any Person, or to any Affiliate of any Person, that is engaged in the business of manufacturing, developing, producing, marketing, licensing, selling or distributing motor vehicles (but not component parts) in competition with GM and its Subsidiaries in any material market or sub-market or such business constitutes a material portion of its business or the applicable industry taken as a whole in such market or sub-market.

(b) Any Member proposing to make a Transfer of its Membership Interest pursuant to this Article IX and the proposed Transferee shall obtain (at its sole cost and expense, but with all reasonable cooperation from the Company) any waivers, consents or approvals from any third Person (including any Governmental Entity) that may be necessary in connection with the proposed Transfer and the admission of the proposed Transferee as a Substitute Member, if applicable.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Article IX , no Transfer of Membership Interests subject to this Article IX may be made unless in the opinion of counsel

 

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(who may be counsel for the Company), reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Board of Managers and counsel for the Company (which opinion requirement may be waived, in whole or in part, at the discretion of the Board of Managers), such Transfer would not (i) violate any federal securities Laws or any state securities or “blue sky” Laws (including any investor suitability standards) applicable to the Company or the Membership Interests to be Transferred, (ii) cause the Company to be required to register as an “investment company” under the 1940 Act, (iii) cause the Company (for so long as it is a limited liability company) to be treated as a publicly traded partnership for United States federal tax purposes or (iv) have a material and adverse effect on the Company as a result of any requirement of Law that becomes or that may become applicable in connection with or as a result of such Transfer.

(d) No Transfer of a Membership Interest (or beneficial interest therein) shall be effective, and neither the Company nor the Tax Matters Member shall recognize any such Transfer: (i) (except in the case of a Transfer pursuant to a Company Conversion) unless the Transferee represents and agrees in a certification acceptable to the Company and the Tax Matters Member that either (A) it is not, for United States federal tax purposes, a partnership, a trust, an estate or a “S corporation” (as defined in the Code; each a “ Pass-through Entity ”) or (B) it is, for United States federal tax purposes, a Pass-through Entity, but after giving effect to such purchase of Membership Interests either (1) less than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate value of the Pass-through Entity’s assets will consist of Membership Interests, and no principal purpose in using a Pass-through Entity to purchase the Membership Interests is to permit the Company to have more than one hundred “partners” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1)(ii) or (2) it will be treated as one partner in the Company for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h); (ii) unless the Transferee is a “qualified purchaser” under the 1940 Act; and (iii) (except in the case of a Transfer pursuant to a Company Conversion) if, as a result of such Transfer, the Membership Interests would be owned by more than ninety-nine Persons as determined by the Company (with the written approval of the Joint Majority Holders) in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h) or, if, as a result of such Transfer, the Company would otherwise be treated as a publicly traded partnership for United States federal tax purposes.

(e) Management Company represents and warrants to the other Members that, as of the Effective Date, it constitutes not more than one “partner” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1)(ii). No Member shall Transfer, nor shall permit any of its direct or indirect equityholders to Transfer, directly or indirectly, any Membership Interest if such Transfer would result in the Company having more than 100 “partners” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1)(ii). None of FIM, Management Company, GM Preferred Holdco or GM Holdco has Transferred or shall Transfer, nor has permitted or shall permit any Transferee or any of their direct or indirect equityholders to Transfer, directly or indirectly, any Membership Interests if such Transfer would have resulted or would result in (i) FIM and its Transferees (and their respective Transferees) collectively constituting more than seventy four “partners” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1)(ii), (ii) Management Company and its Transferees (and their respective Transferees) collectively constituting more than one “partner” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1)(ii) or (iii) GM Preferred Holdco, GM Holdco, Blocker Sub,

 

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the Treasury Preferred Holder and their respective Transferees (and their respective Transferees) collectively constituting more than twenty five “partners” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1)(ii).

Section 9.7 Transfer Fees and Expenses . The Transferor and Transferee of any Membership Interests shall be jointly and severally obligated to reimburse the Company for all reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred on behalf of the Company in connection with any Transfer or proposed Transfer, whether or not consummated.

Section 9.8 Effective Date . Any Transfer and any related admission of a Person as a Member in compliance with this Article IX shall be deemed effective on such date that the Transferee complies with the requirements of this Agreement.

Section 9.9 Acceptance of Prior Acts . A Transferee of the Membership Interest of a Member who is admitted to the Company in place and stead of a Member accepts, ratifies and agrees to be bound by all actions duly taken pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the Call Option by the Company prior to the date it was admitted to the Company and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, specifically ratifies and approves all agreements and other instruments as may have been executed and delivered on behalf of the Company prior to such date and which are in force and effect on such date.

Section 9.10 Transfer of Certain Membership Interests by GM to the U.S. Treasury . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the terms of this Article IX and the other provisions of this Agreement that operate as restrictions or limitations on Transfers of Membership Interests (including Section 7.10) or that give non-transferring Members rights in connection with Transfers of Membership Interests, other than the publicly traded partnership limitations contained in Section 9.6, shall not apply to any Transfer of Membership Interests by GM or any of its Affiliates to the U.S. Department of the Treasury or its designee (including any trust or trustee), and GM and its Affiliates shall be permitted to Transfer any such Membership Interests to the U.S. Department of the Treasury or such designee; provided , however , that if the transferee of any such Membership Interests is not then a Member, such transferee shall first furnish to the Board of Managers (a) a joinder agreement pursuant to which such transferee agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and (b) such other documents or instruments as may be necessary or appropriate to effect such transferee’s admission as a Member, which joinder agreement, documents and instruments shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Board of Managers.

ARTICLE X

DISSOLUTION

Section 10.1 In General . The Company shall dissolve and its affairs shall be wound up upon the first to occur of the following: (a) the written consent of the Joint Majority Holders; (b) at any time there are no Members of the Company unless the Company is continued in accordance with the Act; or (c) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under Section 18-802 of the Act.

 

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Section 10.2 Liquidation and Termination . On the dissolution of the Company, the Board of Managers shall act as liquidator or (in its sole discretion) may appoint one or more representatives, Members or other Persons as liquidator(s). The liquidators shall proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the Company and make final distributions as provided herein and in the Act. The costs of liquidation shall be borne as a Company expense. Until final distribution, the liquidators shall continue to operate the Company with all of the power and authority of the Board of Managers. The Company intends to comply with the “substantial economic effect” safe harbor contained in Treasury Regulations under Code Section 704(b) such that, upon the Company’s liquidation, distributions to the Members are required to be made in accordance with Capital Account balances (as determined after making the allocations described in Section 10.2(c) below and Article VI ). The steps to be accomplished by the liquidators are as follows:

(a) the liquidators shall pay, satisfy or discharge from the Company funds all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company (including all expenses incurred in liquidation) or otherwise make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof (including the establishment of a cash fund for contingent liabilities in such amount and for such term as the liquidators may reasonably determine);

(b) after payment or provision for payment of all of the Company’s liabilities has been made in accordance with Section 10.2(a) , all remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed in accordance with Section 5.2 . For the avoidance of doubt:

(i) no Junior Membership Interests will receive any amounts upon a liquidation or dissolution of the Company unless and until Blocker Sub receives, in respect of the Class E Preferred Membership Interests, an amount at least equal to the Class E Preferred Reference Amount (except that Junior Membership Interests may receive stock in the corporation resulting from a Company Conversion);

(ii) if, upon the Company’s liquidation (other than pursuant to a Company Conversion), the amounts distributed with respect to the Class E Preferred Membership Interests and all Parity Membership Interests are not paid in full, Distributions in respect of the Class E Preferred Membership Interests and all Parity Membership Interests shall be made equally and ratably in proportion to the respective Capital Accounts attributable thereto; and

(iii) any payments (but not distributions of stock of the corporation resulting from a Company Conversion) made upon liquidation or dissolution of the Company (other than an involuntary liquidation, winding-up, dissolution of other similar involuntary procedure) in respect of Class E Preferred Membership Interests and Parity Membership Interests shall be made on a pro-rata basis based on the aggregate reference amounts of the Class E Preferred Membership Interests and such Parity Membership Interests;

(c) any non-cash assets will first be written up or down to their Fair Market Value, thus creating gain or loss (if any), which resulting gain or loss shall be allocated to the

 

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Members’ Capital Accounts in accordance with Article VI , the requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b) and other applicable provisions of the Code. In making such distributions, the liquidators shall allocate each type of asset ( e.g. , cash or cash equivalents, securities or other property) among the Members ratably based upon the aggregate amounts to be distributed with respect to the Membership Interests held by each such Member; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that distributions with respect to the Class E Preferred Membership Interests shall be payable only in cash (except for distributions pursuant to a Company Conversion or, where no distributions are made with respect to any Junior Membership Interest, a liquidation of the Company).

Section 10.3 Complete Distribution . The distribution to a Member in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.2 constitutes a complete return to the Member of its Capital Contributions and a complete distribution to the Member of its interest in the Company and all the Company’s property and constitutes a compromise to which all Members have consented within the meaning of the Act. If a Member returns funds to the Company and such funds exceed such Member’s pro rata share of all funds required to be returned to the Company, then such Member shall have a claim against the other Members for an amount equal to such excess. Each other Member shall be liable for a pro rata portion of such excess equal to the amount such Member would have paid had the amount paid by the Member seeking recovery been recovered from all Members pro rata based on the relative amount of funds to be returned by each such Member.

Section 10.4 Filing of Certificate of Cancellation . Immediately following the completion of the distribution of the Company’s assets as provided herein, the Board of Managers (or such other Person or Persons as the Act may require or permit) shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, cancel any other filings made pursuant to this Agreement that are required to be canceled and take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Company. The Company shall be deemed to continue in existence for all purposes of this Agreement until it is terminated pursuant to this Section 10.4 .

Section 10.5 Reasonable Time for Winding Up . A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding up of the business and affairs of the Company and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Section 10.2 to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding up.

Section 10.6 Return of Capital . The liquidators shall not be personally liable for the return of Capital Contributions or any portion thereof to the Members (it being understood that any such return shall be made solely from Company assets).

Section 10.7 Antitrust Laws . Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, in the event that any Antitrust Law is applicable to any Member by reason of the fact that any assets of the Company shall be distributed to such Member in connection with the winding up of the Company, such Distribution shall not be consummated until such time as the applicable waiting periods (and extensions thereof) under such Antitrust Law have expired or otherwise been terminated with respect to each such Member.

 

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Section 10.8 Other Remedies . Nothing in this Article X shall limit any Member’s right to enforce any provision of this Agreement by an action at Law or equity, nor shall an election to dissolve the Company pursuant to this Article X relieve any Member of any liability for any prior or subsequent breach of this Agreement or another document referred to herein.

ARTICLE XI

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 11.1 General Indemnity .

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by the Act, the Company, to the extent of its assets legally available for that purpose, shall indemnify and hold harmless each Person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in or participates as a witness with respect to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (each a “ Proceeding ”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a Person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a Manager or an officer, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a manager, director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another Entity (collectively, the “ Indemnified Persons ”) from and against any and all loss, cost, damage, fine, expense (including reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and other advisors and any court costs incurred by any Indemnified Person) or liability actually and reasonably incurred by such Person in connection with such Proceeding if such Person acted in good faith and in a manner such Person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such Person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Person did not act in good faith or in a manner such Person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company.

(b) The Company may pay in advance or reimburse reasonable expenses (including advancing reasonable costs of defense) incurred by an Indemnified Person who is or is threatened to be named or made a defendant or a respondent in a Proceeding; provided , however , that as a condition to any such advance or reimbursement, such Indemnified Person shall agree that it shall repay the same to the Company if such Indemnified Person is finally judicially determined by a court of competent jurisdiction not to be entitled to indemnification under this Article XI .

(c) The Company shall not be required to indemnify a Person in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such Person against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries if the Proceeding was not authorized by the Board of Managers. The ultimate determination of entitlement to indemnification of any Indemnified Person shall be made by the Board of Managers in such manner as the Board of Managers may determine.

 

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(d) Any and all indemnity obligations of the Company with respect to any Indemnified Person shall survive any termination of this Agreement. The indemnification and other rights provided for in this Article XI shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of any Person entitled to such indemnification.

Section 11.2 Fiduciary Insurance . Unless otherwise agreed by the Board of Managers and the Joint Majority Holders, the Company shall maintain, at its expense, insurance (a) to indemnify Company for any obligations which it incurs as a result of the indemnification of Indemnified Persons under the provisions of this Article XI , and (ii) to indemnify Indemnified Persons in instances in which they may not otherwise be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Article XI.

Section 11.3 Rights Non-Exclusive . The rights to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Article XI shall not be exclusive of any other right which any Person may have or hereafter acquire under any Law, provision of this Agreement, any other agreement, any vote of Members or disinterested Managers or otherwise.

Section 11.4 Merger or Consolidation; Other Entities . For purposes of this Article XI , references to “the Company” shall include, in addition to the resulting company, any constituent company (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its managers, directors, officers, employees or agents, so that any Person who is or was a manager, director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent company, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Article XI with respect to the resulting or surviving company as he or she would have with respect to such constituent company if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this Article XI , references to “another Entity” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a Person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a manager, director, officer, employee or agent of the Company that imposes duties on, or involves services by, such manager, director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a Person who acted in good faith and in a manner such Person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Article XI .

Section 11.5 No Member Recourse . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any indemnity by the Company relating to the matters covered in this Article XI shall be provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only and no Member shall have personal liability on account thereof or shall be required to make additional Capital Contributions to help satisfy such indemnity of the Company.

 

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ARTICLE XII

OTHER AGREEMENTS

Section 12.1 Transactions with Affiliates .

(a) The Company shall conduct, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to conduct, all transactions with its Affiliates (other than Subsidiaries of the Company), Members (other than the Class E Preferred Holder) and their respective Affiliates, current or former officers or directors, or any of their respective family members on terms that are fair and reasonable and no less favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate, a Member, an Affiliate of a Member, a current or former officer or director, or a family member and in compliance with all Laws, it being understood and agreed that (i) all Transaction Documents (including the Project Agreements), (ii) all agreements or arrangements in effect as of the Effective Date by the Company and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and GM and its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, set forth on Exhibit G and (iii) all transactions approved by (A) the Joint Majority Holders, (B) the Class A Managers and the Class B Managers pursuant to Section 8.9(b) and/or (C) the Independent Managers pursuant to Section 8.10(b) , in each case, as required by this Agreement, as applicable, shall each be deemed to be in compliance with this Section 12.1(a) . Subject to the terms of this Agreement and any documents referred to herein, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to purchase products, services or components from any Member, but may seek quotes for the supply of products, services or components in its Ordinary Course of Business.

(b) The Class E Preferred Holder and, subject to Section 8.9(b) , Section 8.10(b) and Section 12.1(a) , the Common Holders, GM Preferred Holders (and Affiliates of, and Persons who are otherwise related to, such Members) shall have the right to contract and otherwise deal with Company with respect to the sale, purchase or lease of real and/or personal property, the rendition of services, the lending of money and for other purposes in arm’s-length transactions, and to receive the purchase price, costs, fees, commissions, interest, compensation and other forms of consideration in connection therewith, without being subject to claims for self-dealing.

Section 12.2 Public Offering .

(a) In addition to the other rights of the Board of Managers or the Members to require the Issuer to consummate an initial Public Offering, the Joint Majority Holders jointly shall have the right, but not the obligation, to require the Issuer to consummate an initial Public Offering.

(b) In the event that, subject to the provisions of Section 7.10(a)(ii) , the Board of Managers or the Joint Majority Holders, as applicable, approve an initial Public Offering and sale of securities of the Issuer (including a sale of Equity Securities, debt securities, income

 

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deposit securities or securities of any other kind or combination) pursuant to a Public Offering, then, subject to Section 4.4(h) , each Member (other than the Treasury Preferred Holder and the Class E Preferred Holder) and Manager shall take all necessary or desirable actions required or deemed advisable by the Board of Managers or such Members, as applicable, in connection with the consummation of such Public Offering, and enter into such agreement or agreements as are necessary to preserve the rights and obligations of the Members hereunder as in effect immediately prior to the consummation of such initial Public Offering. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the case of a Public Offering that is required pursuant to Section 12.2(a) , none of the Managers shall have any duty to the Members to independently evaluate or approve any such action but merely to act in any necessary or desirable fashion to accommodate the implementation of such offering as determined by those persons requiring registration.

(c) In the event that, subject to the provisions of Section 7.10(a)(ii) and Section 12.2(b) , the Board of Managers or the Joint Majority Holders, as applicable, so determine, subject to Section 4.4(h) , each Member (other than the Treasury Preferred Holder and the Class E Preferred Holder) who pursuant to the terms of this Agreement has any right to vote upon or consent to such transaction shall be deemed to have consented to and, if required under this Agreement or Law, shall vote in favor of a recapitalization, reorganization, conversion, contribution and/or exchange of such Member’s Membership Interests into securities that the Board of Managers or the Joint Majority Holders, as applicable, find acceptable and shall take all necessary or desirable actions required or deemed advisable by the Board of Managers or the Joint Majority Holders, as applicable, in connection with the consummation of such recapitalization, reorganization, conversion, contribution and/or exchange; provided that, if in any such recapitalization, reorganization, conversion, contribution and/or exchange, the Issuer provides for each holder of Membership Interests to receive cash, securities of the Issuer or other consideration in exchange for or in satisfaction of such holder’s Membership Interests, then (i) all holders of the same class or type of interests in the Company shall receive the same form and proportionate share of consideration as all other holders of such class or type of interests (for this purpose, the Class A Membership Interests and Class B Membership Interests shall be considered the same class of interests), and (ii) any consideration payable or otherwise deliverable to the Members in such recapitalization, reorganization, conversion, contribution and/or exchange shall be valued by the Board of Managers, the Joint Majority Holders and/or the Independent Managers, as applicable, in its or their, as applicable, reasonable discretion (which determination shall be binding, as a matter of contract, on each Member pursuant to this Agreement) and shall be distributed among the Members according to the respective class of Membership Interests of the Members in the Company as in effect immediately prior to the consummation of such recapitalization, reorganization, conversion, contribution and/or exchange as if such consideration were received by the Company and an amount equal to the value thereof were distributed to the Members in accordance with the terms of Section 5.1 and Section 5.2 .

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, from and after the Effective Date until November 30, 2011, no Member shall Transfer any of such Member’s Common Membership Interests or Class C Membership Interests (or successor Equity Securities of the Issuer) in a secondary public sale without the prior written consent of the

 

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Joint Majority Holders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing in this Section 12.2 shall create any liability, right, obligation or restriction upon any Treasury Preferred Holder or Class E Preferred Holder.

Section 12.3 Preemptive Rights .

(a) The Company shall not issue, sell or exchange, agree to issue, sell or exchange, or reserve or set aside for issuance, sale or exchange, (i) any Equity Securities of the Company to any Person or (ii) any debt securities of the Company to any Member (collectively, the “ Preemptive Securities ”) unless, in each case, the Company shall have first offered to sell to each Common Holder (each a “ Preemptive Holder ”) such Preemptive Holder’s Preemptive Share of the Preemptive Securities, at a price and on such other terms as shall have been specified by the Company in writing delivered to each such Preemptive Holder (the “ Preemptive Offer ”), which Preemptive Offer shall by its terms remain open and irrevocable for a period of at least thirty calendar days from the date it is delivered by the Company (the “ Preemptive Offer Period ”). Each Preemptive Holder may elect to purchase all or any portion of such Preemptive Holder’s Preemptive Share of the Preemptive Securities as specified in the Preemptive Offer at the price and upon the terms specified therein by delivering written notice of such election to the Company as soon as practical but in any event within the Preemptive Offer Period; provided that if the Company is issuing Equity Securities together as a unit with any debt securities or other Equity Securities, then any Preemptive Holder who elects to purchase the Preemptive Securities pursuant to this Section 12.3 must purchase the same proportionate mix of all of such securities; provided further that if the Company is issuing securities that would entitle the holder thereof to vote, then a Preemptive Holder may elect not to have any voting rights with respect to such securities, and if such election is made, such Preemptive Holder shall not have any voting rights with respect to such securities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, a Preemptive Holder may assign all or any portion of its right to acquire Preemptive Securities to its direct or indirect equityholders, and upon any such assignment, each such equityholder shall be deemed a Preemptive Holder for the purposes of this Section 12.3 .

(b) Each Preemptive Holder’s “ Preemptive Share ” of Preemptive Securities shall be determined as follows: the total number of Preemptive Securities, multiplied by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is the number of Common Membership Interests then held, directly or indirectly, by such Preemptive Holder, and (ii) the denominator of which is the number of Common Membership Interests then held by all Preemptive Holders (including such Preemptive Holder).

(c) Upon the expiration of the Preemptive Offer Period, the Company shall offer to sell to the Preemptive Holders that have elected to purchase all of their Preemptive Share of the Preemptive Securities any Preemptive Securities that have not otherwise been acquired by the Preemptive Holders, at the same price and on the same terms as those specified in the Preemptive Offer, and such Preemptive Holders shall have the right to acquire all or any portion of such Preemptive Securities within thirty calendar days following the expiration of the Preemptive Offer Period (such period, the “ Preemptive Reoffer Period ”).

 

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(d) Upon the expiration of the Preemptive Offer Period or the Preemptive Reoffer Period, as applicable, the Company shall be entitled to sell such Preemptive Securities which the Preemptive Holders have not elected to purchase for a period ending on the later to occur of (i) one hundred twenty calendar days following the expiration of the Preemptive Offer Period or the Preemptive Reoffer Period, as applicable, or (ii) if a definitive agreement to Transfer the Preemptive Securities is entered into by the Company within such one hundred twenty calendar day period, the date on which all applicable approvals and consents of Governmental Entities and other Persons with respect to such proposed Transfer have been obtained and any applicable waiting periods under Law have expired or been terminated, in each case on terms and conditions not materially more favorable to the purchasers thereof than those offered to the Preemptive Holders. Each of the Company and the Members hereby agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly obtain, or to assist the Company or any other Member in promptly obtaining, all of the foregoing approvals and consents and to take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the Company or any other Member in connection with such Transfer. Any Preemptive Securities to be sold by the Company following the expiration of such period must be reoffered to the Preemptive Holders pursuant to the terms of this Section 12.3 or if any such agreement to Transfer is terminated.

(e) The provisions of this Section 12.3 shall not apply to the following issuances of Equity Securities:

(i) incentive Membership Interests issued to or for the benefit of employees, officers, directors and other service providers of or to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in accordance with the terms hereof or any applicable incentive plan of the Company;

(ii) securities issued by the Company in connection with a Public Offering;

(iii) securities issued as consideration in acquisitions or commercial borrowings or leasing;

(iv) securities issued upon conversion of convertible or exchangeable securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that are outstanding on the Effective Date or were not issued in violation of this Section 12.3 ;

(v) a subdivision of Membership Interests (including any Membership Interests Distribution or Membership Interest split), any combination of Membership Interests (including any reverse Membership Interest split) or any recapitalization, reorganization, reclassification or conversion of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and

(vi) the issuance of Class E Membership Interests to Blocker Sub;

(vii) the issuance of any Class D-2 Membership Interests pursuant to the Warrant dated December 29, 2008; and

 

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(viii) the issuance of Common Membership Interests pursuant to the Membership Interests Subscription Agreement among the Company, GM and FIM, dated December 29, 2009.

(f) Nothing in this Section 12.3 shall be deemed to prevent the Majority Class A Holders, the Majority Class B Holders or any of their respective Affiliates from purchasing for cash any Preemptive Securities without first complying with the provisions of Section 12.3 ; provided that in connection with such purchase, (i) the Company (or applicable Subsidiary) gives prompt notice to the other Preemptive Holders, which notice shall describe in reasonable detail the Preemptive Securities being purchased by the Person(s) making such purchase (the “ Purchasing Holder ”) and the purchase price thereof and (ii) the Purchasing Holder and the Company (or applicable Subsidiary), as soon as commercially reasonable following such purchase by the Purchasing Holder, take all steps necessary to enable the other Preemptive Holders to effectively exercise their respective rights under Section 12.3 with respect to their purchase of a pro rata portion of the Preemptive Securities issued to the Purchasing Holder after such purchase.

(g) The preemptive rights granted in this Section 12.3 shall terminate upon the earlier to occur of the consummation of a Qualified Public Offering and a Company Sale.

Section 12.4 Take-Along Rights .

(a) If the Joint Majority Holders at any time following the Effective Date jointly elect to consummate, or to cause the Company to consummate, a transaction constituting a Company Sale, the Joint Majority Holders shall notify the Company and the other Members in writing of such election. The other Members (other than the Treasury Preferred Holder and the Class E Preferred Holder) shall have no consent, voting or appraisal rights with respect to such a Company Sale and shall have no right to object to the proposed transaction. The Members (other than the Treasury Preferred Holder and the Class E Preferred Holder) and the Company shall take all actions reasonably necessary or desirable to cause the consummation of such Company Sale on the terms proposed by the Joint Majority Holders. Without limiting the foregoing, if the proposed Company Sale is structured as or involves a sale or redemption of Common Membership Interests, the Members shall agree to sell their pro rata share of the Common Membership Interests being sold in such Company Sale (based on the number of Common Membership Interests held by each Member) on the terms and conditions approved by the Joint Majority Holders, and the Members shall execute any merger, asset purchase, security purchase, recapitalization or other sale agreement approved by the Joint Majority Holders in connection with such Company Sale.

(b) Each Member (other than the Class E Preferred Holder) shall bear such Member’s pro rata share (based upon the relative value of Membership Interests sold) of the costs of any sale of Membership Interests pursuant to a Company Sale to the extent such costs are incurred for the benefit of all Members and are not otherwise paid by the Company or the acquiring Person and shall be obligated to provide the same representations, warranties, covenants and agreements that the Joint Majority Holders agree to provide in connection with such transaction; provided that the representations and warranties provided by any Member

 

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pursuant to this Section 12.4 (but not such Member’s indemnification obligations) shall be limited to representations and warranties relating to non-contravention, title and ownership of, and authority to sell, such Membership Interests. Each Member (other than the Treasury Preferred Holder and the Class E Preferred Holder) shall be obligated to join severally on a pro rata basis (based on the relative consideration to be received in respect of the Membership Interests to be sold) in any indemnification or other obligations that the Joint Majority Holders agree to provide or undertake in connection with such transaction (including any representations given with respect to the business and condition of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries, but other than any such obligations that relate specifically to a particular member, such as indemnification with respect to representations and warranties given by a Member regarding such Member’s non-contravention, title and ownership of, and authority to sell, such Membership Interests); provided that (i) the liability resulting from any such indemnity or similar obligation shall be several and not joint as among the indemnitors, and (ii) no Member shall be obligated in connection with such transaction to agree to indemnify or hold harmless the purchaser with respect to an amount in excess of the net cash proceeds paid to such Member in connection with such transaction. Costs incurred by or on behalf of a Member for such Member’s sole benefit shall not be considered costs of the transaction hereunder. In the event that any transaction that the Joint Majority Holders elect to consummate or cause to be consummated pursuant to this Section 12.4 is not consummated for any reason, the Company shall reimburse the Joint Majority Holders for all actual, reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses paid or incurred by the Joint Majority Holders in connection therewith and shall reimburse each other Member for any expenses it previously paid pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 12.4(b) .

(c) In the event of a sale or exchange by the Members (other than the Treasury Preferred Holder and the Class E Preferred Holder) of all or substantially all of the Membership Interests held by the Members (whether by sale, merger, recapitalization, reorganization, consolidation, combination or otherwise and whether as part of a Company Sale or otherwise), each Member shall receive in exchange for the Membership Interests held by such Member the same form of consideration as each other Member, and the aggregate consideration payable upon consummation of such Company Sale to all Members in respect of their Membership Interests shall be apportioned and distributed (subject to adjustment for Company expenses, purchase price adjustments, escrow amounts, purchase price holdbacks, indemnity obligations and other similar items) as between the Membership Interests in accordance with the distribution priorities set forth in Section 5.2 , as in effect immediately prior to such Company Sale, after giving effect to all prior Distributions, and as among the holders of Membership Interests, ratably based on the Membership Interests actually Transferred in such Company Sale; provided , that the amount of consideration received by the Class C-1 Holders shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the fair value of their economic interest in the Company as determined by the Board of Managers in its reasonable discretion; provided , further , that if there is more than one form of consideration, each form of consideration shall be apportioned and distributed as between the Membership Interests on a pro rata basis among the Common Membership Interests in accordance with the relative distribution priority set forth in Section 5.2 , as in effect immediately prior to such Company Sale, after giving effect to all prior Distributions, and, as between the holders of Membership Interests, ratably in accordance with each Member’s

 

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pro rata share (based on the number of Membership Interests held by each Member); provided , further , that if any holders of Membership Interests are given an option as to the form and amount of consideration to be received, each holder of Common Membership Interests shall be given the same option. Each Member (other than the Treasury Preferred Holder and the Class E Preferred Holder) shall take all necessary or desirable actions in connection with the distribution or allocation among the Members of the aggregate consideration from such sale or exchange as requested by the Company.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing in this Section 12.4 shall create any liability, right, obligation or restriction upon any Treasury Preferred Holder or Class E Preferred Holder.

Section 12.5 Optional Redemption of GM Preferred Membership Interests .

(a) Subject to Section 5.4(c) , the GM Preferred Membership Interests shall not be redeemable or repurchaseable by the Company, except as set forth in this Section 12.5 or as otherwise agreed to by the Majority GM Preferred Holders or in connection with a Company Conversion .

(b) Subject to Section 5.4 and Section 12.5(d) , the Company may redeem all or any portion of the GM Preferred Membership Interests then outstanding, by delivering irrevocable written notice to the GM Preferred Holders (a “ GM Preferred Redemption Notice ”) not less than thirty calendar days prior to the redemption date fixed by the Company and specified in the GM Preferred Redemption Notice (such date, the “ GM Preferred Redemption Date ”), at a price for each GM Preferred Membership Interest (the “ GM Preferred Redemption Value ”) that is equal to (i) at any time prior to November 30, 2011, the sum of (A)(1) the Unreturned GM Preferred Capital Amount in respect of such GM Preferred Membership Interest, multiplied by (2) 1.03, plus (B) the GM Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount with respect to such GM Preferred Membership Interest for the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter, if any, or (ii) at any time from and after November 30, 2011, the sum of (A) the Unreturned GM Preferred Capital Amount in respect of such GM Preferred Membership Interest, plus (B) the GM Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount with respect to such GM Preferred Membership Interest for the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter, if any. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Section 12.5 , if the redemption of any GM Preferred Membership Interests pursuant to this Section 12.5 is to be consummated in connection with a Company Sale, then the Company may elect, by giving notice thereof in the GM Preferred Redemption Notice, for such redemption to be contingent on and simultaneous with the consummation of such Company Sale.

(c) The Company shall redeem the GM Preferred Membership Interests specified in the applicable GM Preferred Redemption Notice on the Redemption Date on a pro rata basis among all GM Preferred Holders and shall pay to each GM Preferred Holder (upon surrender by such GM Preferred Holder at the Company’s principal office of the certificate representing the GM Preferred Membership Interests held by such GM Preferred Holder to be redeemed pursuant to Section 12.5(b) duly endorsed in blank or to the Company, or, if no such certificate has been issued representing such GM Preferred Membership Interests, then upon written notice given by such GM Preferred Holder together with an appropriate duly executed

 

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assignment of such GM Preferred Membership Interests) an amount per GM Preferred Membership Interest that is equal to the GM Preferred Redemption Value thereof. All payments pursuant to this Section 12.5(c) shall be made in cash in immediately available funds. Following any such GM Preferred Redemption Date and the payment of the GM Preferred Redemption Value, the GM Preferred Membership Interests shall represent the right only to receive the GM Preferred Redemption Value thereof as of such GM Preferred Redemption Date and shall not accrue any GM Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount following such GM Preferred Redemption Date.

(d) Subject to Section 5.4 , any redemption pursuant to this Section 12.5 shall be made in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Replacement Capital Covenant Agreement, dated November 30, 2006, made by the Company in favor of and for the benefit of the debt holders named therein .

Section 12.6 Optional Redemption of Class E Preferred Membership Interests .

(a) Subject to Section 7.12(a)(ii) , on or after the third anniversary of the Effective Date, the Company may redeem all or any portion of the Class E Preferred Membership Interests then outstanding, (i) by delivering irrevocable written notice to the Class E Preferred Holder (a “ Class E Preferred Redemption Notice ”) not less than thirty calendar days prior to the redemption date fixed by the Company and specified in the Class E Preferred Redemption Notice (such date, the “ Class E Preferred Redemption Date ”), provided that the Capital Account balance attributable to the Class E Preferred Membership Interests has been booked up to an amount equal to or greater than the sum of the Class E Preferred Reference Amount and the Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount, at a price for each Class E Preferred Membership Interest (the “ Class E Preferred Redemption Value ”) that is equal to the then current Capital Account balance (determined after the allocations under Article VI have been taken into account) or (ii) in connection with a Company Conversion. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Section 12.6 , if the redemption of any Class E Preferred Membership Interests pursuant to this Section 12.6 is to be consummated in connection with a Company Sale, then the Company may elect, by giving notice thereof in the Class E Preferred Redemption Notice, for such redemption to be contingent on and simultaneous with the consummation of such Company Sale.

(b) The Company shall redeem the Class E Preferred Membership Interests specified in the applicable Class E Preferred Redemption Notice and shall pay to the Class E Preferred Holder (upon surrender by the Class E Preferred Holder at the Company’s principal office of the certificate representing the Class E Preferred Membership Interests held by the Class E Preferred Holder to be redeemed pursuant to Section 12.6(a) duly endorsed in blank or to the Company, or, if no such certificate has been issued representing such Class E Preferred Membership Interests, then upon written notice given by the Class E Preferred Holder together with an appropriate duly executed assignment of such Class E Preferred Membership Interests) an amount per Class E Preferred Membership Interest that is equal to the Class E Preferred Redemption Value thereof. All payments pursuant to this Section 12.6(b) shall be made in cash in immediately available funds. Following any such Class E Preferred Redemption Date and the

 

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payment of the Class E Preferred Redemption Value, the Class E Preferred Membership Interests shall represent the right only to receive the Class E Preferred Redemption Value thereof as of such Class E Preferred Redemption Date and shall not accrue any portion of the Class E Preferred Accrued Distribution Amount following such Class E Preferred Redemption Date.

Section 12.7 Transactions Involving Blocker Corps .

(a) Each of the Members understands and acknowledges that, subject to Section 4.4(h) , in connection with one or more Public Offerings, the equityholders of one or more of the Blocker Corps (or pass-through vehicles formed for the purpose of investing directly or indirectly in Membership Interests, including Management Company) may desire to exchange the Equity Securities of such Blocker Corps (or pass-through vehicles formed for the purpose of investing directly or indirectly in Membership Interests) for shares of Equity Securities of a new or an existing corporation (“ Newco ”) prior to or after the occurrence of any such Public Offerings. Upon the written request of the Majority Initial Class A Holders made reasonably in advance (and if the Majority Initial Class A Holders do not so request, then upon the written request of Management Company), and in any case not later than thirty calendar days in advance of such proposed exchange, to the extent that any Member is a holder of any securities of a Blocker Corp (or pass-through vehicles formed for the purpose of investing directly or indirectly in Membership Interests), each of the Members hereby agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate the formation of Newco on a tax-free basis.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, if any Initial Class A Holder has the right or obligation to Transfer any or all of its Common Membership Interests pursuant to Section 9.2 or Section 12.4 , then such Person shall have the right, at its election, to permit its equityholders to Transfer an equity interest in the applicable Blocker Corp holding directly or indirectly Membership Interests of the Company that corresponds to such Blocker Corp’s beneficial ownership (as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of Common Membership Interests that such Initial Class A Holder otherwise would have been permitted to Transfer pursuant to such Section (such equity interests, the “ Blocker Corp Interests ”); provided that the Transferee shall have agreed in writing to accept the Blocker Corp Interests, which agreement shall set forth in reasonable detail whether the Transferee shall have reduced the aggregate purchase price to be paid by the Transferee for such Blocker Corp Interests as a result of its agreement to acquire the Blocker Corp Interests instead of acquiring directly the Common Membership Interests beneficially owned by such Blocker Corp and, if so, the aggregate amount of such reduction. In all such cases the Transferring Member shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the agreement of the Transferee to purchase Blocker Corp Interests at the same purchase price or as near thereto as possible. In such Transfer, the equityholders of such Blocker Corp shall have the right to receive the consideration proposed to be paid by the Transferee with respect to the Blocker Corp Interests, which consideration may be less than the consideration to be paid to the other Members with respect to any Common Membership Interests to be Transferred by them in such Transfer. If the Initial Class A Holders request that a potential Transferee acquire the Blocker Corp Interests in any Transfer pursuant to Section 9.2 , and such Transferee does not agree to acquire such Blocker Corp Interests, then the Initial Class A Holders shall have the right, but not the obligation, to Transfer their Common Membership Interests in such Transfer, and if the Initial Class A Holders exercise such right,

 

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then no such Transfer shall be consummated unless such Common Membership Interests of the Initial Class A Holders are included in such Transfer; provided that, if any Initial Class A Holder does not agree to Transfer its Common Membership Interests in such Transfer, then the other Initial Class A Holders shall have the first right to sell a number of Common Membership Interests to such Transferee that is equal to the number of Common Membership Interests that such non-Transferring Initial Class A Holder would have been entitled to Transfer to such Transferee.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, if any Class C Holder has the right or obligation to Transfer any or all of its Class C Membership Interests pursuant to Section 9.2 or Section 12.4 , then such Person shall have the right, at its election, to permit its equityholders to Transfer a number of Management Units in the Management Company that corresponds to the Management Company’s beneficial ownership (as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of Class C Membership Interests that such Class C Holder otherwise would have been permitted to Transfer pursuant to such Section; provided that the Transferee shall have agreed in writing to accept the Management Units, which agreement shall set forth in reasonable detail whether the Transferee shall have reduced the aggregate purchase price to be paid by the Transferee for such Management Units as a result of its agreement to acquire the Management Units instead of acquiring directly the Class C Membership Interests beneficially owned by the Management Company and, if so, the aggregate amount of such reduction. In all such cases the Transferring Member shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the agreement of the Transferee to purchase Management Units at the same purchase price as Class C Membership Interests or as near thereto as possible. In such Transfer, the equityholders of the Management Company shall have the right to receive the consideration proposed to be paid by the Transferee with respect to the Management Units, which consideration may be less than the consideration to be paid to the other Members with respect to any Membership Interests to be Transferred by them in such Transfer. If the Class C Holders request that a potential Transferee acquire the Management Units in any Transfer pursuant to Section 9.2 , and such Transferee does not agree to acquire such Management Units, then the Class C Holders shall have the right, but not the obligation, to Transfer their Class C Membership Interests in such Transfer (provided that the Transferee agrees in writing to accept such Class C Membership Interests), and if the Class C Holders exercise such right and the Transferee agrees in writing to accept such Class C Membership Interests, then no such Transfer shall be consummated unless such Class C Membership Interests are included in such Transfer; provided that, if any Class C Holder does not agree to Transfer its Membership Interests in such Transfer, then the other Class C Holders shall have the first right to sell a number of Class C Membership Interests to such Transferee that is equal to the number of Class C Membership Interests that such non-Transferring Class C Holder would have been entitled to Transfer to such Transferee.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision set forth in Section 9.2(f) or this Section 12.7 , no Transferring Holder shall have any obligation to acquire Blocker Corp Interests or Management Units, as applicable, in connection with the exercise of any Member’s co-sale rights pursuant to Section 9.2 unless such Transferring Holder and such Co-Sale Member (or the equityholders of the applicable Blocker Corp), each acting in good faith, are able to agree upon

 

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an appropriate discount with respect to the purchase price of such Blocker Corp Interests or Management Units, as applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing in this Section 12.7 shall create any liability, right, obligation or restriction upon any Treasury Preferred Holder or Class E Preferred Holder.

Section 12.8 Auto Finance and Other Separate Businesses . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company has been advised by FIM, consistent with Schedule 10.1 to the Purchase Agreement, that certain of FIM’s direct and indirect members have bifurcated their indirect Membership Interests in the Company into five separate interests (each a “ Subinterest ”), (a) one interest which participates only in the Tax Book Profit, Tax Book Loss and Distributions attributable to the auto finance business, (b) one interest which participates only in the Tax Book Profit, Tax Book Loss and Distributions attributable to the insurance business, (c) one interest which participates only in the Tax Book Profit, Tax Book Loss and Distributions attributable the business of Residential Capital, LLC and its Subsidiaries (“ ResCap ”), (d) one interest which participates only in the Tax Book Profit, Tax Book Loss and Distributions attributable to the Company’s interest in Capmark Financial Group Inc. (“ Capmark ”) (formerly known as GMAC Commercial Mortgage), and (e) one interest which participates only in the Tax Book Profit, Tax Book Loss and Distributions attributable to the business segment known as Commercial Finance and any other business or assets and liabilities of the Company other than the auto finance business, the insurance business, ResCap or Capmark. All income, loss, costs and expenses of the Company shall be allocated among such Subinterests pursuant to schedules provided to the Company by FIM allocating the entities owned directly and indirectly by the Company among the Subinterests and otherwise in a manner reasonably determined by FIM. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide FIM with all financial and tax information otherwise required to be provided hereunder, within the time periods otherwise set forth herein, on a Subinterest-by-Subinterest basis.

Section 12.9 Certain Undertakings in Connection with a Company Conversion

(a) If the Company Conversion occurs and the Company is the resulting corporation, then the Blocker Preferred will be converted into or exchanged for preferred stock of such resulting corporation having terms substantially the same as the terms of the Blocker Preferred.

(b) In connection with a Company Conversion, appropriate action shall be taken, if any, to ensure that the Blocker Preferred shall continue to have the practical economic benefits of the material provisions applicable to the Blocker Preferred and the Class E Preferred Membership Interests, including with respect to dividends, liquidation preference, priority, relative rights with respect to other equity interests and the equity value of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that the liquidation preference of the equity securities received in the Company Conversion in exchange for the Blocker Preferred shall, immediately after the Company Conversion, be the same as the liquidation preference of the Blocker Preferred immediately before the Company Conversion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, following the Company Conversion, if the issuer of the Blocker Preferred would not otherwise be the same as the issuer of the New Guaranteed Notes, then the Blocker Preferred will be converted into or exchanged for preferred stock of the issuer of the New Guaranteed Notes having terms substantially the same as the terms of the Blocker Preferred.

 

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Section 12.10 Treasury Preferred Amendments . Each party hereto agrees that the terms of this Agreement will continue to be subject in all regards to the terms of the Treasury Preferred Amendments respecting the Class D-1 Preferred Membership Interests and the Class D-2 Preferred Membership Interests, as amended pursuant to the terms thereof, and that in the event of any conflict between this Agreement (and any subsequent amendment or restatement, unless approved by the Treasury Preferred Holders pursuant to the terms of the Treasury Preferred Amendments, it being understood no amendment entered into in connection with the compliance by GM and FIM with their commitments to the Board of Governors for purposes of such Board’s approval of the Company’s Bank Holding Act application and/or the United States Department of the Treasury for purposes of the Company’s participation in the Troubled Assets Relief Program shall be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Treasury Preferred) and the Treasury Preferred Amendments, the terms of the Treasury Preferred Amendments shall prevail.

ARTICLE XIII

CONFIDENTIALITY

Section 13.1 Non-Disclosure . Each party hereto agrees that it will use, and will cause each of its Affiliates, and each of its and their respective partners, members, managers, shareholders, directors, officers, employees and agents (collectively, “ Agents ”) to use, its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of all Confidential Information disclosed to it by any other party or the definitive agreements contemplated herein or through its interest in the Company or the operation of its business or the use or ownership of its assets, by limiting internal disclosure of any such information to those Persons who have an actual need to know such information in connection with the business of the Company and will not, without the prior written consent of the disclosing party, use such information other than in connection with the transactions contemplated herein.

Section 13.2 Exceptions . Notwithstanding Section 13.1 , any party hereto may disclose any Confidential Information: (a) to any Governmental Entity in connection with applications for approval of the transactions contemplated hereby and the other Transaction Documents (or, in the case of any regulated Affiliate of a Member, in connection with audits by the applicable Governmental Entities), (b) to financial institutions in connection with financings of the transactions contemplated hereby, (c) in the case of any Member, (i) to a bona fide potential Transferee if such Member desires to undertake any Transfer of its Membership Interests permitted by this Agreement, (ii) to its stockholders, limited partners, members or other equityholders, as the case may be, all materials made available to such Member pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and (iii) to its indirect stockholders, limited partners, members or other equityholders, as the case may be, so long as the Confidential Information disclosed to such Persons is limited to the materials delivered to such party pursuant to clauses (i) through (vi) inclusive of Section 4.5(a) , provided that (A) in the case of subclauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this clause (c), prior to the disclosure of any Confidential Information, such Person shall execute an agreement containing the terms set forth in Section 13.1 , and (B) in the case of clauses (ii) and

 

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(iii) above, the disclosure of Confidential Information relating to commercial transactions or commercial relationships of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be strictly limited to such Persons who have an actual need to know such information in connection with the administration of their equity interest in such Member, (d) to any rating or similar agency in connection with its analysis or review of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (e) to any other Person if such party becomes compelled by Law (including by deposition, interrogatory, request for documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand, mandatory provision of Law, regulation or stock exchange rule) to disclose any of the Confidential Information. In addition, each Member may report to its stockholders, limited partners, members or other equityholders, as the case may be, the general status of such Member’s investment in the Company (without disclosing specific Confidential Information). A disclosing Member shall be responsible for a breach by any third Person to whom such disclosing Member discloses Confidential Information in accordance with the terms of subclauses (c)(ii) and (c)(iii) of this Section 13.2. In the case of clause (e) above, the disclosing party shall (i) provide the other parties hereto with prompt written notice of such requirement so that such non-disclosing parties may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive compliance with the terms of this Article XIII and (ii) take such reasonable legally available steps as the non-disclosing parties may reasonably request to resist or narrow such requirement (at the expense of the non-disclosing parties). In the event that such protective order or remedy is not obtained, or that the non-disclosing parties waive compliance with the terms hereof, the disclosing party agrees to furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information that it is advised by counsel is required to be furnished, and to exercise its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain assurance that confidential treatment shall be accorded such Confidential Information.

ARTICLE XIV

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 14.1 Amendments . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, including in Section 3.2 , this Agreement may only be amended, modified or waived by the Board of Managers with the written consent of the Joint Majority Holders; provided that if any such amendment, modification or waiver would adversely affect in any material respect any Member or group of Members who have comparable rights under this Agreement disproportionately to the other Members having such comparable rights, (it being understood (i) that no amendment reasonably necessary to effect the issuance of any Class D-2 Preferred Membership Interests upon conversion of any warrants issued in respect thereof and (ii) no amendment entered into in connection with the compliance by the Company, GM and/or FIM with their commitments to the Board of Governors for purposes of such Board’s approval of the Company’s Bank Holding Act application and/or the United States Department of the Treasury for purposes of the Company’s participation in the Troubled Assets Relief Program (including those set forth in the letter agreement regarding governance of the Company, among the Company, GM Holdco, GM Preferred Holdco, and FIM, dated December 29, 2008) shall be deemed to adversely affect in any material respect any Member or Members, including the Treasury Preferred Holders) such amendment, modification, or waiver shall also require the written consent of the Member(s) so adversely affected; provided , further , that the affirmative vote or consent of the Class E Preferred Holder (which may only make such vote or consent at the direction of holders of at least a

 

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majority of the outstanding shares of Blocker Sub Preferred Stock, voting in person or by proxy, at a special meeting called for such purpose, or by written consent in lieu of such meeting) shall be required for any amendment set out in Section 7.12 ; and provided , further , that the written consent of the Class C Holders holding a majority of the Class C Membership Interests outstanding at such time shall be required for any amendment, modification or waiver to any of the following provisions hereof in a manner adverse to the Class C Holders: (i) the definition of “Agreed Initial Value,” (ii) the definition of “Tax Amount,” (iii)  Section 3.1(b) , (iv)  Section 3.2(a) with respect to a reduction in the authorized number of Class C Membership Interests, (v)  Section 5.1(e) , (vi)  Section 7.10(a)(xi)(C) , (vii)  Section 9.1(c) , (viii)  Section 9.2(f) with respect to the rights of Class C Holders, (ix)  Section 12.2(d) , (x)  Section 12.4(c) with respect to Class C Membership Interests, (xi)  Section 12.7(a) , (c)  and (d)  and (xii) the first and second proviso of this Section 14.1 . Notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment that would require any Member to contribute or loan additional funds to the Company or impose personal liability upon any Member shall not be effective against such Member without its written consent. FIM agrees that, for so long as the Initial Class B Holders hold in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the Voting Power, neither FIM nor any of its members shall amend, delete or otherwise modify or waive or fail to give effect to the last sentence of Section 9.1(a)(i) of that certain Limited Liability Company Agreement of FIM, dated as of April 2, 2006, by and among Cerberus FIM Investors, LLC, Citigroup Inc., Aozora Bank Limited and each of the other Persons from time to time party thereto, without the prior written consent of the Majority Initial Class B Holders.

Section 14.2 Remedies . Each Member shall have all rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement and all rights and remedies that such Person has been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights that such Person has under any Law. Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement or any other agreements contemplated hereby shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security) to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by Law.

Section 14.3 Notice Addresses and Notices . All notices, demands, financial reports, other reports and other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given or made when (a) delivered personally to the recipient, (b) sent by facsimile to the recipient (with hard copy sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) that same day) if sent by facsimile before 5:00 p.m. New York time on a Business Day, and otherwise on the next Business Day, or (c) one Business Day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid). Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the notice address for such recipient set forth on the Schedule of Members , or in the Company’s books and records, or to such other notice address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any notice to the Board of Managers or the Company shall be deemed given if received by the Board of Managers at the principal office of the Company designated pursuant to Section 2.2(b) .

Section 14.4 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

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Section 14.5 Assignment . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Members and their respective permitted assigns. No rights, interests or obligations of any Member herein may be assigned without the prior written consent of the Joint Majority Holders except for Transfers in compliance with the terms of Article IX . No assignment of this Agreement or any rights hereunder shall be made without the assignee, as a condition of such assignment, assuming in writing its assignor’s obligations under this Agreement, to the extent applicable to such assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, each Member may contingently assign, or grant a security interest in, its Membership Interests and other interests and rights under this Agreement (including the pledge of its Membership Interests) for the benefit of its creditors; provided , however , that a foreclosure of a contingent assignment of Membership Interests for the benefit of creditors shall be deemed a Transfer, which Transfer may only be made in compliance with the terms of Article IX (including the right of first offer and co-sale rights set forth in Section 9.2 thereof), and, upon such Transfer, the assignee thereof shall assume in writing its assignor’s obligations under this Agreement.

Section 14.6 Entire Agreement; Waiver . Subject to Section 14.7 , this Agreement and the other documents referred to herein, constitute the entire agreement among the parties and contain all of the agreements among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof as of the Effective Date and supersede all prior agreements and negotiations between the parties concerning the subject matter herein, including the Original Agreement and the Amended and Restated Agreement. Failure by any party hereto to enforce any covenant, duty, agreement, term or condition of this Agreement, or to exercise any right hereunder, shall not be construed as thereafter waiving such covenant, duty, term, condition or right; and in no event shall any course of dealing, custom or usage of trade modify, alter or supplement any term of this Agreement.

Section 14.7 Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any Law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

Section 14.8 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

Section 14.9 Independent Contractors; Expenses . This Agreement does not constitute any party hereto the partner, agent or legal representative of any other party hereto, except to the extent that the Company is classified as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes and the Members are treated as “partners” for such tax purposes. Each party hereto is independent and responsible for its own expenses (except as otherwise agreed pursuant to Article XI ), including attorneys’ and other professional fees incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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Section 14.10 Press Release . Each of the Members shall consult with the Joint Majority Holders before issuing any press releases or otherwise making any public statements with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and no Member shall issue any press release or make any public statement without the prior written consent of the Joint Majority Holders, except as may be required by Law and then only with such prior consultation with the Joint Majority Holders to the extent practicable.

Section 14.11 Survival . The provisions of Section 4.4 , Section 6.16 , Article XI , Article XIII , Section 14.8 , Section 14.11 , Section 14.14 , Section 14.16 and Section 14.17 shall survive and continue in full force in accordance with its terms, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement or the dissolution of the Company.

Section 14.12 Creditors . None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditors of the Members, the Company or any of its Affiliates (other than Indemnified Persons), and no creditor who makes a loan to any Member, the Company or any of its Affiliates may have or acquire (except pursuant to the terms of a separate agreement executed by the Company in favor of such creditor) at any time as a result of making the loan any direct or indirect interest in Company profits, losses, Distributions, capital or property other than as a secured creditor.

Section 14.13 Further Action . The parties hereto agree to execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

Section 14.14 Delivery by Facsimile or Email . This Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or email with scan or facsimile attachment, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or email to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or email as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

Section 14.15 Strict Construction . The parties hereto have participated collectively in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement; accordingly, if any ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, then it is the intent of the parties hereto that this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted collectively by the parties hereto, and it is the intent of the parties hereto that no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.

 

105


Section 14.16 Consent to Jurisdiction . Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (a) agrees that any suit, action or proceeding, at law or equity, arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall only be brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks jurisdiction, then in the applicable Delaware state court), or if under applicable Law exclusive jurisdiction of such suit, action or proceeding is vested in the federal courts, then the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, (b) expressly submits to the personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts for the purposes thereof and (c) waives and agrees not to raise (by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise) any and all jurisdictional, venue and convenience objections or defenses that such party may have in such suit, action or proceeding. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to the service of process of any of the aforementioned courts. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any manner permitted by Law or commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against any other party hereto in any other jurisdiction to enforce judgments obtained in any suit, action or proceeding brought pursuant to this Section 14.16 .

Section 14.17 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THE ACTIONS OF ANY PARTY IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT.

Section 14.18 Specific Performance . Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that the other parties hereto would be damaged irreparably in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms or otherwise are breached. Accordingly, each of the parties hereto agrees that the other parties hereto shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions hereof in any action instituted in any court of the United States or any state thereof having jurisdiction over the parties hereto and the matter (subject to the provisions set forth in Section 14.16 above), in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at law or in equity.

[END OF PAGE]

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

106


SIGNATURE PAGES TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

FIM HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

Cerberus FIM Investors, LLC

Its Managing Member

By:  

Cerberus FIM, LLC

Its Managing Member

By:  

/s/ Stephen A. Feinberg

Name:   Stephen A. Feinberg
Title:   Managing Member

 

GM FINANCE CO. HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Ray G. Young

Name:   Ray G. Young
Title:  
GM PREFERRED FINANCE CO. HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Ray G. Young

Name:   Ray G. Young
Title:  

 

PREFERRED BLOCKER INC.
By:  

/s/ David C. Walker

Name:   David C. Walker
Title:   Chairman of the Board and President

 

GMAC MANAGEMENT LLC

 

By: GMAC LLC, its manager

By:  

/s/ David C. Walker

Name:   David C. Walker
Title:   Treasurer and Group Vice President

The undersigned has executed or caused to be executed on its behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above solely with respect to such Person’s agreement to Section 7.17 .

 

CERBERUS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P.
By:  

Craig Court GP, LLC

Its General Partner

By:  

Craig Court, Inc.

Its Managing Member

By:  

/s/ Stephen A. Feinberg

Name:   Stephen A. Feinberg
Title:   President, Secretary & Treasurer

The undersigned has executed or caused to be executed on its behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above solely with respect to such Person’s agreement to Section 2.1(a) and Section 7.17 .

 

GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Ray G. Young

Name:   Ray G. Young
Title:  


[SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS OMITTED]

Exhibit 4.2

 

 

GMAC LLC

and

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,

Trustee

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 


CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET *

between

Provisions of Sections 310 through 318(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and the within Indenture between GMAC LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, Trustee:

 

Section of Act

  

Section of Indenture

310(a)(1) and(2)

   7.09

310(a)(3) and (4)

   Not applicable

310(b)

   7.08 and 7.10(b)

310(c)

   Not applicable

311(a) and (b)

   7.13

311(c)

   Not applicable

312(a)

   5.01 and 5.02(a)

312(b) and (c)

   5.02(b) and (c)

313(a)

   5.04(a)

313(b)(1)

   Not applicable

313(b)(2)

   5.04(b)

313(c)

   5.04(c)

313(d)

   5.04(d)

314(a)

   5.03

314(b)

   Not applicable

314(c)(1) and (2)

   15.04

314(c)(3)

   Not applicable

314(d)

   Not applicable

314(e)

   15.04

314(f)

   Not applicable

315(a), (c) and (d)

   7.01

315(b)

   6.07

315(e)

   6.08

316(a)(1)

   6.01 and 6.06

316(a)(2)

   Not applicable

316(a) last sentence

   8.04

316(b)

   6.04

317(a)

   6.02

317(b)

   4.03

318(a)

   15.06

 

* This Cross-Reference Sheet is not part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
ARTICLE ONE   
DEFINITIONS   

SECTION 1.01.

   Definitions    1
ARTICLE TWO   
ISSUE, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND   
EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES   

SECTION 2.01.

   Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series    6

SECTION 2.02.

   Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication    7

SECTION 2.03.

   Form and Delivery of Securities    7

SECTION 2.04.

   Denominations; Record Date    9

SECTION 2.05.

   Execution of Securities    9

SECTION 2.06.

   Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Securities    10

SECTION 2.07.

   Temporary Securities    11

SECTION 2.08.

   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities    12

SECTION 2.09.

   Cancellation    12

SECTION 2.10.

   Form of Legend on Restricted Securities    12

SECTION 2.11.

   Exchange Offer    14

SECTION 2.12.

   CUSIP Numbers    14
ARTICLE THREE   
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES   

SECTION 3.01.

   Redemption of Securities; Applicability of Section    14

SECTION 3.02.

   Notice of Redemption; Selection of Securities    14

SECTION 3.03.

   Payment of Securities Called for Redemption    15
ARTICLE FOUR   
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY   

SECTION 4.01.

   Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest    16

SECTION 4.02.

   Offices for Notices and Payments, etc.    16

SECTION 4.03.

   Provisions as to Paying Agent    16

SECTION 4.04.

   Certificate to Trustee    17

 

-i-


          Page
ARTICLE FIVE   
SECURITYHOLDER LISTS AND REPORTS BY   
THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE   

SECTION 5.01.

   Securityholder Lists    17

SECTION 5.02.

   Preservation and Disclosure of Lists    18

SECTION 5.03.

   Reports by the Company    19

SECTION 5.04.

   Reports by the Trustee    20
ARTICLE SIX   
REMEDIES ON DEFAULT   

SECTION 6.01.

   Events of Default    21

SECTION 6.02.

   Payment of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor    23

SECTION 6.03.

   Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee    24

SECTION 6.04.

   Proceedings by Securityholders    25

SECTION 6.05.

   Remedies Cumulative and Continuing    26

SECTION 6.06.

   Direction of Proceedings    26

SECTION 6.07.

   Notice of Defaults    26

SECTION 6.08.

   Undertaking to Pay Costs    26
ARTICLE SEVEN   
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE   

SECTION 7.01.

   Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee    27

SECTION 7.02.

   Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc.    28

SECTION 7.03.

   No Responsibility for Recitals, etc.    30

SECTION 7.04.

   Ownership of Securities    30

SECTION 7.05.

   Moneys to be Held in Trust    30

SECTION 7.06.

   Compensation and Expenses of Trustee    30

SECTION 7.07.

   Officers’ Certificate as Evidence    31

SECTION 7.08.

   Conflicting Interest of Trustee    31

SECTION 7.09.

   Eligibility of Trustee    31

SECTION 7.10.

   Resignation or Removal of Trustee    31

SECTION 7.11.

   Acceptance by Successor Trustee    33

SECTION 7.12.

   Successor by Merger, etc.    34

SECTION 7.13.

   Limitation on Rights of Trustee as a Creditor    34
ARTICLE EIGHT   
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS   

SECTION 8.01.

   Action by Securityholders    34

 

-ii-


          Page

SECTION 8.02.

   Proof of Execution by Securityholders    34

SECTION 8.03.

   Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners    35

SECTION 8.04.

   Company-Owned Securities Disregarded    35

SECTION 8.05.

   Revocation of Consents; Future Securityholders Bound    35
ARTICLE NINE   
SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS   

SECTION 9.01.

   Purposes of Meetings    36

SECTION 9.02.

   Call of Meetings by Trustee    36

SECTION 9.03.

   Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders    36

SECTION 9.04.

   Qualification for Voting    37

SECTION 9.05.

   Regulations    37

SECTION 9.06.

   Voting    37
ARTICLE TEN   
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES   

SECTION 10.01.

   Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Securityholders    38

SECTION 10.02.

   Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholder    39

SECTION 10.03.

   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act; Effect of Supplemental Indentures    39

SECTION 10.04.

   Notation on Securities    40
ARTICLE ELEVEN   
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE   

SECTION 11.01.

   Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms    40

SECTION 11.02.

   Securities to be Secured in Certain Events    40

SECTION 11.03.

   Opinion of Counsel to be given Trustee    41
ARTICLE TWELVE   
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS   

SECTION 12.01.

   Discharge of Indenture    41

SECTION 12.02.

   Deposited Moneys to be held in Trust by Trustee    41

SECTION 12.03.

   Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held    41

SECTION 12.04.

   Return of Unclaimed Moneys    42

 

-iii-


          Page
ARTICLE THIRTEEN   
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS   

SECTION 13.01.

   Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations    42
ARTICLE FOURTEEN   
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES   

SECTION 14.01.

   Securities Subordinate to Senior Indebtedness    42

SECTION 14.02.

   Payment Over of Proceeds Upon Dissolution, etc.    42

SECTION 14.03.

   Prior Payment to Senior Indebtedness Upon Acceleration of Securities    43

SECTION 14.04.

   No Payment When Senior Indebtedness in Default    44

SECTION 14.05.

   Payment Permitted in Certain Situations    44

SECTION 14.06.

   Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness    45

SECTION 14.07.

   Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights    45

SECTION 14.08.

   Trustee to Effectuate Subordination    45

SECTION 14.09.

   Reliance; No Waiver of Subordination Provisions    45

SECTION 14.10.

   Notice to Trustee    46

SECTION 14.11.

   Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent    46

SECTION 14.12.

   Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness or Entitled Persons    47

SECTION 14.13.

   Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness or Entitled Person; Preservation of Trustee’s Rights    47

SECTION 14.14.

   Article Applicable to Paying Agents    47
ARTICLE FIFTEEN   
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS   

SECTION 15.01.

   Benefits of Indenture Restricted to Parties and Securityholders    47

SECTION 15.02.

   Provisions Binding on Company’s Successors    48

SECTION 15.03.

   Addresses for Notices, etc.    48

SECTION 15.04.

   Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent    48

SECTION 15.05.

   Legal Holidays    48

SECTION 15.06.

   Trust Indenture Act to Control    48

SECTION 15.07.

   Execution in Counterparts    49

SECTION 15.08.

   New York Contract    49

SECTION 15.09.

   Securities in a Foreign Currency    49

SECTION 15.10.

   Judgment Currency    49

SECTION 15.11.

   Effect of Headings and Table of Contents    50

SECTION 15.12.

   Severability Clause    50

SECTION 15.13.

   Waiver of Jury Trial    50

SECTION 15.14.

   Force Majeure    50

 

-iv-


EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A FORM OF NOTE

 

-v-


THIS INDENTURE, dated as of the 31st day of December, 2008 between GMAC LLC, a limited liability company duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter sometimes called the “ Company ”), party of the first part, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York (hereinafter sometimes called the “ Trustee ,” which term shall include any successor trustee appointed pursuant to Article Seven), party of the second part.

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the creation of an issue of $482,923,000 aggregate principal amount of 8.00% Subordinated Notes due 2018 (the “ Initial Securities ”); and

WHEREAS, the Company represents that all acts and things necessary to constitute these presents a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed, and the execution of this Indenture has in all respects been duly authorized, and the Company, in the exercise of legal right and power in it vested, is executing this Indenture;

NOW, THEREFORE:

In order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Securities (as defined below) are authenticated, issued and received, and in consideration of the premises, of the purchase and acceptance of the Securities by the Holders (as defined below) thereof and of the sum of one dollar, to it duly paid by the Trustee at the execution of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee, for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Securities, as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01. Definitions . The terms defined in this Section (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section. All other terms used in this Indenture which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or which are by reference therein defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shall have the meanings (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of this Indenture as originally executed.

Additional Securities:

The term “ Additional Securities ” means additional Securities (other than the Initial Securities and other than Exchange Securities issued in exchange for such Initial Securities) issued from time to time under this Indenture in accordance with Section 2.01.


Affiliate :

The term “ Affiliate ” of any specified Person shall mean any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Board of Directors :

The term “ Board of Directors ” shall mean the Board of Directors or the Board of Managers of the Company, as applicable, or the Executive Committee of the Company.

Board Resolution :

The term “ Board Resolution ” shall mean a resolution certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

Broker-Dealer :

The term “ Broker-Dealer ” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Code :

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

Company :

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

Corporate Trust Office :

The term “Corporate Trust Office” shall mean the principal office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 8W, New York, New York 10286, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, 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).

 

-2-


ERISA :

The term “ ERISA ” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

Event of Default :

The term “ Event of Default ” shall mean any event specified as such in Section 6.01.

Exchange Offer :

The term “ Exchange Offer ” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement :

The term “ Exchange Offer Registration Statement ” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Exchange Securities :

The term “ Exchange Securities ” shall mean the Securities issued in the Exchange Offer pursuant to Section 2.11 hereof.

Holder :

The terms “ Holder ,” “ Holder of Securities ,” “ securityholder ” or other similar term shall mean the registered holder of any Security.

Indenture :

The term “ Indenture ” shall mean this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof.

Letter of Transmittal :

The term “ Letter of Transmittal ” shall mean the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Company and sent to all Holders of the Initial Securities for use by such Holders in connection with the Exchange Offer.

Mandatory Principal Payment Amount

The term “ Mandatory Principal Payment Amount ” shall mean that portion, if any, of the outstanding principal amount of the Initial Securities or Exchange Securities, as applicable, required to be repaid in order for no Initial Security or Exchange Security, as applicable, to be an “applicable high yield discount obligation” within the meaning of Section 163(i)(1) of the Code.

 

-3-


Officers’ Certificate :

The term “ Officers’ Certificate ” shall mean a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board or the President or any Executive Vice President or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.

Opinion of Counsel :

The term “ Opinion of Counsel ” shall mean an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

Original Issue Discount Securities :

The term “ Original Issue Discount Securities ” shall mean any Securities which are initially sold at a discount from the principal amount thereof and which provide upon Event of Default for declaration of an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon acceleration thereof.

outstanding :

The term “ outstanding ,” when used with reference to Securities, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 7.08 and Section 8.04, mean, as of any particular time, all Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:

(a) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment at or redemption of which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent), provided , that if such Securities are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as in Article Three provided, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and

(c) Securities in lieu of and in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.06, unless proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that any such Securities are held by bona fide holders in due course.

Person :

The term “ Person ” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

-4-


Plan :

The term “ Plan ” shall mean an employee benefit plan or any other plan subject to Title I of The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including an individual retirement account or a Keogh plan, a plan subject to provisions under applicable federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to the provisions of Title I of The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any entity whose underlying assets include “plan assets” by reason of any such employee benefit or retirement plan’s investment in such entity.

record date :

The term “ record date ” as used with respect to any interest payment date shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.04.

Registration Rights Agreement :

The term “ Registration Rights Agreement ” shall mean the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the Initial Securities dated as of the date hereof among the Company and Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Barclays Capital, Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Morgan Stanley Incorporated and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Responsible Officer :

The term “ Responsible Officer ” when used with respect to the Trustee shall mean any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer, any trust officer, or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Restricted Security :

The term “ Restricted Security ” shall mean the Initial Securities and any Additional Securities of a series which is designated in a Board Resolution as “Restricted Securities” by reason of such Securities being offered and sold (i) in transactions which are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), (ii) in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act or (iii) in other transactions in which subsequent transfers of such Securities are restricted for any reason.

Securities :

The term “ Securities ” shall mean the Initial Securities, the Exchange Securities and any Additional Securities.

 

-5-


Senior Indebtedness :

The term “ Senior Indebtedness ” shall mean:

(a) all of the Company’s indebtedness (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by the Company), whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, which is (i) for money borrowed or (ii) evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any kind;

(b) any obligation incurred or assumed, which is (i) the Company’s obligation under direct credit substitutes (as defined in Appendix A of Section 225 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations), (ii) an obligation of, or any such obligation, directly or indirectly guaranteed by, the Company for purchased money or funds, (iii) a deferred obligation of, or any such obligation, directly or indirectly guaranteed by, the Company incurred in connection with the acquisition of any business, properties or assets not evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection therewith or (iv) the Company’s obligation to make payment pursuant to the terms of financial instruments such as (x) securities contracts and foreign currency exchange contracts, (y) derivative instruments, such as swap agreements (including interest rate and foreign exchange rate swap agreements), cap agreements, floor agreements, collar agreements, interest rate agreements, foreign exchange rate agreements, options, commodity futures contracts and commodity options contracts and (z) financial instruments similar to those set forth in clauses (x) and (y) above; and

(c) any amendments, renewals, extensions or modifications of any such indebtedness or obligation,

unless, in any case, in the instrument creating or evidencing any such indebtedness or obligation or pursuant to which the same is outstanding it is provided that such indebtedness or obligation is not superior in right of payment to the Securities or is to rank pari passu with or subordinate to the Securities. For the avoidance of doubt, the indebtedness represented by the Securities shall not be deemed to constitute “Senior Indebtedness.”

Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or Trust Indenture Act :

Except as otherwise provided in Sections 10.01 and 10.02, the terms “ Trust Indenture Act of 1939 ” or “ Trust Indenture Act ” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date of this Indenture as originally executed.

ARTICLE TWO

ISSUE, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND

EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

SECTION 2.01. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series . Upon the execution of this Indenture, or from time to time thereafter, Initial Securities in the aggregate principal amount

 

-6-


of $482,923,000, Exchange Securities and Additional Securities up to the aggregate principal amount and containing terms and conditions from time to time authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, may be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Securities to or upon the written order of the Company, signed by its Chairman of the Board or its President or an Executive Vice President or a Vice President and by its Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, without any further action by the Company.

The Additional Securities may be issued in one or more series. The aggregate principal amount of Additional Securities of all series which may be authenticated and delivered and outstanding under this Indenture is not limited. The Additional Securities of a particular series may be issued up to the aggregate principal amount of Additional Securities for such series from time to time authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution.

SECTION 2.02. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication . The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in the following form:

[FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION]

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned indenture.

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Officer
Date:  

 

SECTION 2.03. Form and Delivery of Securities . The Initial Securities and the Exchange Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but for, in the case of Exchange Securities, the Restrictive Legend (as defined below)) and Additional Securities shall be in the forms approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements printed, lithographed or engraved thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.

Prior to the delivery of any Security to the Trustee for authentication, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee the following:

(1) The Board Resolution by or pursuant to which the terms of such series and such form of Security has been approved;

 

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(2) An Officers’ Certificate concurrently dated stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery of Securities in such form have been complied with and setting forth (a) the designation of the particular series (which shall distinguish such series from all other series); (b) the coin or currency in which the Securities of that series are denominated and the aggregate principal amount of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration and transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to this Indenture); (c) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of such series is payable; (d) the rate or rates, or the method to be used in ascertaining the rate or rates, at which the Securities of such series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the date or dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record date or dates for the interest payable; (e) the place or places at which the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of such series shall be payable; (f) the obligations, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of such series pursuant to any sinking fund thereof or other redemption provisions and the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of such series shall be redeemed or purchased; (g) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of such series which shall be payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof or which the Trustee shall be entitled to claim pursuant to Section 6.02; (h) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of that series shall be issuable; (i) if other than the coin or currency in which the Securities of that series are denominated, the coin or currency in which payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and/or interest on the Securities of such series shall be payable; (j) if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of such series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made; (k) if the amount of payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index based on a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities of the series are denominated, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined; and (l) any other terms or provisions of such series which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(3) An Opinion of Counsel stating that (a) the form and terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution in conformity with the terms of this Indenture; (b) Securities in such form, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture and sold in the manner specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company; (c) all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of the Securities have been complied with and that authentication and delivery of the Securities by the Trustee will not violate the terms of the Indenture; and (d) such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

 

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SECTION 2.04. Denominations; Record Date . The Securities shall be issuable as registered Securities without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any multiple of $1,000 or in such other denominations as may be specified in the terms of Securities of any particular series. Every Security shall be dated the date of its authentication and may be issued at a discount without interest or shall bear interest as set forth in the form of such Security.

The term “record date” as used with respect to an interest payment date for any series shall mean such day or days as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.03; provided , however , that in the absence of any such provisions with respect to any series, such term shall mean the calendar day immediately preceding such interest payment date.

The person in whose name any Security is registered at the close of business on the record date with respect to an interest payment date shall be entitled to receive the interest payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding the cancellation of such Security upon any transfer or exchange thereof subsequent to such record date and prior to such interest payment date; provided , however , that if and to the extent the Company shall default in the payment of the interest due on such interest payment date, such defaulted interest shall be paid to the persons in whose names the Securities are registered on a subsequent record date established by notice given by mail by or on behalf of the Company to the Holders of Securities of the series in default not less than fifteen days preceding such subsequent record date, such record date to be not less than one calendar day immediately preceding the date of payment of such defaulted interest.

At the option of the Company interest may be paid by check mailed to the Holders of the Securities entitled thereto at their last addresses as they appear on the registry books.

SECTION 2.05. Execution of Securities . The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman, Vice Chairman, President, an Executive Vice President or a Vice President and by its Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. Such signatures may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such officers.

Only such Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, executed by the Trustee by manual signature of one of its authorized officers, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Security executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and deliverer hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such officer before the Security so signed shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or disposed of by the Company, such Security nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Security had not ceased to be such officer of the Company, and any Security may be signed on behalf of the Company by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Security, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such officer.

 

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On the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate as to the incumbency and specimen signatures of officers authorized to give instructions under this Section and, as long as Securities are outstanding under this Indenture, shall deliver a similar Officers’ Certificate each year on the anniversary of the date of the first such Officers’ Certificate. The Trustee may conclusively rely on the documents delivered pursuant to this Section and Section 2.03 hereof (unless revoked by superseding comparable documents) as to the authorization of the Board of Directors of any Securities delivered hereunder, and the form thereof, and as to the authority of the instructing officers referred to in this Section so to act.

SECTION 2.06. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Securities . Securities of any series may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of other authorized denominations of such series. Securities to be exchanged shall be surrendered at the office or agency to be designated and maintained by the Company for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02, and the Company shall execute and register and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the Security or Securities which the Holder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive.

The Company shall keep, at such office or agency, registry books in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall register Securities and shall register the transfer of Securities as in this Article Two provided. Such registry books shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times such registry books shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Security of a particular series at such office or agency, the Company shall execute and register and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of such series for an equal aggregate principal amount.

All Securities presented for registration of transfer or for exchange, redemption or payment, as the case may be, shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.

The Company shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of (a) any Securities of any series for a period of fifteen days next preceding any selection of such Securities of such series to be redeemed, or (b) any such series selected, called or being called for redemption except, in the case of any such series to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be so redeemed.

Every Restricted Security shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer provided in the legend required to be set forth on the face of each Restricted Security pursuant to Section 2.10

 

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(the “ Restricted Legend ”) and the restrictions set forth in this Section 2.06, and the Holder of each Restricted Security, by such Holder’s acceptance thereof (or interest therein), agrees to be bound by such restrictions on transfer.

The restrictions imposed by this Section 2.06 and Section 2.10 upon the transferability of any particular Restricted Security shall cease and terminate on the earliest of (a) the later of three years after (i) the date on which such Restricted Security was issued or (ii) the last date on which the Company or any Affiliate of the Company was the owner of such Restricted Security (or any predecessor of such Restricted Security), (b) if and when such Restricted Security has been sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or transferred pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), unless the Holder thereof is an Affiliate of the Company within the meaning of Rule 144 (or such successor provisions) or (c) upon delivery of an Opinion of Counsel satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee to the effect that the transfer of such Restricted Security is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Any Restricted Security as to which such restrictions on transfer shall have expired in accordance with their terms or shall have terminated may, upon surrender of such Restricted Security for exchange to the Trustee in accordance with the provision of this Section 2.06 (accompanied, in the event that such restrictions on transfer have terminated pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 904 (or any successor provision), by an Opinion of Counsel satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee, to the effect that the transfer of such Restricted Security has been made in compliance with Rule 144 or Rule 904 (or any such successor provision)), be exchanged for a new Security of the same series, of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, which shall not bear the restrictive legend required by Section 2.10. The Company shall inform the Trustee of the effective date of any Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) registering Restricted Securities under the Securities Act no later than two business days after such effective date.

SECTION 2.07. Temporary Securities . Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Securities of such series (printed or lithographed). Temporary Securities of any series shall be issuable as registered Securities without coupons, of any denomination, and in the form approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Company. Every temporary Security shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities. Without unnecessary delay the Company shall execute and shall furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor without charge at the office or agency to be designated and maintained by the Company for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

 

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SECTION 2.08. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities . In case any temporary or definitive Security of any series shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company in the case of a mutilated Security shall, and in the case of a lost, stolen or destroyed Security may in its discretion, execute, and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Security of the same series, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Security, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Security shall furnish to the Company and to the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and to the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof. The Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Security and deliver the same upon the written request or authorization of any officer of the Company. Upon the issuance of any substituted Security, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith and in addition a further sum not exceeding two dollars for each Security so issued in substitution. In case any Security which has matured or is about to mature shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substituted Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish the Company with such security or indemnity as it may require to save it harmless and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Company of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.

Every substituted Security issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section by virtue of the fact that any Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall, with respect to such Security, constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities duly issued hereunder.

All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and shall, to the extent permitted by law, preclude any and all other rights or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

SECTION 2.09. Cancellation . All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, exchange or registration of transfer, as the case may be, shall, if surrendered to the Company or any agent of the Company or of the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and promptly cancelled by it or, if surrendered to the Trustee, be cancelled by it, and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of cancelled Securities in its customary manner or, if requested in writing to do so by the Company, shall return such cancelled Securities to the Company.

SECTION 2.10. Form of Legend on Restricted Securities . Any Restricted Security and any Security issued upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of,

 

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such Restricted Security shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer, and shall bear the legend set forth below or shall be in such other form as is contained in a Board Resolution; provided , however , that the term “Restricted Security” shall not include (a) any Security which is issued upon transfer of, or in exchange for, any Security which is not a Restricted Security or (b) any Security as to which such restrictions on transfer have been terminated in accordance with Section 2.06.

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE HOLDER:

 

  (i) REPRESENTS THAT IT (A)(I) IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A TO THE SECURITIES ACT, A “QIB”) AND (II) IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QIB OR (B) IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, IS NOT ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (C) (i) IS NOT A PLAN (AS DEFINED HEREIN) AND NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED TO ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY CONSTITUTES ASSETS OF ANY PLAN OR (ii) THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED, OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, OR SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS;

 

  (ii) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A PERSON WHOM THE HOLDER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QIB PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QIB, IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (E) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS; AND

 

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  (iii) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY OR AN INTEREST HEREIN IS TRANSFERRED (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (ii)(D) OR (ii)(E) ABOVE) A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO ABOVE, THE HOLDER MUST CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE TRUSTEE. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY RULE 902 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

SECTION 2.11. Exchange Offer . Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of the deliverables required by Section 2.03 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Exchange Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Initial Securities tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not participating Broker-Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Securities and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) of the Company, and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer. Any Initial Securities that remain outstanding after the consummation of the Exchange Offer, and Exchange Securities issued in connection with the Exchange Offer, shall be treated as a single class of securities under this Indenture.

SECTION 2.12. CUSIP Numbers . The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will advise the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE THREE

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 3.01. Redemption of Securities; Applicability of Section . Redemption of Securities of any series as permitted or required by the terms thereof shall be made in accordance with such terms and this Section; provided , however , that if any provision of any series of Securities shall conflict with any provision of this Section, the provision of such series of Securities shall govern.

SECTION 3.02. Notice of Redemption; Selection of Securities . In case the Company shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all, or, as the case may be, any part of a series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, it shall fix a date for redemption and shall mail a notice

 

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of such redemption at least thirty and not more than ninety days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the Holders of such Securities so to be redeemed as a whole or in part at their last addresses as the same appear on the registry books. Such mailing shall be by prepaid first class mail. The notice if mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any such Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other such Security.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price at which such Securities are to be redeemed, the place of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. If less than all of a series are to be redeemed the notice of redemption shall specify the numbers of the Securities to be redeemed. In case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued of the same series.

Prior to the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the Company will deposit in trust with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities or portions of Securities so called for redemption at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If less than all of a series are to be redeemed, it will give the Trustee adequate notice in advance as to the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be redeemed.

If less than all of a series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, pro rata or by lot or in such other manner as it shall deem appropriate, the numbers of the Securities to be redeemed in whole or in part.

SECTION 3.03. Payment of Securities Called for Redemption . If notice of redemption has been given as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities at the redemption price, together with interest accrued to said date) interest on the Securities or portions of Securities so called for redemption shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Securities subject to redemption at said place of payment in said notice specified, the said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption (but if the date fixed for redemption is an interest payment date, the interest payable on such date shall be paid to the registered holder at the close of business on the applicable record date subject to the provisions of Section 2.03). At the option of the Company payment may be made by check to the Holders of the Securities or other persons entitled thereto against presentation and surrender of such Securities.

 

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Upon presentation of any Security redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities, of authorized denominations, in aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented of the same series.

ARTICLE FOUR

COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

SECTION 4.01. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest . The Company will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on each of the Securities at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided in the terms of the Securities and in this Indenture.

SECTION 4.02. Offices for Notices and Payments, etc . As long as any of the Securities remain outstanding, the Company will designate and maintain, in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency where the Securities may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided, an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities or of this Indenture may be served, and an office or agency where the Securities may be presented for payment. The Company will give to the Trustee notice of the location of each such office or agency and of any change in the location thereof. In case the Company shall fail to maintain any such office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations may be made and notices and demands may be served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

The Company hereby initially designates the office of The Bank of New York Mellon located at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 8W, New York, New York 10286, as the office of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, where the Securities may be presented for payment, for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities or of this Indenture may be served.

SECTION 4.03. Provisions as to Paying Agent .

(a) Whenever the Company shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section,

(1) that it will hold sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of such series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series entitled thereto and will notify the Trustee of the receipt of sums to be so held, and

 

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(2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) to make any payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable.

(b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of any series set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay such principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.

(c) Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge with respect to one or more or all series of Securities hereunder, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust for such series by it or any paying agent hereunder as required by this Section, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.

(d) Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section is subject to the provisions of Sections 12.03 and 12.04.

SECTION 4.04. Certificate to Trustee . On or before March 15, 2009, and on or before March 15 in each year thereafter, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as officers of the Company they would normally obtain knowledge of any default by the Company in the performance of any covenant or agreement contained in Section 11.01, stating whether or not they have obtained knowledge of any such default, and if so, specifying each such default of which the signers have knowledge and the nature thereof.

ARTICLE FIVE

SECURITYHOLDER LISTS AND REPORTS BY

THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 5.01. Securityholder Lists . The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee at such times as the Trustee may request in writing, within thirty days after receipt by the Company of any such request, a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of particular series specified by the Trustee as of a date not more than fifteen days prior to the time such information is furnished; provided , however , that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Security registrar, such list shall not be required to be furnished.

 

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SECTION 5.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists .

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of each series of Securities contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 or received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b) In case three or more Holders of Securities (hereinafter referred to as “ applicants ”) apply in writing to the Trustee and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security of such series for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders of Securities of a particular series (in which case the applicants must hold Securities of such series) or with Holders of all Securities with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under such Securities and it is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five business days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:

(1) afford to such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section, or

(2) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders of Securities of such series on all Securities, as the case may be, whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section, and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such securityholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.

If the Trustee shall elect not to afford to such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each securityholder of such series or all Securities, as the case may be, whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or all Securities, as the case may be, or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If said Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, said Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing that all the objections so sustained have been met, and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such securityholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

 

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(c) Each and every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or of the Trustee shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under said subsection (b).

SECTION 5.03. Reports by the Company . The Company covenants:

(a) to file with the Trustee within fifteen days after the Company is required to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as said Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with said Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such sections, then to file with the Trustee and said Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by said Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

(b) to file with the Trustee and the Securities and Exchange Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by said Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

(c) to furnish to the Holders of Securities of each series and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for so long as any of the Securities remain outstanding during any period when it is not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise permitted to furnish the Securities and Exchange Commission with certain information pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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

 

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SECTION 5.04. Reports by the Trustee .

(a) On or before July 15, 2009 and on or before July 15 of each year thereafter, so long as any Securities are outstanding hereunder, the Trustee shall transmit to the securityholders, as provided in subsection (c) of this Section, a brief report dated as of the preceding May 15, with respect to:

(1) its eligibility under Section 7.09, and its qualifications under Section 7.08, or in lieu thereof, if to the best of its knowledge it has continued to be eligible and qualified under such Sections, a written statement to such effect;

(2) the character and amount of any advances (and if the Trustee elects so to state, the circumstances surrounding the making thereof) made by the Trustee (as such) which remain unpaid on the date of such report, and for the reimbursement of which it claims or may claim a lien or charge, prior to that of the Securities, on any property or funds held or collected by it as Trustee, except that the Trustee shall not be required (but may elect) to report such advances if such advances so remaining unpaid aggregate not more than one-half of one percent of the principal amount of the Securities for any series outstanding on the date of such report;

(3) the amount, interest rate and maturity date of all other indebtedness owing by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to the Trustee in its individual capacity, on the date of such report, with a brief description of any property held as collateral security therefor, except an indebtedness based upon a creditor relationship arising in any manner described in paragraphs (2), (3), (4), or (6) of subsection (b) of Section 7.13;

(4) the property and funds, if any, physically in the possession of the Trustee as such on the date of such report;

(5) any additional issue of Securities which it has not previously reported; and

(6) any action taken by the Trustee in the performance of its duties under this Indenture which it has not previously reported and which in its opinion materially affects the Securities, except action in respect of a default, notice of which has been or is to be withheld by it in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.07.

(b) The Trustee shall transmit to the securityholders, as provided in subsection (c) of this Section, a brief report with respect to the character and amount of any advances (and if the Trustee elects so to state, the circumstances surrounding the making thereof) made by the Trustee (as such) since the date of the last report transmitted pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section (or if no such report has yet been so transmitted, since the date of execution of this Indenture), for the reimbursement of which it claims or may claim a lien or charge prior to that of the Securities of any series on property or funds held or collected by it as Trustee, and which it has not previously reported pursuant to this subsection (b), except that the Trustee for each series shall not be required (but may elect) to report such advances if such advances remaining unpaid at any time aggregate ten percent or less of the principal amount of Securities for such series outstanding at such time, such report to be transmitted within ninety days after such time.

 

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(c) Reports pursuant to this Section shall be transmitted by mail to all Holders of Securities at their addresses as the same appear upon the registry books.

(d) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to securityholders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which the Securities are listed and also with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when and as the Securities become listed on any stock exchange.

ARTICLE SIX

REMEDIES ON DEFAULT

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default . In case one or more of the following Events of Default with respect to a particular series shall have occurred and be continuing, that is to say:

(a) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise; or

(b) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of thirty days; or

(c) failure on the part of the Company duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Company in the Securities or in this Indenture contained for a period of thirty days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the Company to remedy the same, shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least twenty-five percent in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding; or

(d) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(e) the Company shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for any substantial part of its property, or shall make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

 

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then, if an Event of Default described in clause (d) or (e) (a “ Bankruptcy Event of Default ”) shall have occurred and be continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than twenty-five percent in aggregate principal amount of all of the Securities then outstanding hereunder (voting as one class), by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by securityholders) may declare the principal amount of all the Securities (or, with respect to Original Issue Discount Securities, such lesser amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) affected thereby to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Securities of such series contained to the contrary notwithstanding. The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal of all the Securities shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities and the principal of (and premium, if any, on) all the Securities (or, with respect to Original Issue Discount Securities, such lesser amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities), which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, on overdue installments of interest, at the same rate as the rate of interest specified in the Securities (or, with respect to Original Issue Discount Securities at the rate specified in the terms of such Securities for interest on overdue principal thereof upon maturity, redemption or acceleration of such series, as the case may be), to the date of such payment or deposit), and such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith, and any and all defaults under the Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of the Securities shall have been remedied, then and in every such case the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all of the Securities then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults with respect to all Securities, treated as a single class and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences; but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.

In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission and annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders, as the case may be, shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders, as the case may be, shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.

If an Event of Default described in clause (a), (b) or (c) above (a “ Non-Bankruptcy Event of Default ”) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may demand payment of amounts then due and payable on the affected Securities and, in its discretion, proceed to enforce any obligations of the Company under the Securities in accordance with the provisions of

 

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Section 6.02 of this Indenture. Upon a Non-Bankruptcy Event of Default, however, neither the Trustee nor Holders of the Securities may act to declare that the principal amount of the Securities be due and payable immediately.

SECTION 6.02. Payment of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor . The Company covenants that (1) in case default shall be made in the payment of any installment of interest on any of the Securities of any series, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of thirty days, or (2) in case default shall be made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of any series, as and when the same shall have become due and payable, whether upon maturity of such series or upon redemption or upon declaration or otherwise—then upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all such Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any) or interest, or both, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest specified in the Securities of such series (or, with respect to Original Issue Discount Securities, at the rate specified in the terms of such Securities for interest on overdue principal thereof upon maturity, redemption or acceleration), and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith.

In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or other obligor upon such Securities and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or other obligor upon such Securities wherever situated the money adjudged or decreed to be payable.

In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor upon Securities of any series under Title 11 of the United States Code or any other applicable law, or in case a receiver or trustee shall have been appointed for the property of the Company or such other obligor, or in case of any other judicial proceedings relative to the Company or such other obligor, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of such series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest (and premium, if any) (or, with respect to Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities of such series, and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and

 

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liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith) and of the securityholders of such series allowed in any such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of such series, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of the securityholders of such series and of the Trustee on their behalf; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the securityholders of such series to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to the securityholders of such series, to pay to the Trustee such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Securities, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities, or the production thereof on any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities.

In case of a default hereunder the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem necessary to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

SECTION 6.03. Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee . Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.02 shall be applied in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the several Securities in respect of which moneys have been collected, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of costs and expenses applicable to such series of collection, reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith;

SECOND: In case the principal of the Securities in respect of which moneys have been collected shall not have become due, to the payment of interest on the Securities of such series in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest specified in the Securities of such series (or, with respect to Original Issue Discount Securities, at the rate specified in the terms of such Securities for interest on overdue principal thereof upon maturity, redemption or acceleration), such payments to be made ratably to the persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;

 

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THIRD: In case the principal of the Securities in respect of which moneys have been collected shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, with interest upon the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest specified in the Securities of such series (or, with respect to Original Issue Discount Securities, at the rate specified in the terms of such Securities for interest on overdue principal thereof upon maturity, redemption or acceleration); and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal (and premium, if any) and interest, without preference or priority of principal (and premium, if any) over interest, or of interest over principal (and premium, if any), or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security of such series over any other Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal (and premium, if any) and accrued and unpaid interest; and

FOURTH: To the Company.

SECTION 6.04. Proceedings by Securityholders . No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided, and unless also the Holders of not less than twenty-five percent in aggregate principal amount of all the Securities at the time outstanding (voting as one class) shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in its own name as trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee for sixty days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action or proceedings and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and Holder of every Security with every other taker and Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders of Securities shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing himself of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holder of Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders of Securities. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, however, the right of any Holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest

 

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on such Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security, or to institute 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 6.05. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing . All powers and remedies given by this Article Six to the Trustee or to the securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the securityholders, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any of the Securities to exercise any right or power accruing upon any default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04, every power and remedy given by this Article Six or by law to the Trustee or to the securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the securityholders.

SECTION 6.06. Direction of Proceedings . The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series affected (voting as one class) at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee provided, however , that (subject to the provisions of Section 7.01) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action or proceedings so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by a committee of Responsible Officers shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed may involve the Trustee in personal liability.

SECTION 6.07. Notice of Defaults . The Trustee shall, within ninety days after the occurrence of a default with respect to any series, give to the securityholders of such series, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear on the registry books, notice by mail of all defaults known to the Trustee, unless such defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “default” or “defaults” for the purposes of this Section being hereby defined to be any event or events, as the case may be, specified in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of Section 6.01, not including periods of grace, if any, provided for therein and irrespective of the giving of the notice specified in clause (c) of Section 6.01); provided that, except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a committee of Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the securityholders of such series.

SECTION 6.08. Undertaking to Pay Costs . All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith

 

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of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any securityholder of any series, or group of such securityholders, holding in the aggregate more than ten percent in principal amount of the Securities of such series outstanding (or, in the case of any suit relating to or arising under clause (d) or (e) of Section 6.01, ten percent in aggregate principal amount of all Securities (voting as one class)), or to any suit instituted by any securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security on or after the due date expressed in such Security.

ARTICLE SEVEN

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee . The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default of a particular series and after the curing of all Events of Default of such series which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default with respect to a particular series has occurred (which has not been cured), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to a particular series and after the curing of all Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred:

(1) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to such series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations 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 the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein);

 

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(b) no provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own bad faith; except that:

(1) the preceding subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of subsection (2) of this clause (b); and

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

(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of Securities pursuant to Section 6.06 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture; and

(d) no provision of this Indenture shall be construed as requiring the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Whether or not herein expressly provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.

SECTION 7.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc . Subject to the provisions of Section 7.01:

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

(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an instrument signed in the name of the Company by the President or any Executive Vice President or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any Opinion of Counsel or advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in aspect of any action taken or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such Opinion of Counsel or advice of such counsel;

 

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(d) 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 securityholders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred therein or thereby;

(e) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

(f) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(g) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(h) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;

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

(j) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;

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

 

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

SECTION 7.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, etc . The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities, provided that the Trustee shall not be relieved of its duty to authenticate Securities only as authorized by this Indenture. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

SECTION 7.04. Ownership of Securities . The Trustee or any agent of the Company or of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, or an agent of the Company or of the Trustee.

SECTION 7.05. Moneys to be Held in Trust . Subject to the provisions of Section 12.04 hereof, all moneys received by the Trustee or any paying agent shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Neither the Trustee nor any paying agent shall be under any liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder except such as it may agree in writing with the Company to pay thereon. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from some to time upon the written order of the Company, signed by its President or an Executive Vice President or a Vice President or its Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer.

SECTION 7.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee . The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, reasonable compensation, and, except as otherwise expressly provided, the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as a result of from its negligence or bad faith. If any property other than cash shall at any time be subject to the lien of this Indenture, the Trustee, if and to the extent authorized by a receivership or bankruptcy court of competent jurisdiction or by the supplemental instrument subjecting such property to such Lien, shall be entitled to make advances for the purpose of preserving such property or of discharging tax liens or other prior liens or encumbrances thereon. The Company also covenants to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in the premises. The obligations of the Company under this Section to compensate the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for

 

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expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder. Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Securities. The provisions of this Section 7.06 shall survive termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default, the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

SECTION 7.07. Officers’ Certificate as Evidence . Subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or offering any action to be taken hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

SECTION 7.08. Conflicting Interest of Trustee . If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

SECTION 7.09. Eligibility of Trustee . There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any State or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, which (a) is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, and (b) is subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority and (c) shall have at all times a combined capital and surplus of not less than fifty million dollars. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law, or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation at any time shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 7.10.

SECTION 7.10. Resignation or Removal of Trustee .

(a) The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign with respect to one or more or all series by giving written notice of resignation to the Company and by mailing notice thereof to all Holders of Securities of the applicable series as the names and addresses of such Holders appear on the registry books. Upon receiving such notice of resignation the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee with respect to the applicable series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors of

 

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the Company, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within thirty days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the securityholders, the resigning Trustee may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of the applicable series for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 6.08, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur—

(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of subsection (a) of Section 7.08 with respect to any series of Securities after written request therefor by the Company or by any securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months, or

(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.09 with respect to any series of Securities and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such securityholder, or

(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Securities, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee with respect to the applicable series of Securities and appoint a successor trustee with respect to such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors of the Company, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or subject to the provisions of Section 6.08, any securityholder of such series who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of the applicable series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

(c) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series (voting as one class) at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of all series and appoint a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of all series.

(d) If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within sixty days after the removal of the Trustee pursuant to the terms hereof, the outgoing Trustee may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any securityholder who has been a bona fide

 

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Holder of a Security or Securities of the applicable series for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 6.08, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

(e) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and any appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.11.

SECTION 7.11. Acceptance by Successor Trustee . Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 7.10 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee with respect to all or any applicable series shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to such series of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee herein, but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06, execute and deliver an instrument provided to it transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing in order more fully and certainly to vest in and confirm to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property or funds held or collected by such trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06.

In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the predecessor Trustee upon payment of its charges hereunder and each successor trustee with respect to the Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the predecessor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series as to which the predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such trustee.

No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.08 and eligible under the provisions of Section 7.09.

Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section, the Company shall mail notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to all Holders of Securities of any applicable series as the names and addresses of such Holders shall appear on the registry books. If the Company fails to mail such notice in the prescribed manner within ten days after the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be so mailed at the expense of the Company.

 

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SECTION 7.12. Successor by Merger, etc . Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.08 and eligible under the provisions of Section 7.09, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.

SECTION 7.13. Limitation on Rights of Trustee as a Creditor . If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).

ARTICLE EIGHT

CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

SECTION 8.01. Action by Securityholders . Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by securityholders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of the Holders of Securities voting in favor thereof at any meeting of securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article Nine or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such meeting of securityholders.

In determining whether the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities have taken any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any over action) the principal amount of any Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the amount of the principal thereof that could be declared to be due and payable upon an Event of Default pursuant to the terms of such Original Issue Discount Security at the time the taking of such action is evidenced to the Trustee.

SECTION 8.02. Proof of Execution by Securityholders . Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01, 7.02 and 9.05, proof of the execution of any instrument by a securityholder or its agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee.

 

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The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the registry books or by a certificate of the Security registrar.

The record of any securityholders’ meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 9.06.

SECTION 8.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners . The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or of the Trustee may deem the person in whose name such Security shall be registered upon the books of the Company to be, and may treat him as, the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon), for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Security and for all other purposes and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or of the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any Holder for the time being, or upon his order, shall be valid and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Security.

SECTION 8.04. Company-Owned Securities Disregarded . In determining whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, Securities which are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities, or by any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Securities, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to vote such Securities and that the pledgee is not a person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.

SECTION 8.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Securityholders Bound . At any time prior to the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Security the identifying number of which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the Holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Security and of any Security issued in exchange or substitution therefor irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Security. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Securities.

 

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ARTICLE NINE

SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

SECTION 9.01. Purposes of Meetings . A meeting of securityholders of any or all series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article for any of the following purposes:

(1) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to waive any default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by securityholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article Six;

(2) to remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article Seven;

(3) to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.02; or

(4) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the Holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.

SECTION 9.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee . The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of securityholders of any or all series to take any action specified in Section 9.01, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the securityholders of any or all series, setting forth the time and place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed at the expense of the Company to all Holders of Securities of the applicable series as the names and addresses of such Holders appear on the registry books not less than twenty nor more than one hundred and eighty days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

SECTION 9.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders . In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least ten percent in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of securityholders of any or all series to take any action authorized in Section 9.01, by written request setting in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within thirty days after receipt of such request, then the Company or the Holders of such Securities in the amount above specified may determine the time and the place in said Borough of Manhattan for such meeting and may call such meeting by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 9.02.

 

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SECTION 9.04. Qualification for Voting . To be entitled to vote at any meeting of securityholders a person shall be a Holder of one or more Securities of a series with respect to which a meeting is being held or a person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by such a Holder. The only persons who shall be entitled to be present or so speak at any meeting of the securityholders shall be the persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

SECTION 9.05. Regulations . Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Securities and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.

The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by securityholders as provided in Section 9.03, in which case the Company or the securityholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities represented at the meeting and entitled to vote.

Subject to the provisions of Sections 8.01 and 8.04, at any meeting each securityholder or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities held or represented by him, provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote except as a securityholder or proxy. Any meeting of securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02 or 9.03 may be adjourned from time to time, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

SECTION 9.06. Voting . The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of securityholders shall be by written ballot on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the securityholders or proxies and on which shall be inscribed the identifying number or numbers or to which shall be attached a list of identifying numbers of the Securities held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of securityholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 9.02. The record shall be signed and verified by the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.

 

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Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

ARTICLE TEN

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 10.01. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Securityholders . The Company, when authorized by Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date of the execution thereof) for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by any successor corporation of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company pursuant to Article Eleven hereof;

(b) to provide for the issuance under this Indenture of Securities, whether or not then outstanding, in coupon form (including Securities registrable as to principal only) and to provide for exchangeability of such Securities with Securities issued hereunder in fully registered form and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose;

(c) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture; to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee; or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture as shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Securities; and

(d) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add or change any provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, pursuant to Section 7.11.

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which adversely affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 10.02.

 

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SECTION 10.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholder . With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 8.01) of the Holders of not less than 66  2 / 3 % in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series at the time outstanding affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as one class), the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date of the execution thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each such series; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Securities, or reduce the principal amount thereof or premium, if any, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, without the consent of the Holder of each Security so affected, (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holders of all Securities then outstanding or (iii) make any change to the provisions of Article Fourteen of this Indenture that would adversely affect the Holders without the consent of the Holder of each Security so affected.

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a copy of a Board Resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of securityholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the securityholders under this section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Company shall mail a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to all Holders of Securities of each series so affected as the names and addresses of such Holders shall appear on the registry books. Any failure of the Company so to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

SECTION 10.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act; Effect of Supplemental Indentures . Any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article Ten shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as then in effect. Upon the exemption of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article Ten, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of Securities shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

 

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The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, shall be given an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate as conclusive evidence that any such supplemental indenture complies with the provisions of this Article Ten and all conditions precedent have been met.

SECTION 10.04. Notation on Securities . Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article Ten may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. New Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered, without charge to the securityholders, in exchange for the Securities of such series then outstanding.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE

SECTION 11.01. Company May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms . The Company covenants that it will not merge or consolidate with any other corporation or sell or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, firm or corporation, unless (i) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or the successor corporation (if other than the Company) shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof and such corporation shall expressly assume the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company by supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such corporation, and (ii) the Company or such successor corporation, as the case may be, shall not, immediately after such merger or consolidation, or such sale or conveyance, be in default in the performance of any such covenant or condition.

SECTION 11.02. Securities to be Secured in Certain Events . In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon any such assumption by the successor corporation, such successor corporation shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the party of the first part. Such successor corporation thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of GMAC LLC, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee, and upon the order of such successor corporation, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such successor corporation thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All of the Securities so issued

 

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shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

SECTION 11.03. Opinion of Counsel to be given Trustee . The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, shall be given an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, and any such assumption, complies with the provisions of this Article Eleven.

ARTICLE TWELVE

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

SECTION 12.01. Discharge of Indenture . If at any time (a) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of any series theretofore authenticated (other than any Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.07), or (b) all such Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount (other than moneys repaid by the Trustee or any paying agent to the Company in accordance with Section 12.04) sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and premium, if any) and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the case may be, and if in either case the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such series, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the Securities of such series, and the Trustee, on demand of and at the cost and expense of the Company and subject to Section 14.04, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series. The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred by the Trustee in connection with this indenture or the Securities of such series.

SECTION 12.02. Deposited Moneys to be held in Trust by Trustee . All moneys deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Company acting as its own paying agent), to the Holders of the particular Securities for the payment or redemption of which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal and interest (and premium, if any).

SECTION 12.03. Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held . In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to securities of any series all moneys

 

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with respect to such Securities then held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon demand of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

SECTION 12.04. Return of Unclaimed Moneys . Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Security and not applied but remaining unclaimed for three years after the date upon which such principal (and premium, if any) or interest shall have become due and payable, shall be repaid to the Company by the Trustee or such paying agent on demand, and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter look only to the Company for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to collect and all liability of the Trustee or any paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

SECTION 13.01. Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations . No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer or director, as such, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 14.01. Securities Subordinate to Senior Indebtedness . The Company covenants and agrees, and each securityholder, by his acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth in this Article, the indebtedness represented by the Securities and the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on each and all of the Securities are hereby expressly made subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all existing and future Senior Indebtedness. The Company and each securityholder further agrees that the subordination provisions provided for in this Article Fourteen is for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

SECTION 14.02. Payment Over of Proceeds Upon Dissolution, etc . In the event of (a) any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding in connection therewith, relative to the Company or to its creditors, as such, or to its assets, or (b) any liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy or (c) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of the Company, then and in any such event the holders of Senior Indebtedness

 

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shall be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of all Senior Indebtedness, or provision shall be made for such payment in money or money’s worth, before the securityholders are entitled to receive any payment on account of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities, and to that end the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive, for application to the payment thereof, any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including any such payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of the Securities, which may be payable or deliverable in respect of the Securities in any such case, proceeding, dissolution, liquidation or other winding up or event.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, the Trustee or the securityholder shall have received any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including any such payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of the Securities, before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full or payment thereof provided for, and if such fact shall, at or prior to the time of such payment or distribution, have been made known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or, as the case may be, such Holder, then and in such event such payment or distribution shall be paid over or delivered forthwith to the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent or other Person making payment or distribution of assets of the Company for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

For purposes of this Article only, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment which are subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness which may at the time be outstanding to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Securities are so subordinated as provided in this Article. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to another Person upon the terms and conditions set forth in Article Eleven shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding up, liquidation, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or marshalling of assets and liabilities of the Company for the purposes of this Section if the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer such properties and assets substantially as an entirety, as the case may be, shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions set forth in Article Eleven.

SECTION 14.03. Prior Payment to Senior Indebtedness Upon Acceleration of Securities . In the event that any Securities are declared due and payable before their maturity, then and in such event the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of all Senior Indebtedness or provision shall be made for such payment in money or money’s worth, before the securityholders are entitled

 

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to receive any payment (including any payment which may be payable by reason of the payment of any other indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of the Securities) by the Company on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities or on account of the purchase or other acquisition of Securities.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall make any payment to the Trustee or the securityholder prohibited by the foregoing provisions of this Section, and if such fact shall, at or prior to the time of such payment, have been made known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or, as the case may be, such Holder, then and in such event such payment shall be paid over and delivered forthwith to the Company.

The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any payment with respect to which Section 14.02 would be applicable.

SECTION 14.04. No Payment When Senior Indebtedness in Default . (a) In the event and during the continuation of any default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Senior Indebtedness beyond any applicable grace period with respect thereto, or in the event that any event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness shall have occurred and be continuing permitting the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of the Holders thereof) to declare such Senior Indebtedness due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, unless and until such event of default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist and such acceleration shall have been rescinded or annulled, or (b) in the event any judicial proceeding shall be pending with respect to any such default in payment or event of default, then no payment (including any payment which may be payable by reason of the payment of any other indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of the Securities) shall be made by the Company on account of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Securities or on account of the purchase or other acquisition of Securities.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall make any payment to the Trustee or the securityholder prohibited by the foregoing provisions of this Section, and if such fact shall, at or prior to the time of such payment, have been made known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or, as the case may be, such Holder, then and in such event such payment shall be paid over and delivered forthwith to the Company.

The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any payment with respect to which Section 14.02 would be applicable.

SECTION 14.05. Payment Permitted in Certain Situations . Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall prevent the Company, at any time except during the pendency of any case, proceeding, dissolution, liquidation or other winding up, assignment for the benefit of creditors or other marshalling of assets and liabilities of the Company referred to in Section 14.02 or under the conditions described in Section 14.03 or 14.04, from making payments at any time of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities.

 

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SECTION 14.06. Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness . Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the securityholders shall be subrogated to the extent of the payments or distributions made to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of this Article (equally and ratably with the holders of all indebtedness of the Company which by its express terms is subordinated to indebtedness of the Company to substantially the same extent as the Securities are subordinated and is entitled to like rights of subrogation) to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments and distributions of cash, property and securities applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full. For purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the securityholders or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article, and no payments over pursuant to the provisions of this Article to the holders of Senior Indebtedness by securityholders or the Trustee, shall, as among the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness and the securityholders, be deemed to be a payment or distribution by the Company to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness.

SECTION 14.07. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights . The provisions of this Article are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of Securities on the one hand and the holders of Senior Indebtedness on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall (a) impair, as among the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms; or (b) affect the relative rights against the Company of the Holders of Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness; or (c) prevent the Trustee or the securityholder from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article of the holders of Senior Indebtedness, to receive cash, property and securities otherwise payable or deliverable to the Trustee or such Holder.

SECTION 14.08. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination . Each securityholder by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

SECTION 14.09. Reliance; No Waiver of Subordination Provisions . Each Holder by accepting a Security acknowledges and agrees that the subordination provisions provided for in this Article Fourteen are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Securities, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness and such holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing to hold, such Senior Indebtedness.

 

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No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any non-compliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof any such holder may have or be otherwise charged with.

Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the securityholders, without incurring responsibility to the securityholders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article or the obligations hereunder of the securityholders to the holders of Senior Indebtedness do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.

SECTION 14.10. Notice to Trustee . The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article Seven, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist.

Subject to the provisions of Article Seven, the Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee therefor) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee therefor). In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article, the Trustee may, but shall not be required to, request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article, and if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

SECTION 14.11. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent . Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article Seven, and the securityholders shall be entitled to rely

 

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upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the securityholders, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article.

SECTION 14.12. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness or Entitled Persons . The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and shall not be liable to any such holders or creditors if it shall mistakenly or otherwise in good faith pay over or distribute to securityholders or to the Company or to any other Person cash, property or securities to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article or otherwise.

SECTION 14.13. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness or Entitled Person; Preservation of Trustee’s Rights . The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, as the case may be, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

Nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.06.

SECTION 14.14. Article Applicable to Paying Agents . In case at any time any paying agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article shall in such case (unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending to and including such paying agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such paying agent were named in this Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that Section 14.13 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if it or such Affiliate acts as paying agent.

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 15.01. Benefits of Indenture Restricted to Parties and Securityholders . Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture or under any covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities.

 

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SECTION 15.02. Provisions Binding on Company’s Successors . All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or on behalf of the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 15.03. Addresses for Notices, etc . Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities to or on the Company may be given or served by being deposited postage prepaid first class mail in a post office letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company with the Trustee), as follows: GMAC LLC, 200 Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan 48265. Any notice, direction, request or demand by any securityholder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

SECTION 15.04. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent . Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture 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 has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 15.05. Legal Holidays . In any case where the date of maturity of interest on or principal of the Securities or the date fixed for redemption of any Securities shall be a Saturday or Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized by law or required by executive order to close, then payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made on such date but may be made on the next succeeding business day with the same force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date.

SECTION 15.06. Trust Indenture Act to Control . If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of Sections 310 to 318(a), inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, such required provision shall control.

 

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SECTION 15.07. Execution in Counterparts . This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

SECTION 15.08. New York Contract . This Indenture and each Security shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of said State.

SECTION 15.09. Securities in a Foreign Currency. Unless otherwise specified in an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.03 of this Indenture with respect to a particular series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series at the time outstanding and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any series which are denominated in a coin or currency other than United States dollars, then the principal amount of Securities of such series which shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of United States dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate. For purposes of this Section 15.09, Market Exchange Rate shall mean the noon United States dollar buying rate for that currency for cable transfers quoted in New York City as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; provided , however , in the case of ECUs, Market Exchange Rate shall mean the rate of exchange determined by the Commission of the European Communities (or any successor thereto) as published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (such publication or any successor publication, the “Journal”). If such Market Exchange Rate is not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the Trustee shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, in the case of ECUs, the rate of exchange as published in the Journal, as of the most recent available data, or quotations or, in the case of ECUs, rates of exchange from one or more major banks in New York City or in the country of issue of the currency in question, which for purposes of the ECU shall be Brussels, Belgium, or such other quotations or, in the case of ECUs, rates of exchange as the Trustee shall deem appropriate. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent number of votes which each securityholder or proxy shall be entitled to pursuant to Section 9.05 in respect of Securities of a series denominated in a currency other than United States dollars.

All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the Market Exchange Rate shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders.

SECTION 15.10. Judgment Currency . The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert any sum due in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of any series (the “ Required Currency ”) into United States dollars, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding that on which final judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered

 

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in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “ New York Banking Day ” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized by law or required by executive order to close.

SECTION 15.11. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents . The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 15.12. Severability Clause . In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or implied thereby.

SECTION 15.13. Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

SECTION 15.14. Force Majeure . In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

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I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , GMAC LLC, the party of the first part, has caused this Indenture to be signed and acknowledged by its Chairman of the Board or its President or one of its Executive Vice Presidents or one of its Vice Presidents; and T HE B ANK OF N EW Y ORK M ELLON , the party of the second part, has caused this Indenture to be signed by one of its Vice Presidents or Trust Officers, as of the day and year first above written.

 

GMAC LLC
By:  

/s/ David C. Walker

Name:   David C. Walker
Title:   Group Vice President and Treasurer of the Company
T HE B ANK OF N EW Y ORK M ELLON
By:  

/s/ Sherma Thomas

Name:   Sherma Thomas
Title:   Assistant Treasurer

 

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EXHIBIT A

Form of Initial Security and Exchange Security

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE HOLDER:

 

  (i) REPRESENTS THAT IT (A)(I) IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A TO THE SECURITIES ACT, A “QIB”) AND (II) IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QIB OR (B) IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, IS NOT ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (C) (i) IS NOT A PLAN (AS DEFINED HEREIN) AND NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED TO ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY CONSTITUTES ASSETS OF ANY PLAN OR (ii) THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED, OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, OR SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS;

 

  (ii) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A PERSON WHOM THE HOLDER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QIB PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QIB, IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (E) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS; AND

 

  (iii) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY OR AN INTEREST HEREIN IS TRANSFERRED (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (ii)(D) OR (ii)(E) ABOVE) A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.

 

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IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO ABOVE, THE HOLDER MUST CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE TRUSTEE. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY RULE 902 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. 1

 

1

This legend shall not appear on any “Exchange Securities” (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement dated December [    ], 2008 among GMAC LLC and Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Morgan Stanley Incorporated and Co. and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc.).

 

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Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“ DTC ”), to GMAC LLC 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 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.

 

No. [            ]

        [144A/Reg S] CUSIP: [
        ]
                  [144A/Reg S] ISIN: [            ]

8.00% Subordinated Note Due 2018

GMAC LLC

promises to pay to Cede& Co. or registered assigns,

the principal sum of                                          on December 31, 2018.

Interest Payment Dates: June 30 and December 31 (or, if any such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day)

Record Dates: The calendar day immediately preceding the relevant interest payment date.

Dated: December 31, 2008

[A DDITIONAL PROVISIONS OF THIS N OTE ARE SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS N OTE ]

 

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WITNESS THE SEAL OF THE COMPANY AND THE SIGNATURES OF ITS DULY AUTHORIZED OFFICERS.

 

GMAC LLC
By:  

 

Title:  
By:  

 

Title:  

Dated: December 31, 2008

 

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TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

THIS IS ONE OF THE SECURITIES OF THE

SERIES DESIGNATED THEREIN REFERRED TO

IN THE WITHIN-MENTIONED INDENTURE.

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,

    AS TRUSTEE,

 

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

Dated: December 31, 2008

 

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[REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

 

8.00% Subordinated Note due 2018

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

GMAC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (hereinafter called the “ Company ”, which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of [            ]($[            ]) at the office or agency of the Company for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, on December 31, 2018, in 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, and to pay interest on said principal sum at the rate of 8.00% per annum at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in like coin or currency on June 30 and December 31 (each, an “ Interest Payment Date ”) of each year, beginning on June 30, 2009. Such interest will accrue from and including December 31, 2008 or the most recent Interest Payment Date (whether or not such Interest Payment Date was a Business Day (as defined below)) for which interest had been paid or duly provided for to but excluding the relevant Interest Payment Date. The Company also hereby promises to pay Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined below)), if any, pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement. The first payment to be made on June 30, 2009 is in respect of the period from and including December 31, 2008 to but excluding June 30, 2009. The interest and Additional Interest, if any, so payable on any Interest Payment Date will, subject to certain exceptions provided in the Indenture referred to below, be paid to the person in whose name this 8.00% Subordinated Note (as defined below) is registered at the close of business on the calendar day immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date. At the option of the Company, interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be paid by check to the registered holder hereof entitled thereto at his last address as it appears on the registry books, and principal may be paid by check to the registered holder hereof or other person entitled thereto against surrender of this 8.00% Subordinated Note.

If an Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the interest payment will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day, with the same force and effect as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue as a result of such delay. “ Business Day ” is any day which is not a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

This 8.00% Subordinated Note is not a savings or a deposit account or other obligation of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

This 8.00% Subordinated Note is one of a duly authorized issue of subordinated debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company (hereinafter called the “ Securities ”) of the series hereinafter specified, all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an indenture dated as December 31, 2008 (as may be supplemented from time to time, herein

 

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called the “ Indenture ”), duly executed and delivered by the Company to The Bank of New York Mellon (herein called the “ Trustee ”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which the Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of the Securities. The terms of this 8.00% Subordinated Note include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of all such terms. To the extent permitted by applicable law, in the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this 8.00% Subordinated Note and the terms of the Indenture, the terms of this 8.00% Subordinated Note shall control. The Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest (if any) at different rates, may be subject to different redemption provisions (if any), and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided. This 8.00% Subordinated Note is one of [    ] global notes which together represent all of the Company’s 8.00% Subordinated Notes Due December 31, 2018 (the “ 8.00% Subordinated Notes ”, which term shall include any Additional Notes (as defined below)), limited in initial issuance to the aggregate principal amount of $482,923,000. The 8.00% Subordinated Notes will bear interest, calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

The 8.00% Subordinated Notes are in registered book-entry form without coupons in initial denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

In case a Bankruptcy Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, with respect to the 8.00% Subordinated Notes, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture. Upon an Event of Default (other than a Bankruptcy Event of Default), as defined in the Indenture, however, the Trustee may not act to accelerate the outstanding principal amount of the 8.00% Subordinated Notes.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than 66  2 / 3 % in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding (as defined in the Indenture) of all series to be affected by the execution of such supplemental indentures referred to in this sentence (voting as one class), evidenced as in the Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each such series; provided , that no such supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or premium, if any, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of any interest thereon, without the consent of the Holder of each Security so affected, (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities, the Holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holders of all Securities then outstanding or (iii) make any change to the provisions of Article Fourteen of the Indenture that would adversely affect the Holders of the Securities without the consent of the Holder of each of the Securities so affected. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this 8.00% Subordinated Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this 8.00% Subordinated Note and of any 8.00% Subordinated Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation for such consent or waiver is made upon this 8.00% Subordinated Note.

 

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No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this 8.00% Subordinated Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on this 8.00% Subordinated Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

The Company may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the registered holders of the 8.00% Subordinated Notes, create and issue additional notes (the “ Additional Notes ”) ranking pari passu with the 8.00% Subordinated Notes in all respects (or in all respects except for the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such Additional Notes or except for the first payment if interest following the issue date of such Additional Notes). Such Additional Notes may be consolidated and form a single series with the 8.00% Subordinated Notes and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the 8.00% Subordinated Notes.

This 8.00% Subordinated Note may not be redeemed prior to maturity, except as set forth below.

The 8.00% Subordinated Notes are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture. To the extent provided in the Indenture, Senior Indebtedness must be paid before the 8.00% Subordinated Notes may be paid. The Company agrees, and each Holder by accepting an 8.00% Subordinated Note agrees, to the subordination provisions contained in the Indenture and authorizes the Trustee to give them effect and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for such purpose.

Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of this 8.00% Subordinated Note at the office or agency designated and maintained by the Company for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture, a new 8.00% Subordinated Note for an equal aggregate principal amount will be issued to the transferee in exchange therefor, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.

The Company, the Trustee and any authorized agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the Holder in whose name this 8.00% Subordinated Note is registered upon the books of the Company to be, and may treat such Holder as, the absolute owner of this 8.00% Subordinated Note (whether or not this 8.00% Subordinated Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon), for the purpose of receiving payment of, or on account of, the principal hereof (and premium, if any) and interest hereon, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any authorized agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement in the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, or against any past, present or future stockholder,

 

A-3


officer or director, as such, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof.

In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Securities under the Indenture, Holders of a 8.00% Subordinated Note will have, subject to the terms thereof, all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 31, 2008, among the Company and Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Morgan Stanley Incorporated and Co. and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”). For the avoidance of doubt, the term “interest” as used in the Indenture and hereunder shall be deemed to include “Additional Interest” as defined in and pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

For purposes of the legend appearing on the face of this 8.00% Subordinated Note, “ Plan ” means an employee benefit plan or any other plan subject to Title I of The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including an individual retirement account or a Keogh plan, a plan subject to provisions under applicable federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to the provisions of Title I of The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any entity whose underlying assets include “plan assets” by reason of any such employee benefit or retirement plan’s investment in such entity.

This 8.00% Subordinated Note is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

This 8.00% Subordinated Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by the Trustee under the Indenture.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

A-4


A SSIGNMENT F ORM

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned hereby sells,

assigns and transfers unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

 

 

 

 

Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of assignee

 

 

the within 8.00% Subordinated Note of GMAC LLC and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints

 

  attorney to transfer
said 8.00% Subordinated Note on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated:                             

 

SIGN HERE  

 

  NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE OF THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE WITHIN INSTRUMENT IN EVERY PARTICULAR WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.
  SIGNATURE GUARANTEED

 

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F ORM OF C ERTIFICATE OF T RANSFER

GMAC LLC

200 Renaissance Center

Detroit, Michigan 48265

Attention: General Counsel

The Bank of New York Mellon

101 Barclay Street, Floor 8W

New York, New York 10286

Fax No.: (212) 815-3272

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

 

  Re: 8.00% Subordinated Notes due 2018

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of December 31, 2008 (as may be supplemented from time to time, herein called, the “ Indenture ”), between GMAC LLC and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                         (the “ Transferor ”) owns and proposes to transfer the 8.00% Subordinated Note[s] or interest in such 8.00% Subordinated Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $                      in such note[s] or interest (the “ Transfer ”), to                              (the “ Transferee ”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE 8.00% SUBORDINATED NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or 8.00% Subordinated Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or 8.00% Subordinated Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE REGULATION S 8.00% SUBORDINATED NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy

 

A-6


order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the restricted period (as described in Regulation S under the Securities Act), the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or 8.00% Subordinated Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. [    ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE 8.00% SUBORDINATED NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to a beneficial interest in the 8.00% Subordinated Note and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) [    ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b) [    ] such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

or

(c) [    ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

4. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED 8.00% SUBORDINATED NOTE.

(a) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Restrictive Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or 8.00% Subordinated Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Restrictive Legend printed on Restricted Securities issued under the Indenture and in the Indenture.

 

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(b) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Restrictive Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or 8.00% Subordinated Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Restrictive Legend printed on Restricted Securities issued under the Indenture and in the Indenture.

(c) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Restrictive Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or 8.00% Subordinated Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Restrictive Legend printed on Restricted Securities issued under the Indenture and in the Indenture.

 

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This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the issuer.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

Dated:                                                      

 

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ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (a) [    ] 144A Note (CUSIP [                        ]), or

 

  (b) [    ] Regulation S Note (CUSIP [                        ])

 

2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (a) [    ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP [                        ]),

 

  (b) [    ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP [                        ]), or

 

  (c) [    ] Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP [                        ])

 

A-10

Exhibit 4.3

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT, dated as of December 31, 2008, made by GMAC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”, which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to) and each of the parties hereto designated on the signature pages hereof as a Guarantor (including each Person that becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 3.12, each a “ Guarantor ”), in favor of the Trustee (as defined below), for its benefit and for the benefit of the holders from time to time (the “ Holders ”) of the notes listed on Schedule 1 hereto (the “ Guaranteed Notes ”, which term shall include any “Additional Notes” as set forth below) of the Company, issued under that certain indenture dated as of July 1, 1982 (as supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (in such capacity, the “ Trustee ”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, on November 20, 2008, the Company commenced offers to exchange (the “ Exchange Offers ”) certain of its and its subsidiaries’ outstanding notes for a combination of cash, newly issued perpetual preferred stock of a newly formed Subsidiary of the Company and the Guaranteed Notes, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the confidential offering memoranda related to the Exchange Offers;

WHEREAS, each of the Guarantors is a Subsidiary of the Company and hereby acknowledges that the Exchange Offers shall benefit such Guarantor;

WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to exchange their outstanding notes for the Guaranteed Notes in the Exchange Offers, the Guarantors desire to guarantee the obligations of the Company with respect to the Guaranteed Notes under the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the exchange for the Guaranteed Notes by the Holders, the Guarantors hereby agree with the Trustee for its benefit and for the benefit of the Holders as follows:

SECTION 1

DEFINED TERMS

1.1 Definitions .

(a) Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Indenture and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

(b) The following terms shall have the following meanings:

Affiliate ”: as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms


“controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Asset Sale ”:

 

  (1) the conveyance, sale, transfer or other disposition, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of property or assets of a Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any agreement with respect to a transaction that has the effect of conveying or monetizing the value of such property or assets) (each referred to as a “ Disposition ”); or

 

  (2) the issuance or sale of equity interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals or other third parties to the extent received by applicable law) of any Subsidiary of a Guarantor (including, without limitation, any agreement with respect to a transaction that has the effect of conveying or monetizing the value of such equity interests) whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions;

in each case, other than:

 

  (a) any Disposition of property or assets by a Guarantor or Subsidiary of a Guarantor or issuance of securities by a Subsidiary of a Guarantor to a Guarantor or another Subsidiary of a Guarantor (other than to Residential Capital, LLC (“ ResCap ”) or any Subsidiary of ResCap if ResCap or such Subsidiary of ResCap becomes a Guarantor or a Subsidiary of a Guarantor);

 

  (b) any Disposition of cash or cash equivalents other than the Disposition of any cash or cash equivalents that represent proceeds from the Disposition of property or assets or the sale or the issuance or sale of equity interests (collectively, “ Subject Assets ”), and the Disposition of such Subject Assets (if made in lieu of such Disposition of cash or cash equivalents) would not otherwise comply with Section 2.4(c) of this Guarantee Agreement;

 

  (c) any Disposition of property or assets by any Guarantor or Subsidiary of a Guarantor or issuance or sale of equity interests of any Subsidiary of a Guarantor which property, assets or equity interests, as applicable, so sold or issued in any transaction or series of related transactions, have an aggregate fair market value (as determined in good faith by such Guarantor or Subsidiary) of less than $25 million;

 

  (d) the granting of any lien permitted by Section 2.4(b) of this Guarantee Agreement; and

 

-2-


  (e) foreclosure on assets or property.

Board of Directors ”: with respect to:

(1) a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

(2) a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership;

(3) a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof or, if managed by managers, the board of managers or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board; and

(4) any other Person, the board of directors or governing body of such Person serving a similar function.

Debt ”: with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person: (1) in respect of borrowed money of such Person; (2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments issued by such Person; (3) in respect of letters of credit, banker’s acceptances or other similar instruments issued on account of such Person; (4) representing the portion of capital lease obligations (that does not constitute interest expense) and attributable debt in respect of sale leaseback transactions; (5) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services acquired by or rendered to such person due more than six months after such property is acquired or such services are completed; (6) representing obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any preferred stock and (7) hedging obligations in connection with “Debt” referred to in clauses (1) through (6).

Guarantee Agreement ”: this Guarantee Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Guarantors ”: the collective reference to each Guarantor.

Officer ”: with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.

Person ”: any individual, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust association, organization or other entity of any kind or nature.

Registration Rights Agreement ”: the Registration Rights Agreement, relating to the Guaranteed Notes, dated as of December 31, 2008, among the Company and Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P.

 

-3-


Morgan Securities Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Morgan Stanley Incorporated and Co. and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Subsidiary ”: with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, association or other business entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, at the time any determination is being made, directly or indirectly, owned, controlled or held or (b) in the case of any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity, that is, at the time any determination is made, otherwise controlled, by such Person or one or more subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such Person.

1.2 Other Definitional Provisions .

(a) The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Guarantee Agreement shall refer to this Guarantee Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Guarantee Agreement, and Section references are to this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise specified.

(b) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

SECTION 2

GUARANTEE

2.1 Guarantee .

(a) Each of the Guarantors hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees (the “ Guarantee ”), jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, to the Trustee, each Holder of a Guaranteed Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and each of their successors, transferees and assigns, the performance and punctual payment when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all payment obligations of the Company in respect of the Guaranteed Notes (pursuant to the terms thereof and of the Indenture), whether for payment of (w) principal of, or premium, if any, interest or additional interest on the Guaranteed Notes, (x) expenses, (y) indemnification or (z) otherwise (all such obligations guaranteed by such Guarantors, the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”). Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms thereof, without notice to or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound upon its Guarantee notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligations.

(b) Except as provided in Section 3.13, with respect to each Guarantor, no payment made by any other Guarantor or any other Person or received or collected by the Trustee or from any other Guarantor or any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any set-off or appropriation or application at any time or from time to time in reduction of or in payment of the

 

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Guaranteed Obligations shall be deemed to modify, reduce, release or otherwise affect the liability of such Guarantor hereunder which shall, notwithstanding any such payment (other than any payment made by such Guarantor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations or any payment received or collected from such Guarantor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations), remain liable for the Guaranteed Obligations up to the maximum liability of such Guarantor hereunder until the Guaranteed Obligations are paid in full.

(c) Each of the Guarantors further agrees that its Guarantee hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment when due and not of collection.

(d) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of the Company or any other Guarantor or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of the Company or any other Guarantor, other than the payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations or termination or release of the Guarantor’s obligations pursuant to Section 3.13 hereof.

2.2 Maximum Liability . Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of this Guarantee, the Trustee and each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such Persons that this Guarantee and the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for the purposes of Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar foreign, federal or state law to the extent applicable to this Guarantee and the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee and each Holder hereby irrevocably agrees that the obligations of each Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement shall be limited to the maximum amount that can hereby be guaranteed without rendering the obligations of such Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

2.3 Execution and Delivery of Guarantee . To evidence its Guarantee set forth in this Guarantee Agreement, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Guarantee substantially in the form attached as Annex 3 hereto shall be endorsed by an Officer of such Guarantor on each Guaranteed Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Guarantee Agreement shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in this Guarantee Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Guaranteed Note a notation of such Guarantee. If an Officer whose signature is on this Guarantee Agreement or on any notation of any Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Guaranteed Note on which a Guarantee is endorsed, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless. The delivery of any Guaranteed Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Guarantee Agreement on behalf of the Guarantors.

 

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2.4 Covenants of the Guarantors .

(a) Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms .

(i) No Guarantor shall merge or consolidate with any other corporation or sell or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any person, firm or corporation, unless (i) either such Guarantor shall be the continuing corporation, or the successor corporation (if other than such Guarantor) shall expressly assume the guarantee of the due and punctual payment, when due, of the Guaranteed Obligations, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Guarantee Agreement to be performed by such Guarantor by the execution of the Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Annex 1 hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such corporation, and (ii) such Guarantor or such successor corporation, as the case may be, shall not, immediately after such merger or consolidation, or such sale or conveyance, be in default in the performance of any such covenant or condition.

(ii) In the case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon any such assumption by the successor corporation, such successor corporation shall succeed to and be substituted for such Guarantor, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor.

(iii) The Trustee shall receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, and any such assumption, complies with the provisions of this Guarantee Agreement.

(b) Limitation on Liens .

(i) No Guarantor, nor any Subsidiary of a Guarantor, shall pledge or otherwise subject to any lien any of its property or assets to secure (A) any Debt of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company or (B) any Debt incurred to repay, retire, redeem, refund, refinance, replace, defease, cancel, repurchase or exchange any such Debt described in the foregoing clause (A), in each case unless the Guaranteed Notes are secured by such pledge or lien equally and ratably with such Debt so long as any such other Debt shall be so secured; provided , that financings, securitizations and hedging activities conducted by a Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business and not incurred in contemplation of the payment of Debt described in clause (A) prior to its stated maturity shall not be deemed to be covered by clause (B).

(ii) No Guarantor, nor any Subsidiary of a Guarantor, shall pledge or otherwise subject to any lien any of its property or assets to secure any Debt of ResCap or any Subsidiary of ResCap.

 

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(c) Limitation on Asset Sales . No Guarantor, nor any Subsidiary of a Guarantor, shall make an Asset Sale to the Company or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate of the Company that is not a Guarantor or a Subsidiary of a Guarantor, other than:

(i) any Asset Sale on terms not less favorable in any material respect to such Guarantor or Subsidiary, as applicable, than those that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arm’s length basis from a person who is not the Company or a Subsidiary or other Affiliate of the Company (as determined in good faith by such Guarantor or Subsidiary or, if the consideration received in connection with such Asset Sale (or series of related Asset Sales) exceeds (x) $250 million, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company or (y) exceeds $500 million, subject to a customary fairness opinion from an independent accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing to the effect that (i) the financial terms of such Asset Sale are fair to such Guarantor or Subsidiary of such Guarantor, as applicable, from a financial point of view or (ii) the financial terms of such Asset Sale are not less favorable in any material respect to such Guarantor or Subsidiary of such Guarantor, as applicable, than those that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arm’s length basis from a person who is not an Affiliate of the Company);

(ii) any Asset Sale to a Guarantor or to a Subsidiary of a Guarantor (other than to ResCap or any Subsidiary of ResCap if ResCap or such Subsidiary of ResCap becomes a Guarantor or a Subsidiary of a Guarantor);

(iii) any Asset Sale of the equity interests of a Subsidiary of a Guarantor provided that such Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor as of the time such Asset Sale occurs;

(iv) any Asset Sale in connection with financing, securitization and hedging activities conducted by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business on terms not less favorable in any material respect to such Guarantor or Subsidiary, as applicable, than those that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arm’s-length basis from a person who is not the Company or a Subsidiary or other Affiliate of the Company; or

(v) any Asset Sale in connection with the Disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Guarantor in a manner permitted pursuant to Section 2.4(a) of this Guarantee Agreement.

(d) Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates . Each Guarantor shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of related transactions, contract, agreement, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25 million (each of the foregoing, an “ Affiliate Transaction ”), unless: (i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not less favorable in any material respect to such Guarantor or the relevant Subsidiary than those that could reasonably have been obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction by such Guarantor or such Subsidiary with an unaffiliated party; and (ii) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $250 million, such Affiliate Transaction is approved by the Board of Directors of the Company; and (iii) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction

 

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or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $500 million, the Company must obtain and deliver to the Trustee a written opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking, accounting or appraisal firm stating that the transaction is fair to such Guarantor or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, from a financial point of view.

The foregoing limitation does not limit, and shall not apply to:

(i) any Disposition permitted under Section 2.4(c) of this Guarantee Agreement;

(ii) the payment of reasonable and customary fees and indemnities to members of the Board of Directors of the Company or a Subsidiary;

(iii) the payment of reasonable and customary compensation and other benefits (including retirement, health, option, deferred compensation and other benefit plans) and indemnities to officers and employees of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company;

(iv) transactions between or among any Guarantor or Subsidiary of a Guarantor and any other Guarantor or any Subsidiary of a Guarantor; provided , however , that this exception shall not apply to ResCap or any of its Subsidiaries should ResCap or any such Subsidiaries become Guarantors or Subsidiaries of Guarantors;

(v) the issuance of equity interests of any Guarantor otherwise permitted by the Guaranteed Notes and this Guarantee Agreement and capital contributions to any Guarantor;

(vi) any agreement or arrangement as in effect on the issue date of the Guaranteed Notes and any amendment or modification thereto so long as such amendment or modification is not more disadvantageous to the Holders in any material respect; and

(vii) transactions with General Motors Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, or any customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case, in the ordinary course of business.

(e) Limitation on Guarantees of Debt . No Guarantor nor any Subsidiary of a Guarantor shall guarantee the payment of any Debt of ResCap or any Subsidiary of ResCap.

2.5 Right of Contribution . To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor hereby agrees that to the extent that a Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made hereunder, such Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against any other Guarantor hereunder which has not paid its proportionate share of such payment. Each Guarantor’s right of contribution shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 2.7. The provisions of this Section 2.5 shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor to the Trustee and the Holders, and each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Trustee and the Holders for the full amount guaranteed by such Guarantor hereunder.

 

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2.6 Indemnity . In addition to all such rights of indemnity and subrogation as the Guarantors may have under applicable law (but subject to section 2.7 hereof), the Company agrees that in the event a payment shall be made by any Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations, the Company shall indemnify such Guarantor for the full amount of such payment and such Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the person to whom such payment shall have been made to the extent of such payment.

2.7 No Subrogation . Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations until payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor or indemnity from the Company so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantee.

2.8 Amendments, etc., with Respect to the Guaranteed Obligations . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, (i) each Guarantor shall remain obligated hereunder notwithstanding that, without any reservation of rights against any Guarantor and without notice to or further assent by any Guarantor, any demand for payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations made by the Trustee or any Holder may be rescinded by the Trustee or such Holder and any of the Guaranteed Obligations continued, (ii) the Guaranteed Obligations, or the liability of any other Person upon or for any part thereof, or any guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released by the Trustee or any Holder, (iii) the Indenture and any other documents executed and delivered in connection with the Exchange Offers may be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or in part, as the Trustee (or the required amount of Holders, as the case may be) may deem reasonably advisable from time to time, and (iv) any guarantee or right of offset at any time held by the Trustee or any Holder for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations may be sold, exchanged, waived, surrendered or released.

2.9 Guarantee Unconditional . Subject to Section 3.6 hereof, the Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Guaranteed Notes or this Guarantee Agreement, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Guaranteed Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor (other than termination or release pursuant to Section 3.13 hereof). Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and agrees, subject to Section 3.13, that this Guarantee Agreement shall not be discharged except by payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations.

2.10 Reinstatement . This Guarantee Agreement shall, subject to Section 3.13 hereof, (i) remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Company or any Guarantor for liquidation or reorganization or equivalent proceeding under applicable law, should the Company or any Guarantor become insolvent or make an assignment

 

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for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Company’s assets, or the equivalent of any of the foregoing under applicable law, and (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment of the Guaranteed Obligations is, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Company or any Guarantor on the Guaranteed Notes, whether as a voidable preference, fraudulent transfer, or as otherwise provided under similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally or under applicable laws of the jurisdiction of formation of the Company or any Guarantor, all as though such payment had not been made.

2.11 Payments . Each Guarantor hereby guarantees that payments hereunder shall be paid to the Trustee without set-off or counterclaim in U.S. dollars at its offices at 101 Barclay Street, Floor 8W, New York, New York 10286 Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.

SECTION 3

MISCELLANEOUS

3.1 Amendments in Writing . The Company, the Guarantors, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time, without the consent of the Holders, enter into amendments hereto for one or more of the following purposes: (i) to enter into modifications or amendments to the Guarantee Agreement to add additional Guarantors; (ii) to provide for the assumption by a successor Guarantor of the obligations under the Guarantee Agreement pursuant to Section 2.4(a) hereof; (iii) to release the Guarantee of any Guarantor in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and this Guarantee Agreement; (iv) to add further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions that the Board of Directors of the Company and the Trustee shall deem to be for the protection of the Holders of the Guaranteed Notes; (v) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained in this Guarantee Agreement which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein; (vi) to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Guarantee Agreement as shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Guaranteed Notes and (vii) to evidence and provide for a successor trustee. With the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Guaranteed Notes (voting as one class), the Company, the Guarantors, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an amendment to this Guarantee Agreement for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Guarantee Agreement or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of Guaranteed Notes hereunder (x) with respect to the covenants set forth in Section 2.4 and the definitions of defined terms used therein and (y) with respect to any other term; provided that without the consent of the holder of each Guaranteed Note, no such amendment pursuant to this clause (y) shall, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, modify the Guarantee or the Guarantee Agreement in any way adverse to the Holders.

In determining whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of Guaranteed Notes have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Guarantee Agreement, Guaranteed Notes which are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Guaranteed Notes, or by any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Guaranteed Notes, shall

 

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be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver only Guaranteed Notes which a responsible officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Guaranteed Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to vote such Guaranteed Notes and that the pledgee is not a person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.

The Company may from time to time issue “Additional Notes”, as defined in and issued pursuant to the terms of, any Guaranteed Note. In connection with such issuance, the Company may from time to time furnish to the Trustee an updated Schedule 1 for the purpose of adding “Additional Notes”, which Additional Notes shall be Guaranteed Notes for all purposes hereunder.

3.2 Notices . All notices, requests and demands to or upon the Trustee, the Company or any Guarantor hereunder shall be effected in the manner provided for in Section 14.03 of the Indenture; provided that any such notice, request or demand to or upon any Guarantor shall be addressed to such Guarantor c/o GMAC LLC at 200 Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan 48265, Attention of GMAC General Counsel (facsimile no. (313) 656-6124) or such other address of which the Trustee has been notified.

3.3 No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies . Neither the Trustee nor any Holder shall by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to Section 3.1), 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 Trustee or any Holder, 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 Trustee or any Holder of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the Trustee or any Holder 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.

3.4 Successors and Assigns . This Guarantee Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of each Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders and their permitted successors, transferees and assigns; provided that no Guarantor may assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Guarantee Agreement except as permitted by Section 2.4 hereof.

3.5 Counterparts . This Guarantee Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Guarantee 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.

 

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3.6 Limitation by Law; Severability . All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Guarantee Agreement may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any applicable provision of law, and all the provisions of this Guarantee Agreement are intended to be subject to all applicable mandatory provisions of law that may be controlling. Any provision of this Guarantee 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.

3.7 Section Headings . The Section (and Subsection) headings used in this Guarantee Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.

3.8 Integration . This Guarantee Agreement, the Indenture and the Guaranteed Notes represents the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof .

3.9 GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

3.10 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers . Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law:

(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Guarantee Agreement, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the non exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;

(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;

(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Guarantor at its address referred to in Section 3.2 or at such other address of which the Trustee shall have been notified pursuant thereto; and

(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law nor shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction.

 

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3.11 Acknowledgements . Each Guarantor hereby acknowledges that the Trustee does not have any fiduciary relationship with or duty to any Guarantor arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee Agreement, and the relationship between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Trustee, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor.

3.12 Successor Guarantors; Additional Guarantors . Each successor to a Guarantor that is required to become a party to this Guarantee Agreement pursuant to Section 2.4(a) hereof shall become a Guarantor for all purposes of this Guarantee Agreement upon execution and delivery by such entity of an Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Annex 1 hereto. Any Subsidiary of the Company may become a Guarantor for all purposes of this Guarantee Agreement upon execution and delivery by such entity of an Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Annex 2 hereto. The execution and delivery of any such instruments shall not require the consent of any other party to this Guarantee Agreement.

3.13 Termination and Release .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Guarantee Agreement, the Guarantee of a Guarantor and all other obligations of such Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect and such Guarantor shall be deemed to be automatically released from all such obligations:

(i) upon the sale, disposition or other transfer (including through merger or consolidation) of a majority of the equity interests (including any sale, disposition or other transfer following which the applicable Guarantor is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company) of the applicable Guarantor, provided such sale, disposition or other transfer is made in compliance with the Indenture; or

(ii) with respect to a particular series of Guaranteed Notes, upon the discharge of the Company’s obligations in respect of such series of Guaranteed Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the terms of such series of Guaranteed Notes.

(b) In connection with any termination or release pursuant to this Section 3.13, the Trustee shall execute and deliver to any Guarantor, at such Guarantor’s expense, all documents that such Guarantor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release; provided , that the Trustee shall not be required to take any actions under this Section 3.13 unless the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee, together with such request, which may be incorporated into such request, a certificate of an Officer of the Company or such Guarantor certifying that the transaction giving rise to such termination or release is permitted hereby and was consummated in compliance with the Indenture and this Guarantee Agreement. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 3.13 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Trustee.

3.14 Trustee . The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Guarantee Agreement. The recitals and statements herein are deemed to be those of the Company and each of the Guarantors and not of the Trustee.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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

 

COMPANY
GMAC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Cathy L. Quenneville

Name:   Cathy L. Quenneville
Title:   Secretary
GUARANTORS
GMAC US LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Cathy L. Quenneville

Name:   Cathy L. Quenneville
Title:   Secretary
IB FINANCE HOLDING COMPANY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Cathy L. Quenneville

Name:   Cathy L. Quenneville
Title:   Secretary
GMAC LATIN AMERICA HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Cathy L. Quenneville

Name:   Cathy L. Quenneville
Title:   Secretary
GMAC CONTINENTAL LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Cathy L. Quenneville

Name:   Cathy L. Quenneville
Title:   Secretary
GMAC INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS
COÖPERATIEF U.A., a cooperative (coöperatief) incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands
By:  

/s/ Cathy L. Quenneville

Name:   Cathy L. Quenneville
Title:   Attorney
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
By:  

/s/ Sherma Thomas

Name:   Sherma Thomas
Title:   Assistant Treasurer

 

Guarantee Agreement


Schedule 1 to

Guarantee Agreement

Guaranteed Notes

 

Title of Note

       

CUSIP No.

Euribor +1.25% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2009        

Rule 144A No: 36186CAJ2

Reg S No: U36240AA4

4.750% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2009        

Rule 144A No: 36186CAK9

Reg S No: U36240AB2

6.500% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2009        

Rule 144A No: 36186CAM5

Reg S No: U36240AD8

7.750% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2010        

Rule 144A No: 36186CAN3

Reg S No: U36240AE6

5.750% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2010

(May maturity)

       

Rule 144A No: 36186CAR4

Reg S No: U36240AH9

5.750% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2010

(September maturity)

       

Rule 144A No: 36186CBE2

Reg S No: U36240AW6

6.625% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2010        

Rule 144A No: 36186CAS2

Reg S No: U36240AJ5

7.250% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2011        

Rule 144A No: 36186CAV5

Reg S No: U36240AM8

6.000% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2011

(April maturity)

       

Rule 144A No: 36186CAY9

Reg S No: U36240AQ9

5.375% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2011        

Rule 144A No: 36186CBA0

Reg S No: U36240AS5

6.875% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2011        

Rule 144A No: 36186CBB8

Reg S No: U36240AT3

6.000% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2011

(December maturity)

       

Rule 144A No: 36186CBC6

Reg S No: U36240AU0

7.000% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2012        

Rule 144A No: 36186CAT0

Reg S No: U36240AK2

6.625% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2012        

Rule 144A No: 36186CAZ6

Reg S No: U36240AR7

6.000% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2012        

Rule 144A No: 36186CAX1

Reg S No: U36240AP1

6.875% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2012        

Rule 144A No: 36186CAU7

Reg S No: U36240AL0

6.750% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2014        

Rule 144A No: 36186CAW3

Reg S No: U36240AN6

Libor + 2.20% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2014        

Rule 144A No: 36186CBD4

Reg S No: U36240AV8

8.000% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2031        

Rule 144A No: 36186CAQ6

Reg S No: U36240AG1

Exhibit 10.1

U NITED S TATES D EPARTMENT O F T HE T REASURY

1500 P ENNSYLVANIA A VENUE , NW

W ASHINGTON , D.C. 20220

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

The company set forth on the signature page hereto (the “ Company ”) intends to issue in a private placement the number of units of the series of its Preferred Membership Interests set forth on Schedule A hereto (the “ Preferred Interests ”) and a warrant to purchase the number of units of the series of its Preferred Membership Interests set forth on Schedule A hereto (the “ Warrant ” and, together with the Preferred Interests, the “ Purchased Securities ”) and the United States Department of the Treasury (the “ Investor ”) intends to purchase from the Company the Purchased Securities.

The purpose of this letter agreement is to confirm the terms and conditions of the purchase by the Investor of the Purchased Securities. Except to the extent supplemented or superseded by the terms set forth herein or in the Schedules hereto, the provisions contained in the Securities Purchase Agreement – Standard Terms attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Securities Purchase Agreement ”) are incorporated by reference herein. Terms that are defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement are used in this letter agreement as so defined. In the event of any inconsistency between this letter agreement and the Securities Purchase Agreement, the terms of this letter agreement shall govern.

Each of the Company and the Investor hereby confirms its agreement with the other party with respect to the issuance by the Company of the Purchased Securities and the purchase by the Investor of the Purchased Securities pursuant to this letter agreement and the Securities Purchase Agreement on the terms specified on Schedule A hereto.

This letter agreement (including the Schedules hereto), the Securities Purchase Agreement (including the Annexes thereto), the Disclosure Schedules and the Warrant constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all other prior agreements, understandings, representations and warranties, both written and oral, between the parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof. This letter agreement constitutes the “Letter Agreement” referred to in the Securities Purchase Agreement.

This letter agreement may be executed in any number of separate counterparts, each such counterpart being deemed to be an original instrument, and all such counterparts will together constitute the same agreement. Executed signature pages to this letter agreement may be delivered by facsimile and such facsimiles will be deemed as sufficient as if actual signature pages had been delivered.

* * *


In witness whereof, this letter agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto as of the date written below.

 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
By:  

/s/    Neel Kashkari

Name:   Neel Kashkari
Title:   Interim Assistant Secretary for Financial
  Stability
GMAC LLC
By:  

/s/    David C. Walker

Name:   David C. Walker
Title:   Treasurer and Group Vice President

Date: December 29, 2008


Exhibit A

 

 

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

STANDARD TERMS

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page
  Article I   
  Purchase; Closing   

1.1

  Purchase    1

1.2

  Closing    2

1.3

  Interpretation    4
  Article II   
  Representations and Warranties   

2.1

  Disclosure    5

2.2

  Representations and Warranties of the Company    5
  Article III   
  Covenants   

3.1

  Commercially Reasonable Efforts    13

3.2

  Expenses    13

3.3

  Sufficiency of Authorized Warrant Preferred Interests; Exchange Listing    14

3.4

  Certain Notifications Until Closing    14

3.5

  Access, Information and Confidentiality    14
  Article IV   
  Additional Agreements   

4.1

  Purchase for Investment    16

4.2

  Legends    16

4.3

  Certain Transactions    18

4.4

  Transfer of Purchased Securities and Warrant Interests; Restrictions on   
  Exercise of the Warrant    18

4.5

  Registration Rights    18

4.6

  Depositary Shares    29

4.7

  Restriction on Distribution and Repurchases    29

4.8

  Executive Compensation    32

4.9

  Related Party Transactions    34

4.10

  Bank and Thrift Holding Company Status    34

4.11

  Predominantly Financial    34

 

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   Article V   
   Miscellaneous   

5.1

   Termination    35

5.2

   Survival of Representations and Warranties    35

5.3

   Amendment    35

5.4

   Waiver of Conditions    36

5.5

   Governing Law: Submission to Jurisdiction, Etc.    36

5.6

   Notices    36

5.7

   Definitions    36

5.8

   Assignment    37

5.9

   Severability    37

5.10

   No Third Party Beneficiaries    37

LIST OF ANNEXES

 

ANNEX A:   FORM OF AMENDMENT FOR PREFERRED INTERESTS
ANNEX B:   FORM OF AMENDMENT FOR WARRANT PREFERRED INTERESTS
ANNEX C:   FORM OF WAIVER
ANNEX D:   FORM OF OPINION
ANNEX E:   FORM OF WARRANT

 

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INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

 

Term

  

Location of

Definition

Affiliate    5.7(b)
Agreement    Recitals
Amendments    1.2(d)(iii)
Appropriate Federal Banking Agency    2.2(s)
Bank Holding Company    4.10
Bankruptcy Exceptions    2.2(d)
Benefit Plans    1.2(d)(iv)
Board of Managers    2.2(f)
Business Combination    5.8
business day    1.3
Capitalization Date    2.2(b)
Closing    1.2(a)
Closing Date    1.2(a)
Code    2.2(n)
Common Membership Interests    4.7(a)
Company    Recitals
Company Financial Statements    2.2(h)
Company Material Adverse Effect    2.1(b)
Company Reports    2.2(i)(i)
Company Subsidiary; Company Subsidiaries    2.2(e)(ii)
control; controlled by; under common control with    5.7(b)
Controlled Group    2.2(n)
Disclosure Schedule    2.1(a)
EESA    1.2(d)(iv)
ERISA    2.2(n)
Exchange Act    4.5(c)(vi)(A)
Expense Policy    4.8(c)
Federal Reserve    4.10
GAAP    2.1(b)
GMAC Conversion    4.7(g)
Governmental Entities    1.2(c)
Holder    4.5(k)(i)
Holders’ Counsel    4.5(k)(ii)
Indemnitee    4.5(g)(i)
Information    3.5(c)
Investor    Recitals
Junior Membership Interests    4.7(f)
knowledge of the Company; Company’s knowledge    5.7(c)
LLC Agreement    1.2(d)(iii)
Letter Agreement    Recitals
Membership Interests    2.2(b)
officers    5.7(c)

 

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Term

  

Location of

Definition

Parity Membership Interests    4.7(f)
Pending Underwritten Offering    4.5(l)
Permitted Repurchases    4.7(c)
Piggyback Registration    4.5(a)(iv)
Plan    2.2(n)
Preferred Interests    Recitals
Previously Disclosed    2.1(c)
Proprietary Rights    2.2(u)
Purchase    Recitals
Purchase Price    1.1
Purchased Securities    Recitals
register; registered; registration    4.5(k)(iii)
Registrable Securities    4.5(k)(iv)
Registration Expenses    4.5(k)(v)
Regulatory Agreement    2.2(s)
Rule 144; Rule 144A; Rule 159A; Rule 405; Rule 415    4.5(k)(vi)
Savings and Loan Holding Company    4.10
Schedules    Recitals
SEC    2.2(k)
Securities Act    2.2(a)
Selling Expenses    4.5(k)(vii)
Senior Employees    1.2(d)(vii)
Senior Executive Officers    1.2(d)(v)
Shelf Registration Statement    4.5(a)(ii)
Signing Date    2.1(b)
Special Registration    4.5(i)
subsidiary    5.7(a)
Tax; Taxes    2.2(o)
Transfer    4.4
Warrant    Recitals
Warrant Preferred Interests    Recitals
Warrant Interests    2.2(d)

 

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SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT – STANDARD TERMS

Recitals:

WHEREAS, the United States Department of the Treasury (the “ Investor ”) may from time to time agree to purchase shares of preferred securities and warrants from eligible companies pursuant to the Automotive Industry Financing Program created under the Troubled Asset Relief Program;

WHEREAS, a company electing to participate in the Auto Program and issue securities to the Investor (referred to herein as the “ Company ”) shall enter into a letter agreement (the “ Letter Agreement ”) with the Investor which incorporates this Securities Purchase Agreement – Standard Terms;

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to obtain financing from time to time to restore liquidity to its finance businesses, and to restore stability to the domestic automobile industry in the United States, and the Investor has agreed, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to provide such financing to the Company;

WHEREAS, the financing provided hereunder will be used in a manner that (A) enables the Company and its Subsidiaries to develop a viable and competitive business; (B) preserves and promotes the jobs of American workers employed directly by the Company and its Subsidiaries and in related industries; and (C) stimulates the sales of automobiles;

WHEREAS, the Company intends to issue in a private placement the number of units of the series of its Preferred Membership Interests (“ Preferred Interests ”) set forth on Schedule A to the Letter Agreement (the “ Preferred Interests ”) and a warrant to purchase the number of units of its Preferred Membership Interests (“ Warrant Preferred Interests ”) set forth on Schedule A to the Letter Agreement (the “ Warrant ” and, together with the Preferred Interests, the “ Purchased Securities ”) and the Investor intends to purchase (the “ Purchase ”) from the Company the Purchased Securities; and

WHEREAS, the Purchase will be governed by this Securities Purchase Agreement – Standard Terms and the Letter Agreement, including the schedules thereto (the “ Schedules ”), specifying additional terms of the Purchase. This Securities Purchase Agreement – Standard Terms (including the Annexes hereto) and the Letter Agreement (including the Schedules thereto) are together referred to as this “Agreement”. All references in this Securities Purchase Agreement – Standard Terms to “Schedules” are to the Schedules attached to the Letter Agreement.

NOW , THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises, and of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:

Article I

Purchase; Closing

1.1 Purchase . On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company agrees to sell to the Investor, and the Investor agrees to purchase from the Company, at the Closing (as hereinafter defined), the Purchased Securities for the price set forth on Schedule A (the “ Purchase Price ”).


1.2 Closing .

(a) On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the closing of the Purchase (the “ Closing ”) will take place at the location specified in Schedule A , at the time and on the date set forth in Schedule A or as soon as practicable thereafter, or at such other place, time and date as shall be agreed between the Company and the Investor. The time and date on which the Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “ Closing Date ”.

(b) Subject to the fulfillment or waiver of the conditions to the Closing in this Section 1.2, at the Closing the Company will deliver the Preferred Interests and the Warrant, in each case as evidenced by one or more certificates dated the Closing Date and bearing appropriate legends as hereinafter provided for, in exchange for payment in full of the Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available United States funds to a bank account designated by the Company on Schedule A .

(c) The respective obligations of each of the Investor and the Company to consummate the Purchase are subject to the fulfillment (or waiver by the Investor and the Company, as applicable) prior to the Closing of the conditions that (i) any approvals or authorizations of all United States and other governmental, regulatory or judicial authorities (collectively, “ Governmental Entities ”) required for the consummation of the Purchase shall have been obtained or made in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each party and shall be in full force and effect and all waiting periods required by United States and other applicable law, if any, shall have expired and (ii) no provision of any applicable United States or other law and no judgment, injunction, order or decree of any Governmental Entity shall prohibit the purchase and sale of the Purchased Securities as contemplated by this Agreement.

(d) The obligation of the Investor to consummate the Purchase is also subject to the fulfillment (or waiver by the Investor) at or prior to the Closing of each of the following conditions:

(i) (A) the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in (x) Section 2.2(g) of this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as though made on and as of the Closing Date, (y) Sections 2.2(a) through (f) shall be true and correct in all material respects as though made on and as of the Closing Date (other than representations and warranties that by their terms speak as of another date, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such other date) and (z) Sections 2.2(h) through (v) (disregarding all qualifications or limitations set forth in such representations and warranties as to “materiality”, “Company Material Adverse Effect” and words of similar import) shall be true and correct as though made on and as of the Closing Date (other than representations and warranties that by their terms speak as of another date, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such other date), except to the extent that the failure of such representations and warranties referred to in this Section 1.2(d)(i)(A)(z) to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, does not have and would not reasonably be

 

2


expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect and (B) the Company shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing;

(ii) the Investor shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by a senior executive officer certifying to the effect that the conditions set forth in Section 1.2(d)(i) have been satisfied;

(iii) the Company shall have duly adopted the amendments to its Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of GMAC LLC, dated as of November 30, 2006, as amended (the “ LLC Agreement ”) in substantially the forms attached hereto as Annex A and Annex B (the “ Amendments ”);

(iv) a waiver shall have been duly executed by the Company and delivered to the Investor, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit G-1, releasing the Investor from any claims that the Company may otherwise have as a result of (A) any modifications to the terms of any compensation, bonus, incentive and other benefit plans, arrangements and agreements (including golden parachutes, severance and employment agreements) (collectively, “ Benefit Plans ”) to eliminate any provisions that would not be in compliance with the executive compensation and corporate governance requirements of Section 111 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“ EESA ”) and the guidelines set forth in Notice 2008-PSSFI and (B) the Company’s failure to pay or accrue any bonus or incentive compensation as a result of any action referenced in this Agreement;

(v) a waiver shall have been duly executed by each of the Senior Executive Officers and delivered to the Investor, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit G-2, releasing the Investor from any claims that any Senior Executive Officer may otherwise have as a result of any modifications to the terms of any Benefit Plans, arrangements and agreements to eliminate any provisions that would not be in compliance with the executive compensation and corporate governance requirements of Section 111 of the EESA and the guidelines set forth in Notice 2008-PSSFI (“ Senior Executive Officers ” means the Company’s “senior executive officers” as defined in subsection 111 (b)(3) of the EESA and regulations issued thereunder, including the rules set forth in 31 C.F.R. Part 30.);

(vi) a consent and waiver shall have been duly executed by each Senior Executive Officer and delivered to the Company (with a copy to the Investor), in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit G-3, releasing the Company from any claims that any Senior Executive Officer may otherwise have as a result of any modification of the terms of any Benefit Plans, arrangements and agreements to eliminate any provisions that would not be in compliance with the executive compensation and corporate governance requirements of Section 111 of the EESA and the guidelines set forth in Notice 2008-PSSFI;

(vii) a waiver shall have been duly executed by each of the Company’s top 20 most highly compensated employees (other than the Senior Executive Officers) (such

 

3


employees, the “ Senior Employees ”) and delivered to the Investor, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit G-4, releasing the Investor from any claims that any Senior Employees may otherwise have as a result of the Company’s failure to pay or accrue any bonus or incentive compensation as a result of any action referenced in this Agreement;

(viii) a consent and waiver shall have been duly executed by each Senior Employee and delivered to the Company (with a copy to the Investor), in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit G-5, releasing the Company from any claims that any Senior Employee may otherwise have as a result of the Company’s failure to pay or accrue any bonus or incentive compensation as a result of any action referenced in this Agreement;

(ix) the Company shall have delivered to the Investor a written opinion from counsel to the Company (which may be internal counsel), addressed to the Investor and dated as of the Closing Date, in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex D ;

(x) the Company shall have delivered evidence of certificates in book-entry form, evidencing the Preferred Interests to Investor or its designee(s); and

(xi) the Company shall have duly executed the Warrant in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex E and delivered such executed Warrant to the Investor or its designee(s).

1.3 Interpretation . When a reference is made in this Agreement to “Recitals,” “Articles,” “Sections,” or “Annexes” such reference shall be to a Recital, Article or Section of, or Annex to, this Securities Purchase Agreement – Standard Terms, and a reference to “Schedules” shall be to a Schedule to the Letter Agreement, in each case, unless otherwise indicated. The terms defined in the singular have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa. References to “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and the like refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or provision, unless the context requires otherwise. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and are not part of this Agreement. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed followed by the words “without limitation.” No rule of construction against the draftsperson shall be applied in connection with the interpretation or enforcement of this Agreement, as this Agreement is the product of negotiation between sophisticated parties advised by counsel. All references to “$” or “dollars” mean the lawful currency of the United States of America. Except as expressly stated in this Agreement, all references to any statute, rule or regulation are to the statute, rule or regulation as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time (and, in the case of statutes, include any rules and regulations promulgated under the statute) and to any section of any statute, rule or regulation include any successor to the section. References to a “business day” shall mean any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York generally are authorized or required by law or other governmental actions to close.

 

4


Article II

Representations and Warranties

2.1 Disclosure .

(a) On or prior to the Signing Date, the Company delivered to the Investor a schedule (“ Disclosure Schedule ”) setting forth, among other things, items the disclosure of which is necessary or appropriate either in response to an express disclosure requirement contained in a provision hereof or as an exception to one or more representations or warranties contained in Section 2.2.

(b) “ Company Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on (i) the business, results of operation or financial condition of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided, however, that Company Material Adverse Effect shall not be deemed to include the effects of (A) changes after the date of the Letter Agreement (the “ Signing Date ”) in general business, economic or market conditions (including changes generally in prevailing interest rates, credit availability and liquidity, currency exchange rates and price levels or trading volumes in the United States or foreign securities or credit markets), or any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declared or undeclared acts of war or terrorism, in each case generally affecting the industries in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate, (B) changes or proposed changes after the Signing Date in generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ( GAAP ”) or regulatory accounting requirements, or authoritative interpretations thereof, or (C) changes or proposed changes after the Signing Date in securities, banking and other laws of general applicability or related policies or interpretations of Governmental Entities (in the case of each of these clauses (A), (B) and (C), other than changes or occurrences to the extent that such changes or occurrences have or would reasonably be expected to have a materially disproportionate adverse effect on the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole relative to comparable U.S. banking or financial services organizations); or (ii) the ability of the Company to consummate the Purchase and other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Warrant and perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder on a timely basis.

(c) “ Previously Disclosed ” means information set forth on the Disclosure Schedule, provided, however, that disclosure in any section of such Disclosure Schedule shall apply only to the indicated section of this Agreement except to the extent that it is reasonably apparent from the face of such disclosure that such disclosure is relevant to another section of this Agreement.

2.2 Representations and Warranties of the Company . Except as Previously Disclosed, the Company represents and warrants to the Investor that as of the Signing Date and as of the Closing Date (or such other date specified herein):

(a) Organization, Authority and Significant Subsidiaries . The Company has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, with the necessary power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business in all material respects as currently conducted, and except as has not, individually or in the aggregate, had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, has been duly qualified as a foreign entity for the transaction

 

5


of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification; each subsidiary of the Company that would be considered a “significant subsidiary” within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “ Securities Act ”) , has been duly organized and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. The LLC Agreement and all amendments thereto, copies of which have been provided to the Investor prior to the Signing Date, are true, complete and correct copies of such documents as in full force and effect as of the Signing Date.

(b) Capitalization . The outstanding membership interests of the Company (including securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, equity securities of the Company) as of the most recent fiscal month-end preceding the Signing Date (the “ Capitalization Date ”) is set forth on Schedule B . The outstanding membership interests of the Company have been duly authorized and are validly issued and outstanding and were not issued in violation of any preemptive rights. As of the Signing Date, the Company does not have outstanding any securities or other obligations providing the holder the right to acquire its Membership Interests (“ Membership Interests ”) that are not reserved for issuance as specified on Schedule B , and the Company has not made any other commitment to authorize, issue or sell any Membership Interests. Since the Capitalization Date, the Company has not issued any Membership Interests, other than (i) the Membership Interests issued upon the exercise of options or delivered under other equity-based awards or other convertible securities or warrants which were issued and outstanding on the Capitalization Date and disclosed on Schedule B and (ii) Membership Interests disclosed on Schedule B . Each holder of 5% or more of any class of equity securities of the Company and such holder’s primary address are set forth on Schedule B .

(c) Preferred Interests . The Preferred Interests have been duly and validly authorized, and, when issued and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, such Preferred Interests will be duly and validly issued, will not be issued in violation of any preemptive rights, and will rank pari passu with or senior to all other series or classes of Preferred Interests, whether or not issued or outstanding, with respect to distribution rights and the distribution of assets in the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company.

(d) The Warrant and Warrant Interests . The Warrant has been duly authorized and, when executed and delivered as contemplated hereby, will constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and general equitable principles, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity ( Bankruptcy Exceptions ”). The Warrant Preferred Interests issuable upon exercise of the Warrant (the “ Warrant Interests ”) have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Warrant and when so issued in accordance with the terms of the Warrant will be validly issued, and will rank pari passu with or senior to all other series or classes of Preferred Interests, whether or not issued or outstanding, with respect to distribution rights and the distribution of assets in the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company.

 

6


(e) Authorization, Enforceability .

(i) The Company has the requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Warrant and to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder (which includes the issuance of the Preferred Interests, Warrant and Warrant Interests). The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Warrant and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary company action on the part of the Company and its members, and no further approval or authorization is required on the part of the Company. This Agreement is a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the Bankruptcy Exceptions.

(ii) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Warrant and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and compliance by the Company with the provisions hereof and thereof, will not (A) violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration of, or result in the creation of, any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company (each a “ Company Subsidiary ” and, collectively, the “ Company Subsidiaries ”) under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (i) its organizational documents or (ii) any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which it or any Company Subsidiary may be bound, or to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary may be subject, or (B) subject to compliance with the statutes and regulations referred to in the next paragraph, violate any statute, rule or regulation or any judgment, ruling, order, writ, injunction or decree applicable to the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or assets except, in the case of clauses (A)(ii) and (B), for those occurrences that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(iii) Other than such filings and approvals as are required to be made or obtained under any state “blue sky” laws and such as have been made or obtained, no notice to, filing with, exemption or review by, or authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity is required to be made or obtained by the Company in connection with the consummation by the Company of the Purchase except for any such notices, filings, exemptions, reviews, authorizations, consents and approvals the failure of which to make or obtain would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(f) Anti-takeover Provisions and Rights Plan . The Board of Managers of the Company (the “ Board of Managers ”) has taken all necessary action to ensure that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Warrant and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the exercise of the Warrant in accordance with its terms, will be exempt from any anti-takeover or similar provisions of the Company’s LLC Agreement, and any other provisions of any applicable “moratorium”, “control share”, “fair price”, “interested stockholder” or other anti-takeover laws and regulations of any jurisdiction.

 

7


(g) No Company Material Adverse Effect . Since the last day of the last completed fiscal period for which financial statements are included in the Company Financial Statements (as defined below), no fact, circumstance, event, change, occurrence, condition or development has occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(h) Company Financial Statements . The Company has Previously Disclosed each of the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for each of the last three completed fiscal years of the Company (which shall be audited to the extent audited financial statements are available prior to the Signing Date) and each completed quarterly period since the last completed fiscal year (collectively the “ Company Financial Statements ”). The Company Financial Statements present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates indicated therein and the consolidated results of their operations for the periods specified therein; and except as stated therein, such financial statements (A) were prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis (except as may be noted therein) and (B) have been prepared from, and are in accordance with, the books and records of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.

(i) Reports .

(i) Since December 31, 2006, the Company and each Company Subsidiary has filed all reports, registrations, documents, filings, statements and submissions, together with any amendments thereto, that it was required to file with any Governmental Entity (the foregoing, collectively, the “ Company Reports ”) and has paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith, except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. As of their respective dates of filing, the Company Reports complied in all material respects with all statutes and applicable rules and regulations of the applicable Governmental Entities.

(ii) The records, systems, controls, data and information of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries are recorded, stored, maintained and operated under means (including any electronic, mechanical or photographic process, whether computerized or not) that are under the exclusive ownership and direct control of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries or their accountants (including all means of access thereto and therefrom), except for any non-exclusive ownership and non-direct control that would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the system of internal accounting controls described below in this Section 2.2(i)(ii). The Company (A) has implemented and maintains adequate disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including the consolidated Company Subsidiaries, is made known to the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Company by others within those entities, and (B) has disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation prior to the Signing Date, to the Company’s outside auditors and the

 

8


audit committee of the Board of Managers (x) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (y) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

(j) No Undisclosed Liabilities . Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature (absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) which are not properly reflected or reserved against in the Company Financial Statements to the extent required to be so reflected or reserved against in accordance with GAAP, except for (A) liabilities that have arisen since the last fiscal year end in the ordinary and usual course of business and consistent with past practice and (B) liabilities that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(k) Offering of Securities . Neither the Company nor any person acting on its behalf has taken any action (including any offering of any securities of the Company under circumstances which would require the integration of such offering with the offering of any of the Purchased Securities under the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) promulgated thereunder), which might subject the offering, issuance or sale of any of the Purchased Securities to Investor pursuant to this Agreement to the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

(l) Litigation and Other Proceedings . Except (i) as set forth on Schedule C or (ii) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, there is no (A) pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, claim, action, suit, investigation or proceeding, against the Company or any Company Subsidiary or to which any of their assets are subject nor is the Company or any Company Subsidiary subject to any order, judgment or decree or (B) unresolved violation, criticism or exception by any Governmental Entity with respect to any report or relating to any examinations or inspections of the Company or any Company Subsidiaries.

(m) Compliance with Laws . Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have all permits, licenses, franchises, authorizations, orders and approvals of, and have made all filings, applications and registrations with, Governmental Entities that are required in order to permit them to own or lease their properties and assets and to carry on their business as presently conducted and that are material to the business of the Company or such Company Subsidiary. Except as set forth on Schedule D , the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have complied in all respects and are not in default or violation of, and none of them is, to the knowledge of the Company, under investigation with respect to or, to the knowledge of the Company, have been threatened to be charged with or given notice of any violation of, any applicable domestic (federal, state or local) or foreign law, statute, ordinance, license, rule, regulation, policy or guideline, order, demand, writ, injunction, decree or judgment of any Governmental Entity, other than such noncompliance, defaults or violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse

 

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Effect. Except for statutory or regulatory restrictions of general application or as set forth on Schedule D , no Governmental Entity has placed any restriction on the business or properties of the Company or any Company Subsidiary that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(n) Employee Benefit Matters . Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect: (A) each “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ( ERISA ”)) providing benefits to any current or former employee, officer or director of the Company or any member of its “ Controlled Group ” (defined as any organization which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”)) that is sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Company or any member of its Controlled Group and for which the Company or any member of its Controlled Group would have any liability, whether actual or contingent (each, a “ Plan ”) has been maintained in compliance with its terms and with the requirements of all applicable statutes, rules and regulations, including ERISA and the Code; (B) with respect to each Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA (including, for purposes of this clause (B), any plan subject to Title IV of ERISA that the Company or any member of its Controlled Group previously maintained or contributed to in the six years prior to the Signing Date), (1) no “reportable event” (within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA), other than a reportable event for which the notice period referred to in Section 4043(c) of ERISA has been waived, has occurred in the three years prior to the Signing Date or is reasonably expected to occur, (2) no “accumulated funding deficiency” (within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived, has occurred in the three years prior to the Signing Date or is reasonably expected to occur, (3) the fair market value of the assets under each Plan exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such Plan (determined based on the assumptions used to fund such Plan) and (4) neither the Company nor any member of its Controlled Group has incurred in the six years prior to the Signing Date, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than contributions to the Plan or premiums to the PBGC in the ordinary course and without default) in respect of a Plan (including any Plan that is a “multiemployer plan”, within the meaning of Section 4001(c)(3) of ERISA); and (C) each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to its qualified status that has not been revoked, or such a determination letter has been timely applied for but not received by the Signing Date, and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which could reasonably be expected to cause the loss, revocation or denial of such qualified status or favorable determination letter.

(o) Taxes . Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have filed all federal, state, local and foreign income and franchise Tax returns required to be filed through the Signing Date, subject to permitted extensions, and have paid all Taxes due thereon, and (ii) no Tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, nor does the Company have any knowledge of any Tax deficiencies. “ Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any federal, state, local or foreign income, gross receipts, property, sales, use, license, excise, franchise, employment, payroll, withholding, alternative or add on minimum, ad valorem, transfer or excise tax, or any other tax, custom, duty, governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest or penalty, imposed by any Governmental Entity.

 

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(p) Properties and Leases . Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real properties and all other properties and assets owned by them, in each case free from liens, encumbrances, claims and defects that would affect the value thereof or interfere with the use made or to be made thereof by them. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries hold all leased real or personal property under valid and enforceable leases with no exceptions that would interfere with the use made or to be made thereof by them.

(q) Environmental Liability . Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect:

(i) there is no legal, administrative, or other proceeding, claim or action of any nature seeking to impose, or that would reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of, on the Company or any Company Subsidiary, any liability relating to the release of hazardous substances as defined under any local, state or federal environmental statute, regulation or ordinance, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

(ii) to the Company’s knowledge, there is no reasonable basis for any such proceeding, claim or action; and

(iii) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is subject to any agreement, order, judgment or decree by or with any court, Governmental Entity or third party imposing any such environmental liability.

(r) Risk Management Instruments . Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, all derivative instruments, including, swaps, caps, floors and option agreements, whether entered into for the Company’s own account, or for the account of one or more of the Company Subsidiaries or its or their customers, were entered into (i) only in the ordinary course of business, (ii) in accordance with prudent practices and in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and regulatory policies and (iii) with counterparties believed to be financially responsible at the time; and each of such instruments constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company or one of the Company Subsidiaries, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by the Bankruptcy Exceptions. Neither the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, is in breach of any of its obligations under any such agreement or arrangement other than such breaches that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(s) Agreements with Regulatory Agencies . Except as set forth on Schedule E , neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is subject to any material cease-and-desist or other

 

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similar order or enforcement action issued by, or is a party to any material written agreement, consent agreement or memorandum of understanding with, or is a party to any commitment letter or similar undertaking to, or is subject to any capital directive by, or since December 31, 2006, has adopted any board resolutions at the request of, any Governmental Entity (other than the Appropriate Federal Banking Agencies with jurisdiction over the Company and the Company Subsidiaries) that currently restricts in any material respect the conduct of its business or that in any material manner relates to its capital adequacy, its liquidity and funding policies and practices, its ability to pay distributions, its credit, risk management or compliance policies or procedures, its internal controls, its management or its operations or business (each item in this sentence, a “ Regulatory Agreement ”), nor has the Company or any Company Subsidiary been advised since December 31, 2006 by any such Governmental Entity that it is considering issuing, initiating, ordering, or requesting any such Regulatory Agreement. The Company and each Company Subsidiary are in compliance in all material respects with each Regulatory Agreement to which it is party or subject, and neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any notice from any Governmental Entity indicating that either the Company or any Company Subsidiary is not in compliance in all material respects with any such Regulatory Agreement. “ Appropriate Federal Banking Agency ” means the “appropriate Federal banking agency” with respect to the Company or such Company Subsidiaries, as applicable, as defined in Section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1813(q)).

(t) Insurance . The Company and the Company Subsidiaries are insured with reputable insurers against such risks and in such amounts as the management of the Company reasonably has determined to be prudent and consistent with industry practice. The Company and the Company Subsidiaries are in material compliance with their insurance policies and are not in default under any of the material terms thereof, each such policy is outstanding and in full force and effect, all premiums and other payments due under any material policy have been paid, and all claims thereunder have been filed in due and timely fashion, except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(u) Intellectual Property . Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and each Company Subsidiary owns or otherwise has the right to use, all intellectual property rights, including all trademarks, trade dress, trade names, service marks, domain names, patents, inventions, trade secrets, know-how, works of authorship and copyrights therein, that are used in the conduct of their existing businesses and all rights relating to the plans, design and specifications of any of its branch facilities (“ Proprietary Rights ”) free and clear of all liens and any claims of ownership by current or former employees, contractors, designers or others and (ii) neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries is materially infringing, diluting, misappropriating or violating, nor has the Company or any or the Company Subsidiaries received any written (or, to the knowledge of the Company, oral) communications alleging that any of them has materially infringed, diluted, misappropriated or violated, any of the Proprietary Rights owned by any other person. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, to the Company’s knowledge, no other person is infringing, diluting, misappropriating or violating, nor has the Company or any or the Company Subsidiaries sent any written communications since January 1, 2006 alleging that any person has infringed, diluted, misappropriated or violated, any of the Proprietary Rights owned by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.

 

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(v) Brokers and Finders . No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any financial advisory, brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with this Agreement or the Warrant or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company or any Company Subsidiary for which the Investor could have any liability.

(w) Bank Holding Company . The Company is a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.

(x) Certain Other Transactions . Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Company (1) accepted approximately $20.9 billion in aggregate principal amount of bonds tendered in the separate private exchange offers and cash tender offers to purchase and/or exchange certain of its and its subsidiaries’ and Residential Capital, LLC’s outstanding notes; (2) completed the transactions contemplated by that certain Exchange Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company, General Motors Corporation (“ GM ”) and FIM Holdings LLC (“ FIM ”) and (3) entered into that certain Membership Interest Subscription Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company, GM and FIM providing for the purchase by GM and FIM, and sale by the Company, of membership interests in the Company for an aggregate consideration of $1,250,000,000 (the “ Rights Offering ”).

Article III

Covenants

3.1 Commercially Reasonable Efforts . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each of the parties will use its commercially reasonable efforts in good faith to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or desirable, or advisable under applicable laws, so as to permit consummation of the Purchase as promptly as practicable and otherwise to enable consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the other party to that end.

3.2 Expenses . (a) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Warrant, each of the parties hereto will bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it or on its behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated under this Agreement and the Warrant, including fees and expenses of its own financial or other consultants, investment bankers, accountants and counsel.

(b) The Company agrees to bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the establishment and operation of any trust, including the fees and expenses of the trustee of such trust, established by the Investor in connection with the Rights Offering for as long as such trust holds common membership interests, or equivalent securities, issued by the Company in the Rights Offering.

 

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3.3 Sufficiency of Authorized Warrant Preferred Interests; Exchange Listing .

(a) During the period from the Closing Date until the date on which the Warrant has been fully exercised, the Company shall at all times have reserved for issuance, free of preemptive or similar rights, a sufficient number of authorized and unissued Warrant Interests to effectuate such exercise.

(b) If the Company lists its Membership Interests on any national securities exchange, the Company shall, if requested by the Investor, promptly use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Preferred Interests and Warrant Interests to be approved for listing on a national securities exchange as promptly as practicable following such request.

3.4 Certain Notifications Until Closing . From the Signing Date until the Closing, the Company shall promptly notify the Investor of (i) any fact, event or circumstance of which it is aware and which would reasonably be expected to cause any representation or warranty of the Company contained in this Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate in any material respect or to cause any covenant or agreement of the Company contained in this Agreement not to be complied with or satisfied in any material respect and (ii) except as Previously Disclosed, any fact, circumstance, event, change, occurrence, condition or development of which the Company is aware and which, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall not limit or affect any rights of or remedies available to the Investor; provided, further, that a failure to comply with this Section 3.4 shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or the failure of any condition set forth in Section 1.2 to be satisfied unless the underlying Company Material Adverse Effect or material breach would independently result in the failure of a condition set forth in Section 1.2 to be satisfied.

3.5 Access, Information and Confidentiality .

(a) From the Signing Date until the date when the Investor holds an amount of Preferred Interests having an aggregate capital amount of less than 10% of the Purchase Price, the Company and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries shall permit the (i) Investor and its agents, consultants, contractors and advisors acting through the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency, or otherwise, (ii) the Special Inspector General of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, and (iii) the Comptroller General of the United States access to personnel and any books, papers, records or other data in each case to the extent relevant to ascertaining compliance with the financing terms and conditions, to make copies thereof and discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company. The Investor represents that it has been informed by the Special Inspector General of the Troubled Asset Relief Program and the Comptroller General of the United States that they, before making any request for access or information relating to an audit, will establish a protocol to avoid, to the extent reasonably possible, duplicative requests. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority that the Special Inspector General of the Troubled Asset Relief Program or the Comptroller General of the United States have under law. The Borrower and the Investor further agree that all out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Investor in connection with the Investor’s or Special Inspector General of the Troubled Assets Relief Program’s activities pursuant to this Section 3.5(a) shall be paid by the Company.

 

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(b) From the Signing Date until the date on which all of the Preferred Interests and Warrant Interests have been redeemed in whole, the Company will deliver, or will cause to be delivered, to the Investor:

(i) as soon as available after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, and in any event within 90 days thereafter, a consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of the end of such fiscal year, and consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows of the Company for such year, in each case prepared in accordance with GAAP and setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year of the Company, and which shall be audited to the extent audited financial statements are available;

(ii) as soon as available after the end of the first, second and third quarterly periods in each fiscal year of the Company, a copy of any quarterly reports provided to other members of the Company or Company management;

(iii) within fifteen (15) days after the conclusion of each calendar month the Company shall deliver to the Investor a certification signed by the principal executive officer (or person acting in similar capacity) of the Company that (i) the Expense Policy (as defined in Section 4.8(c) of this Agreement) conforms to the requirements set forth herein; (ii) the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Expense Policy; and (iii) there have been no material amendments to the Expense Policy or deviations from the Expense Policy other than those that have been disclosed to and approved by the Investor; and

(iv) within fifteen (15) days after the conclusion of each calendar month the Company shall deliver to the Investor a certification signed by principal executive officer (or person acting in similar capacity) of the Company that all Benefit Plans with respect to Senior Executive Officers are in compliance with the covenants made under Sections 4.8(a)(i)(A), (D), (E) and (F) of this Agreement.

(c) The Investor will use reasonable best efforts to hold, and will use reasonable best efforts to cause its agents, consultants, contractors and advisors, and United States executive branch officials and employees, to hold (or abide by such other reasonable confidentiality protections as may be agreed to between the Company and the Special Inspector General and/or Comptroller General), in confidence all nonpublic records, books, contracts, instruments, computer data and other data and information (collectively, “ Information ”) concerning the Company furnished or made available to it by the Company or its representatives pursuant to this Agreement (except to the extent that such information can be shown to have been (i) previously known by such party on a non-confidential basis, (ii) in the public domain through no fault of such party or (iii) later lawfully acquired from other sources by the party to which it was furnished (and without violation of any other confidentiality obligation)); provided that nothing herein shall prevent the Investor from disclosing any Information to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process. The Investor understands that the Information may contain commercially sensitive confidential information entitled to an exception from the Freedom of Information Act request.

 

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(d) The Investor’s information rights pursuant to Section 3.5(b) may be assigned by the Investor to a transferee or assignee of the Purchased Securities or the Warrant Interests or with a capital amount or, in the case of the Warrant, the capital amount of the underlying units of Warrant Preferred Interests, no less than an amount equal to 2% of the initial aggregate capital amount of the Preferred Interests.

Article IV

Additional Agreements

4.1 Purchase for Investment . The Investor acknowledges that the Purchased Securities and the Warrant Interests have not been registered under the Securities Act or under any state securities laws. The Investor (a) is acquiring the Purchased Securities pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act solely for investment with no present intention to distribute them to any person in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable U.S. state securities laws, (b) will not sell or otherwise dispose of any of the Purchased Securities or the Warrant Interests, except in compliance with the registration requirements or exemption provisions of the Securities Act and any applicable U.S. state securities laws, and (c) has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and in investments of this type that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the Purchase and of making an informed investment decision.

4.2 Legends .

(a) The Investor agrees that all certificates or other instruments representing the Warrant will bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT WHILE A REGISTRATION

STATEMENT RELATING THERETO IS IN EFFECT UNDER SUCH ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT OR SUCH LAWS.

THIS INSTRUMENT IS ISSUED SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF A SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES AND THE INVESTOR REFERRED TO THEREIN, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE ISSUER. THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SAID AGREEMENT. ANY SALE OR OTHER TRANSFER NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SAID AGREEMENT WILL BE VOID.”

(b) In addition, the Investor agrees that all certificates or other instruments representing the Preferred Interests and the Warrant Interests will bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT ARE NOT SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF A BANK AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.

 

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THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ SECURITIES ACT ”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT WHILE A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING THERETO IS IN EFFECT UNDER SUCH ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT OR SUCH LAWS. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT IS NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. ANY TRANSFEREE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF (1) REPRESENTS THAT IT IS A “ QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER ” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT EXCEPT (A) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH IS THEN EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (B) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (C) TO THE ISSUER OR (D) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT ARE TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.

THIS INSTRUMENT IS ISSUED SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF A SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES AND THE INVESTOR REFERRED TO THEREIN, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE ISSUER. THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SAID AGREEMENT. ANY SALE OR OTHER TRANSFER NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SAID AGREEMENT WILL BE VOID.”

(c) In the event that any Purchased Securities or Warrant Interests (i) become registered under the Securities Act or (ii) are eligible to be transferred without restriction in accordance with Rule 144 or another exemption from registration under the Securities Act (other

 

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than Rule 144A), the Company shall issue new certificates or other instruments representing such Purchased Securities or Warrant Interests, which shall not contain the applicable legends in Sections 4.2(a) and (b) above; provided that the Investor surrenders to the Company the previously issued certificates or other instruments.

4.3 Certain Transactions . The Company will not merge or consolidate with, or sell, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property or assets to, any other party unless the successor, transferee or lessee party (or its ultimate parent entity), as the case may be (if not the Company), expressly assumes the due and punctual performance and observance of each and every covenant, agreement and condition of this Agreement to be performed and observed by the Company.

4.4 Transfer of Purchased Securities and Warrant Interests; Restrictions on Exercise of the Warrant . Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, the Investor shall be permitted to transfer, sell, assign or otherwise dispose of (“ Transfer ”) all or a portion of the Purchased Securities or Warrant Interests at any time, and the Company shall take all steps as may be reasonably requested by the Investor to facilitate the Transfer of the Purchased Securities and the Warrant Interests; provided that on or prior to December 29, 2009, the Investor shall not Transfer any Purchased Securities or Warrant Interests if, prior to a conversion of the Company into a corporation or the listing of the Company’s membership interests on a national securities exchange, such Transfer would be in violation of Section 9.6 of the LLC Agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company shall provide reasonable cooperation to facilitate any Transfers of the Purchased Securities or Warrant Interests, including, as is reasonable under the circumstances, by furnishing such information concerning the Company and its business as a proposed transferee may reasonably request (including such information as is required by Section 4.5(k)) and making management of the Company reasonably available to respond to questions of a proposed transferee in accordance with customary practice, subject in all cases to the proposed transferee agreeing to a customary confidentiality agreement.

4.5 Registration Rights .

(a) Registration .

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company covenants and agrees that within 30 days of the Closing Date, the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC a Shelf Registration Statement covering all Registrable Securities (or otherwise designate an existing Shelf Registration Statement filed with the SEC to cover the Registrable Securities), and, to the extent the Shelf Registration Statement has not theretofore been declared effective or is not automatically effective upon such filing, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared or become effective and to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective and in compliance with the Securities Act and usable for resale of such Registrable Securities for a period from the date of its initial effectiveness until such time as there are no Registrable Securities remaining (including by refiling such Shelf Registration Statement (or a new Shelf Registration Statement) if the initial Shelf Registration Statement expires). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company is not eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3, then the Company shall not be obligated to file a Shelf Registration Statement unless and until requested to do so in writing by the Investor.

 

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(ii) Any registration pursuant to Section 4.5(a)(i) shall be effected by means of a shelf registration on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the Securities Act (a “ Shelf Registration Statement ”). If the Investor or any other Holder intends to distribute any Registrable Securities by means of an underwritten offering it shall promptly so advise the Company and the Company shall take all reasonable steps to facilitate such distribution, including the actions required pursuant to Section 4.5(c); provided that the Company shall not be required to facilitate an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities unless the expected gross proceeds from such offering exceed (i) 2% of the initial aggregate capital amount of the Preferred Interests if such initial aggregate capital amount is less than $2 billion and (ii) $200 million if the initial aggregate capital amount of the Preferred Interests is equal to or greater than $2 billion. The lead underwriters in any such distribution shall be selected by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be distributed; provided that to the extent appropriate and permitted under applicable law, such Holders shall consider the qualifications of any broker-dealer Affiliate of the Company in selecting the lead underwriters in any such distribution.

(iii) The Company shall not be required to effect a registration (including a resale of Registrable Securities from an effective Shelf Registration Statement) or an underwritten offering pursuant to Section 4.5(a): (A) with respect to securities that are not Registrable Securities; or (B) if the Company has notified the Investor and all other Holders that in the good faith judgment of the Board of Managers, it would be materially detrimental to the Company or its securityholders for such registration or underwritten offering to be effected at such time, in which event the Company shall have the right to defer such registration for a period of not more than 45 days after receipt of the request of the Investor or any other Holder; provided that such right to delay a registration or underwritten offering shall be exercised by the Company (1) only if the Company has generally exercised (or is concurrently exercising) similar black-out rights against holders of similar securities that have registration rights and (2) not more than three times in any 12-month period and not more than 90 days in the aggregate in any 12-month period.

(iv) If during any period when an effective Shelf Registration Statement is not available, the Company proposes to register any of its equity securities, other than a registration pursuant to Section 4.5(a)(i) or a Special Registration, and the registration form to be filed may be used for the registration or qualification for distribution of Registrable Securities, the Company will give prompt written notice to the Investor and all other Holders of its intention to effect such a registration (but in no event less than ten days prior to the anticipated filing date) and will include in such registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within ten business days after the date of the Company’s notice (a “ Piggyback Registration ”). Any such person that has made such a written request may withdraw its Registrable Securities from such Piggyback Registration by giving written notice to the Company and the managing underwriter, if any, on or before the fifth business day prior to the planned effective date of such Piggyback Registration. The Company may terminate or withdraw any registration under this Section 4.5(a)(iv) prior to the effectiveness of such registration, whether or not Investor or any other Holders have elected to include Registrable Securities in such registration.

 

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(v) If the registration referred to in Section 4.5(a)(iv) is proposed to be underwritten, the Company will so advise Investor and all other Holders as a part of the written notice given pursuant to Section 4.5(a)(iv). In such event, the right of Investor and all other Holders to registration pursuant to Section 4.5(a) will be conditioned upon such persons’ participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such person’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting if such securities are of the same class of securities as the securities to be offered in the underwritten offering, and each such person will (together with the Company and the other persons distributing their securities through such underwriting) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting by the Company; provided that the Investor (as opposed to other Holders) shall not be required to indemnify any person in connection with any registration. If any participating person disapproves of the terms of the underwriting, such person may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company, the managing underwriters and the Investor (if the Investor is participating in the underwriting).

(vi) If either (x) the Company grants “piggyback” registration rights to one or more third parties to include their securities in an underwritten offering under the Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 4.5(a)(ii) or (y) a Piggyback Registration under Section 4.5(a)(iv) relates to an underwritten offering on behalf of the Company, and in either case the managing underwriters advise the Company that in their reasonable opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such offering exceeds the number which can be sold without adversely affecting the marketability of such offering (including an adverse effect on the per share offering price), the Company will include in such offering only such number of securities that in the reasonable opinion of such managing underwriters can be sold without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering (including an adverse effect on the per share offering price), which securities will be so included in the following order of priority: (A) first, in the case of a Piggyback Registration under Section 4.5(a)(iv), the securities the Company proposes to sell, (B) then the Registrable Securities of the Investor and all other Holders who have requested inclusion of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 4.5(a)(ii) or Section 4.5(a)(iv), as applicable, pro rata on the basis of the aggregate number of such securities or shares owned by each such person and (C) lastly, any other securities of the Company that have been requested to be so included, subject to the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that if the Company has, prior to the Signing Date, entered into an agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the order of priority contemplated hereby then it shall apply the order of priority in such conflicting agreement to the extent that it would otherwise result in a breach under such agreement.

(b) Expenses of Registration . All Registration Expenses incurred in connection with any registration, qualification or compliance hereunder shall be borne by the Company. All Selling Expenses incurred in connection with any registrations hereunder shall be borne by the holders of the securities so registered pro rata on the basis of the aggregate offering or sale price of the securities so registered.

 

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(c) Obligations of the Company . Whenever required to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities or facilitate the distribution of Registrable Securities pursuant to an effective Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall, as expeditiously as reasonably practicable:

(i) Prepare and file with the SEC a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment with respect to a proposed offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to an effective registration statement, subject to Section 4.5(c), keep such registration statement effective and keep such prospectus supplement current until the securities described therein are no longer Registrable Securities.

(ii) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to the applicable registration statement and the prospectus or prospectus supplement used in connection with such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement.

(iii) Furnish to the Holders and any underwriters such number of copies of the applicable registration statement and each such amendment and supplement thereto (including in each case all exhibits) and of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as they may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities owned or to be distributed by them.

(iv) Use its reasonable best efforts to register and qualify the securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders or any managing underwriter(s), to keep such registration or qualification in effect for so long as such registration statement remains in effect, and to take any other action which may be reasonably necessary to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the securities owned by such Holder; provided that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions.

(v) Notify each Holder of Registrable Securities at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of any event as a result of which the applicable prospectus, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing.

(vi) Give written notice to the Holders:

(A) when any registration statement filed pursuant to Section 4.5(a) or any amendment thereto has been filed with the SEC (except for any amendment effected by the filing of a document with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “ Exchange Act ”) and when such registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective;

 

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(B) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to any registration statement or the prospectus included therein or for additional information;

(C) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose;

(D) of the receipt by the Company or its legal counsel of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the applicable Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose;

(E) of the happening of any event that requires the Company to make changes in any effective registration statement or the prospectus related to the registration statement in order to make the statements therein not misleading (which notice shall be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the prospectus until the requisite changes have been made); and

(F) if at any time the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any underwriting agreement contemplated by Section 4.5(c)(x) cease to be true and correct.

(vii) Use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance or obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement referred to in Section 4.5(c)(vi)(C) at the earliest practicable time.

(viii) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 4.5(c)(v) or 4.5(c)(vi)(E), promptly prepare a post-effective amendment to such registration statement or a supplement to the related prospectus or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the Holders and any underwriters, the prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the Company notifies the Holders in accordance with Section 4.5(c)(vi)(E) to suspend the use of the prospectus until the requisite changes to the prospectus have been made, then the Holders and any underwriters shall suspend use of such prospectus and use their reasonable best efforts to return to the Company all copies of such prospectus (at the Company’s expense) other than permanent file copies then in such Holders’ or underwriters’ possession. The total number of days that any such suspension may be in effect in any 12-month period shall not exceed 90 days.

(ix) Use reasonable best efforts to procure the cooperation of the Company’s transfer agent in settling any offering or sale of Registrable Securities, including with respect to the transfer of physical certificates into book-entry form in accordance with any procedures reasonably requested by the Holders or any managing underwriter(s).

 

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(x) If an underwritten offering is requested pursuant to Section 4.5(a)(ii), enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form, scope and substance and take all such other actions reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold in connection therewith or by the managing underwriter(s), if any, to expedite or facilitate the underwritten disposition of such Registrable Securities, and in connection therewith in any underwritten offering (including making members of management and executives of the Company available to participate in “road shows”, similar sales events and other marketing activities), (A) make such representations and warranties to the Holders that are selling members and the managing underwriter(s), if any, with respect to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, and the Shelf Registration Statement, prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, in customary form, substance and scope, and, if true, confirm the same if and when requested, (B) use its reasonable best efforts to furnish the underwriters with opinions of counsel to the Company, addressed to the managing underwriter(s), if any, covering the matters customarily covered in such opinions requested in underwritten offerings, (C) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain “cold comfort” letters from the independent certified public accountants of the Company (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any business acquired by the Company for which financial statements and financial data are included in the Shelf Registration Statement) who have certified the financial statements included in such Shelf Registration Statement, addressed to each of the managing underwriter(s), if any, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “cold comfort” letters, (D) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall contain indemnification provisions and procedures customary in underwritten offerings ( provided , that the Investor shall not be obligated to provide any indemnity), and (E) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold in connection therewith, their counsel and the managing underwriter(s), if any, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties made pursuant to clause (i) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company.

(xi) Make available for inspection by a representative of Holders that are selling members, the managing underwriter(s), if any, and any attorneys or accountants retained by such Holders or managing underwriter(s), at the offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, financial and other records, pertinent company documents and properties of the Company, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Company to supply all information in each case reasonably requested (and of the type customarily provided in connection with due diligence conducted in connection with a registered public offering of securities) by any such representative, managing underwriter(s), attorney or accountant in connection with such Shelf Registration Statement.

(xii) Use reasonable best efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each national securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or, if no similar securities issued by the Company are then listed on any national securities exchange, use its reasonable best efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on such securities exchange as the Investor may designate.

 

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(xiii) If requested by Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being registered and/or sold in connection therewith, or the managing underwriter(s), if any, promptly include in a prospectus supplement or amendment such information as the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being registered and/or sold in connection therewith or managing underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request in order to permit the intended method of distribution of such securities and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or such amendment as soon as practicable after the Company has received such request.

(xiv) Timely provide to its security holders earning statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder.

(d) Suspension of Sales . Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a registration statement, prospectus or prospectus supplement contains or may contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omits or may omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that circumstances exist that make inadvisable use of such registration statement, prospectus or prospectus supplement, the Investor and each Holder of Registrable Securities shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until the Investor and/or Holder has received copies of a supplemented or amended prospectus or prospectus supplement, or until the Investor and/or such Holder is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the prospectus and, if applicable, prospectus supplement may be resumed, and, if so directed by the Company, the Investor and/or such Holder shall deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in the Investor and/or such Holder’s possession, of the prospectus and, if applicable, prospectus supplement covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice. The total number of days that any such suspension may be in effect in any 12-month period shall not exceed 90 days.

(e) Termination of Registration Rights . A Holder’s registration rights as to any securities held by such Holder (and its Affiliates, partners, members and former members) shall not be available unless such securities are Registrable Securities.

(f) Furnishing Information .

(i) Neither the Investor nor any Holder shall use any free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405) in connection with the sale of Registrable Securities without the prior written consent of the Company.

(ii) It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to Section 4.5(c) that Investor and/or the selling Holders and the underwriters, if any, shall furnish to the Company such information regarding themselves, the Registrable Securities held by them and the intended method of disposition of such securities as shall be required to effect the registered offering of their Registrable Securities.

 

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(g) Indemnification .

(i) The Company agrees to indemnify each Holder and, if a Holder is a person other than an individual, such Holder’s officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives and Affiliates, and each Person, if any, that controls a Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act (each, an “ Indemnitee ”), against any and all losses, claims, damages, actions, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of attorneys and other professionals incurred in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such losses, claims, damages, actions, liabilities, costs and expenses), joint or several, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any registration statement, including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto or any documents incorporated therein by reference or contained in any free writing prospectus (as such term is defined in Rule 405) prepared by the Company or authorized by it in writing for use by such Holder (or any amendment or supplement thereto); or any omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, that the Company shall not be liable to such Indemnitee in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability (or action or proceeding in respect thereof) or expense arises out of or is based upon (A) an untrue statement or omission made in such registration statement, including any such preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any such amendments or supplements thereto or contained in any free writing prospectus (as such term is defined in Rule 405) prepared by the Company or authorized by it in writing for use by such Holder (or any amendment or supplement thereto), in reliance upon and in conformity with information regarding such Indemnitee or its plan of distribution or ownership interests which was furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnitee for use in connection with such registration statement, including any such preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any such amendments or supplements thereto, or (B) offers or sales effected by or on behalf of such Indemnitee “by means of” (as defined in Rule 159A) a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405) that was not authorized in writing by the Company.

(ii) If the indemnification provided for in Section 4.5(g)(i) is unavailable to an Indemnitee with respect to any losses, claims, damages, actions, liabilities, costs or expenses referred to therein or is insufficient to hold the Indemnitee harmless as contemplated therein, then the Company, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnitee as a result of such losses, claims, damages, actions, liabilities, costs or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnitee, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, actions, liabilities, costs or expenses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of the Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other factors, whether the untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Indemnitee and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such

 

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statement or omission; the Company and each Holder agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4.5(g)(ii) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 4.5(g)(i). No Indemnitee guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from the Company if the Company was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

(h) Assignment of Registration Rights . The rights of the Investor to registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 4.5(a) may be assigned by the Investor to a transferee or assignee of Registrable Securities with a capital amount or, in the case of the Warrant, the capital amount of the underlying units of Warrant Preferred Interests, no less than an amount equal to (i) 2% of the initial aggregate capital amount of the Preferred Interests if such initial aggregate capital amount is less than $2 billion and (ii) $200 million if the initial aggregate capital amount of the Preferred Interests is equal to or greater than $2 billion; provided, however, the transferor shall, within ten days after such transfer, furnish to the Company written notice of the name and address of such transferee or assignee and the number and type of Registrable Securities that are being assigned.

(i) Clear Market . With respect to any underwritten offering of Registrable Securities by the Investor or other Holders pursuant to this Section 4.5, the Company agrees not to effect (other than pursuant to such registration or pursuant to a Special Registration) any public sale or distribution, or to file any Shelf Registration Statement (other than such registration or a Special Registration) covering any preferred membership interests of the Company or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for preferred membership interests of the Company, during the period not to exceed ten days prior and 60 days following the effective date of such offering or such longer period up to 90 days as may be requested by the managing underwriter for such underwritten offering. The Company also agrees to cause such of its directors and senior executive officers to execute and deliver customary lock-up agreements in such form and for such time period up to 90 days as may be requested by the managing underwriter. “ Special Registration ” means the registration of (A) equity securities and/or options or other rights in respect thereof solely registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8 (or successor form) or (B) shares of equity securities and/or options or other rights in respect thereof to be offered to directors, members of management, employees, consultants, customers, lenders or vendors of the Company or Company Subsidiaries or in connection with dividend reinvestment plans.

(j) Rule 144; Rule 144A . With a view to making available to the Investor and Holders the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the SEC which may permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, the Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to:

(i) make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144(c)(1) or any similar or analogous rule promulgated under the Securities Act, at all times after the Signing Date;

(ii) (A) file with the SEC, in a timely manner, all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Exchange Act, and (B) if at any time the Company is

 

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not required to file such reports, make available, upon the request of any Holder, such information necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144A (including the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act);

(iii) so long as the Investor or a Holder owns any Registrable Securities, furnish to the Investor or such Holder forthwith upon request: a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and of the Exchange Act; a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company; and such other reports and documents as the Investor or Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the SEC allowing it to sell any such securities to the public without registration; and

(iv) take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act.

(k) As used in this Section 4.5, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

(i) “ Holder ” means the Investor and any other holder of Registrable Securities to whom the registration rights conferred by this Agreement have been transferred in compliance with Section 4.5(h) hereof.

(ii) “ Holders’ Counsel ” means one counsel for the selling Holders chosen by Holders holding a majority interest in the Registrable Securities being registered.

(iii) “ Register ,” “ registered ,” and “ registration ” shall refer to a registration effected by preparing and (A) filing a registration statement or amendment thereto in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such registration statement or amendment thereto or (B) filing a prospectus and/or prospectus supplement in respect of an appropriate effective registration statement on Form S-3.

(iv) “ Registrable Securities ” means (A) all Preferred Interests, (B) the Warrant (subject to Section 4.5(p)) and (C) any equity securities issued or issuable directly or indirectly with respect to the securities referred to in the foregoing clauses (A) or (B) by way of conversion, exercise or exchange thereof, including the Warrant Interests, or distribution or split or in connection with a combination of securities, recapitalization, reclassification, merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or other reorganization, provided that, once issued, such securities will not be Registrable Securities when (1) they are sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (2) except as provided below in Section 4.5(o), they may be sold pursuant to Rule 144 without limitation thereunder on volume or manner of sale, (3) they shall have ceased to be outstanding or (4) they have been sold in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under this Agreement are not assigned to the transferee of the securities. No Registrable Securities may be registered under more than one registration statement at any one time.

 

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(v) “ Registration Expenses ” mean all expenses incurred by the Company in effecting any registration pursuant to this Agreement (whether or not any registration or prospectus becomes effective or final) or otherwise complying with its obligations under this Section 4.5, including all registration, filing and listing fees, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, blue sky fees and expenses, expenses incurred in connection with any “road show”, the reasonable fees and disbursements of Holders’ Counsel, and expenses of the Company’s independent accountants in connection with any regular or special reviews or audits incident to or required by any such registration, but shall not include Selling Expenses.

(vi) “ Rule 144 ”, “ Rule 144A ”, “ Rule 159A ”, “ Rule 405 ” and “ Rule 415 ” mean, in each case, such rule promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), as the same shall be amended from time to time.

(vii) “ Selling Expenses ” mean all discounts, selling commissions and transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities and fees and disbursements of counsel for any Holder (other than the fees and disbursements of Holders’ Counsel included in Registration Expenses).

(l) At any time, any holder of Securities (including any Holder) may elect to forfeit its rights set forth in this Section 4.5 from that date forward; provided, that a Holder forfeiting such rights shall nonetheless be entitled to participate under Section 4.5(a)(iv) – (vi) in any Pending Underwritten Offering to the same extent that such Holder would have been entitled to if the holder had not withdrawn; and provided, further, that no such forfeiture shall terminate a Holder’s rights or obligations under Section 4.5(f) with respect to any prior registration or Pending Underwritten Offering. “ Pending Underwritten Offering ” means, with respect to any Holder forfeiting its rights pursuant to this Section 4.5(l), any underwritten offering of Registrable Securities in which such Holder has advised the Company of its intent to register its Registrable Securities either pursuant to Section 4.5(a)(ii) or 4.5(a)(iv) prior to the date of such Holder’s forfeiture.

(m) Specific Performance . The parties hereto acknowledge that there would be no adequate remedy at law if the Company fails to perform any of its obligations under this Section 4.5 and that the Investor and the Holders from time to time may be irreparably harmed by any such failure, and accordingly agree that the Investor and such Holders, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity, to the fullest extent permitted and enforceable under applicable law shall be entitled to compel specific performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section 4.5 in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Section 4.5.

(n) No Inconsistent Agreements . The Company shall not, on or after the Signing Date, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that may impair the rights granted to the Investor and the Holders under this Section 4.5 or that otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof in any manner that may impair the rights granted to the Investor and the Holders under this Section 4.5. In the event the Company has, prior to the Signing Date, entered into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Investor and the Holders under this Section 4.5 (including agreements that are inconsistent with the order

 

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of priority contemplated by Section 4.5(a)(vi)) or that may otherwise conflict with the provisions hereof, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to amend such agreements to ensure they are consistent with the provisions of this Section 4.5.

(o) Certain Offerings by the Investor . In the case of any securities held by the Investor that cease to be Registrable Securities solely by reason of clause (2) in the definition of “Registrable Securities,” the provisions of Sections 4.5(a)(ii), clauses (iv), (ix) and (x)-(xii) of Section 4.5(c), Section 4.5(g) and Section 4.5(i) shall continue to apply until such securities otherwise cease to be Registrable Securities. In any such case, an “underwritten” offering or other disposition shall include any distribution of such securities on behalf of the Investor by one or more broker-dealers, an “underwriting agreement” shall include any purchase agreement entered into by such broker-dealers, and any “registration statement” or “prospectus” shall include any offering document approved by the Company and used in connection with such distribution.

(p) Registered Sales of the Warrant . The Holders agree to sell the Warrant or any portion thereof under the Shelf Registration Statement only beginning 30 days after notifying the Company of any such sale, during which 30-day period the Investor and all Holders of the Warrant shall take reasonable steps to agree to revisions to the Warrant to permit a public distribution of the Warrant, including entering into a warrant agreement and appointing a warrant agent.

4.6 Depositary Shares . Upon request by the Investor at any time following the Closing Date, the Company shall promptly enter into a depositary arrangement, pursuant to customary agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Investor and with a depositary reasonably acceptable to the Investor, pursuant to which the Preferred Interests or the Warrant Interests may be deposited and depositary interests, each representing a fraction of a Preferred Interests or Warrant Interests, as applicable, as specified by the Investor, may be issued. From and after the execution of any such depositary arrangement, and the deposit of any Preferred Interests or Warrant Interests, as applicable, pursuant thereto, the depositary interests issued pursuant thereto shall be deemed “Preferred Interests”, “Warrant Interests” and, as applicable, “Registrable Securities” for purposes of this Agreement.

4.7 Restriction on Distributions and Repurchases .

(a) Prior to the earlier of (x) the third anniversary of the Closing Date and (y) the date on which all of the Preferred Interests and Warrant Interests have been redeemed in whole or the Investor has transferred all of the Preferred Interests and Warrant Interests to third parties which are not Affiliates of the Investor, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary shall, without the consent of the Investor, or, in the case of tax distributions on Junior Membership Interests, without the consent of the President’s Designee (as defined in H.R. 7321), declare or pay any dividend or distribution on any capital stock or other equity securities of any kind of the Company or any Company Subsidiary (other than (i) regular quarterly cash dividends or distributions of not more than the amount of the last quarterly cash dividend or distribution per share of capital stock or membership interest declared or, if lower, announced to its holders of capital stock or Membership Interests an intention to declare, on the capital stock or Membership Interests prior to November 17, 2008, as adjusted for any membership interests issued in a rights

 

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offering, split, distribution, reverse split, reclassification or similar transaction, (ii) distributions payable solely in Common Membership Interests of the Company (“ Common Membership Interests ”), (iii) regular distributions on preferred membership interests in accordance with the terms thereof and which are permitted under the terms of the Preferred Interests and the Warrant Interests, (iv) dividends or distributions by any wholly-owned Company Subsidiary or (v) dividends or distributions by any Company Subsidiary required pursuant to binding contractual agreements entered into prior to November 17, 2008). For the avoidance of doubt, tax distributions on Junior Membership Interests that are consented to by the President’s Designee will not be prohibited by this Section 4.7(a).

(b) During the period beginning on the third anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the earlier of (i) the tenth anniversary of the Closing Date and (ii) the date on which all of the Preferred Interests and Warrant Interests have been redeemed in whole or the Investor has transferred all of the Preferred Interests and Warrant Interests to third parties which are not Affiliates of the Investor, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary shall, without the consent of the Investor, or, in the case of tax distributions on Junior Membership Interests, without the consent of the President’s Designee, (A) pay any per share dividend or distribution on capital stock or other equity securities of any kind of the Company at a per annum rate that is in excess of 103% of the aggregate per share dividend and distributions for the immediately prior fiscal year (other than regular distributions on preferred membership interests in accordance with the terms thereof and which are permitted under the terms of the Preferred Interests and the Warrant Interests); provided that no increase in the aggregate amount of distributions on Common Membership Interests shall be permitted as a result of any distributions paid in Common Membership Interests, any split or any similar transaction or (B) pay aggregate dividends or distributions on capital stock or other equity securities of any kind of any Company Subsidiary that is in excess of 103% of the aggregate dividend and distributions paid for the immediately prior fiscal year (other than in the case of this clause (B), (1) regular distributions on preferred membership interests or distribution in accordance with the terms thereof and which are permitted under the terms of the Preferred Interests and the Warrant Interests, (2) dividends or distributions by any wholly-owned Company Subsidiary, (3) dividends or distributions by any Company Subsidiary required pursuant to binding contractual agreements entered into prior to November 17, 2008 or (4) distributions on newly issued Membership Interests for cash or other property). For the avoidance of doubt, tax distributions on Junior Membership Interests that are consented to by the President’s Designee will not be prohibited by this Section 4.7(b).

(c) Prior to the earlier of (x) the tenth anniversary of the Closing Date and (y) the date on which all of the Preferred Interests and Warrant Interests have been redeemed in whole or the Investor has transferred all of the Preferred Interests and Warrant Interests to third parties which are not Affiliates of the Investor, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary shall, without the consent of the Investor, redeem, purchase or acquire any Common Membership Interests or other equity securities of any kind of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, or any trust preferred securities issued by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, other than (i) redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions of the Preferred Interests and Warrant Interests, (ii) in connection with the administration of any employee benefit plan in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, (iii) the acquisition by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries of record ownership in Junior Membership Interests or Parity Membership Interests for the beneficial ownership of any other persons (other than the Company

 

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or any other Company Subsidiary), including as trustees or custodians, (iv) the exchange or conversion of Junior Membership Interests for or into other Junior Membership Interests or Parity Membership Interest or trust preferred securities for or into other Parity Membership Interest respectively (with the same or lesser aggregate capital amount) or Junior Membership Interests, in each case set forth in this clause (iv), solely to the extent required pursuant to binding contractual agreements entered into prior to the Signing Date or any subsequent agreement for the accelerated exercise, settlement or exchange thereof for Membership Interests (clauses (ii) and (iii), collectively, the “ Permitted Repurchases ”) , (v) redemptions of securities held by the Company or any wholly-owned Company Subsidiary or (vi) redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions of capital stock or other equity securities of any kind of any Company Subsidiary required pursuant to binding contractual agreements entered into prior to November 17, 2008.

(d) Until such time as the Investor ceases to own any Preferred Interests or Warrant Interests, the Company shall not repurchase any Preferred Interests or Warrant Interests from any holder thereof, whether by means of open market purchase, negotiated transaction, or otherwise, other than Permitted Repurchases, unless it offers to repurchase a ratable portion of the Preferred Interests or Warrant Interests, as the case may be, then held by the Investor on the same terms and conditions.

(e) During the period beginning on the tenth anniversary of the Closing and ending on the date on which all of the Preferred Interests and Warrant Interests have been redeemed in whole or the Investor has transferred all of the Preferred Interests and Warrant Interests to third parties which are not Affiliates of the Investor, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary shall, without the consent of the Investor, or, in the case of tax distributions on Junior Membership Interests, without the consent of the President’s Designee, (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on capital stock or other equity securities of any kind of the Company or any Company Subsidiary; or (ii) redeem, purchase or acquire any equity securities of any kind of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, or any trust preferred securities issued by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, other than (A) redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions of the Preferred Interests and Warrant Interests, (B) regular dividends on preferred membership interests in accordance with the terms thereof and which are permitted under the terms of the Preferred Interests and the Warrant Interests, or (C) dividends or distributions by any wholly-owned Company Subsidiary. For the avoidance of doubt, tax distributions on Junior Membership Interests that are consented to by the President’s Designee will not be prohibited by this Section 4.7(e).

(f) “ Junior Membership Interests ” means Common Membership Interests and any class or series of equity securities, including Membership Interests of the Company the terms of which expressly provide that it ranks junior to the Preferred Interests as to distribution rights and/or as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. “ Parity Membership Interests ” means any class or series of equity securities of the Company, including Membership Interests the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series will rank senior or junior to the Preferred Interests as to distribution rights and/or as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company (in each case without regard to whether distribution accrue cumulatively or non-cumulatively).

 

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(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, a GMAC Conversion shall be deemed not to be adverse to the Preferred Interests or the Warrant Preferred Interests and shall not require consent of holders of such preferred interests provided that (i) the Preferred Interests are converted into or exchanged for preferred stock of the resulting corporation having terms substantially the same as the terms of the Preferred Interests, (ii) the Warrant Preferred Interests are converted into or exchanged for (or, in the case of the Warrant, amended to be a right to receive) preferred stock of the resulting corporation having terms substantially the same as the terms of the Warrant Preferred Interests and (iii) the holders of the Preferred Interests and the Warrant Preferred Interests will maintain a substantially equivalent economic interest, based on the capital amounts of their respective interests, in the Company after the GMAC Conversion as they held prior to the GMAC Conversion. “GMAC Conversion” means, together with related transactions, a conversion of the Company into a corporation through a statutory conversion, the creation of a holding company above the Company and the exchange of all or substantially all of the Company’s outstanding equity interests for equity interests of such holding company, the direct or indirect acquisition by Preferred Blocker Inc. (“Blocker Sub”) of all or substantially all of the Company’s outstanding equity interests in exchange for stock of Blocker Sub, the merger of the Company with and into Blocker Sub, and any other direct or indirect incorporation of the assets and liabilities of the Company, including, without limitation, by merger, consolidation or recapitalization; statutory conversion; direct or indirect, sale, transfer, exchange, pledge or other disposal of economic, voting or other rights; sale, exchange or other acquisition of shares, equity interests or assets; contribution of assets and/or liabilities; liquidation; exchange of securities; conversion of entity, migration of entity or formation of new entity; or other transaction or group of related transactions.

4.8 Executive Privileges and Compensation .

(a) Executive Compensation .

(i) From the Closing Date, until such time as the Investor ceases to own any Preferred Interests or Warrant Interests, the Company shall comply with the following restrictions on executive privileges and compensation, except as set forth on Schedule 4.8:

(A) Until such time as the Investor ceases to own any equity securities of the Company acquired pursuant to this Agreement or the Warrant, the Company shall take all necessary action to ensure that its Benefit Plans with respect to the Senior Executive Officers comply in all respects with Section 111(b) of the EESA, including the provisions for the Capital Purchase Program, as implemented by any guidance or regulation thereunder that has been issued and is in effect as of the Closing Date, including the rules set forth in 31 CFR Part 30 and the provisions prohibiting severance payments to Senior Executive Officers, and shall not adopt any new Benefit Plan with respect to its Senior Executive Officers that does not comply therewith. For purposes of applying section 111(b) of the EESA with respect to this Section 4.8(a), a “golden parachute payment” means any payment in the nature of compensation to (or for the benefit of) a Senior Executive Officer made on account of an applicable severance from employment (except that the vesting of equity denominated awards granted prior to the Closing Date and settled solely in equity shall not be included in such limit on “golden parachute payments” to Senior Executive Officers);

 

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(B) [RESERVED.];

(C) The Company shall be subject to the limits on annual executive compensation deductibles imposed by Section 162(m)(5) of the Code, as applicable;

(D) The Company shall not pay or accrue any bonus or incentive compensation to the Senior Executive Officers or the Senior Employees unless otherwise approved in writing by the President’s Designee (as defined in H.R. 7321);

(E) The Company shall not adopt or maintain any compensation plan that would encourage manipulation of its reported earnings to enhance the compensation of any of its employees; and

(F) The Company shall maintain all suspensions and other restrictions of contributions to Benefit Plans that are in place or initiated as of the Closing Date.

Until such time as the Investor ceases to own any Preferred Interests or Warrant Interests, the Investor shall have the right to require the Company to claw back any bonuses or other compensation, including golden parachutes, paid to any Senior Executive Officers or Senior Employees in violation of any of the foregoing.

(ii) Within 120 days after the Closing Date, the principal executive officer (or person acting in a similar capacity) of the Company shall certify in writing to the Investor’s Chief Compliance Officer that the Company’s compensation committee has reviewed the compensation arrangements of the Senior Executive Officers with its senior risk officers and determined that the compensation arrangements do not encourage the Senior Executive Officers to take unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the Company. The Company shall preserve appropriate documentation and records to substantiate such certification in an easily accessible place for a period not less than three (3) years following the date on which all of the Preferred Interests and Warrant Interests have been redeemed in whole or the Investor has transferred all of the Preferred Interests and Warrant Interests to third parties which are not Affiliates of the Investor.

(b) Asset Divestiture . With respect to any private passenger aircraft or interest in such aircraft that is owned or held by any the Company or any of its respective Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Closing Date, such party shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the President’s Designee that it is taking all reasonable steps to divest itself of such aircraft or interest. In addition, the Company shall not acquire or lease any private passenger aircraft or interest in private passenger aircraft after the Closing Date.

 

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(c) Restrictions on Expenses .

(i) At all times throughout the term of this Agreement, the Company shall maintain and implement an Expense Policy (the “ Expense Policy ”) and distribute the Expense Policy to all employees covered under the Expense Policy. Any material amendments to the Expense Policy shall require the prior written consent of the President’s Designee, and any material deviations from the Expense Policy, whether in contravention thereof or pursuant to waivers provided for thereunder, shall promptly be reported to the President’s Designee.

(ii) The Expense Policy shall, at a minimum: (i) require compliance with all applicable law, (ii) apply to the Company and all of its Subsidiaries, (iii) govern (A) the hosting, sponsorship or other payment for conferences and events, (B) travel accommodations and expenditures, (C) consulting arrangements with outside service providers, (D) any new lease or acquisition of real estate, (E) expenses relating to office or facility renovations or relocations, and (F) expenses relating to entertainment or holiday parties; and (iv) provide for (A) internal reporting and oversight, and (B) mechanisms for addressing non-compliance with the Expense Policy.

4.9 Related Party Transactions . Until such time as the Investor ceases to own any Purchased Interests or Warrant Preferred Interests, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries shall not enter into transactions with Affiliates or related persons (within the meaning of Item 404 under the SEC’s Regulation S-K) (other than Company Subsidiaries) unless (i) such transactions are on terms no less favorable to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries than could be obtained from an unaffiliated third party and (ii) if otherwise required by applicable law, rule or regulation (including any requirement of the New York Stock Exchange), have been approved by the audit committee of the Board of Managers or comparable body of independent Managers of the Company, provided that this Section 4.9 shall not restrict the performance of transactions pursuant to binding contractual agreements entered into prior to the date hereof.

4.10 Bank and Thrift Holding Company Status . If the Company is a Bank Holding Company or a Savings and Loan Holding Company on the Signing Date, then the Company shall maintain its status as a Bank Holding Company or Savings and Loan Holding Company, as the case may be, for as long as the Investor owns any Purchased Securities or Warrant Interests. The Company shall redeem all Purchased Securities and Warrant Interests held by the Investor prior to terminating its status as a Bank Holding Company or Savings and Loan Holding Company, as applicable. “ Bank Holding Company ” means a company registered as such with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “ Federal Reserve ”) pursuant to 12 U.S.C. § 1842 and the regulations of the Federal Reserve promulgated thereunder. “ Savings and Loan Holding Company ” means a company registered as such with the Office of Thrift Supervision pursuant to 12 U.S.C. § 1467(a) and the regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision promulgated thereunder.

4.11 Predominantly Financial . For as long as the Investor owns any Purchased Securities or Warrant Interests, the Company, to the extent it is not itself an insured depository institution, agrees to remain predominantly engaged in financial activities. A company is predominantly engaged in financial activities if the annual gross revenues derived by the company and all subsidiaries of the company (excluding revenues derived from subsidiary depository institutions), on a consolidated basis, from engaging in activities that are financial in

 

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nature or are incidental to a financial activity under subsection (k) of Section 4 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1843(k)) represent at least 85 percent of the consolidated annual gross revenues of the company.

4.12 Joinder Agreement . On the Closing Date, the Investor and the Company shall execute an agreement under which the Investor agrees to be bound by all the applicable terms of the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of GMAC LLC, dated as of November 30, 2006, as amended, in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex F.

Article V

Miscellaneous

5.1 Termination . This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing:

(a) by either the Investor or the Company if the Closing shall not have occurred by the 30 th calendar day following the Signing Date; provided, however, that in the event the Closing has not occurred by such 30 th calendar day, the parties will consult in good faith to determine whether to extend the term of this Agreement, it being understood that the parties shall be required to consult only until the fifth day after such 30 th calendar day and not be under any obligation to extend the term of this Agreement thereafter; provided, further, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 5.1(a) shall not be available to any party whose breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any obligation under this Agreement shall have caused or resulted in the failure of the Closing to occur on or prior to such date; or

(b) by either the Investor or the Company in the event that any Governmental Entity shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and such order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and nonappealable; or

(c) by the mutual written consent of the Investor and the Company.

In the event of termination of this Agreement as provided in this Section 5.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and there shall be no liability on the part of either party hereto except that nothing herein shall relieve either party from liability for any breach of this Agreement.

5.2 Survival of Representations and Warranties . All covenants and agreements, other than those which by their terms apply in whole or in part after the Closing, shall terminate as of the Closing. The representations and warranties of the Company made herein or in any certificates delivered in connection with the Closing shall survive the Closing without limitation.

5.3 Amendment . No amendment of any provision of this Agreement will be effective unless made in writing and signed by an officer or a duly authorized representative of each party; provided that the Investor may unilaterally amend any provision of this Agreement to the extent required to comply with any changes after the Signing Date in applicable federal statutes. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate

 

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as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative of any rights or remedies provided by law.

5.4 Waiver of Conditions . The conditions to each party’s obligation to consummate the Purchase are for the sole benefit of such party and may be waived by such party in whole or in part to the extent permitted by applicable law. No waiver will be effective unless it is in a writing signed by a duly authorized officer of the waiving party that makes express reference to the provision or provisions subject to such waiver.

5.5 Governing Law: Submission to Jurisdiction, Etc . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the federal law of the United States if and to the extent such law is applicable, and otherwise in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such State. Each of the parties hereto agrees (a) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and the United States Court of Federal Claims for any and all civil actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Warrant or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, and (b) that notice may be served upon (i) the Company at the address and in the manner set forth for notices to the Company in Section 5.6 and (ii) the Investor in accordance with federal law. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each of the parties hereto hereby unconditionally waives trial by jury in any civil legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the Warrant or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

5.6 Notices . Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any party to the other will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, or by facsimile, upon confirmation of receipt, or (b) on the second business day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a recognized next day courier service. All notices to the Company shall be delivered as set forth in Schedule A , or pursuant to such other instruction as may be designated in writing by the Company to the Investor. All notices to the Investor shall be delivered as set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the Investor to the Company.

 

  If to the Investor:
 

United States Department of the Treasury

 

1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 2312

 

Washington, D.C. 20220

 

Attention: Assistant General Counsel (Banking and Finance)

 

Facsimile: (202) 622-1974

5.7 Definitions

(a) When a reference is made in this Agreement to a subsidiary of a person, the term “ subsidiary ” means any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity (x) of which such person or a subsidiary of such person is a general partner or (y) of which

 

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a majority of the voting securities or other voting interests, or a majority of the securities or other interests of which having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or persons performing similar functions with respect to such entity, is directly or indirectly owned by such person and/or one or more subsidiaries thereof.

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

(c) The terms “ knowledge of the Company ” or “ Company’s knowledge ” mean the actual knowledge after reasonable and due inquiry of the “ officers ” (as such term is defined in Rule 3b-2 under the Exchange Act, but excluding any Vice President or Secretary) of the Company.

5.8 Assignment . Neither this Agreement nor any right, remedy, obligation nor liability arising hereunder or by reason hereof shall be assignable by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party, and any attempt to assign any right, remedy, obligation or liability hereunder without such consent shall be void, except (a) an assignment, in the case of a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar transaction that requires the approval of the Company’s members (a “ Business Combination ”) where such party is not the surviving entity, or a sale of substantially all of its assets, to the entity which is the survivor of such Business Combination or the purchaser in such sale and (b) as provided in Sections 3.5 and 4.5.

5.9 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the Warrant, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, will remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby, so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon a suitable and equitable substitute provision to effect the original intent of the parties.

5.10 No Third Party Beneficiaries . Nothing contained in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any person or entity other than the Company and the Investor any benefit, right or remedies, except that the provisions of Section 4.5 shall inure to the benefit of the persons referred to in that Section.

* * *

 

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ANNEX E

FORM OF WARRANT TO PURCHASE PREFERRED MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT WHILE A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING THERETO IS IN EFFECT UNDER SUCH ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT OR SUCH LAWS. THIS INSTRUMENT IS ISSUED SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF A SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES AND THE INVESTOR REFERRED TO THEREIN, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE ISSUER. THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS INSTRUMENT MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SAID AGREEMENT. ANY SALE OR OTHER TRANSFER NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SAID AGREEMENT WILL BE VOID.

WARRANT

to purchase

 

 

Units of Preferred Membership Interests of GMAC LLC

Issue Date:                                                                                                       

1. Definitions . Unless the context otherwise requires, when used herein the following terms shall have the meanings indicated.

Board of Managers ” means the board of managers of the Company, including any duly authorized committee thereof.

business day ” means any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York generally are authorized or required by law or other governmental actions to close.

Capital Amount” means the amount set forth in Item 4 of Schedule A hereto.

Charter ” means, with respect to any Person, its certificate or articles of incorporation, articles of association, or similar organizational document.

Company ” means the Person whose name, corporate or other organizational form and jurisdiction of organization is set forth in Item 1 of Schedule A hereto.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.


Expiration Time ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.

“Issue Date” means the date set forth in Item 3 of Schedule A hereto.

Original Warrantholder ” means the United States Department of the Treasury. Any actions specified to be taken by the Original Warrantholder hereunder may only be taken by such Person and not by any other Warrantholder.

Person ” has the meaning given to it in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act.

“Preferred Units ” means the units of preferred membership interests set forth in Item 5 of Schedule A hereto.

Purchase Agreement ” means the Securities Purchase Agreement – Standard Terms incorporated into the Letter Agreement, dated as of the date set forth in Item 6 of Schedule A hereto, as amended from time to time, between the Company and the United States Department of the Treasury (the “ Letter Agreement ”), including all annexes and schedules thereto.

Regulatory Approvals ” with respect to the Warrantholder, means, to the extent applicable and required to permit the Warrantholder to exercise this Warrant for Preferred Units and to own such Preferred Units without the Warrantholder being in violation of applicable law, rule or regulation, the receipt of any necessary approvals and authorizations of, filings and registrations with, notifications to, or expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under, the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

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

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Units ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.

Warrant ” means this Warrant, issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

Warrantholder ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.

2. Number of Units; Exercise Price . This certifies that, for value received, the United States Department of the Treasury or its permitted assigns (the “ Warrantholder ”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, to acquire from the Company, in whole or in part, after the receipt of all applicable Regulatory Approvals, if any, up to an aggregate of the number of fully paid and nonassessable units of preferred membership interests set forth in Item 7 of Schedule A hereto (the “ Units ”), at a purchase price per preferred membership unit equal to the Exercise Price.

3. Exercise of Warrant; Term . Subject to Section 2, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, the right to purchase the Units represented by this Warrant is


exercisable, in whole or in part by the Warrantholder, at any time or from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Warrant by the Company on the date hereof, but in no event later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the tenth anniversary of the Issue Date (the “ Expiration Time ”), by (A) the surrender of this Warrant and Notice of Exercise annexed hereto, duly completed and executed on behalf of the Warrantholder, at the principal executive office of the Company located at the address set forth in Item 8 of Schedule A hereto (or such other office or agency of the Company in the United States as it may designate by notice in writing to the Warrantholder at the address of the Warrantholder appearing on the books of the Company), and (B) payment of the Exercise Price for the Units thereby purchased, by having the Company withhold, from the Preferred Units that would otherwise be delivered to the Warrantholder upon such exercise, Preferred Units issuable upon exercise of the Warrant with an aggregate Capital Amount equal in value to the aggregate Exercise Price as to which this Warrant is so exercised.

If the Warrantholder does not exercise this Warrant in its entirety, the Warrantholder will be entitled to receive from the Company within a reasonable time, and in any event not exceeding three business days, a new warrant in substantially identical form for the purchase of that number of Units equal to the difference between the number of Units subject to this Warrant and the number of Units as to which this Warrant is so exercised. Notwithstanding anything in this Warrant to the contrary, the Warrantholder hereby acknowledges and agrees that its exercise of this Warrant for Units is subject to the condition that the Warrantholder will have first received any applicable Regulatory Approvals.

4. Issuance of Units; Authorization . Certificates for Units issued upon exercise of this Warrant will be issued in such name or names as the Warrantholder may designate and will be delivered to such named Person or Persons within a reasonable time, not to exceed three business days after the date on which this Warrant has been duly exercised in accordance with the terms of this Warrant. The Company hereby represents and warrants that any Units issued upon the exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 will be duly and validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges (other than liens or charges created by the Warrantholder, income and franchise taxes incurred in connection with the exercise of the Warrant or taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously therewith). The Company agrees that the Units so issued will be deemed to have been issued to the Warrantholder as of the close of business on the date on which this Warrant and payment of the Exercise Price are delivered to the Company in accordance with the terms of this Warrant, notwithstanding that the stock transfer books of the Company may then be closed or certificates representing such Units may not be actually delivered on such date. The Company will at all times reserve and keep available, out of its authorized but unissued preferred units, solely for the purpose of providing for the exercise of this Warrant, the aggregate number of Preferred Units then issuable upon exercise of this Warrant at any time. The Company will use reasonable best efforts to ensure that the Units may be issued without violation of any applicable law or regulation or of any requirement of any securities exchange on which the Units are listed or traded.

5. No Rights as Stockholders; Transfer Books . This Warrant does not entitle the Warrantholder to any voting rights or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the date of exercise hereof. The Company will at no time close its transfer books against transfer of this Warrant in any manner which interferes with the timely exercise of this Warrant.


6. Charges, Taxes and Expenses . Issuance of certificates for Units to the Warrantholder upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be made without charge to the Warrantholder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such certificates, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company.

7. Transfer/Assignment .

(A) Subject to compliance with clause (B) of this Section 7, this Warrant and all rights hereunder are transferable, in whole or in part, upon the books of the Company by the registered holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, and a new warrant shall be made and delivered by the Company, of the same tenor and date as this Warrant but registered in the name of one or more transferees, upon surrender of this Warrant, duly endorsed, to the office or agency of the Company described in Section 3. All expenses (other than stock transfer taxes) and other charges payable in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of the new warrants pursuant to this Section 7 shall be paid by the Company.

(B) The transfer of the Warrant and the Units issued upon exercise of the Warrant are subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 4.4 of the Purchase Agreement. If and for so long as required by the Purchase Agreement, this Warrant shall contain the legends as set forth in Section 4.2(a) of the Purchase Agreement.

8. Exchange and Registry of Warrant . This Warrant is exchangeable, upon the surrender hereof by the Warrantholder to the Company, for a new warrant or warrants of like tenor and representing the right to purchase the same aggregate number of Units. The Company shall maintain a registry showing the name and address of the Warrantholder as the registered holder of this Warrant. This Warrant may be surrendered for exchange or exercise in accordance with its terms, at the office of the Company, and the Company shall be entitled to rely in all respects, prior to written notice to the contrary, upon such registry.

9. Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant . Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and in the case of any such loss, theft or destruction, upon receipt of a bond, indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Company, or, in the case of any such mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company shall make and deliver, in lieu of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Warrant, a new Warrant of like tenor and representing the right to purchase the same aggregate number of Units provided for in such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Warrant.

10. Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc . If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a business day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding day that is a business day.

11. Rule 144 Information . The Company covenants that it will use its reasonable best efforts to timely file all reports and other documents required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder (or, if the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any


Warrantholder, make publicly available such information as necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act), and it will use reasonable best efforts to take such further action as any Warrantholder may reasonably request, in each case to the extent required from time to time to enable such holder to, if permitted by the terms of this Warrant and the Purchase Agreement, sell this Warrant without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (A) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or (B) any successor rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the written request of any Warrantholder, the Company will deliver to such Warrantholder a written statement that it has complied with such requirements.

12. Adjustments and Other Rights . For so long as the Original Warrantholder holds this Warrant or any portion thereof, if any event occurs that, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Managers of the Company, would require adjustment of the Exercise Price or number of Units into which this Warrant is exercisable in order to fairly and adequately protect the purchase rights of the Warrants in accordance with the essential intent and principles of the Purchase Agreement and this Warrant, then the Board of Managers shall make such adjustments in the application of such provisions, in accordance with such essential intent and principles, as shall be reasonably necessary, in the good faith opinion of the Board of Managers, to protect such purchase rights as aforesaid.

Whenever the Exercise Price or the number of Units into which this Warrant is exercisable shall be adjusted as provided in this Section 12, the Company shall forthwith file at the principal office of the Company a statement showing in reasonable detail the facts requiring such adjustment and the Exercise Price that shall be in effect and the number of Units into which this Warrant shall be exercisable after such adjustment, and the Company shall also cause a copy of such statement to be sent by mail, first class postage prepaid, to each Warrantholder at the address appearing in the Company’s records.

13. No Impairment . The Company will not, by amendment of its limited liability company operating agreement or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Company, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of this Warrant and in taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of the Warrantholder.

14. Governing Law . This Warrant will be governed by and construed in accordance with the federal law of the United States if and to the extent such law is applicable, and otherwise in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such State. Each of the Company and the Warrantholder agrees (a) to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for any civil action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Warrant or the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) that notice may be served upon the Company at the address in Section 17 below and upon the Warrantholder at the address for the Warrantholder set forth in the registry maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 8 hereof. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each of the Company and the Warrantholder hereby unconditionally waives trial by jury in any civil legal action or proceeding relating to the Warrant or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.


15. Binding Effect . This Warrant shall be binding upon any successors or assigns of the Company.

16. Amendments . This Warrant may be amended and the observance of any term of this Warrant may be waived only with the written consent of the Company and the Warrantholder.

17. Notices . Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any party to the other will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, or by facsimile, upon confirmation of receipt, or (b) on the second business day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a recognized next day courier service. All notices hereunder shall be delivered as set forth in Item 9 of Schedule A hereto, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice.

18. Entire Agreement . This Warrant, the forms attached hereto and Schedule A hereto (the terms of which are incorporated by reference herein), and the Letter Agreement (including all documents incorporated therein), contain the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous arrangements or undertakings with respect thereto.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


[Form of Notice of Exercise]

Date:                     

TO: GMAC LLC

RE: Election to Purchase Preferred Units

The undersigned, pursuant to the provisions set forth in the attached Warrant, hereby agrees to subscribe for and purchase the number of Preferred Units set forth below covered by such Warrant. The undersigned, in accordance with Section 3 of the Warrant, hereby agrees to pay the aggregate Exercise Price for such Preferred Units in the manner set forth in Section 3(B) of the Warrant. A new warrant evidencing the remaining Preferred Units covered by such Warrant, but not yet subscribed for and purchased, if any, should be issued in the name set forth below.

Number of Preferred Units                             

Aggregate Exercise Price:                               

 

Holder:  

 

By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be duly executed by a duly authorized officer.

Dated:                     

 

COMPANY: GMAC LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Attest:  
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[Signature Page to Warrant]


SCHEDULE A

ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Company Information:

 

Name of the Company:    GMAC LLC
Corporate or other organizational form:    Limited Liability Company
Jurisdiction of Organization:    Delaware
Appropriate Federal Banking Agency:    Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Notice Information:    GMAC LLC
   200 Renaissance Center
   P.O. Box 200, Detroit, Michigan
   48265-2000
   Attn: GMAC General Counsel
   Facsimile: (313) 656-6124
   With a copy to:
   Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
   c/o David E. Shapiro, Esq.
   51 West 52nd St.
   New York, NY 10019
   Fax: (212) 403-2000

Terms of the Purchase:

 

Series of Preferred Membership Interests Purchased:    Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Membership Interests, Series D-1
Per Unit Capital Amount of Membership Interests:    $ 1,000
Number of Units of Preferred Membership Interests Purchased:    5,000,000
Distribution Payment Dates on Preferred Membership Interests:    February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 of each year
Series of Warrant Preferred Interests:    Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Membership Interests, Series D-2


Number of Warrant Interests:    250,002.50003
Exercise Price of the Warrant:    $0.01
Purchase Price:    $5,000,000,000

Closing:

 

Location of Closing:    Thacher Proffitt & Wood
Time of Closing:    9:00am EST
Date of Closing:    December 29, 2008
Wire Information for Closing:    [REDACTED]
Contact for Confirmation of Wire Information:    [REDACTED]


[ADDITIONAL ANNEXES AND SCHEDULES OMITTED]

Exhibit 10.2

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of December 29, 2008, by and among GMAC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ GMAC ”), General Motors Corporation (“ GM ”) and FIM Holdings LLC (“ FIM ”) (GM and FIM, each a “ Holder ” and collectively the “ Holders ”).

WHEREAS, GMAC entered into a Participation Agreement, dated as of June 4, 2008, with the Holders (the “ Participation Agreement ”), pursuant to which GMAC sold to GM and Cerberus Rescap Financing LLC up to $750 million in subordinated participations in the loans made pursuant to the Loan Agreement, dated as of June 4, 2008, among GMAC, Residential Funding Company, LLC and GMAC Mortgage, LLC;

WHEREAS, on or prior to the date hereof, Cerberus Rescap Financing LLC has contributed its Participation (as defined in the Participation Agreement), directly or indirectly, to FIM;

WHEREAS, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, GMAC desires to exchange with each Holder, and each Holder desires to exchange with GMAC, such Holder’s Participation for such amount of Common Membership Interests (as defined in the LLC Agreement (as hereinafter defined)) set forth opposite its name on Annex A as of the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) (the “ Consideration ”); and

WHEREAS, capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of GMAC, dated as of November 30, 2006, as amended (the “ LLC Agreement ”) or the Participation Agreement, as applicable.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual agreements and warranties herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. Purchase and Exchange . Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, GMAC agrees to exchange with each Holder, and each Holder agrees to exchange with GMAC, on the Closing Date, such Holder’s Participation in exchange for the applicable Consideration set forth on Annex A .

2. Rescission . If GMAC’s separate private exchange offers and cash tender offers to purchase and/or exchange certain of its and its subsidiaries’ and Residential Capital, LLC’s outstanding notes shall not have been completed at or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on January 1, 2009 on substantially the terms described in the offering memorandums therefor, each of GM and FIM shall have the right to notify each other party to this Agreement that they wish to rescind this Agreement and upon receipt of such notification by each such other party hereto prior to 5 p.m., New York City time, on January 5, 2009, this Agreement shall thereupon become null and void, ab initio, as if this Agreement was never executed and the Closing never occurred, and any actions theretofore undertaken pursuant hereto shall immediately thereupon be rescinded and the parties hereto shall be restored to such positions as each occupied immediately prior to the execution hereof.


3. Representations and Warranties of GMAC . GMAC hereby represents and warrants to each of the Holders as follows:

(a)  Due Organization . GMAC has been duly formed and is validly existing as a Delaware limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

(b) Authorization . GMAC has the requisite power to enter into this Agreement and the transactions and agreements contemplated hereby (the “ Transactions ”) and to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. This Agreement has been duly authorized, and this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by GMAC and constitutes a valid and binding agreement enforceable in accordance with its terms, except, to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally or by general equitable principles. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation of the Transactions, nor compliance with the terms, conditions or provisions of this Agreement will be a violation of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of GMAC’s Certificate of Formation or LLC Agreement (as amended through the Closing Date).

(c) Consideration . At the Closing, the Common Membership Interests issued as the Consideration will be duly authorized and validly issued.

4. Representations and Warranties of Holders . Each Holder hereby represents and warrants to GMAC as follows:

(a)  Due Organization . Such Holder is duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation.

(b) Authorization . Such Holder has the requisite power to enter into this Agreement and the Transactions and to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Holder and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of such Holder enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally or by general equitable principles. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, consummation of the Transactions, nor compliance with the terms, conditions or provisions of this Agreement, will be a violation of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of such Holder’s charter and bylaws or equivalent organizational documents.

(c) Access to Information . Such Holder has been supplied with and has had access to such information as it deems relevant to entering into this Agreement and has had the opportunity to inquire of management of GMAC as to any such information.

(d) Sophistication . Although such Holder (or its affiliates) is an existing member of GMAC, such Holder hereby acknowledges that (i) GMAC may be in possession of material, nonpublic information regarding GMAC, its financial condition, results of operations, businesses, regulatory status, properties, assets, liabilities, managements, projections, appraisals, and plans, proposals and prospects; (ii) such information may be materially adverse to such Holder’s interests; and (iii) if such Holder were in possession of

 

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some or all of such information it might not be willing to exchange its Participation pursuant to the Transactions or would have a materially different view of the benefits of the Transactions. Such Holder also acknowledges and agrees that GMAC shall have no additional obligation pursuant to or as a result of this Agreement to disclose to such Holder any of the information referred to in the preceding sentence.

5. Section 14.10 of the LLC Agreement shall apply with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

6. Closing . The exchange of the Participations for the Consideration (the “Closing”) shall occur immediately following the execution of this Agreement (such date being the “Closing Date”). The Closing shall take place at the offices of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, 51 W. 52nd St., New York, New York 10019, at which time the parties shall make the deliveries described below.

(a)  Deliveries by GMAC . At the Closing, GMAC shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each Holder, a certificate, dated the Closing Date, of an executive officer of GMAC, certifying that, as of such date, the representations and warranties of GMAC contained herein are accurate, true and correct with the same force and effect as though made on and as of such date and that the books and records of GMAC have been adjusted to reflect the issuance of the Consideration to such Holder.

(b) Deliveries by the Holders . At the Closing, each Holder shall deliver or cause to be delivered the following to GMAC:

(1) a letter agreement executed by each Holder to terminate the Participation Agreement, in the form attached as Exhibit A ;

(2) a certificate, dated the Closing Date, of an executive officer or other authorized signatory of such Holder, certifying that, as of such date, the representations and warranties of such Holder are accurate, true and correct with the same force and effect as though made on and as of such date.

7. Survival . The representations and warranties of the parties shall survive the Closing forever.

8. Successors and Assigns . The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective legal successors and permitted assigns. No provision of this Agreement is intended to confer any rights, benefits, remedies, obligations or liabilities hereunder upon any person or entity other than the parties and their respective legal successors and permitted assigns. No Holder may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of GMAC.

 

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9. Notices . Any notice or other communication provided for herein or given hereunder to a party shall be in writing and shall be given by delivery, by telex, telecopier or by mail (registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties as follows:

 

If to GMAC:  
  GMAC LLC
 

200 Renaissance Center

Detroit, MI 48265

  Attention:   GMAC General Counsel
  Facsimile:   (313) 656-6124
  with a copy to:

 

  Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
  51 West 52 nd Street
New York, New York 10019
  Attention:    David E. Shapiro
  Facsimile:    (212) 403-2314
If to GM:     
 

General Motors Corporation

300 Renaissance Center

Detroit, Michigan 48265

  Attention:    Jeffrey Braun
  Facsimile:    (248) 267-2555
  with a copy to:
  Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
 

Worldwide Plaza

825 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10019

  Attention:    B. Robbins Kiessling, Philip A. Gelston
  Facsimile:    212-474-3700
If to FIM:  
  c/o Cerberus Capital Management, L.P
  299 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10171
  Attention:    Lenard Tessler, Seth Plattus, Mark Neporent
  Facsimile:    (212) 750-5212

 

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  with a copy to:
  Schulte Roth & Zabel
  919 Third Avenue
  New York NY 10022
  Attention:    Alan Waldenberg, David Rosewater
  Facsimile:    (212) 593-5955

or to such other address with respect to a party as such party shall notify the other in writing.

10. Waiver . No party may waive any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, nor may this Agreement be amended or modified, except by a duly signed writing referring to the specific provision to be waived, amended or modified. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

11. Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties and their affiliates with respect to the subject matter hereof.

12. Expenses . Except as otherwise expressly contemplated herein to the contrary, regardless of whether the Transactions are consummated, each party shall pay its own expenses incident to preparing for, entering into and carrying out this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions.

13. Captions . The Section and Paragraph captions herein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof.

14. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each party shall have received counterparts hereof signed by each of the other parties.

15. GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES OF SUCH STATE.

16. Jurisdiction; Venue; Services of Process . Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery in and for New Castle County, or in the event (but only in the event) that such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such action or proceeding, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, for any proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the Transactions (and agrees not to commence any proceeding relating thereto except in such courts), and further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to its respective address set forth in this Agreement shall be effective service of process for any proceeding brought against it in any such court. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any proceeding arising out of this

 

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Agreement or the Transactions in the Delaware Court of Chancery in and for New Castle County, or in the event (but only in the event) that such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such action or proceeding, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the parties 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.

17. Waivers of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

18. Severability . If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the Transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party.

19. No Presumption Against Drafter . Each of the parties has jointly participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event of an ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by each of the parties and no presumptions or burdens of proof shall arise favoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first executed.

 

GMAC LLC
By:  

/s/ David C. Walker

Name:   David C. Walker
Title:   Treasurer and Group
  Vice President

[Signature Page to the Exchange Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first executed.

 

General Motors Corporation
By:  

/s/ Ray G. Young

Name:   Ray G. Young
Title:  

 

FIM Holdings, LLC
By: Cerberus FIM Investors, LLC, its Managing Member,
By: Cerberus FIM, LLC, its Managing Member,
By:  

/s/ Stephen A. Feinberg

Name:   Stephen A. Feinberg
Title:   Managing Member

[Signature Page to the Exchange Agreement]


Annex A

 

Holder

  

Consideration

General Motors Corporation

(Consideration to be issued to GM Finance Co. Holdings LLC on behalf of General Motors Corporation)

   79,368 Class B Membership Interests
FIM Holdings LLC    82,608 Class A Membership Interests

Annex A

Exhibit 10.3

MEMBERSHIP INTEREST SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT dated as of December 29, 2008 (this “ Agreement ”) between GMAC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (“ GM ”) and FIM MOLDINGS LLC (“ FIM ”).

BACKGROUND

WHEREAS, GM and FIM, respectively, wishes to subscribe for and purchase, and the Company desires to issue and sell, the GM Interest (as hereinafter defined) and FIM Interest (as hereinafter defined), respectively, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of GMAC, dared as of November 30, 2006, as amended (the “ LLC Agreement ”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

THE INTERESTS

Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell to GM and FIM, respectively, and GM and FIM, respectively, agrees to purchase from the Company, the GM Interest and FIM Interest, respectively, for the aggregate GM Purchase Price and aggregate FIM Purchase Price, respectively, on the Closing Date. The GM Interest and FIM Interest shall be issued to each of GM and FIM, respectively, pursuant to Article II hereof and shall be subject to the terms and provisions of the LLC Agreement. The obligations of GM and FIM herein shall be several and not joint.

ARTICLE II

PURCHASE AND SALE

Section 2.1 Purchase and Sale . (a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to issue and sell to FIM, and FIM agrees to purchase from the Company, at the Closing, a number of Class A Membership Interests up to 137,680 Class A Membership Interests (the “ FIM Interest ”), which actual number to be purchased (in excess of 53,992 Class A Membership Interests, if any) shall be in the sole discretion of FIM and set forth in a Section 6.1 Notice (as defined below); provided that the FIM Interest shall not be less than 53,992 Class A Membership Interests. Each such Class A Membership Interest shall be purchased by FIM for a purchase price equal to $4,630 per Class A Membership Interest (the “ FIM Purchase Price ”).

 

1


(b) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to issue and sell to GM, and GM agrees to purchase from the Company, at the Closing, a number of Class B membership Interests equal to 215,968 Class B Membership Interests less the number of Class A membership Interests set forth in the Section 6.1 Notice of FIM in excess of 53,992 (the “ GM Interest ”). Each such Class B Membership Interest shall be purchased by GM for a purchase price equal to $4,630 per Class B Membership Interest (the “ GM Purchase Price ”), and shall be issued by the Company to GM Finance Co. Holdings LLC, on behalf of GM.

Section 2.2 Payment of Purchase Price; Closing . The Company will deliver the FIM Interest and GM Interest to FIM and GM, respectively, against payment by or on behalf of FIM and GM, respectively, of the aggregate FIM Purchase Price and aggregate GM Purchase Price, respectively and in each case, as set forth above in Section 2.1 , by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account designated by the Company on Annex A . The time and date of such delivery and payment shall be 9 a.m., New York City time, on January 16, 2009 or such other date or time as the parties shall mutually agree (such time being referred to herein as the “ Closing Date ,” and the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the “ Closing ”). The Closing shall take place at the offices of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, 51 W. 52nd St., New York, New York 10019, at which time the parties shall make the deliveries described below.

(a) Deliveries by the Company . At the Closing, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each of GM and FIM, a certificate, dated the Closing Date, of an executive officer of the Company, certifying that, as of such date, the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein are accurate, true and correct with the same force and effect as though made on and as of such date and that the books and records of the Company have been adjusted to reflect the issuance of the GM Interest to GM Finance Co. Holdings LLC and the FIM Interest to FIM.

(b) Deliveries by GM . At the Closing, GM shall deliver or cause to be delivered the following to the Company:

(i) the aggregate GM Purchase Price;

(ii) a certificate, dated the Closing Date, of an executive officer of GM certifying that, as of such date, the representations and warranties of GM are accurate, true and correct with the same force and effect as though made on and as of such date.

(c) Deliveries by FIM . At the Closing, FIM shall deliver or cause to be delivered the following to the Company:

(i) the aggregate FIM Purchase Price;

(ii) a certificate, dated the Closing Date, of an executive officer or other authorized signatory of FIM, certifying that, as of such date, the representations and warranties of FIM are accurate, true and correct with the same force and effect as though made on and as of such date.

 

2


ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

The Company represents and warrants to each of GM and FIM as of the date hereof and as of the Closing that:

Section 3.1 Due Organization . The Company has been duly formed and is validly existing as a Delaware limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

Section 3.2 Authorization . The Company has the requisite power to enter into this Agreement and the transactions and agreements contemplated hereby (the “ Transactions ”) and to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. This Agreement has been duly authorized, and this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding agreement enforceable in accordance with its terms, except, to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally or by general equitable principles. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation of the Transactions, nor compliance with the terms, conditions or provisions of this Agreement will be a violation of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Formation or the LLC Agreement (as amended through the Closing Date).

Section 3.3 Due Issuance . The Interests have been duly authorized, and when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GM AND FIM

Each of GM and FIM (each, a “ Purchaser ”) represents and warrants to the Company as of the date hereof and as of the Closing that:

Section 4.1 Due Organization . Purchaser is duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation.

Section 4.2 Authorization . Purchaser has the requisite power to enter into this Agreement and the Transactions and to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Purchaser and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Purchaser enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or

 

3


other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally or by general equitable principles. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, consummation of the Transactions, nor compliance with the terms, conditions or provisions of this Agreement, will be a violation of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of Purchaser’s charter and bylaws or comparable organizational documents.

Section 4.3 Access to Information . Purchaser has been supplied with and has had access to such information as it deems relevant to entering into this Agreement and has had the opportunity to inquire of management of the Company as to any such information.

Section 4.4 Sophistication . Although such Purchaser (or its affiliates) is an existing member of the Company, such Purchaser hereby acknowledges that (i) the Company may be in possession of material, nonpublic information regarding itself, its financial condition, results of operations, businesses, regulatory status, properties, assets, liabilities, managements, projections, appraisals, and plans, proposals and prospects; (ii) such information may be materially adverse to such Purchaser’s interests; and (iii) if such Purchaser were in possession of some or all of such information it might not be willing to enter into the Transactions or would have a materially different view of the benefits of the Transactions. Such Purchaser also acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall have no additional obligation pursuant to or as a result of this Agreement to disclose to such Purchaser any of the information referred to in the preceding sentence.

ARTICLE V

CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

Section 5.1 Conditions to the Obligations of the Company . The obligations of the Company hereunder shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) All representations and warranties and other statements of each of the Purchasers herein are, at and as of the Closing, true and correct; and

(b) Each of the Purchasers shall have performed all of its obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed.

Section 5.2 Conditions to the Obligations of the Purchasers . The obligations of each of the Purchasers hereunder shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) All representations and warranties and other statements of the Company herein are, at and as of the Closing, true and correct;

(b) The Company shall have performed all of its obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed;

(c) The Company’s separate private exchange offers and cash tender offers to purchase and/or exchange certain of its and its subsidiaries’ and Residential Capital, LLC’s

 

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outstanding notes (the “Old Notes”) shall have been completed at or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on January 1, 2009 on the terms described in the confidential offering memorandums related thereto in all material respects (the “ Bond Exchange ”);

(d) (i) the Company shall not have failed to pay any principal of or interest on indebtedness for borrowed money within any applicable grace period following the due date thereof, (ii) no such indebtedness shall have been accelerated by the holders thereof because of a default under any of the terms of such indebtedness, and (iii) the Company shall not have failed to pay any required distributions within any applicable grace period following the due date thereof pursuant to the terms of any (a) equity securities issued in the Bond Exchange or (b) any equity securities issued to or then held by the U.S. Treasury, in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), if the amount of such indebtedness or distributions unpaid or accelerated exceeds $100.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent;

(e) the Company’s status as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, shall not have been revoked or otherwise rescinded;

(f) since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have been any event, change, effect or development that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (an “MAE”); provided that this condition shall be deemed to have been satisfied unless the U.S. Treasury, acting reasonably, shall have determined in writing that an MAE has occurred and is continuing;

(g) no law, regulation, injunction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Transactions shall be in effect;

(h) neither the Company nor any of its material subsidiaries shall have (i) commenced a voluntary proceeding under Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended (the “Bankruptcy Code”) or any other state or federal bankruptcy law, (ii) consented to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or any other state or federal bankruptcy or insolvency law, (iii) consented to the appointment of a custodian of it or for substantially all of its property, or (iv) made a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, and no court of competent jurisdiction shall have entered an order for relief against the Company or any such subsidiary in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or any other state or federal bankruptcy law; and

(i) in the case of GM, GM shall have received from the U.S. Treasury funds in an amount at least equal to the aggregate GM Purchase Price, the use of proceeds of which is limited by the U.S. Treasury to GM’s consummation of the purchase of the GM Interest.

 

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ARTICLE VI

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 6.1 Interests . FIM shall promptly, but in any event no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on January 14, 2009, provide an irrevocable written notice to the Company and GM (the “ Section 6.1 Notice ”) setting forth the FIM Interest to be purchased at the Closing by FIM pursuant to this Agreement.

Section 6.2 Further Assurances . Each party hereto shall do and perform or cause to be done and performed all further acts and shall execute and deliver all other agreements. certificates, instruments and documents as any other party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 6.4 Public Announcements . The parties shall consult with each other before issuing any press releases or otherwise making any public statements with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and none of the parties shall issue any press release or make any public statement without the prior written consent of the other parties, except as may be required by law and then only with such prior consultation with the other parties to the extent practicable.

Section 6.4 Amendments and Waivers . (a) Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is duly executed and delivered by the Company and each of the Purchasers; and

(b) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

Section 6.5 Survival . The representations and warranties of the parties shall survive the Closing forever.

Section 6.6 Successors and Assigns . The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective legal successors and permitted assigns. No provision of this Agreement is intended to confer any rights, benefits, remedies, obligations or liabilities hereunder upon any person or entity other than the parties and their respective legal successors and permitted assigns. Neither of the Purchasers may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the other parties hereto.

 

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Section 6.7 Notices . Any notice or other communication provided for herein or given hereunder to a party shall be in writing and shall be given by delivery, by telex, telecopier or by mail (registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties as follows:

If to GMAC:

 

GMAC LLC
200 Renaissance Center
Detroit, MI 48265
Attention:    GMAC General Counsel
Facsimile:    (313) 656-6124
with a copy to:
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention:    David E. Shapiro
Facsimile:    (212) 403-2314

If to GM:

 

General Motors Corporation
300 Renaissance Center
Detroit, Michigan 48265
Attention:    Jeffrey Braun
Facsimile:    (248) 267-2555
with a copy to:
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
Worldwide Plaza
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Attention    B. Robbins Kiessling; Philip A. Gelston
Facsimile:    (212) 474-3700

If to FIM:

 

c/o Cerberus Capital Management, L.P
299 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10171
Attention:    Lenard Tessler, Seth Plattus, Mark Neporent
Facsimile:    (212) 750-5212

 

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with a copy to:

 

Schulte Roth & Zabel
919 Third Avenue
New York NY 10022
Attention:   Alan Waldenberg, David Rosewater
Facsimile:   (212) 593-5955

or to such other address with respect to a party as such party shall notify the other in writing.

Section 6.8 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties and their affiliates with respect to the subject matter hereof.

Section 6.9 Expenses . Except as otherwise expressly contemplated herein to the contrary, regardless of whether the Transactions are consummated, each party shall pay its own expenses incident to preparing for, entering into and carrying out this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions.

Section 6.10 Captions . The Section and Paragraph captions herein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof.

Section 6.11 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each party shall have received counterparts hereof signed by each of the other parties.

Section 6.12 GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES OF SUCH STATE.

Section 6.13 Jurisdiction; Venue; Services of Process . Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery in and for New Castle County, or in the event (but only in the event) that such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such action or proceeding, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, for any proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the Transactions (and agrees not to commence any proceeding relating thereto except in such courts), and further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to its respective address set forth in this Agreement shall be effective service of process for any proceeding brought against it in any such court. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the Transactions in the Delaware Court

 

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of Chancery in and for New Castle County, or in the event (but only in the event) that such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such action or proceeding, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the parties 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.

Section 6.14 Waivers of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 6.15 Severability . If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the Transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party.

Section 6.16 No Presumption Against Drafter . Each of the parties has jointly participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event of an ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by each of the parties and no presumptions or burdens of proof shall arise favoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 6.17 Limitation of Liability . None of the parties hereto shall be responsible or liable to any other party or any other person or entity for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (including, without limitation, any loss of profits, business or anticipated savings) which may be alleged as a result of this Agreement, any breach thereof or the financing contemplated hereby.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first executed.

 

GMAC LLC
By:  

/s/ David C. Walker

Name:   David C. Walker
Title:  

Treasurer and Group

Vice President

GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Ray G. Young

Name:   Ray G. Young
Title:  
FIM HOLDINGS LLC
By:   Cerberus FIM Investors, LLC
  its Managing Member
By:   Cerberus FIM, LLC
  its Managing Member
By:  

/s/ Seth Gardner

Name:   Seth Gardner
Title:   Authorized Signatory

[Membership Interests Subscription Agreement Signature Page]

Exhibit 10.4

GMAC LLC

200 Renaissance Center

Detroit, Michigan 48265-2000

December 31, 2008

Preferred Blocker Inc.

c/o GMAC LLC

200 Renaissance Center

Detroit, Michigan 48265-2000

 

  Re: Keepwell Commitment

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the following: (i) that certain Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended from time to time, the “ GMAC LLC Agreement ”), of GMAC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ GMAC ”), pursuant to which GMAC has issued to Preferred Blocker Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of GMAC (“ Blocker Sub ”), 2,576,601 units of Class E Preferred Membership Units of GMAC (the “ Class D Preferred Membership Interests ”), and (ii) that certain certificate of designations (“ Certificate of Designations ”) of the 9% perpetual preferred stock (“ Blocker Preferred Stock ”) of Blocker Sub, dated as of the date hereof. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this agreement have the meanings set forth in the Certificate of Designations.

Under the GMAC LLC Agreement, GMAC is obligated to make certain cash distributions if, when and as declared by the GMAC Board of Managers, in respect of the Class D Preferred Membership Interests and any other preferred membership interests of GMAC held by Blocker Sub (the “ GMAC Distributions ”). Out of proceeds from the GMAC Distributions, Blocker Sub will pay dividends on the Blocker Preferred Stock and any Treasury Preferred. In order to ensure that, after payment of dividends on Blocker Preferred Stock, Blocker Sub will have funds on hand sufficient to pay expenses of Blocker Sub, including but not limited to taxes, corporate overhead expenses, franchise fees and similar expenses (“ Expenses ”), GMAC has agreed to contribute funds to Blocker Sub subject to the terms and conditions herein.

This letter agreement will confirm the commitment of GMAC to contribute an amount equal to all incurred but unpaid Expenses of Blocker Sub in the event that GMAC Distributions received by Blocker Sub are insufficient for Blocker Sub to pay in full all (i) declared and unpaid dividends payable on the Blocker Preferred Stock, (ii) declared and unpaid dividends payable on the Treasury Preferred, if any, and (iii) such Expenses of Blocker Sub. All contributions by GMAC hereunder shall be made as soon as reasonably practicable following notice thereof from an authorized officer of Blocker Sub (and Blocker Sub shall provide such notice promptly upon becoming aware of any circumstance requiring a payment pursuant to this Agreement).


THIS LETTER AGREEMENT IS FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF BLOCKER SUB AND NOTHING HEREIN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, SHALL GIVE OR BE CONSTRUED TO GIVE TO ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY, OTHER THAN BLOCKER SUB, ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RIGHTS HEREUNDER. For the avoidance of doubt, no other person or entity shall have the right to enforce this letter agreement (or recover) against GMAC for any damages (i) as a result of any breach of this letter agreement or (ii) otherwise in respect of any other claims hereunder.

This letter agreement will terminate on the earlier to occur of (i) the redemption of all outstanding shares of Blocker Preferred Stock and Treasury Preferred, (ii) the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of Blocker Sub, or (iii) a GMAC Conversion.

This letter agreement and all claims and actions arising from or relating to this letter agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware (without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof that would apply the laws of any other jurisdiction).

Each of the parties hereto (i) consents to submit itself to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery and any Federal court located in the State of Delaware in the event of any action arising out of or relating to this letter agreement, (ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court, and (iii) agrees that it will not bring any action arising out of or relating to this letter agreement in any court other than the Delaware Court of Chancery or a Federal court sitting in the State of Delaware. In any action arising out of or relating to this letter agreement, each party irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to assert by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise any claims that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of the above courts, that such action is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such action is improper. Each of the parties also hereby agrees that any final and unappealable judgment against a party in connection with any such action shall be conclusive and binding on such party and that such award or judgment may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction, either within or outside of the United States.

This letter agreement constitutes the sole agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and statements, written or oral, between GMAC and Blocker Sub, or any other person with respect to the matters contemplated by this letter agreement.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]


Please countersign a copy of this letter agreement and return it to the undersigned to confirm your agreement with the terms set forth in this letter agreement.

 

Sincerely,
GMAC LLC
By:  

/s/ David C. Walker

Name:   David C. Walker
Title:   Treasurer and Group Vice President

 

Accepted and Agreed:
PREFERRED BLOCKER INC.
By:  

/s/ David C. Walker

Name:   David C. Walker
Title:   Chairman of the Board and President

Exhibit 10.5

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by

GMAC LLC,

The Guarantors Party Hereto

and

Banc of America Securities LLC

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

Barclays Capital Inc.

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc.

Dated as of December 31, 2008


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of December 31, 2008, by and among GMAC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), the subsidiaries of the Company party hereto (the “ Guarantors ”) and the Dealer Managers (as defined in the Dealer Managers Agreement (as defined below)), relating to the Company’s plans to exchange certain of the Company’s and certain of its subsidiaries’ outstanding notes (the “ Old Notes ”) for a combination of cash, newly issued cumulative perpetual preferred stock issued by Preferred Blocker Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and newly issued senior notes of the Company having substantially the same terms as the applicable Old Notes exchanged therefor (such newly issued notes, the “ New Notes ”), to be issued pursuant to the terms of the indenture, dated as of July 1, 1982, as amended (the “ Indenture ”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon (successor trustee to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York), as trustee (in such capacity, the “ Trustee ”). In connection with the Offers (as defined in the Dealer Managers Agreement (as defined below)) and the issuance of the New Notes, the Company and the Guarantors are executing this Agreement for the benefit of the holders from time to time of Transfer Restricted Securities (as defined below). The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition set forth in Section 10(i) of the Dealer Managers Agreement, dated November 20, 2008 and amended on November 25, 2008 (the “ Dealer Managers Agreement ”), among the Company and the Dealer Managers.

Each Series of New Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantors (the “ Guarantees ” and, together with the New Notes, the “ Securities ”).

The parties hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Interest: As defined in Section 5 hereto.

Additional Interest Payment Date: With respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities, each Interest Payment Date.

Advice: As defined in Section 6(c) hereto.

Agreement: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.

Business Day: Any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or U.S. federal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies located in New York, New York are authorized or obligated to be closed.

Closing Date: The date of this Agreement.

Company: As defined in the preamble hereto.

 

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Commission: The United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Consummate: A registered Exchange Offer shall be deemed “Consummated” for purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (i) the filing and effectiveness under the Securities Act of an Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Securities to be issued in such Exchange Offer, (ii) the maintenance of such Registration Statement continuously effective and the keeping of such Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the minimum period required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, and (iii) the delivery by the Company to the Registrar under the Indenture of Exchange Securities in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities that were tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to such Exchange Offer.

Dealer Managers: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Dealer Managers Agreement: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Date: As defined in Section 3(a) hereto.

Exchange Offer: The registration by the Company under the Securities Act of any Series of Exchange Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement pursuant to which the Company offers the Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities of the applicable Series the opportunity to exchange all such outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities of such Series held by such Holders for Exchange Securities of that Series in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities tendered in such exchange offer by such Holders.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement: The Registration Statement relating to an Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.

Exchange Securities: Debt securities of the Company and guarantees by the Guarantors, in each case, substantially identical to the applicable Series of Securities they are being exchanged for and issued under the Indenture (except that the transfer restrictions shall be modified or eliminated, as appropriate), to be issued to Holders in exchange for their Transfer Restricted Securities.

FINRA: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Freely Tradable: Means, with respect to a Security, a Security that at any time of determination (i) may be sold to the public in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any successor provision thereof (“ Rule 144 ”) without regard to volume, manner of sale or any other restrictions contained in Rule 144 (other than the holding period requirement in the last sentence of paragraph (b)(1)(i) of Rule 144 so long as such holding period requirement is satisfied at such time of determination), (ii) does not bear any restrictive legends relating to the Securities Act and (iii) does not bear a restricted CUSIP number.

Guarantees: As defined in the preamble hereto.

 

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Guarantors: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Holder: As defined in Section 2(b) hereof.

Indenture: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Interest Payment Date: As defined in the Indenture.

Majority Holders: With respect to any Series on any date, Holders of a majority of the principal amount of such Series registered under a Registration Statement.

New Notes: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Old Notes: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Person: An individual, partnership, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference into such Prospectus.

Registrar: The registrar under the Indenture.

Registration Default: As defined in Section 5 hereof.

Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company relating to (a) an offering of Exchange Securities pursuant to an Exchange Offer or (b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, that covers any Series of Securities or Exchange Securities, as applicable, and which is filed pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, in each case, including the Prospectus included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.

Securities: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Series: Any series of Securities having the same interest rate and maturity date and any Exchange Securities issued in exchange for such series of Securities, as applicable.

Shelf Filing Deadline: As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.

Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.

Transfer Restricted Securities: The Securities; provided that with respect to any Series of Securities, the Securities of such Series shall cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities on the earliest to occur of (i) the date on which a Registration Statement with respect to such Series of Securities has become effective under the Securities Act and such Series of Securities have been

 

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exchanged or disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) the date on which such Series of Securities cease to be outstanding or (iii) the date on which such Series of Securities are Freely Tradable.

Trust Indenture Act: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Trustee: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering: A registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

SECTION 2. Securities Subject to this Agreement .

(a) Transfer Restricted Securities. The securities entitled to the benefits of this Agreement are any Series of Transfer Restricted Securities.

(b) Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities. A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each, a “ Holder ”) whenever such Person (including any successors or assigns) owns any Series of Transfer Restricted Securities.

SECTION 3. Registered Exchange Offer .

(a) Unless an Exchange Offer shall not be permissible under applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) hereof have been complied with), or there are no Transfer Restricted Securities outstanding, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall (i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be filed with the Commission a Registration Statement under the Securities Act relating to the Exchange Securities of each applicable Series and the related Exchange Offer for the Transfer Restricted Securities of such Series and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective, (iii) in connection with the foregoing, file (A) all pre-effective amendments to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective, (B) if applicable, a post-effective amendment to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act and (C) cause all necessary filings in connection with the registration and qualification of the Exchange Securities registered pursuant to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be made under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of such Exchange Offer, and (iv) upon the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, commence the Exchange Offer with respect to each Series of Securities registered pursuant to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to Consummate such Exchange Offer with respect to each Series of Securities registered pursuant to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement not later than 366 days following the Closing Date (or if such 366th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (the “ Exchange Date ”); provided , however , that the Company and the Guarantors shall not be required to Consummate such Exchange Offer if all of the Securities of each applicable Series are Freely Tradable (other than such Securities held by affiliates of the Company) on or before the Exchange Date. Such Exchange Offer, if required pursuant to this Section 3(a), shall be on the appropriate form permitting registration of the Exchange Securities to be offered in exchange for each applicable Series of Transfer Restricted Securities and to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities held by Broker-Dealers as contemplated by Section 3(c) hereof.

 

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(b) If an Exchange Offer Registration Statement is required to be filed and declared effective pursuant to Section 3(a) above, the Company and the Guarantors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously and shall keep such Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum period required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate such Exchange Offer; provided, however , that in no event shall such period be less than 20 Business Days after the date notice of such Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders of each Series of Securities registered pursuant to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement. The Company shall cause such Exchange Offer to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities other than each applicable Series of Exchange Securities shall be included in such Exchange Offer Registration Statement. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Exchange Offer to be Consummated by the Exchange Date; provided , however , that the Company and the Guarantors shall not be required to Consummate such Exchange Offer if all of the Securities of each Series registered pursuant to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement are Freely Tradable (other than such Securities held by affiliates of the Company) on or before the Exchange Date.

(c) The Company shall indicate in a “Plan of Distribution” section contained in the Prospectus forming a part of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement that any Broker-Dealer who holds any Series of Transfer Restricted Securities to be registered pursuant to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement and that were acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than any Series of Transfer Restricted Securities acquired directly from the Company), may exchange such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to such Exchange Offer; however, such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resales of such Exchange Securities received by such Broker-Dealer in such Exchange Offer, which prospectus delivery requirement may be satisfied by the delivery by such Broker-Dealer of the Prospectus contained in such Exchange Offer Registration Statement. Such “Plan of Distribution” section shall also contain all other information with respect to such resales by Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to permit such resales pursuant thereto, but such “Plan of Distribution” shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of each Series of Transfer Restricted Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer except to the extent required by the Commission as a result of a change in policy after the date of this Agreement.

Each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep an Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of any Series of Transfer Restricted Securities registered under such Exchange Offer Registration Statement and acquired by Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period ending on the earlier of (i) 180 days from the date on which such Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective and (ii) the date on which a Broker-Dealer is no longer required to deliver a prospectus in connection with market-making or other trading activities.

 

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The Company shall provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to Broker-Dealers promptly upon request at any time during such 180-day (or shorter as provided in the foregoing sentence) period in order to facilitate such resales.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3 to the contrary, the requirements to file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the requirements to Consummate the Exchange Offer shall terminate at such time as all the Securities of each Series are Freely Tradable.

SECTION 4. Shelf Registration .

(a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Company and the Guarantors are not required to file an Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to any Series of Transfer Restricted Securities or to consummate an Exchange Offer with respect to any Series of Transfer Restricted Securities solely because such Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) hereof have been complied with), (ii) for any reason an Exchange Offer with respect to any Series of Securities is not Consummated by the Exchange Date and the Securities of such Series are not all Freely Tradable prior to such time, or (iii) prior to the Exchange Date: with respect to any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities of the applicable Series, such Holder notifies the Company that (1) such Holder is prohibited by applicable law or Commission policy from participating in such Exchange Offer, (2) such Holder may not resell such Exchange Securities acquired by it in such Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and that the Prospectus contained in such Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder, or (3) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Transfer Restricted Securities of the applicable Series acquired directly from the Company or one of its affiliates, the Company and the Guarantors shall:

(x) cause to be filed a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to each Series of Transfer Restricted Securities referenced above (in either event, a “ Shelf Registration Statement ”) on or prior to the 30th day after the Exchange Date (such date, the “ Shelf Filing Deadline ”), which Shelf Registration Statement shall provide for resales of all each applicable Series of Transfer Restricted Securities the Holders of which shall have provided the information required pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof; and

(y) use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission on or before the 60th day after the Shelf Filing Deadline (or if such 60th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day).

Each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it

 

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is available for resales of Transfer Restricted Securities of each Series registered pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement by the Holders of such Securities entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a), and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of one year from the date on which such Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission or such shorter period that will terminate when all the Transfer Restricted Securities of each Series covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement or are Freely Tradable; provided that the Company may for a period of up to 60 days in any three-month period, not to exceed 90 days in any calendar year determine that such Shelf Registration Statement is not usable under certain circumstances relating to corporate developments, public filings with the Commission and similar events, and suspend the use of the prospectus that is part of such Shelf Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the requirements to file a Shelf Registration Statement and to have a Shelf Registration Statement become effective and remain effective with respect to a particular Series of Securities shall terminate at such time as all of the Securities of the Series to be registered are Freely Tradable.

It is agreed that if a Shelf Registration Statement is required to be filed and effective pursuant to this Section 4 and is not so filed and effective after the Shelf Filing Deadline, the only remedy to the Holders of such Series of Securities to be registered under such Shelf Registration Statement after such Shelf Filing Deadline will be Additional Interest as set forth in Section 5 hereof.

(b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with a Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities of any Series may include any of such Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to the Company in writing, within 20 Business Days after receipt of a request therefor, such information as the Company may reasonably request for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.

SECTION 5. Additional Interest. If any of the Securities of any Series are not Freely Tradable by the Exchange Date and either (i) an Exchange Offer with respect to such Series has not been Consummated on or prior to the 30th day after the Exchange Date; (ii) any Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Series, if required hereby, has not been declared effective by the Commission on or before the date on which such Shelf Registration Statement is required to be declared effective by the Commission pursuant to Section 4(a)(y) or (iii) any Registration Statement with respect to such Series required by this Agreement has been declared effective but ceases to be effective at any time at which it is required to be effective under this Agreement (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iii), a “ Registration Default ”), the Company hereby agrees that the interest rate borne by the Transfer Restricted Securities of such Series shall be increased by 0.25% per annum (the “ Additional Interest ”) from and including the date on which such Registration Default has occurred to but excluding the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured. All accrued Additional Interest shall be paid in cash on

 

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each Additional Interest Payment Date. At the earlier of (i) the cure of all Registration Defaults relating to the particular Transfer Restricted Securities of such Series or (ii) the particular Transfer Restricted Securities of such Series having become Freely Tradable, the interest rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Securities of such Series will be reduced to the original interest rate borne by such Series of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however, that, if after any such reduction in interest rate, a different Registration Default occurs, the interest rate borne by such Transfer Restricted Securities of such Series shall again be increased pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

SECTION 6. Registration Procedures .

(a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection with an Exchange Offer, if required pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof, the Company and the Guarantors shall comply with all of the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof, shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to effect such exchange to permit the sale of each Series of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and shall comply with all of the following provisions:

(i) If in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company there is a question as to whether an Exchange Offer is permitted by applicable law, each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees to seek a no-action letter or other favorable decision from the Commission allowing the Company and the Guarantors to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such Transfer Restricted Securities. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees to pursue the issuance of such a decision to the Commission staff level but shall not be required to take commercially unreasonable action to effect a change of Commission policy. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees, however, to (A) participate in telephonic conferences with the Commission, (B) deliver to the Commission staff an analysis prepared by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases, if any, upon which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer should be permitted and (C) diligently pursue a favorable resolution by the Commission staff of such submission.

(ii) As a condition to its participation in an Exchange Offer pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Holder of each applicable Series of Transfer Restricted Securities shall furnish, upon the request of the Company, prior to the Consummation thereof, a written representation to the Company (which may be contained in the letter of transmittal contemplated by such Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to the effect that (A) it is not an affiliate of the Company, (B) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in, a distribution of the Exchange Securities to be issued in such Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the Exchange Securities to be issued in such Exchange Offer in its ordinary course of business. In addition, all such Holders of each applicable Series of Transfer Restricted Securities shall otherwise cooperate in the Company’s preparations for the Exchange Offer. Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that any Broker-Dealer and any such Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the securities to be acquired in the Exchange Offer (1) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement rely on the position of the Commission enunciated

 

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in Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc . (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (which may include any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above), and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction should be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K if the resales are of Exchange Securities obtained by such Holder in exchange for Transfer Restricted Securities of the same Series acquired by such Holder directly from the Company.

(b) Shelf Registration Statement. If required pursuant to Section 4, in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such registration to permit the sale of each applicable Series of Transfer Restricted Securities sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto each of the Company and the Guarantors will prepare and file with the Commission a Shelf Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Securities Act within the period specified in Section 4(a)(x) hereof, which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities of each applicable Series in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof.

(c) General Provisions. In connection with any Registration Statement and any Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or resale of any Series of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, any Registration Statement and the related Prospectus required to permit resales of any Series of Transfer Restricted Securities by Broker-Dealers), each of the Company and the Guarantors shall:

(i) use commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective and include or incorporate by reference therein all requisite financial statements (including, if required by the Securities Act or any regulation thereunder, financial statements of the Guarantors for the period specified in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable) upon the occurrence of any event that would cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain a material misstatement or omission or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale of each applicable Series of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period required by this Agreement, the Company shall file promptly an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement, in the case of clause (A), correcting any such misstatement or omission, and, in the case of either clause (A) or (B), use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective and such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to become usable for their intended purpose(s) as soon as practicable thereafter;

(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, or such shorter period as will terminate when each Series of

 

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Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Registration Statement or are Freely Tradable; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, and to comply fully with the applicable provisions of Rules 424 and 430A under the Securities Act in a timely manner; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;

(iii) advise the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders of securities covered by such Registration Statement promptly and, if requested by such Persons, to confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to such Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement under the Securities Act or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification of the applicable Series of Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in such Registration Statement, the related Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the applicable Series of Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or blue sky laws, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time;

(iv) furnish without charge to the Trustee, each selling Holder named in any Registration Statement, and each of the underwriter(s), if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference after the initial filing of such Registration Statement), which documents will be subject to the review and comment of the Trustee, such Holders and underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least five Business Days, and the Company will not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents incorporated by reference) to which the Trustee or the Majority Holders of the applicable Series or the underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object in writing within five Business Days after the receipt thereof (such objection to be deemed timely made upon confirmation of telecopy

 

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transmission within such period). The objection of the Trustee or the Majority Holders of the applicable Series or underwriter(s), if any, shall be deemed to be reasonable if such Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains a material misstatement or omission;

(v) make available at reasonable times for inspection by the managing underwriter(s), if any, participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney or accountant retained by the Majority Holders of each applicable Series of Securities registered under such Registration Statement, or any of the underwriter(s), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of each of the Company and the Guarantors and cause the Company’s and the Guarantors’ officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Holder, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness and to participate in meetings with investors to the extent requested by the managing underwriter(s), if any; provided, however, that each such party shall be required to maintain in confidence and not to disclose to any other Person any information or records reasonably designated by the Company or any of the Guarantors as being confidential, until such time as (A) such information becomes a matter of public record (whether by virtue of its inclusion in such Registration Statement or otherwise, except as a result of a breach of this or any other obligation of confidentiality to the Company or any of the Guarantors), (B) such Person shall be required to disclose such information pursuant to a subpoena or order of any court or other governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the matter (subject to the requirements of such order, and only after such Person shall have given the Company and the Guarantors prompt prior written notice of such requirement), or (C) such information is required to be set forth in such Registration Statement or the Prospectus included therein or an amendment or supplement thereto in order that such Registration Statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement, as applicable, complies with applicable requirements of the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Commission and does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(vi) if requested by any Holders named in such Registration Statement or the underwriter(s), if any, promptly incorporate in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such Holders and underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request to have included therein if such information is required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, including, without limitation, information relating to the “Plan of Distribution” of each Series of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement, information with respect to the principal amount each such Series of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold to such underwriter(s), the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of each such Series of Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold in such offering; and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company is notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

 

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(vii) cause each Series of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be rated, if not then rated, with the appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by the Majority Holders each applicable Series of Securities covered thereby or by the underwriter(s), if any;

(viii) furnish to the Trustee, each selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, at least one copy of the applicable Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated therein by reference) unless such documents or exhibits are available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval system or the Interactive Data Electronic Applications system;

(ix) deliver to each selling Holder of each Series of Securities covered by any Registration Statement and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each such selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering and the sale of each Series of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;

(x) enter into such customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement), and make such representations and warranties, and take all such other actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of each applicable Series of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement, all to such extent as may be reasonably requested by the Trustee, any Holder of such Series of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by a Registration Statement or underwriter, if any, in connection with any sale or resale pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement; and whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an Underwritten Registration, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall:

(A) furnish to the Trustee, each selling Holder of such Series of Securities covered by the Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, in such substance and scope as they may reasonably request and as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings, upon the date of the Consummation of the applicable Exchange Offer or, if applicable, the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement:

(1) an opinion, dated the date of Consummation of such Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, of counsel for the Company and the Guarantors, covering such matters as are customarily covered in opinions requested in an underwritten offering and such other matters as such parties may reasonably request, and in any event including a statement to the effect that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers

 

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and other representatives of the Company and the Guarantors, representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company and the Guarantors, representatives of the underwriter(s), if any, and counsel to the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the preparation of such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus and have considered the matters required to be stated therein and the statements contained therein, although such counsel has not independently verified the accuracy, completeness or fairness of such statements; and that such counsel advises that, on the basis of the foregoing, no facts came to such counsel’s attention that caused such counsel to believe that the applicable Registration Statement, at the time such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto became effective, and, in the case of an Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as of the date of Consummation, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus contained in such Registration Statement as of its date and, in the case of the opinion dated the date of Consummation of such Exchange Offer, as of the date of Consummation, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Without limiting the foregoing, such counsel may state further that such counsel assumes no responsibility for, and has not independently verified, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the financial statements, notes and schedules and other financial data included in any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement or the related Prospectus; and

(2) a customary comfort letter, dated the date of effectiveness of any Shelf Registration Statement, from the Company’s independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of the type customarily requested to be covered in comfort letters by underwriters in connection with primary underwritten offerings, and covering or affirming the matters set forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 10(g) of the Dealer Managers Agreement, without exception; and

(B) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by such parties to evidence compliance with Section 6(c)(x)(A) hereof and with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company or any of the Guarantors pursuant to this Section 6(c)(x), if any.

If at any time prior to the Consummation of any offering, the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors contemplated in 6(c)(x)(A)(1) hereof cease to be true and correct, the Company and the Guarantors shall so advise the underwriter(s), if any, and each Holder of each Series of Securities covered by such Registration Statement promptly and, if requested by such Persons, shall confirm such advice in writing;

 

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(xi) prior to any public offering of any Series of Transfer Restricted Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders of such Series of Transfer Restricted Securities, the underwriter(s), if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of the such Series of Transfer Restricted Securities under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders or underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of such Series of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however , that none of the Company nor any Guarantor shall be required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation where it is not then so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to such Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

(xii) shall issue, upon the request of any Holder of a Series of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, Exchange Securities of the Series covered by such Shelf Registration Statement having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of such Transfer Restricted Securities surrendered to the Company by such Holder in exchange therefor or being sold by such Holder; such Exchange Securities to be registered in the name of such Holder or in the name of the purchaser(s) of such Securities, as the case may be; in return, the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement held by such Holder shall be surrendered to the Company for cancellation;

(xiii) cooperate with the selling Holders of the Securities covered by a Registration Statement and the underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of “global notes” representing each Series of Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable each Series of such Transfer Restricted Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders of the Securities covered by a Registration Statement or the underwriter(s), if any, may request at least two Business Days prior to any sale of such Transfer Restricted Securities made by such Holders or underwriter(s);

(xiv) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Series of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in Section 6(c)(xi) hereof;

(xv) if any fact or event contemplated by Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to any Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement, the Prospectus will not

 

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contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(xvi) provide a CUSIP number for all Securities not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement covering such Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with printed certificates for such Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and take all other action necessary to ensure that all such Securities are eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company;

(xvii) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with FINRA and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter (including any “qualified independent underwriter”) that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA;

(xviii) otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 under the Securities Act (which need not be audited) for the twelve-month period (A) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which any Series of Transfer Restricted Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts Underwritten Offering or (B) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, beginning with the first month of the Company’s first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of a Registration Statement;

(xix) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by this Agreement, and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders of Securities to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and to execute and use its best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents that may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner; and

(xx) provide promptly to each Holder upon written request each document filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and Section 15 of the Exchange Act.

Each Holder agrees by acquisition of any Series of Transfer Restricted Securities that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Series of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xv) hereof, or until it is advised in writing (the “ Advice ”) by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus. If so directed by the Company, each applicable Holder will deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than

 

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permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Series of Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the time period regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof to and including the date when each selling Holder covered by such Registration Statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xv) hereof or shall have received the Advice; provided, however, that no such extension shall be taken into account in determining whether Additional Interest is due pursuant to Section 5 hereof or the amount of such Additional Interest with respect to the each Series of Securities covered by such Registration Statement, it being agreed that the Company’s option to suspend use of a Registration Statement pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated as a Registration Default for purposes of Section 5 hereof in the case of an Exchange Offer Registration Statement required pursuant to Section 3 hereof, if such suspension exceeds an aggregate of 30 days in any three-month period or an aggregate of 60 days in any six-month period, and the case of a Shelf Registration Statement required pursuant to Section 4, if such suspension exceeds an aggregate of 60 days in any three month period or an aggregate of 90 days in any calendar year.

(d) Underwritten Offerings . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated to undertake an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement within six (6) months following any Underwritten Offering (whether or not pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement).

SECTION 7. Registration Expenses .

(a) All expenses incident to the Company’s and the Guarantors’ performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses (including any filings made by any Holder with FINRA (and, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” and its counsel that may be required by the rules and regulations of FINRA)) and all rating agency fees; (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state securities or blue sky laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses), messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and any Holders; and (v) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such performance).

Each of the Company and the Guarantors will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Company or the Guarantors.

(b) In connection with a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will reimburse the Holders of each Series of Transfer

 

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Restricted Securities being resold pursuant to the “Plan of Distribution” contained in such Shelf Registration Statement for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel as may be chosen by the vote of the Holders of the majority in aggregate principal amount of all Series of Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Shelf Registration Statement is being prepared.

SECTION 8. Indemnification .

(a) Each of the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its directors and officers, and each person, if any, who controls any Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which such Holder, director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other U.S. federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the prior written consent of the Company), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and to reimburse each Holder and each such director, officer, employee or controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by such Holder or such director, officer or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided , however , that the Company and the Guarantors will not be liable in any case to the extent such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto). The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company and the Guarantors may otherwise have.

(b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each Guarantor, each of their respective directors and officers who sign a Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any Guarantor within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Company, any Guarantor or any such director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other U.S. federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Majority Holders of each applicable Series), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus

 

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(or any amendment or supplement thereto), in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein; and to reimburse the Company, any Guarantor and each such director and officer or controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by the Company, any Guarantor or such director, officer or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Holder may otherwise have.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 8 notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or otherwise other than under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8 or from any liability it may have under this Section 8 to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and, to the extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided , however , if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying party’s election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), reasonably approved by the indemnifying party, representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action) or (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party.

(d) The indemnifying party under this Section 8 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or

 

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

(e) If the indemnification provided for in Section 8 hereof is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions or inaccuracies in the representations and warranties herein which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, shall be determined in a manner as is appropriate to reflect the relative economic benefits of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, in the matters contemplated by this Agreement. The relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact or any such inaccurate or alleged inaccurate representation or warranty relates to information supplied by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, or the Holders, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission or inaccuracy.

(f) The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8 hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim. The provisions set forth in Section 8 hereof with respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be made under Section 8(e) above; provided , however , that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which notice has been given under Section 8 hereof for purposes of indemnification. The Company, the Guarantors and each Holder agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to Section 8(e) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 8(e).

 

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(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8(e), no Holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the dollar amount by which the total net profit received by such Holder from the sale of any Securities exceeds the amount of any damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to Section 8(e) above are several, and not joint, on a pro rata basis based on such Holder’s aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities included in such Registration Statement or Prospectus. For purposes of Section 8(e) above, each director, officer and employee of a Holder and each person, if any, who controls a Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such a Holder, and each director and officer of the Company or any Guarantor, and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any Guarantor within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company and the Guarantors.

SECTION 9. Participation in Underwritten Registrations. No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Transfer Restricted Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

SECTION 10. Selection of Underwriters. The Holders covered by a Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell each Series of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) that will administer such offering will be selected by the vote of the Holders of the majority in aggregate principal amount of all Series of Transfer Restricted Securities included in such offering; provided, however , that such investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

SECTION 11. Miscellaneous.

(a) Remedies. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agree to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. Each of the Company and the Guarantors will not on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. None of the Company nor any Guarantor has previously entered into any agreement granting any registration rights with respect to its securities to any Person. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Company’s or any of the Guarantors’ securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.

 

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(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has (i) in the case of Section 5 hereof and this Section 12(c)(i), obtained the written consent of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the case of all other provisions hereof, obtained in the case of any Series of Securities, the written consent of the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of such Series of Transfer Restricted Securities outstanding (in either case, excluding any Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Company or its affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose securities are being tendered pursuant to an Exchange Offer and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other Holders whose securities are not being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer may be given by the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of each such Series of Transfer Restricted Securities being tendered or registered.

(d) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, facsimile, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the Indenture;

(ii) and if to the Company:

GMAC LLC

200 Renaissance Center

P.O. Box 200

Detroit, Michigan 48625

Telecopier No.: (313) 656-6124

Attention: General Counsel

With a copy to:

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, New York 10019

Telecopier No.: (212) 403-2000

Attention: David E. Shapiro

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the address specified in the applicable Indenture.

 

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(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including, without limitation, and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided, however , that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to the extent such successor or assign acquired Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder.

(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(h) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE. ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM OR PROCEEDING RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION OR CONDUCT IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, IS WAIVED.

(i) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

(j) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

(k) Third-Party Beneficiaries. Holders (including Broker-Dealers holding Transfer Restricted Securities) are express and intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement, and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.

[Signature Pages follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

GMAC LLC
By:  

/s/ Cathy L. Quenneville

Name:   Cathy L. Quenneville
Title:   Secretary
GMAC LATIN AMERICA HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Cathy L. Quenneville

Name:   Cathy L. Quenneville
Title:   Secretary

GMAC INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS

COÖPERATIEF U.A.

By:  

/s/ Cathy L. Quenneville

Name:   Cathy L. Quenneville
Title:   Secretary
GMAC CONTINENTAL LLC
By:  

/s/ Cathy L. Quenneville

Name:   Cathy L. Quenneville
Title:   Secretary
GMAC US LLC
By:  

/s/ Cathy L. Quenneville

Name:   Cathy L. Quenneville
Title:   Secretary
IB FINANCE HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
By:  

/s/ Cathy L. Quenneville

Name:   Cathy L. Quenneville
Title:   Secretary
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
By:  

/s/ Andrew C. Karp

Name:   Andrew C. Karp
Title:   Managing Director
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen Cheeseman

Name:   Stephen Cheeseman
Title:   Managing Director
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
By:  

/s/ Goldman, Sachs & Co.

  (Goldman, Sachs & Co.)
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
By:  

/s/ David A. Dwyer

Name:   David A. Dwyer
Title:   Executive Director
BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.
By:  

/s/ Edward Witz

Name:   Edward Witz
Title:   Managing Director
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC
By:  

/s/ Sharon Harrison

Name:   Sharon Harrison
Title:   Director
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.
By:  

/s/ Marc Fratepietro

Name:   Marc Fratepietro
Title:   Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Scott Flieger

Name:   Scott Flieger
Title:   Managing Director
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ Yurij Slyz

Name:   Yurij Slyz
Title:   Vice President
GREENWICH CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael Saron

Name:   Michael Saron
Title:   Managing Director

 

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Exhibit 10.6

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by

GMAC LLC

and

Banc of America Securities LLC

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

Barclays Capital Inc.

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc.

Dated as of December 31, 2008


This Registration Rights Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of December 31, 2008, by and among GMAC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”) and the Dealer Managers (as defined in the Dealer Managers Agreement (as defined below)), relating to the Company’s plans to exchange certain of the outstanding notes of Residential Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“ ResCap ”) for a combination of cash, newly issued subordinated notes due 2018 of the Company and newly issued 7.50% Senior Notes due 2013 (the “ New Notes ” or the “ Securities ”), to be issued pursuant to the terms of the indenture, dated as of July 1, 1982 (as supplemented, the “ Indenture ”) by and between the Company and The Bank of New York (Successor Trustee to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York), as trustee (in such capacity, the “ Trustee ”). In connection with the Offers (as defined in the Dealer Managers Agreement (as defined below)) and the issuance of the New Notes, the Company is executing this Agreement for the benefit of the holders from time to time of Transfer Restricted Securities (as defined below). The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition set forth in Section 10(i) of the Dealer Managers Agreement, dated November 20, 2008 and amended on November 25, 2008 (the “ Dealer Managers Agreement ”), among the Company and the Dealer Managers.

The parties hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Interest: As defined in Section 5 hereto.

Additional Interest Payment Date: With respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities, each Interest Payment Date.

Advice: As defined in Section 6(c) hereto.

Agreement: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.

Business Day: Any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or U.S. federal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies located in New York, New York are authorized or obligated to be closed.

Closing Date: The date of this Agreement.

Company: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Commission: The United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Consummate: A registered Exchange Offer shall be deemed “Consummated” for purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (i) the filing and effectiveness under the

 

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Securities Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (ii) the maintenance of such Registration Statement continuously effective and the keeping of the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the minimum period required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, and (iii) the delivery by the Company to the Registrar under the Indenture of Exchange Securities in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities that were tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

Dealer Managers: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Dealer Managers Agreement: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Date: As defined in Section 3(a) hereto.

Exchange Offer: The registration by the Company under the Securities Act of the Exchange Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement pursuant to which the Company offers the Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities the opportunity to exchange all such outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holders for Exchange Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities tendered in such exchange offer by such Holders.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement: The Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.

Exchange Securities: Debt securities of the Company substantially identical to the Securities and issued under the Indenture (except that the transfer restrictions shall be modified or eliminated, as appropriate), to be issued to Holders in exchange for their Transfer Restricted Securities.

FINRA: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Freely Tradable: Means, with respect to a Security, a Security that at any time of determination (i) may be sold to the public in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any successor provision thereof (“ Rule 144 ”) without regard to volume, manner of sale or any other restrictions contained in Rule 144 (other than the holding period requirement in the last sentence of paragraph (b)(1)(i) of Rule 144 so long as such holding period requirement is satisfied at such time of determination), (ii) does not bear any restrictive legends relating to the Securities Act and (iii) does not bear a restricted CUSIP number.

Holder: As defined in Section 2(b) hereof.

Indenture: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Interest Payment Date: As defined in the Indenture.

 

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Majority Holders: With respect to any date, Holders of a majority of the principal amount of Securities registered under a Registration Statement.

New Notes: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Person: An individual, partnership, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference into such Prospectus.

Registrar: The registrar under the Indenture.

Registration Default: As defined in Section 5 hereof.

Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company relating to (a) an offering of Exchange Securities pursuant to an Exchange Offer or (b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, which is filed pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, in each case, including the Prospectus included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.

ResCap: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Securities: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Shelf Filing Deadline: As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.

Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.

Transfer Restricted Securities: The Securities; provided that the Securities shall cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities on the earliest to occur of (i) the date on which a Registration Statement with respect to such Securities has become effective under the Securities Act and such Securities have been exchanged or disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) the date on which such Securities cease to be outstanding or (iii) the date on which such Securities are Freely Tradable.

Trust Indenture Act: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Trustee: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering: A registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

 

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SECTION 2. Securities Subject to this Agreement .

(a) Transfer Restricted Securities. The securities entitled to the benefits of this Agreement are the Transfer Restricted Securities.

(b) Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities. A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each, a “ Holder ”) whenever such Person (including any successors or assigns) owns Transfer Restricted Securities.

SECTION 3. Registered Exchange Offer .

(a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permissible under applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) hereof have been complied with), or there are no Transfer Restricted Securities outstanding, the Company shall (i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be filed with the Commission a Registration Statement under the Securities Act relating to the Exchange Securities and the Exchange Offer and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective, (iii) in connection with the foregoing, file (A) all pre-effective amendments to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective, (B) if applicable, a post-effective amendment to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act and (C) cause all necessary filings in connection with the registration and qualification of the Exchange Securities registered pursuant to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be made under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer, and (iv) upon the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, commence the Exchange Offer. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to Consummate the Exchange Offer not later than 366 days following the Closing Date (or if such 366th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (the “ Exchange Date ”); provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to Consummate such Exchange Offer if all of the Securities are Freely Tradable (other than such Securities held by affiliates of the Company) on or before the Exchange Date. The Exchange Offer, if required pursuant to this Section 3(a), shall be on the appropriate form permitting registration of the Exchange Securities to be offered in exchange for the Transfer Restricted Securities and to permit resales of Transfer Restricted Securities held by Broker-Dealers as contemplated by Section 3(c) hereof.

(b) If an Exchange Offer Registration Statement is required to be filed and declared effective pursuant to Section 3(a) above, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously and shall keep the Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum period required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate the Exchange Offer; provided, however , that in no event shall such period be less than 20 Business Days after the date notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders. The Company shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities other than the Exchange Securities shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Exchange Offer to be Consummated by the Exchange Date; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to Consummate the Exchange Offer if all of the Securities are Freely Tradable (other than such Securities held by affiliates of the Company) on or before the Exchange Date.

 

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(c) The Company shall indicate in a “Plan of Distribution” section contained in the Prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement that any Broker-Dealer who holds Transfer Restricted Securities that were acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Transfer Restricted Securities acquired directly from the Company), may exchange such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer; however, such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resales of the Exchange Securities received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, which prospectus delivery requirement may be satisfied by the delivery by such Broker-Dealer of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. Such “Plan of Distribution” section shall also contain all other information with respect to such resales by Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to permit such resales pursuant thereto, but such “Plan of Distribution” shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer except to the extent required by the Commission as a result of a change in policy after the date of this Agreement.

The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Transfer Restricted Securities acquired by Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period ending on the earlier of (i) 180 days from the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective and (ii) the date on which a Broker-Dealer is no longer required to deliver a prospectus in connection with market-making or other trading activities.

The Company shall provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to Broker-Dealers promptly upon request at any time during such 180-day (or shorter as provided in the foregoing sentence) period in order to facilitate such resales.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3 to the contrary, the requirements to file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the requirements to Consummate the Exchange Offer shall terminate at such time as all the Securities are Freely Tradable.

SECTION 4. Shelf Registration .

(a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Company is not required to file an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or to consummate the Exchange Offer solely because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) hereof have been complied with), (ii) for any reason the Exchange Offer is not Consummated by the Exchange Date and the Securities are not all Freely Tradable prior to such time, or (iii) prior to the Exchange Date: with respect to any Holder, such Holder notifies the

 

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Company that (1) such Holder is prohibited by applicable law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer, (2) such Holder may not resell the Exchange Securities acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and that the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder, or (3) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Transfer Restricted Securities acquired directly from the Company or one of its affiliates, the Company shall:

(x) cause to be filed a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities referenced above (in either event, a “ Shelf Registration Statement ”) on or prior to the 30th day after the Exchange Date (such date, the “ Shelf Filing Deadline ”), which Shelf Registration Statement shall provide for resales of all Transfer Restricted Securities the Holders of which shall have provided the information required pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof; and

(y) use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission on or before the 60th day after the Shelf Filing Deadline (or if such 60th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day).

The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders of such Securities entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a), and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of one year from the date on which the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission or such shorter period that will terminate when all the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement or are Freely Tradable; provided that the Company may for a period of up to 60 days in any three-month period, not to exceed 90 days in any calendar year determine that the Shelf Registration Statement is not usable under certain circumstances relating to corporate developments, public filings with the Commission and similar events, and suspend the use of the prospectus that is part of such Shelf Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the requirements to file the Shelf Registration Statement and to have the Shelf Registration Statement become effective and remain effective shall terminate at such time as all of the Securities are Freely Tradable.

It is agreed that if the Shelf Registration Statement is required to be filed and effective pursuant to this Section 4 and is not so filed and effective after the Shelf Filing Deadline, the only remedy to the Holders after the Shelf Filing Deadline will be Additional Interest as set forth in Section 5 hereof.

(b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes

 

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to the Company in writing, within 20 Business Days after receipt of a request therefor, such information as the Company may reasonably request for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.

SECTION 5. Additional Interest. If any of the Securities are not Freely Tradable by the Exchange Date and either (i) the Exchange Offer has not been Consummated on or prior to the 30th day after the Exchange Date; (ii) any Shelf Registration Statement, if required hereby, has not been declared effective by the Commission on or before the date on which such Shelf Registration Statement is required to be declared effective by the Commission pursuant to Section 4(a)(y) or (iii) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement has been declared effective but ceases to be effective at any time at which it is required to be effective under this Agreement (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iii), a “ Registration Default ”), the Company hereby agrees that the interest rate borne by the Transfer Restricted Securities shall be increased by 0.25% per annum (the “ Additional Interest ”) from and including the date on which such Registration Default has occurred to but excluding the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured. All accrued Additional Interest shall be paid in cash on each Additional Interest Payment Date. At the earlier of (i) the cure of all Registration Defaults relating to the particular Transfer Restricted Securities or (ii) the particular Transfer Restricted Securities having become Freely Tradable, the interest rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Securities will be reduced to the original interest rate borne by such Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however, that, if after any such reduction in interest rate, a different Registration Default occurs, the interest rate borne by such Transfer Restricted Securities shall again be increased pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

SECTION 6. Registration Procedures .

(a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection with the Exchange Offer, if required pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof, the Company shall comply with all of the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof, shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to effect such exchange to permit the sale of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and shall comply with all of the following provisions:

(i) If in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company there is a question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by applicable law, the Company hereby agrees to seek a no-action letter or other favorable decision from the Commission allowing the Company to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such Transfer Restricted Securities. The Company hereby agrees to pursue the issuance of such a decision to the Commission staff level but shall not be required to take commercially unreasonable action to effect a change of Commission policy. The Company hereby agrees, however, to (A) participate in telephonic conferences with the Commission, (B) deliver to the Commission staff an analysis prepared by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases, if any, upon which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer should be permitted and (C) diligently pursue a favorable resolution by the Commission staff of such submission.

 

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(ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Holder shall furnish, upon the request of the Company, prior to the Consummation thereof, a written representation to the Company (which may be contained in the letter of transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to the effect that (A) it is not an affiliate of the Company, (B) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in, a distribution of the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the Exchange Securities to be issued in such Exchange Offer in its ordinary course of business. In addition, all such Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities shall otherwise cooperate in the Company’s preparations for the Exchange Offer. Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that any Broker-Dealer and any such Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the securities to be acquired in the Exchange Offer (1) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement rely on the position of the Commission enunciated in Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc . (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (which may include any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above), and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction should be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K if the resales are of Exchange Securities obtained by such Holder in exchange for Transfer Restricted Securities acquired by such Holder directly from the Company.

(b) Shelf Registration Statement. If required pursuant to Section 4, in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such registration to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company will prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Securities Act within the period specified in Section 4(a)(x) hereof, which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof.

(c) General Provisions. In connection with any Registration Statement and any Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or resale of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, any Registration Statement and the related Prospectus required to permit resales of Transfer Restricted Securities by Broker-Dealers), the Company shall:

(i) use commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective and include or incorporate by reference therein all requisite financial statements upon the occurrence of any event that would cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain a material misstatement or omission or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period required by this Agreement, the Company shall

 

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file promptly an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement, in the case of clause (A), correcting any such misstatement or omission, and, in the case of either clause (A) or (B), use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective and such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to become usable for their intended purpose(s) as soon as practicable thereafter;

(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Registration Statement or are Freely Tradable; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, and to comply fully with the applicable provisions of Rules 424 and 430A under the Securities Act in a timely manner; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;

(iii) advise the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders of securities covered by such Registration Statement promptly and, if requested by such Persons, to confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Securities Act or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the related Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or blue sky laws, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time;

(iv) furnish without charge to the Trustee, each selling Holder named in any Registration Statement, and each of the underwriter(s), if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus

 

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(including all documents incorporated by reference after the initial filing of such Registration Statement), which documents will be subject to the review and comment of the Trustee, such Holders and underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least five Business Days, and the Company will not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents incorporated by reference) to which the Trustee or the Majority Holders or the underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object in writing within five Business Days after the receipt thereof (such objection to be deemed timely made upon confirmation of telecopy transmission within such period). The objection of the Trustee or the Majority Holders or underwriter(s), if any, shall be deemed to be reasonable if such Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains a material misstatement or omission;

(v) make available at reasonable times for inspection by the managing underwriter(s), if any, participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney or accountant retained by the Majority Holders or any of the underwriter(s), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Holder, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness and to participate in meetings with investors to the extent requested by the managing underwriter(s), if any; provided, however, that each such party shall be required to maintain in confidence and not to disclose to any other Person any information or records reasonably designated by the Company as being confidential, until such time as (A) such information becomes a matter of public record (whether by virtue of its inclusion in the Registration Statement or otherwise, except as a result of a breach of this or any other obligation of confidentiality to the Company), (B) such Person shall be required to disclose such information pursuant to a subpoena or order of any court or other governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the matter (subject to the requirements of such order, and only after such Person shall have given the Company prompt prior written notice of such requirement), or (C) such information is required to be set forth in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus included therein or an amendment or supplement thereto in order that the Registration Statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement, as applicable, complies with applicable requirements of the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Commission and does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(vi) if requested by any Holders named in the Registration Statement or the underwriter(s), if any, promptly incorporate in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such Holders and underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request to have included therein if such information is required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, including, without limitation, information relating to the “Plan of Distribution” of the Transfer

 

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Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement, information with respect to the principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold to such underwriter(s), the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold in such offering; and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company is notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

(vii) cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be rated, if not then rated, with the appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by the Majority Holders or by the underwriter(s), if any;

(viii) furnish to the Trustee, each selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, at least one copy of the applicable Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated therein by reference) unless such documents or exhibits are available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval system or the Interactive Data Electronic Applications system;

(ix) deliver to each selling Holder of Securities covered by the Registration Statement and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; the Company hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each such selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;

(x) enter into such customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement), and make such representations and warranties, and take all such other actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement, all to such extent as may be reasonably requested by the Trustee, any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by a Registration Statement or underwriter in connection with any sale or resale pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement; and whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an Underwritten Registration, the Company shall:

(A) furnish to the Trustee, each selling Holder and each underwriter, if any, in such substance and scope as they may reasonably request and as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings, upon the date of the Consummation of the applicable Exchange Offer or, if applicable, the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement:

(1) an opinion, dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration

 

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Statement, as the case may be, of counsel for the Company, covering such matters as are customarily covered in opinions requested in an underwritten offering and such other matters as such parties may reasonably request, and in any event including a statement to the effect that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company, representatives of the underwriter(s), if any, and counsel to the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the preparation of such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus and have considered the matters required to be stated therein and the statements contained therein, although such counsel has not independently verified the accuracy, completeness or fairness of such statements; and that such counsel advises that, on the basis of the foregoing, no facts came to such counsel’s attention that caused such counsel to believe that the applicable Registration Statement, at the time such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto became effective, and, in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as of the date of Consummation, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus contained in such Registration Statement as of its date and, in the case of the opinion dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, as of the date of Consummation, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Without limiting the foregoing, such counsel may state further that such counsel assumes no responsibility for, and has not independently verified, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the financial statements, notes and schedules and other financial data included in any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement or the related Prospectus; and

(2) a customary comfort letter, dated the date of effectiveness of any Shelf Registration Statement, from the Company’s independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of the type customarily requested to be covered in comfort letters by underwriters in connection with primary underwritten offerings, and covering or affirming the matters set forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 10(g) of the Dealer Managers Agreement, without exception; and

(B) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by such parties to evidence compliance with Section 6(c)(x)(A) hereof and with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company pursuant to this Section 6(c)(x), if any.

 

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If at any time prior to the Consummation of any offering, the representations and warranties of the Company contemplated in 6(c)(x)(A)(1) hereof cease to be true and correct, the Company shall so advise the underwriter(s), if any, and each Holder of Securities covered by the Registration Statement promptly and, if requested by such Persons, shall confirm such advice in writing;

(xi) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders of such Transfer Restricted Securities, the underwriter(s), if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders or underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however , that the Company shall not be required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation where it is not then so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

(xii) shall issue, upon the request of any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement, Exchange Securities having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities surrendered to the Company by such Holder in exchange therefor or being sold by such Holder; such Exchange Securities to be registered in the name of such Holder or in the name of the purchaser(s) of such Securities, as the case may be; in return, the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement held by such Holder shall be surrendered to the Company for cancellation;

(xiii) cooperate with the selling Holders of the Securities covered by a Registration Statement and the underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of “global notes” representing the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Transfer Restricted Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders of the Securities covered by a Registration Statement or the underwriter(s), if any, may request at least two Business Days prior to any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities made by such Holders or underwriter(s);

(xiv) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in Section 6(c)(xi) hereof;

(xv) if any fact or event contemplated by Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer

 

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Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(xvi) provide a CUSIP number for all Securities not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement covering such Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with printed certificates for such Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and take all other action necessary to ensure that all such Securities are eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company;

(xvii) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with FINRA and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter (including any “qualified independent underwriter”) that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA;

(xviii) otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 under the Securities Act (which need not be audited) for the twelve-month period (A) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Transfer Restricted Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts Underwritten Offering or (B) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, beginning with the first month of the Company’s first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of a Registration Statement;

(xix) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by this Agreement, and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders of Securities to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and to execute and use its best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents that may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner; and

(xx) provide promptly to each Holder upon written request each document filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and Section 15 of the Exchange Act.

Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xv) hereof, or until it is advised in writing (the “ Advice ”) by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus. If so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such

 

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Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the time period regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof to and including the date when each selling Holder covered by such Registration Statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xv) hereof or shall have received the Advice; provided, however, that no such extension shall be taken into account in determining whether Additional Interest is due pursuant to Section 5 hereof or the amount of such Additional Interest, it being agreed that the Company’s option to suspend use of a Registration Statement pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated as a Registration Default for purposes of Section 5 hereof in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement required pursuant to Section 3 hereof, if such suspension exceeds an aggregate of 30 days in any three-month period or an aggregate of 60 days in any six-month period, and the case of the Shelf Registration Statement required pursuant to Section 4, if such suspension exceeds an aggregate of 60 days in any three month period or an aggregate of 90 days in any calendar year.

(d) Underwritten Offerings . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated to undertake an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement within six (6) months following any Underwritten Offering (whether or not pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement).

SECTION 7. Registration Expenses .

(a) All expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses (including any filings made by any Holder with FINRA (and, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” and its counsel that may be required by the rules and regulations of FINRA)) and all rating agency fees; (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state securities or blue sky laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses), messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, the Trustee and the Holders; and (v) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such performance).

The Company will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Company.

(b) In connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company will reimburse the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities being resold pursuant to the “Plan of Distribution” contained in the Shelf Registration Statement for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel as may be chosen by the vote of the Holders of the majority in aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit the Shelf Registration Statement is being prepared.

 

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SECTION 8. Indemnification .

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its directors and officers, and each person, if any, who controls any Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which such Holder, director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other U.S. federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the prior written consent of the Company), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and to reimburse each Holder and each such director, officer, employee or controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by such Holder or such director, officer or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided , however , that the Company will not be liable in any case to the extent such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto). The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company may otherwise have.

(b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its directors and officers who sign a Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other U.S. federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Majority Holders), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein; and to reimburse the Company and each such director and officer or controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by the Company or such director, officer or controlling person in connection

 

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with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Holder may otherwise have.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 8 notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or otherwise other than under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8 or from any liability it may have under this Section 8 to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and, to the extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided , however , if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying party’s election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), reasonably approved by the indemnifying party, representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action) or (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party.

(d) The indemnifying party under this Section 8 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of such

 

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indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding and (ii) does not include any statements as to or any findings of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(e) If the indemnification provided for in Section 8 hereof is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions or inaccuracies in the representations and warranties herein which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, shall be determined in a manner as is appropriate to reflect the relative economic benefits of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, in the matters contemplated by this Agreement. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact or any such inaccurate or alleged inaccurate representation or warranty relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Holders, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission or inaccuracy.

(f) The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8 hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim. The provisions set forth in Section 8 hereof with respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be made under Section 8(e) above; provided , however , that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which notice has been given under Section 8 hereof for purposes of indemnification. The Company and each Holder agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to Section 8(e) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 8(e).

(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8(e), no Holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the dollar amount by which the total net profit received by such Holder from the sale of any Securities exceeds the amount of any damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders’ obligations to contribute

 

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pursuant to Section 8(e) above are several, and not joint, on a pro rata basis based on such Holder’s aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities included in such Registration Statement or Prospectus. For purposes of Section 8(e) above, each director, officer and employee of a Holder and each person, if any, who controls a Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such a Holder, and each director and officer of the Company, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

SECTION 9. Participation in Underwritten Registrations. No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Transfer Restricted Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

SECTION 10. Selection of Underwriters. The Holders covered by the Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Transfer Restricted Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) that will administer such offering will be selected by the vote of the Holders of the majority in aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities included in such offering; provided, however , that such investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

SECTION 11. Miscellaneous.

(a) Remedies. The Company hereby agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agree to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company will not on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The Company has not previously entered into any agreement granting any registration rights with respect to its securities to any Person. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Company’s securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.

(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has (i) in the case of Section 5 hereof and this Section 12(c)(i), obtained the written consent of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the case of all other provisions hereof, obtained the written consent of the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities outstanding (in either case, excluding any Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Company or its affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to departure from

 

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the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other Holders whose securities are not being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer may be given by the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being tendered or registered.

(d) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, facsimile, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the Indenture;

(ii) and if to the Company:

GMAC LLC

200 Renaissance Center

P.O. Box 200

Detroit, Michigan 48625

Telecopier No.: (315) 656-6124

Attention: General Counsel

With a copy to:

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, New York 10019

Telecopier No.: (212) 403-2000

Attention: David E. Shapiro

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the address specified in the applicable Indenture.

(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including, without limitation, and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided, however , that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to the extent such successor or assign acquired Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder.

 

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(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(h) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE. ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM OR PROCEEDING RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION OR CONDUCT IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, IS WAIVED.

(i) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

(j) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

(k) Third-Party Beneficiaries. Holders (including Broker-Dealers holding Transfer Restricted Securities) are express and intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement, and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.

[Signature Pages follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

GMAC LLC
By:  

/s/ David C. Walker

Name:   David C. Walker
Title:   Group Vice President and Treasurer of Company
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
By:  

/s/ Andrew C. Karp

Name:   Andrew C. Karp
Title:   Managing Director
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen Cheeseman

Name:   Stephen Cheeseman
Title:   Managing Director
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
By:  

/s/ Goldman, Sachs & Co.

  (Goldman, Sachs & Co.)
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
By:  

/s/ David A. Dwyer

Name:   David A. Dwyer
Title:   Executive Director
BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.
By:  

/s/ Edward Witz

Name:   Edward Witz
Title:   Managing Director
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC
By:  

/s/ Sharon Harrison

Name:   Sharon Harrison
Title:   Director
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.
By:  

/s/ Marc Fratepietro

Name:   Marc Fratepietro
Title:   Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Scott Flieger

Name:   Scott Flieger
Title:   Managing Director
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ Yurij Slyz

Name:   Yurij Slyz
Title:   Vice President
GREENWICH CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael Saron

Name:   Michael Saron
Title:   Managing Director

 

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Exhibit 10.7

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by

GMAC LLC

and

Banc of America Securities LLC

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

Barclays Capital Inc.

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc.

Dated as of December 31, 2008


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of December 31, 2008, by and among GMAC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”) and the Dealer Managers (as defined in the Dealer Managers Agreement (as defined below)), relating to the Company’s plans to exchange certain of the outstanding notes of Residential Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“ ResCap ”) for a combination of cash, newly issued senior notes due 2013 of the Company and newly issued 8.0% Subordinated Notes due 2018 (the “ New Notes ” or the “ Securities ”). The New Notes are to be issued pursuant to the terms of the indenture, dated as of the date hereof (as supplemented, the “ Indenture ”) by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (in such capacity, the “ Trustee ”). In connection with the Offers (as defined in the Dealer Managers Agreement (as defined below)) and the issuance of the New Notes, the Company is executing this Agreement for the benefit of the holders from time to time of Transfer Restricted Securities (as defined below). The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition set forth in Section 10(i) of the Dealer Managers Agreement, dated November 20, 2008 and amended on November 25, 2008 (the “ Dealer Managers Agreement ”), among the Company and the Dealer Managers.

The parties hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Interest: As defined in Section 5 hereto.

Additional Interest Payment Date: With respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities, each Interest Payment Date.

Advice: As defined in Section 6(c) hereto.

Agreement: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.

Business Day: Any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or U.S. federal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies located in New York, New York are authorized or obligated to be closed.

Closing Date: The date of this Agreement.

Company: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Commission: The United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Consummate: A registered Exchange Offer shall be deemed “Consummated” for purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (i) the filing and effectiveness under the

 

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Securities Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (ii) the maintenance of such Registration Statement continuously effective and the keeping of the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the minimum period required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, and (iii) the delivery by the Company to the Registrar under the Indenture of Exchange Securities in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities that were tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

Dealer Managers: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Dealer Managers Agreement: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Date: As defined in Section 3(a) hereto.

Exchange Offer: The registration by the Company under the Securities Act of the Exchange Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement pursuant to which the Company offers the Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities the opportunity to exchange all such outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holders for Exchange Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities tendered in such exchange offer by such Holders.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement: The Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.

Exchange Securities: Debt securities of the Company substantially identical to the Securities and issued under the Indenture (except that the transfer restrictions shall be modified or eliminated, as appropriate), to be issued to Holders in exchange for their Transfer Restricted Securities.

FINRA: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Freely Tradable: Means, with respect to a Security, a Security that at any time of determination (i) may be sold to the public in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any successor provision thereof (“ Rule 144 ”) without regard to volume, manner of sale or any other restrictions contained in Rule 144 (other than the holding period requirement in the last sentence of paragraph (b)(1)(i) of Rule 144 so long as such holding period requirement is satisfied at such time of determination), (ii) does not bear any restrictive legends relating to the Securities Act and (iii) does not bear a restricted CUSIP number.

Holder: As defined in Section 2(b) hereof.

Indenture: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Interest Payment Date: As defined in the Indenture.

 

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Majority Holders: With respect to any date, Holders of a majority of the principal amount of Securities registered under a Registration Statement.

New Notes: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Person: An individual, partnership, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference into such Prospectus.

Registrar: The registrar under the Indenture.

Registration Default: As defined in Section 5 hereof.

Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company relating to (a) an offering of Exchange Securities pursuant to an Exchange Offer or (b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, which is filed pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, in each case, including the Prospectus included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.

ResCap: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Securities: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Shelf Filing Deadline: As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.

Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.

Transfer Restricted Securities: The Securities; provided that the Securities shall cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities on the earliest to occur of (i) the date on which a Registration Statement with respect to such Securities has become effective under the Securities Act and such Securities have been exchanged or disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) the date on which such Securities cease to be outstanding or (iii) the date on which such Securities are Freely Tradable.

Trust Indenture Act: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Trustee: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering: A registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

 

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SECTION 2. Securities Subject to this Agreement .

(a) Transfer Restricted Securities. The securities entitled to the benefits of this Agreement are the Transfer Restricted Securities.

(b) Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities. A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each, a “ Holder ”) whenever such Person (including any successors or assigns) owns Transfer Restricted Securities.

SECTION 3. Registered Exchange Offer .

(a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permissible under applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) hereof have been complied with), or there are no Transfer Restricted Securities outstanding, the Company shall (i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be filed with the Commission a Registration Statement under the Securities Act relating to the Exchange Securities and the Exchange Offer and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective, (iii) in connection with the foregoing, file (A) all pre-effective amendments to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective, (B) if applicable, a post-effective amendment to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act and (C) cause all necessary filings in connection with the registration and qualification of the Exchange Securities registered pursuant to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be made under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer, and (iv) upon the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, commence the Exchange Offer. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to Consummate the Exchange Offer not later than 366 days following the Closing Date (or if such 366th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (the “ Exchange Date ”); provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to Consummate such Exchange Offer if all of the Securities are Freely Tradable (other than such Securities held by affiliates of the Company) on or before the Exchange Date. The Exchange Offer, if required pursuant to this Section 3(a), shall be on the appropriate form permitting registration of the Exchange Securities to be offered in exchange for the Transfer Restricted Securities and to permit resales of Transfer Restricted Securities held by Broker-Dealers as contemplated by Section 3(c) hereof.

(b) If an Exchange Offer Registration Statement is required to be filed and declared effective pursuant to Section 3(a) above, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously and shall keep the Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum period required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate the Exchange Offer; provided, however , that in no event shall such period be less than 20 Business Days after the date notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders. The Company shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities other than the Exchange Securities shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Exchange Offer to be Consummated by the Exchange Date; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to Consummate the Exchange Offer if all of the Securities are Freely Tradable (other than such Securities held by affiliates of the Company) on or before the Exchange Date.

 

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(c) The Company shall indicate in a “Plan of Distribution” section contained in the Prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement that any Broker-Dealer who holds Transfer Restricted Securities that were acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Transfer Restricted Securities acquired directly from the Company), may exchange such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer; however, such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resales of the Exchange Securities received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, which prospectus delivery requirement may be satisfied by the delivery by such Broker-Dealer of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. Such “Plan of Distribution” section shall also contain all other information with respect to such resales by Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to permit such resales pursuant thereto, but such “Plan of Distribution” shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer except to the extent required by the Commission as a result of a change in policy after the date of this Agreement.

The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Transfer Restricted Securities acquired by Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period ending on the earlier of (i) 180 days from the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective and (ii) the date on which a Broker-Dealer is no longer required to deliver a prospectus in connection with market-making or other trading activities.

The Company shall provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to Broker-Dealers promptly upon request at any time during such 180-day (or shorter as provided in the foregoing sentence) period in order to facilitate such resales.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3 to the contrary, the requirements to file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the requirements to Consummate the Exchange Offer shall terminate at such time as all the Securities are Freely Tradable.

SECTION 4. Shelf Registration .

(a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Company is not required to file an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or to consummate the Exchange Offer solely because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) hereof have been complied with), (ii) for any reason the Exchange Offer is not Consummated by the Exchange Date and the Securities are not all Freely Tradable prior to such time, or (iii) prior to the Exchange Date: with respect to any Holder, such Holder notifies the

 

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Company that (1) such Holder is prohibited by applicable law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer, (2) such Holder may not resell the Exchange Securities acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and that the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder, or (3) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Transfer Restricted Securities acquired directly from the Company or one of its affiliates, the Company shall:

(x) cause to be filed a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities referenced above (in either event, a “ Shelf Registration Statement ”) on or prior to the 30th day after the Exchange Date (such date, the “ Shelf Filing Deadline ”), which Shelf Registration Statement shall provide for resales of all Transfer Restricted Securities the Holders of which shall have provided the information required pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof; and

(y) use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission on or before the 60th day after the Shelf Filing Deadline (or if such 60th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day).

The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders of such Securities entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a), and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of one year from the date on which the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission or such shorter period that will terminate when all the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement or are Freely Tradable; provided that the Company may for a period of up to 60 days in any three-month period, not to exceed 90 days in any calendar year determine that the Shelf Registration Statement is not usable under certain circumstances relating to corporate developments, public filings with the Commission and similar events, and suspend the use of the prospectus that is part of such Shelf Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the requirements to file the Shelf Registration Statement and to have the Shelf Registration Statement become effective and remain effective shall terminate at such time as all of the Securities are Freely Tradable.

It is agreed that if the Shelf Registration Statement is required to be filed and effective pursuant to this Section 4 and is not so filed and effective after the Shelf Filing Deadline, the only remedy to the Holders after the Shelf Filing Deadline will be Additional Interest as set forth in Section 5 hereof.

(b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes

 

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to the Company in writing, within 20 Business Days after receipt of a request therefor, such information as the Company may reasonably request for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.

SECTION 5. Additional Interest. If any of the Securities are not Freely Tradable by the Exchange Date and either (i) the Exchange Offer has not been Consummated on or prior to the 30th day after the Exchange Date; (ii) any Shelf Registration Statement, if required hereby, has not been declared effective by the Commission on or before the date on which such Shelf Registration Statement is required to be declared effective by the Commission pursuant to Section 4(a)(y) or (iii) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement has been declared effective but ceases to be effective at any time at which it is required to be effective under this Agreement (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iii), a “ Registration Default ”), the Company hereby agrees that the interest rate borne by the Transfer Restricted Securities shall be increased by 0.25% per annum (the “ Additional Interest ”) from and including the date on which such Registration Default has occurred to but excluding the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured. All accrued Additional Interest shall be paid in cash on each Additional Interest Payment Date. At the earlier of (i) the cure of all Registration Defaults relating to the particular Transfer Restricted Securities or (ii) the particular Transfer Restricted Securities having become Freely Tradable, the interest rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Securities will be reduced to the original interest rate borne by such Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however, that, if after any such reduction in interest rate, a different Registration Default occurs, the interest rate borne by such Transfer Restricted Securities shall again be increased pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

SECTION 6. Registration Procedures .

(a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection with the Exchange Offer, if required pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof, the Company shall comply with all of the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof, shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to effect such exchange to permit the sale of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and shall comply with all of the following provisions:

(i) If in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company there is a question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by applicable law, the Company hereby agrees to seek a no-action letter or other favorable decision from the Commission allowing the Company to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such Transfer Restricted Securities. The Company hereby agrees to pursue the issuance of such a decision to the Commission staff level but shall not be required to take commercially unreasonable action to effect a change of Commission policy. The Company hereby agrees, however, to (A) participate in telephonic conferences with the Commission, (B) deliver to the Commission staff an analysis prepared by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases, if any, upon which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer should be permitted and (C) diligently pursue a favorable resolution by the Commission staff of such submission.

 

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(ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Holder shall furnish, upon the request of the Company, prior to the Consummation thereof, a written representation to the Company (which may be contained in the letter of transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to the effect that (A) it is not an affiliate of the Company, (B) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in, a distribution of the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the Exchange Securities to be issued in such Exchange Offer in its ordinary course of business. In addition, all such Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities shall otherwise cooperate in the Company’s preparations for the Exchange Offer. Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that any Broker-Dealer and any such Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the securities to be acquired in the Exchange Offer (1) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement rely on the position of the Commission enunciated in Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc . (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (which may include any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above), and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction should be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K if the resales are of Exchange Securities obtained by such Holder in exchange for Transfer Restricted Securities acquired by such Holder directly from the Company.

(b) Shelf Registration Statement. If required pursuant to Section 4, in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such registration to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company will prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Securities Act within the period specified in Section 4(a)(x) hereof, which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof.

(c) General Provisions. In connection with any Registration Statement and any Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or resale of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, any Registration Statement and the related Prospectus required to permit resales of Transfer Restricted Securities by Broker-Dealers), the Company shall:

(i) use commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective and include or incorporate by reference therein all requisite financial statements upon the occurrence of any event that would cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain a material misstatement or omission or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period required by this Agreement, the Company shall

 

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file promptly an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement, in the case of clause (A), correcting any such misstatement or omission, and, in the case of either clause (A) or (B), use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective and such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to become usable for their intended purpose(s) as soon as practicable thereafter;

(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Registration Statement or are Freely Tradable; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, and to comply fully with the applicable provisions of Rules 424 and 430A under the Securities Act in a timely manner; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;

(iii) advise the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders of securities covered by such Registration Statement promptly and, if requested by such Persons, to confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Securities Act or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the related Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or blue sky laws, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time;

(iv) furnish without charge to the Trustee, each selling Holder named in any Registration Statement, and each of the underwriter(s), if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus

 

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(including all documents incorporated by reference after the initial filing of such Registration Statement), which documents will be subject to the review and comment of the Trustee, such Holders and underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least five Business Days, and the Company will not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents incorporated by reference) to which the Trustee or the Majority Holders or the underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object in writing within five Business Days after the receipt thereof (such objection to be deemed timely made upon confirmation of telecopy transmission within such period). The objection of the Trustee or the Majority Holders or underwriter(s), if any, shall be deemed to be reasonable if such Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains a material misstatement or omission;

(v) make available at reasonable times for inspection by the managing underwriter(s), if any, participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney or accountant retained by the Majority Holders or any of the underwriter(s), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Holder, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness and to participate in meetings with investors to the extent requested by the managing underwriter(s), if any; provided, however, that each such party shall be required to maintain in confidence and not to disclose to any other Person any information or records reasonably designated by the Company as being confidential, until such time as (A) such information becomes a matter of public record (whether by virtue of its inclusion in the Registration Statement or otherwise, except as a result of a breach of this or any other obligation of confidentiality to the Company), (B) such Person shall be required to disclose such information pursuant to a subpoena or order of any court or other governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the matter (subject to the requirements of such order, and only after such Person shall have given the Company prompt prior written notice of such requirement), or (C) such information is required to be set forth in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus included therein or an amendment or supplement thereto in order that the Registration Statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement, as applicable, complies with applicable requirements of the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Commission and does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(vi) if requested by any Holders named in the Registration Statement or the underwriter(s), if any, promptly incorporate in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such Holders and underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request to have included therein if such information is required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, including, without limitation, information relating to the “Plan of Distribution” of the Transfer

 

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Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement, information with respect to the principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold to such underwriter(s), the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold in such offering; and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company is notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

(vii) cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be rated, if not then rated, with the appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by the Majority Holders or by the underwriter(s), if any;

(viii) furnish to the Trustee, each selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, at least one copy of the applicable Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated therein by reference) unless such documents or exhibits are available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval system or the Interactive Data Electronic Applications system;

(ix) deliver to each selling Holder of Securities covered by the Registration Statement and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; the Company hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each such selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;

(x) enter into such customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement), and make such representations and warranties, and take all such other actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement, all to such extent as may be reasonably requested by the Trustee, any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by a Registration Statement or underwriter in connection with any sale or resale pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement; and whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an Underwritten Registration, the Company shall:

(A) furnish to the Trustee, each selling Holder and each underwriter, if any, in such substance and scope as they may reasonably request and as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings, upon the date of the Consummation of the applicable Exchange Offer or, if applicable, the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement:

(1) an opinion, dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration

 

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Statement, as the case may be, of counsel for the Company, covering such matters as are customarily covered in opinions requested in an underwritten offering and such other matters as such parties may reasonably request, and in any event including a statement to the effect that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company, representatives of the underwriter(s), if any, and counsel to the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the preparation of such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus and have considered the matters required to be stated therein and the statements contained therein, although such counsel has not independently verified the accuracy, completeness or fairness of such statements; and that such counsel advises that, on the basis of the foregoing, no facts came to such counsel’s attention that caused such counsel to believe that the applicable Registration Statement, at the time such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto became effective, and, in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as of the date of Consummation, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus contained in such Registration Statement as of its date and, in the case of the opinion dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, as of the date of Consummation, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Without limiting the foregoing, such counsel may state further that such counsel assumes no responsibility for, and has not independently verified, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the financial statements, notes and schedules and other financial data included in any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement or the related Prospectus; and

(2) a customary comfort letter, dated the date of effectiveness of any Shelf Registration Statement, from the Company’s independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of the type customarily requested to be covered in comfort letters by underwriters in connection with primary underwritten offerings, and covering or affirming the matters set forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 10(g) of the Dealer Managers Agreement, without exception; and

(B) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by such parties to evidence compliance with Section 6(c)(x)(A) hereof and with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company pursuant to this Section 6(c)(x), if any.

 

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If at any time prior to the Consummation of any offering, the representations and warranties of the Company contemplated in 6(c)(xi)(A)(1) hereof cease to be true and correct, the Company shall so advise the underwriter(s), if any, and each Holder of Securities covered by the Registration Statement promptly and, if requested by such Persons, shall confirm such advice in writing;

(xi) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders of such Transfer Restricted Securities, the underwriter(s), if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders or underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however , that the Company shall not be required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation where it is not then so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

(xii) shall issue, upon the request of any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement, Exchange Securities having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities surrendered to the Company by such Holder in exchange therefor or being sold by such Holder; such Exchange Securities to be registered in the name of such Holder or in the name of the purchaser(s) of such Securities, as the case may be; in return, the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement held by such Holder shall be surrendered to the Company for cancellation;

(xiii) cooperate with the selling Holders of the Securities covered by a Registration Statement and the underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of “global notes” representing the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Transfer Restricted Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders of the Securities covered by a Registration Statement or the underwriter(s), if any, may request at least two Business Days prior to any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities made by such Holders or underwriter(s);

(xiv) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in Section 6(c)(xi) hereof;

(xv) if any fact or event contemplated by Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer

 

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Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(xvi) provide a CUSIP number for all Securities not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement covering such Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with printed certificates for such Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and take all other action necessary to ensure that all such Securities are eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company;

(xvii) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with FINRA and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter (including any “qualified independent underwriter”) that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA;

(xviii) otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 under the Securities Act (which need not be audited) for the twelve-month period (A) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Transfer Restricted Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts Underwritten Offering or (B) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, beginning with the first month of the Company’s first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of a Registration Statement;

(xix) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by this Agreement, and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders of Securities to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and to execute and use its best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents that may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner; and

(xx) provide promptly to each Holder upon written request each document filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and Section 15 of the Exchange Act.

Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xv) hereof, or until it is advised in writing (the “ Advice ”) by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus. If so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such

 

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Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the time period regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof to and including the date when each selling Holder covered by such Registration Statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xv) hereof or shall have received the Advice; provided, however, that no such extension shall be taken into account in determining whether Additional Interest is due pursuant to Section 5 hereof or the amount of such Additional Interest, it being agreed that the Company’s option to suspend use of a Registration Statement pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated as a Registration Default for purposes of Section 5 hereof in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement required pursuant to Section 3 hereof, if such suspension exceeds an aggregate of 30 days in any three-month period or an aggregate of 60 days in any six-month period, and the case of the Shelf Registration Statement required pursuant to Section 4, if such suspension exceeds an aggregate of 60 days in any three month period or an aggregate of 90 days in any calendar year.

(d) Underwritten Offerings . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated to undertake an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement within six (6) months following any Underwritten Offering (whether or not pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement).

SECTION 7. Registration Expenses .

(a) All expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses (including any filings made by any Holder with FINRA (and, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” and its counsel that may be required by the rules and regulations of FINRA)) and all rating agency fees; (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state securities or blue sky laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses), messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, the Trustee and the Holders; and (v) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such performance).

The Company will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Company.

(b) In connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company will reimburse the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities being resold pursuant to the “Plan of Distribution” contained in the Shelf Registration Statement for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel as may be chosen by the vote of the Holders of the majority in aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit the Shelf Registration Statement is being prepared.

 

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SECTION 8. Indemnification .

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its directors and officers, and each person, if any, who controls any Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which such Holder, director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other U.S. federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the prior written consent of the Company), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and to reimburse each Holder and each such director, officer, employee or controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by such Holder or such director, officer or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided , however , that the Company will not be liable in any case to the extent such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto). The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company may otherwise have.

(b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its directors and officers who sign a Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other U.S. federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Majority Holders), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein; and to reimburse the Company and each such director and officer or controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by the Company or such director, officer or controlling person in connection

 

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with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Holder may otherwise have.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 8 notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or otherwise other than under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8 or from any liability it may have under this Section 8 to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and, to the extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided , however , if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying party’s election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), reasonably approved by the indemnifying party, representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action) or (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party.

(d) The indemnifying party under this Section 8 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of such

 

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indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding and (ii) does not include any statements as to or any findings of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(e) If the indemnification provided for in Section 8 hereof is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions or inaccuracies in the representations and warranties herein which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, shall be determined in a manner as is appropriate to reflect the relative economic benefits of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, in the matters contemplated by this Agreement. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact or any such inaccurate or alleged inaccurate representation or warranty relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Holders, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission or inaccuracy.

(f) The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8 hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim. The provisions set forth in Section 8 hereof with respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be made under Section 8(e) above; provided , however , that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which notice has been given under Section 8 hereof for purposes of indemnification. The Company and each Holder agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to Section 8(e) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 8(e).

(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8(e), no Holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the dollar amount by which the total net profit received by such Holder from the sale of any Securities exceeds the amount of any damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders’ obligations to contribute

 

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pursuant to Section 8(e) above are several, and not joint, on a pro rata basis based on such Holder’s aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities included in such Registration Statement or Prospectus. For purposes of Section 8(e) above, each director, officer and employee of a Holder and each person, if any, who controls a Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such a Holder, and each director and officer of the Company, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

SECTION 9. Participation in Underwritten Registrations. No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Transfer Restricted Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

SECTION 10. Selection of Underwriters. The Holders covered by the Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Transfer Restricted Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) that will administer such offering will be selected by the vote of the Holders of the majority in aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities included in such offering; provided, however , that such investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

SECTION 11. Miscellaneous.

(a) Remedies. The Company hereby agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agree to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company will not on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The Company has not previously entered into any agreement granting any registration rights with respect to its securities to any Person. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Company’s securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.

(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has (i) in the case of Section 5 hereof and this Section 12(c)(i), obtained the written consent of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the case of all other provisions hereof, obtained the written consent of the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities outstanding (in either case, excluding any Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Company or its affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to departure from

 

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the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other Holders whose securities are not being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer may be given by the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being tendered or registered.

(d) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, facsimile, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the Indenture;

(ii) and if to the Company:

GMAC LLC

200 Renaissance Center

P.O. Box 200

Detroit, Michigan 48625

Telecopier No.: (313) 656-6124

Attention: General Counsel

With a copy to:

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, New York 10019

Telecopier No.: (212) 403-2000

Attention: David E. Shapiro

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the address specified in the applicable Indenture.

(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including, without limitation, and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided, however , that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to the extent such successor or assign acquired Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder.

 

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(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(h) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE. ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM OR PROCEEDING RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION OR CONDUCT IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, IS WAIVED.

(i) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

(j) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

(k) Third-Party Beneficiaries. Holders (including Broker-Dealers holding Transfer Restricted Securities) are express and intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement, and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.

[Signature Pages follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

GMAC LLC
By:  

/s/ David C. Walker

Name:   David C. Walker
Title:   Group Vice President and Treasurer of Company
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
By:  

/s/ Andrew C. Karp

Name:   Andrew C. Karp
Title:   Managing Director
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen Cheeseman

Name:   Stephen Cheeseman
Title:   Managing Director
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
By:  

/s/ Goldman, Sachs & Co.

  (Goldman, Sachs & Co.)
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
By:  

/s/ David A. Dwyer

Name:   David A. Dwyer
Title:   Executive Director
BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.
By:  

/s/ Edward Witz

Name:   Edward Witz
Title:   Managing Director
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC
By:  

/s/ Sharon Harrison

Name:   Sharon Harrison
Title:   Director
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.
By:  

/s/ Marc Fratepietro

Name:   Marc Fratepietro
Title:   Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Scott Flieger

Name:   Scott Flieger
Title:   Managing Director
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ Yurij Slyz

Name:   Yurij Slyz
Title:   Vice President
GREENWICH CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael Saron

Name:   Michael Saron
Title:   Managing Director

 

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Exhibit 10.8

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by

GMAC LLC

and

Banc of America Securities LLC

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

Barclays Capital Inc.

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc.

Dated as of December 31, 2008


This Registration Rights Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of December 31, 2008, by and among GMAC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”) and the Dealer Managers (as defined in the Dealer Managers Agreement (as defined below)), relating to the Company’s plans to exchange certain of the Company’s and certain of its subsidiaries’ outstanding notes (the “ Old Notes ”), for a combination of cash, newly issued senior guaranteed notes of the Company (the “ New Guaranteed Notes ”) and newly issued cumulative perpetual preferred stock (the “ New Preferred Stock ” or the “ Securities ”) of Preferred Blocker Inc., a Delaware corporation and subsidiary of the Company (“ Blocker Sub ”), to be issued pursuant to the terms of the certificate of designations, dated as of December 31, 2008 (the “ Certificate of Designations ”). In connection with the Offers (as defined in the Dealer Managers Agreement (as defined below)) and the issuance of the New Preferred Stock, the Company is executing this Agreement for the benefit of the holders from time to time of Transfer Restricted Securities (as defined below) upon the occurrence of the GMAC Conversion (as defined below). The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition set forth in Section 10(i) of the Dealer Managers Agreement, dated November 20, 2008 and amended on November 25, 2008 (the “ Dealer Managers Agreement ”), among the Company and the Dealer Managers.

The parties hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Dividend Rate: As defined in Section 5 hereto.

Additional Dividend Payment Date: With respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities, each Dividend Payment Date.

Advice: As defined in Section 5(b) hereto.

Agreement: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Blocker Sub: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.

Business Day: Any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or U.S. federal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies located in New York, New York are authorized or obligated to be closed.

Certificate of Designations: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Closing Date: The date of this Agreement.

Company: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Commission: The United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Dealer Managers: As defined in the preamble hereto.

 

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Dealer Managers Agreement: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Dividend Payment Date: As defined in the Certificate of Designations.

Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

FINRA: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Freely Tradable: Means, with respect to a Security, a Security that at any time of determination (i) may be sold to the public in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any successor provision thereof (“ Rule 144 ”) without regard to volume, manner of sale or any other restrictions contained in Rule 144 (other than the holding period requirement in the last sentence of paragraph (b)(1)(i) of Rule 144 so long as such holding period requirement is satisfied at such time of determination), (ii) does not bear any restrictive legends relating to the Securities Act and (iii) does not bear a restricted CUSIP number.

GMAC Conversion: Means, together with related transactions, a conversion of the Company into a corporation through a statutory conversion, the creation of a holding company above the Company and the exchange of all or substantially all of the Company’s outstanding equity interests for equity interests of such holding company, the direct or indirect acquisition by Blocker Sub of all or substantially all of the Company’s outstanding equity interests in exchange for stock of Blocker Sub, the merger of the Company with and into Blocker Sub, and any other direct or indirect incorporation of the assets and liabilities of the Company, including, without limitation, by merger, consolidation or recapitalization; statutory conversion; direct or indirect, sale, transfer, exchange, pledge or other disposal of economic, voting or other rights; sale, exchange or other acquisition of shares, equity interests or assets; contribution of assets and/or liabilities; liquidation; exchange of securities; conversion of entity, migration of entity or formation of new entity; or other transaction or group of related transactions; provided that (i) if the GMAC Conversion occurs and Blocker Sub is not the resulting corporation, then the New Preferred Stock will be converted into or exchanged for preferred stock of such resulting corporation having terms substantially the same as the terms of the New Preferred Stock and (ii) in connection with a GMAC Conversion, appropriate action shall be taken, if any, to ensure that the New Preferred Stock shall continue to have the practical economic benefits of the material provisions applicable to the New Preferred Stock and the GMAC Preferred Membership Interests, including with respect to dividends, liquidation preference, priority, relative rights with respect to other equity interests and the equity value of the Company and its subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, following the GMAC Conversion, if the issuer of the New Preferred Stock would not otherwise be the same as the issuer of the New Guaranteed Notes, then the New Preferred Stock will be converted into or exchanged for preferred stock of the issuer of the New Guaranteed Notes having terms substantially the same as the terms of the New Preferred Stock.

GMAC Preferred Membership Interests : Means the preferred membership interests of the Company that will be issued to Blocker Sub in connection with the Offers.

Holders: As defined in Section 2(b) hereof.

 

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Majority Holders: With respect to any date, Holders of a majority of the amount of Securities registered under the Shelf Registration Statement.

New Guaranteed Notes: As defined in the preamble hereto.

New Preferred Stock: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Old Notes: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Person: An individual, partnership, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

Prospectus: The prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference into such Prospectus.

Registration Default: As defined in Section 4 hereof.

Securities: As defined in the preamble hereto.

Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Shelf Filing Deadline: As defined in Section 3(a) hereof.

Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 3(a) hereof.

Transfer Agent: Mellon Investor Services LLC.

Transfer Restricted Securities: The Securities; provided that the Securities shall cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities on the earliest to occur of (i) the date on which the Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Securities has become effective under the Securities Act and the Securities have been disposed of pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, (ii) the date on which such Securities cease to be outstanding or (iii) the date on which such Securities are Freely Tradable.

Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering: A registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

SECTION 2. Securities Subject to this Agreement .

(a) Transfer Restricted Securities. The securities entitled to the benefits of this Agreement are the Transfer Restricted Securities.

(b) Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities. A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each, a “ Holder ”) whenever such Person (including any successors or assigns) owns Transfer Restricted Securities.

 

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SECTION 3. Shelf Registration .

(a) Shelf Registration. If the Securities are not all Freely Tradable prior to 366 days following the GMAC Conversion (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (such date being the “ Shelf Filing Deadline ”), the Company shall:

(i) cause to be filed a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (the “ Shelf Registration Statement ”) on or prior to the 30th day after the Shelf Filing Deadline, which Shelf Registration Statement shall provide for resales of all Transfer Restricted Securities the Holders of which shall have provided the information required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof; and

(ii) use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission on or before the 60th day after the Shelf Filing Deadline (or if such 60th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day).

The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Sections 5(a) and (b) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders of such Securities entitled to the benefit of this Section 3(a), and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of one year from the date on which the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission or such shorter period that will terminate when all the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement or are Freely Tradable; provided that the Company may for a period of up to 60 days in any three-month period, not to exceed 90 days in any calendar year determine that the Shelf Registration Statement is not usable under certain circumstances relating to corporate developments, public filings with the Commission and similar events, and suspend the use of the prospectus that is part of such Shelf Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the requirements to file the Shelf Registration Statement and to have the Shelf Registration Statement become effective and remain effective shall terminate at such time as all of the Securities are Freely Tradable.

It is agreed that if the Shelf Registration Statement is required to be filed and effective pursuant to this Section 3 and is not so filed and effective after the Shelf Filing Deadline, the only remedy to the Holders after the Shelf Filing Deadline will be Additional Dividends as set forth in Section 4 hereof.

(b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to the Company in writing, within 20 Business Days after receipt of a request therefor, such information as the Company may reasonably request for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.

 

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SECTION 4. Additional Dividends. If any of the Securities are not Freely Tradable by the Shelf Filing Deadline and (i) the Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission on or before the date on which such Shelf Registration Statement is required to be declared effective by the Commission pursuant to Section 3(a)(ii) or (ii) the Shelf Registration Statement required by this Agreement has been declared effective but ceases to be effective at any time at which it is required to be effective under this Agreement (each such event referred to in clauses (i) and (ii), a “ Registration Default ”), the Company hereby agrees that additional cumulative dividends shall accrue on the Transfer Restricted Securities at a rate of 0.25% per annum over the applicable dividend rate otherwise provided for in the Certificate of Designations (the “ Additional Dividends ”) from and including the date on which such Registration Default has occurred to but excluding the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured. All accrued Additional Dividends shall be paid in cash when declared by Blocker Sub’s board of directors out of funds legally available for payment on each Additional Dividend Payment Date. At the earlier of (i) the cure of all Registration Defaults relating to the particular Transfer Restricted Securities or (ii) the particular Transfer Restricted Securities having become Freely Tradable, the dividend rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Securities will be reduced to the original dividend rate borne by such Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however, that, if after any such reduction in dividend rate, a different Registration Default occurs, the dividend rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Securities shall again be increased pursuant to the foregoing provisions. Additional Dividends accrued pursuant to this Section 4 but not declared by Blocker Sub’s board of directors will continue to accumulate until declared for payment by Blocker Sub’s board of directors on an Additional Dividend Payment Date. For the avoidance of doubt, Additional Dividends shall only accrue on the liquidation preference of the Transfer Restricted Security and not on any other dividends accrued but unpaid with respect to such Transfer Restricted Security.

SECTION 5. Registration Procedures .

(a) Shelf Registration Statement. If required pursuant to Section 3, in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall comply with all the provisions of Section 5(b) hereof and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such registration to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company will prepare and file with the Commission the Shelf Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Securities Act within the period specified in Section 3(a)(i) hereof, which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof.

(b) General Provisions. In connection with the Shelf Registration Statement and any Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or resale of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, the Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus required to permit resales of Transfer Restricted Securities by Broker-Dealers), the Company shall:

(i) use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective and include or incorporate by reference therein all requisite financial statements (including, if required by the Securities Act or any regulation thereunder, financial statements of the Company for the period specified in Section 3 hereof); upon the occurrence of any event that would cause the Shelf Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain a material misstatement or omission or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period required by this Agreement, the Company shall file promptly an appropriate amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement, in the case of clause (A), correcting any such misstatement or omission, and, in the case of either clause (A) or (B), use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective and the Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to become usable for their intended purpose(s) as soon as practicable thereafter;

 

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(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Shelf Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective for the applicable period set forth in Section 3 hereof, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement or are Freely Tradable; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, and to comply fully with the applicable provisions of Rules 424 and 430A under the Securities Act in a timely manner; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Shelf Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;

(iii) advise the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders of securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement promptly and, if requested by such Persons, to confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to such Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the Shelf Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement under the Securities Act or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the Shelf Registration Statement, the related Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Shelf Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, or any

 

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state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or blue sky laws, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time;

(iv) furnish without charge to each selling Holder named in any Shelf Registration Statement, and each of the underwriter(s), if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any Shelf Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference after the initial filing of such Registration Statement), which documents will be subject to the review and comment of such Holders and underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least five Business Days, and the Company will not file any such Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents incorporated by reference) to which the Majority Holders or the underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object in writing within five Business Days after the receipt thereof (such objection to be deemed timely made upon confirmation of telecopy transmission within such period). The objection of the Majority Holders or underwriter(s), if any, shall be deemed to be reasonable if such Shelf Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains a material misstatement or omission;

(v) make available at reasonable times for inspection by the managing underwriter(s), if any, participating in any disposition pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement and any attorney or accountant retained by the Majority Holders or any of the underwriter(s), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Holder, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness and to participate in meetings with investors to the extent requested by the managing underwriter(s), if any; provided, however, that each such party shall be required to maintain in confidence and not to disclose to any other Person any information or records reasonably designated by the Company as being confidential, until such time as (A) such information becomes a matter of public record (whether by virtue of its inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement or otherwise, except as a result of a breach of this or any other obligation of confidentiality to the Company), (B) such Person shall be required to disclose such information pursuant to a subpoena or order of any court or other governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the matter (subject to the requirements of such order, and only after such Person shall have given the Company prompt prior written notice of such requirement), or (C) such information is required to be set forth in the Shelf Registration Statement or the Prospectus included therein or an amendment or supplement thereto in order that the Shelf Registration Statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement, as applicable, complies with applicable requirements of the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the

 

-8-


Commission and does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(vi) if requested by any selling Holders or the underwriter(s), if any, promptly incorporate in any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such selling Holders and underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request to have included therein if such information is required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, including, without limitation, information relating to the “Plan of Distribution” of the Transfer Restricted Securities, information with respect to the amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold to such underwriter(s), the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold in such offering; and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company is notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

(vii) cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement to be rated, if not then rated, with the appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by the Majority Holders or by the underwriter(s), if any;

(viii) furnish to each selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, at least one copy of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated therein by reference) unless such documents or exhibits are available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval system or the Interactive Data Electronic Applications system;

(ix) deliver to each selling Holder of Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; the Company hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each such selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;

(x) enter into such customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement), and make such representations and warranties, and take all such other actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement, all to such extent as may be reasonably requested by any Holder or underwriter in connection with any sale or resale pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement; and whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an Underwritten Registration, the Company shall:

 

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(A) furnish to each selling Holder and each underwriter, if any, in such substance and scope as they may reasonably request and as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings, upon the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement:

(1) an opinion dated the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement of counsel for the Company, covering such matters as are customarily covered in opinions requested in an underwritten offering and such other matters as such parties may reasonably request, and in any event including a statement to the effect that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company, representatives of the underwriter(s), if any, and counsel to the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the preparation of such Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus and have considered the matters required to be stated therein and the statements contained therein, although such counsel has not independently verified the accuracy, completeness or fairness of such statements; and that such counsel advises that, on the basis of the foregoing, no facts came to such counsel’s attention that caused such counsel to believe that the applicable Shelf Registration Statement, at the time such Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto became effective, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus contained in such Shelf Registration Statement as of its date, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Without limiting the foregoing, such counsel may state further that such counsel assumes no responsibility for, and has not independently verified, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the financial statements, notes and schedules and other financial data included in any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement or the related Prospectus; and

(2) a customary comfort letter, dated the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, from the Company’s independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of the type customarily requested to be covered in comfort letters by underwriters in connection with primary underwritten offerings, and covering or affirming the matters set forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 10(g) of the Dealer Managers Agreement, without exception; and

 

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(B) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by such parties to evidence compliance with Section 5(b)(x)(A) hereof and with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company pursuant to this Section 5(b)(x), if any.

(xi) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders, the underwriter(s), if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders or underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however , that the Company shall not be required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation where it is not then so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the Shelf Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

(xii) cooperate with the selling Holders and the underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of “global certificates” representing the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Transfer Restricted Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders or the underwriter(s), if any, may request at least two Business Days prior to any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities made by such Holders or underwriter(s);

(xiii) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in Section 5(b)(xi) hereof;

(xiv) if any fact or event contemplated by Section 5(b)(iii)(D) hereof shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(xv) provide a CUSIP number for all Securities not later than the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement covering such Securities and provide the Transfer Agent with printed certificates for such Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and take all other action necessary to ensure that all such Securities are eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company;

 

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(xvi) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with FINRA and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter (including any “qualified independent underwriter”) that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA;

(xvii) otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 under the Securities Act (which need not be audited) for the twelve-month period (A) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Transfer Restricted Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts Underwritten Offering or (B) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, beginning with the first month of the Company’s first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of a Shelf Registration Statement; and

(xviii) provide promptly to each Holder upon written request each document filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and Section 15 of the Exchange Act.

Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 5(b)(iii)(D) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Shelf Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(b)(xiv) hereof, or until it is advised in writing (the “ Advice ”) by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus. If so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the time period regarding the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 hereof, shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 5(b)(iii)(D) hereof to and including the date when each selling Holder covered by such Shelf Registration Statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(b)(xv) hereof or shall have received the Advice; provided, however, that no such extension shall be taken into account in determining whether Additional Dividends are due pursuant to Section 4 hereof or the amount of such Additional Dividends, it being agreed that the Company’s option to suspend use of a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated as a Registration Default for purposes of Section 4 if such suspension exceeds an aggregate of 60 days in any three month period or an aggregate of 90 days in any calendar year.

 

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(c) Underwritten Offerings . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated to undertake an Underwritten Offering pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement within six (6) months following any Underwritten Offering (whether or not pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement).

SECTION 6. Registration Expenses .

(a) All expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company, regardless of whether a Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses (including any filings made by any Holder with FINRA (and, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” and its counsel that may be required by the rules and regulations of FINRA)) and all rating agency fees; (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state securities or blue sky laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing of Prospectuses), messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; and (v) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such performance).

The Company will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Company.

(b) The Company will reimburse the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities being resold pursuant to the “Plan of Distribution” contained in the Shelf Registration Statement for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel as may be chosen by the vote of the Holders of the majority in aggregate amount of Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit the Shelf Registration Statement is being prepared.

SECTION 7. Indemnification .

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its directors and officers, and each person, if any, who controls any Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which such Holder, director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other U.S. federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the prior written consent of the Company), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and to reimburse each Holder and each such director, officer, employee or controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by such Holder or such director, officer or

 

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controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided , however , that the Company will not be liable in any case to the extent such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto). The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 7(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company may otherwise have.

(b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its directors and officers who sign a Shelf Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other U.S. federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Majority Holders), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein; and to reimburse the Company and each such director and officer or controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by the Company or such director, officer or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 7(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Holder may otherwise have.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 7 notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or otherwise other than under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 7 or from any liability it may have under this Section 7 to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and, to the extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided , however , if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and

 

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the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying party’s election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 7 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), reasonably approved by the indemnifying party, representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action) or (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party.

(d) The indemnifying party under this Section 7 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding and (ii) does not include any statements as to or any findings of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(e) If the indemnification provided for in Section 7 hereof is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions or inaccuracies in the representations and warranties herein which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand,

 

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shall be determined in a manner as is appropriate to reflect the relative economic benefits of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, in the matters contemplated by this Agreement. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact or any such inaccurate or alleged inaccurate representation or warranty relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Holders, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission or inaccuracy.

(f) The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 7 hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim. The provisions set forth in Section 7 hereof with respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be made under Section 7(e) above; provided , however , that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which notice has been given under Section 7 hereof for purposes of indemnification. The Company and each Holder agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to Section 7(e) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 7(e).

(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7(e), no Holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the dollar amount by which the total net profit received by such Holder from the sale of any Securities exceeds the amount of any damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to Section 7(e) above are several, and not joint, on a pro rata basis based on such Holder’s aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities included in such Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus. For purposes of Section 7(e) above, each director, officer and employee of a Holder and each person, if any, who controls a Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such a Holder, and each director and officer of the Company, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

SECTION 8. Participation in Underwritten Registrations. No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Transfer Restricted Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

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SECTION 9. Selection of Underwriters. The Holders covered by the Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Transfer Restricted Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) that will administer such offering will be selected by the vote of the Holders of the majority of the outstanding shares of Transfer Restricted Securities included in such offering; provided, however , that such investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

SECTION 10. Miscellaneous.

(a) Remedies. The Company hereby agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agree to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company will not on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The Company has not previously entered into any agreement granting any registration rights with respect to its securities to any Person. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Company’s securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.

(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has (i) in the case of Section 4 hereof and this Section 10(c)(i), obtained the written consent of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the case of all other provisions hereof, obtained the written consent of the Holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Transfer Restricted Securities outstanding (in either case, excluding any Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Company or its affiliates).

(d) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, facsimile, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

 

(i)   if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the stock register of the Company; and
(ii)   if to the Company:
 

Preferred Blocker Inc.

c/o GMAC LLC

200 Renaissance Center

P.O. Box 200

Detroit, Michigan 48625

Telecopier No.: (313) 656-6124

Attention: General Counsel

 

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With a copy to:

 

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, New York 10019

Telecopier No.: (212) 403-2000

Attention: David E. Shapiro

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including, without limitation, and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided, however , that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to the extent such successor or assign acquired Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder.

(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(h) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE. ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM OR PROCEEDING RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION OR CONDUCT IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, IS WAIVED.

(i) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

(j) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to

 

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herein with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

(k) Third-Party Beneficiaries. Holders (including Broker-Dealers holding Transfer Restricted Securities) are express and intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement, and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.

[Signature Pages follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

GMAC LLC
By:  

/s/ David C. Walker

Name:   David C. Walker
Title:   Group Vice President and Treasurer of Company
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
By:  

/s/ Andrew C. Karp

Name:   Andrew C. Karp
Title:   Managing Director
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen Cheeseman

Name:   Stephen Cheeseman
Title:   Managing Director
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
By:  

/s/ Goldman, Sachs & Co.

  (Goldman, Sachs & Co.)
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
By:  

/s/ David A. Dwyer

Name:   David A. Dwyer
Title:   Executive Director
BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.
By:  

/s/ Edward Witz

Name:   Edward Witz
Title:   Managing Director
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC
By:  

/s/ Sharon Harrison

Name:   Sharon Harrison
Title:   Director
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.
By:  

/s/ Marc Fratepietro

Name:   Marc Fratepietro
Title:   Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Scott Flieger

Name:   Scott Flieger
Title:   Managing Director
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ Yurij Slyz

Name:   Yurij Slyz
Title:   Vice President
GREENWICH CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael Saron

Name:   Michael Saron
Title:   Managing Director

 

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Exhibit 10.9

Termination of Participation Agreement

This Termination Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2008, is between GMAC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Seller”), General Motors Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“General Motors”), and FIM Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“FIM”, and together with General Motors, each a “Participant” and collectively, the “Participants”). Reference is made to that certain Participation Agreement, dated as of June 4, 2008 (the “Participation Agreement”), among the Seller, General Motors and Cerberus Rescap Financing LLC (“Cerberus Fund”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Participation Agreement.

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, on or prior to the date hereof, Cerberus Fund has contributed and assigned its Participation to FIM;

WHEREAS, Seller, General Motors, and as a result of such assignment, FIM are parties to the Participation Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Seller, General Motors and FIM now wish to mutually terminate their rights, title and interests under the Participation Agreement.

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

1. Effective as of the date hereof, subject to the simultaneous consummation of the Exchange Agreement, dated the date hereof, by and among Seller, General Motors and FIM, the Participation Agreement is terminated by the mutual agreement of Seller, General Motors and FIM, without further force or effect.

2. Upon termination of the Participation Agreement, none of Seller, General Motors and FIM shall have any rights, obligations, or liabilities to the other parties under the Participation Agreement.

3. Each party hereto, (in such capacity, each a “Releasor”) hereby releases and forever discharges the other parties hereto, their respective corporate parents, subsidiaries and affiliates and each of their respective present and former directors, managing directors, officers, control persons, stockholders, general partners, limited partners, employees, agents, attorneys, administrators, successors, personal representatives, executors and assigns (collectively, the “Released Group”) from any and all actions, causes of action, injunctions, accounts, agreements, bonds, bills, covenants, contracts, controversies, claims, damages, demands, debts, dues, extents, executions, judgments, liabilities, obligations, promises, predicate acts, reckonings, specialties, suits, sums of money, and variances whatsoever, whether known or unknown, in law or in equity, which against any of them the Releasor, its corporate parents, subsidiaries and affiliates and each of their present and former directors, managing directors, officers, control persons, stockholders, general partners, limited partners,


employees, agents, attorneys, administrators, successors, personal representatives, executors and assigns may now have, have ever had, or may hereafter have against any member of the Released Group arising out of, or in connection with, or in any manner related to, the Participation Agreement (the “Release”); provided, however, that the Releasor does not hereby waive, release or discharge the Released Group from any of its obligations under this Termination Agreement.

4. If GMAC’s separate private exchange offers and cash tender offers to purchase and/or exchange certain of its and its subsidiaries’ and Residential Capital, LLC’s outstanding notes shall not have been completed at or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on January 1, 2009 on substantially the terms described in the offering memorandums therefor, each of GM and FIM shall have the right to notify each other party to this Termination Agreement that they wish to rescind this Termination Agreement and upon receipt of such notification by each such other party hereto prior to 5 p.m., New York City time, on January 5, 2009, this Termination Agreement shall thereupon become null and void, ab initio, as if this Termination Agreement was never executed and the Participation Agreement was never terminated, and any actions theretofore undertaken pursuant hereto shall immediately thereupon be rescinded and the parties hereto shall be restored to such positions as each occupied immediately prior to the execution hereof.

5. Each Releasor acknowledges that it may hereafter discover claims or facts in addition to or different from those which it now knows or believes to exist with respect to the subject matter of the Release and which, if known or suspected at the time of executing this Release, may have materially affected this Release. Nevertheless, each Releasor hereby waives any right, claim, or cause of action that might arise as a result of such different or additional claims or facts.

6. This Termination Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Termination Agreement and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous discussions and agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties with respect thereto.

7. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES OF SUCH STATE.

8. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery in and for New Castle County, or in the event (but only in the event) that such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such action or proceeding, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, for any proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the Transactions (and agrees not to commence any proceeding relating thereto except in such courts), and further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to its respective address set forth in this Agreement shall be effective service of process for any proceeding brought against it in any such court. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the Transactions in the Delaware Court of

 

2


Chancery in and for New Castle County, or in the event (but only in the event) that such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such action or proceeding, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the parties 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.

9. EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

10. The provisions of this Termination Agreement may only be amended, modified or waived with the written consent of each party hereto. No failure or delay on the party of any party in exercising any right or remedy, or in requiring the satisfaction of any condition, under this Termination Agreement shall operate as a waiver of, or impair, any such right, remedy or condition. No single or partial exercise of any such right, remedy or condition shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy or condition. No waiver of any right of a party under this Termination Agreement shall be effective unless given in writing by such party, or shall be deemed a waiver of any other right hereunder.

11. None of the parties may assign any of its rights or delegate any of its obligations under this Termination Agreement without the written consent of the other parties hereto, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Any purported assignment or delegation absent such consent shall be null and void and without effect. This Termination Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the successors to, or permitted assigns of, any of the parties.

12. The parties represent that they each have all right and authority necessary to grant the release and make the covenants set forth herein.

13. Each of the parties has jointly participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Termination Agreement. In the event of an ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this Termination Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by each of the parties and no presumptions or burdens of proof shall arise favoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

[Signatures on Next Page]

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Termination Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first executed.

 

GMAC LLC
By:  

/s/ Robert S. Hull

Name:   Robert S. Hull
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
General Motors Corporation
By:  

/s/ Ray G. Young

Name:   Ray G. Young
Title:  

 

FIM Holdings, LLC
By:   Cerberus FIM Investors, LLC, its Managing Member,
By:   Cerberus FIM, LLC, its Managing Member,
By:  

/s/ Stephen A. Feinberg

Name:   Stephen A. Feinberg
Title:   Managing Member

[Signature Page to the Termination Agreement]

Exhibit 99.1

GMAC Receives $5.0 Billion Investment from the U.S. Treasury

Announces satisfaction of conditions to and expiration of its notes exchange offers

NEW YORK (Dec. 29, 2008) — GMAC Financial Services today announced that it has sold $5.0 billion of GMAC’s preferred membership interests and warrants to the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a participant in the Troubled Assets Relief Program established under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. The sale was completed today.

GMAC also announced that General Motors Corp. (GM) and an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management contributed to GMAC the $750 million subordinated participations in the $3.5 billion senior secured credit facility, as amended, between GMAC and Residential Capital, LLC in exchange for new common equity of GMAC. In addition, GMAC announced that GM and an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management entered into agreements to purchase $1.25 billion of new common equity. The U.S. Treasury and GM intend to enter into an agreement for the Treasury to fund GM’s share of the new common equity.

GMAC also announced that the conditions to its previously announced separate private exchange offers and cash tender offers have been satisfied and that GMAC has accepted all of the validly tendered GMAC old notes and ResCap old notes. The GMAC offers and the ResCap offers are expected to settle promptly.

GMAC received approval of its bank holding company application from the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on Dec. 24, 2008. As a bank holding company, GMAC has improved access to funding to provide financing to consumers and businesses. In particular, the company intends to act quickly to resume automotive lending to a broader spectrum of customers to support the availability of credit to consumers and businesses for the purchase of automobiles.

About GMAC Financial Services

GMAC Financial Services is a global finance company operating in and servicing North America, South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. GMAC specializes in automotive finance, real estate finance, insurance, commercial finance and online banking. As of Dec. 31, 2007, the organization had $248 billion in assets and serviced 15 million customers. Visit the GMAC media site at http://media.gmacfs.com/ for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are based upon our current expectations and assumptions concerning future events, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated.

The words “expect,” “anticipate,” “initiative,” “plan,” “intend,” “may,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “believe,” or the negative of any of those words or similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this press release, other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements about our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations regarding future events and our financial performance, are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties.

While these statements represent our current judgment on what the future may hold, and we believe these judgments are reasonable, these statements are not guarantees of any events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially due to numerous important factors that are described in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Many of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions are beyond our control, and may cause our actual results and performance to differ materially from our expectations. Factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from our expectations include, among others, the settlement date of the GMAC offers and the ResCap offers and the success, or lack thereof, of the transactions and other initiatives described in this press release. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this press release. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except where expressly required by law.

Contacts:

Gina Proia

Office: 917-369-2364

Mobile: 914-71409166

gina.proia@gmacfs.com

Toni Simonetti

Office: 917-369-2360

Mobile: 917-822-3392

toni.simonetti@gmacfs.com

Exhibit 99.2

GMAC ANNOUNCES CONSUMMATION OF ITS NOTES EXCHANGE OFFERS

NEW YORK (Dec. 31, 2008) – GMAC Financial Services today announced that it has consummated its separate private exchange offers and cash tender offers to purchase and/or exchange certain of its and its subsidiaries’ (the “GMAC offers”) and Residential Capital, LLC’s (the “ResCap offers”) outstanding notes specified in the tables below (the “GMAC old notes” and the “ResCap old notes”, respectively). Approximately $17.5 billion in aggregate principal amount (or 59%) of the outstanding GMAC old notes were validly tendered and accepted in the GMAC offers and approximately $3.7 billion in aggregate principal amount (or 39%) of the outstanding ResCap old notes were validly tendered and accepted in the ResCap offers.

Consummation of the GMAC offers will result in the issuance of approximately $11.9 billion aggregate principal amount of new GMAC senior guaranteed notes of various series and approximately $2.6 billion aggregate liquidation preference of new GMAC cumulative perpetual preferred stock.

The table below shows, for each series of existing GMAC notes, the aggregate principal amount tendered and accepted and the related aggregate principal amount of new senior guaranteed notes that will be issued.

 

Series of Old Notes

   Principal Amount
Tendered and Accepted
   Principal Amount of
Related New Senior
Guaranteed Notes Issued

Euribor + 1.250% Notes due 2009

   EUR 309,193,000    USD 323,103,000

4.750% Notes due 2009

   EUR 225,680,000    USD 211,885,000

6.500% Notes due 2009

   USD 149,677,000    USD 126,982,000

7.750% Notes due 2010

   USD 1,181,709,000    USD 778,854,000

5.750% Notes due May 2010

   EUR 36,734,000    USD 34,327,000

5.750% Notes due Sept. 2010

   EUR 456,475,000    USD 448,949,000

6.625% Notes due 2010

   GBP 51,833,000    USD 48,830,000

7.250% Notes due 2011

   USD 1,202,931,000    USD 802,159,000

6.000% Notes due Apr. 2011

   USD 174,284,000    USD 122,605,000

5.375% Notes due 2011

   EUR 594,069,000    USD 570,441,000

6.875% Notes due 2011

   USD 4,347,883,000    USD 3,087,771,000

6.000% Notes due Dec. 2011

   USD 871,998,000    USD 562,268,000

7.000% Notes due 2012

   USD 544,784,000    USD 357,492,000

6.625% Notes due 2012

   USD 613,701,000    USD 407,348,000

6.000% Notes due 2012

   EUR 136,772,000    USD 129,264,000

6.875% Notes due 2012

   USD 1,198,666,000    USD 784,677,000

6.750% Notes due 2014

   USD 1,194,091,000    USD 764,653,000

Libor + 2.200% Notes due 2014

   USD 471,615,000    USD 294,768,000

8.000% Notes due 2031

   USD 3,034,460,000    USD 1,995,021,000

Consummation of the ResCap offer will result in the issuance of approximately $688 million aggregate principal amount of new GMAC 7.50% senior notes due 2013 and approximately $483 million aggregate principal amount of new GMAC 8.00% subordinated notes due 2018.

The table below shows for each series of existing ResCap notes the aggregate principal amount tendered and accepted.


Series of Old Notes

   Principal Amount Tendered
and Accepted

Libor + 3.10% Floating Rate Notes due April 2009

   USD 6,225,000

Libor + 3.83% Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due April 2009

   USD 15,000,000

Libor + 3.10% Floating Rate Notes due May 2009

   USD 12,940,000

8.500% Senior Secured Guaranteed Notes due 2010

   USD 830,511,000

8.375% Notes due 2010

   USD 429,211,000

Euribor + 3.45% Floating Rate Notes due 2010

   EUR 18,100,000

8.000% Notes due 2011

   USD 9,372,000

7.125% Notes due 2012

   EUR 12,295,000

8.500% Notes due 2012

   USD 15,089,000

8.500% Notes due 2013

   USD 401,417,000

8.375% Notes due 2013

   GBP 3,965,000

9.875% Notes due 2014

   GBP 1,000,000

9.625% Junior Secured Guaranteed Notes due 2015

   USD 1,889,828,000

8.875% Notes due 2015

   USD 38,728,000

The cash elections for each of the GMAC offers and the ResCap offers were oversubscribed. As a result, each eligible holder who made a cash election in the GMAC offers will have approximately 23.2% of the amount of old notes it tendered accepted for cash, and the balance of old notes each such holder tendered that was not accepted for purchase for cash will be exchanged into new securities, in the amount determined pursuant to the applicable new securities exchange ratios, as if such holder had made a new securities election with respect to such balance of old notes. Furthermore, each eligible holder who made a cash election in the ResCap offers will have approximately 47.8% of the amount of old notes it tendered accepted for cash, and the balance of old notes each such holder tendered that was not accepted for purchase for cash will be exchanged into new securities, in the amount determined pursuant to the applicable new securities exchange ratios, as if such holder had made a new securities election with respect to such balance of old notes.

To determine the consideration paid, the principal amounts of old notes denominated in Euros and Sterling have been converted to U.S. dollars at currency exchange rates set on December 24, 2008 of $1.3964/EUR and $1.4673/GBP.

About GMAC Financial Services

GMAC Financial Services is a global finance company operating in and servicing North America, South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. GMAC specializes in automotive finance, real estate finance, insurance, commercial finance and online banking. As of Dec. 31, 2007, the organization had $248 billion in assets and serviced 15 million customers. Visit the GMAC media site at http://media.gmacfs.com/ for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are based upon our current expectations and assumptions concerning future events, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated.

The words “expect,” “anticipate,” “initiative,” “plan,” “intend,” “may,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “believe,” or the negative of any of those words or similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this press release, other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements about our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations regarding future events and our financial performance, are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties.


While these statements represent our current judgment on what the future may hold, and we believe these judgments are reasonable, these statements are not guarantees of any events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially due to numerous important factors that are described in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Many of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions are beyond our control, and may cause our actual results and performance to differ materially from our expectations. Factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from our expectations include, among others, the final settlement amounts and proration factors described above in this press release. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this press release. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except where expressly required by law.

Contacts:

Gina Proia

917-369-2364

914-714-9166-mobile

gina.proia@gmacfs.com

Toni Simonetti

917-369-2360

917-822-3392-mobile

toni.simonetti@gmacfs.com

Exhibit 99.3

December 29, 2008

FIM Holdings LLC

c/o Cerberus Capital Management, L.P

299 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10171

GMAC LLC

200 Renaissance Center

Detroit, MI 48265

GM Finance Co. Holdings LLC

GM Preferred Finance Co. Holdings LLC

c/o General Motors Corporation

300 Renaissance Center

Detroit, Michigan 48265

Re: Governance Terms

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This letter agreement (this “ Agreement ”) sets forth the mutual understanding amongst the parties hereto and with the United States Department of Treasury (the “ Treasury ”) with respect to the composition of the board of managers of GMAC LLC (the “ Company ”) relating to the Company’s application to participate in the Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program established under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and the Company’s application to become a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956.

1. As promptly as practicable and in any event prior to January 16, 2008 (the “ Deadline ”), each of the parties hereby agrees to negotiate in good faith and to enter into definitive documentation (which may take the form of an amendment to the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement, to be dated on or about December 31, 2008 (the “ LLC Agreement ”) and/or a securityholders’ agreement or otherwise; collectively, the “ Definitive Documentation ”) to reflect the governance arrangements set forth in Annex A hereto (the “ Governance Arrangements ”). Notwithstanding the obligation of the parties hereto to agree on the Definitive Documentation by the Deadline, in the event that the parties are unable to agree on such Definitive Documentation by the Deadline, the Governance Arrangements shall nevertheless be binding on each of the parties and shall become effective on the dates set forth in Annex A .

2. This Agreement is effective and shall be binding on the parties hereto as of the date hereof until superseded by the execution of the Definitive Documentation which specifically provides for the termination and supersedure of this Agreement.

3. The provisions of Section 14.10 of the LLC Agreement (Press Release) shall apply to this Agreement.


4. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective legal successors, permitted assigns (including, with respect to GM, the UST Trust (as hereinafter defined)). No provision of this Agreement is intended to confer any rights, benefits, remedies, obligations or liabilities hereunder upon any person or entity other than the parties and their respective legal successors and permitted assigns. None of the parties hereto may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other parties and the Treasury.

5. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties and their affiliates with respect to the subject matter hereof.

6. Except as otherwise expressly contemplated herein to the contrary, each party shall pay its own expenses incident to preparing for, entering into and carrying out this Agreement.

7. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each party shall have received counterparts hereof signed by each of the other parties.

8. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES OF SUCH STATE.

9. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery in and for New Castle County, or in the event (but only in the event) that such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such action or proceeding, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, for any proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement (and agrees not to commence any proceeding relating thereto except in such courts), and further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to its respective address set forth in this Agreement shall be effective service of process for any proceeding brought against it in any such court. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any proceeding arising out of this Agreement in the Delaware Court of Chancery in and for New Castle County, or in the event (but only in the event) that such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such action or proceeding, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the parties 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.

10. EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

- 2 -


11. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party.

12. Each of the parties has jointly participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event of an ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by each of the parties and no presumptions or burdens of proof shall arise favoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

[Signature pages follow]

 

- 3 -


Sincerely,

FIM HOLDINGS LLC
By:   Cerberus FIM Investors, LLC, its Managing Member
By:   Cerberus FIM, LLC, its Managing Member
By:  

/s/ Seth Gardner

Name:   Seth Gardner
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Letter Agreement re: Governance Terms]


RECEIVED AND ACKNOWLEDGED

AS OF THE DATE FIRST WRITTEN ABOVE:

 

GMAC LLC
By:  

/s/ David C. Walker

Name:   David C. Walker
Title:   Treasurer and Group Vice President

 

GM FINANCE CO. HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Ray G. Young

Name:   Ray G. Young
Title:  

 

GM PREFERRED FINANCE CO. HOLDINGS LLC.
By:  

/s/ Ray G. Young

Name:   Ray G. Young
Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Letter Agreement re: Governance Terms]


Annex A

Governance Term Sheet

GMAC LLC

 

Board Size

   Effective as of the Board Effective Date, the board of managers (the “ Board ”) of GMAC LLC (the “ Company ”) shall initially be comprised of 7 members (“ Managers ”) as described below. The “ Board Effective Date ” shall mean March 24, 2009, or any earlier date agreed to by the parties hereto.

Board Composition

   Effective as of the Board Effective Date:
  

FIM Holdings LLC . For as long as FIM Holdings LLC (“FIM”) holds at least the Minimum Ownership Threshold (as hereinafter defined), FIM shall be entitled to appoint to one Manager. In addition, for so long as FIM shall hold any Common Interests (as hereinafter defined), FIM shall be entitled to have one non-voting observer on the Board.

 

Independent Trustee . For as long as the trust formed by the Treasury to hold equity securities of the Company acquired from General Motors (“GM”) (the “UST Trust”) holds at least the Second-Tier Ownership Threshold, the trustee(s) of the UST Trust (the “UST Trustee”) shall be entitled to appoint to two Managers. Thereafter, the UST Trustee shall be entitled to appoint one Manager until such time as the UST Trust holds less than the Minimum Ownership Threshold.

 

General Motors Corporation . For so long as GM shall hold, directly or indirectly, any Common Interests, GM shall be entitled to have one non-voting observer on the Board.

 

CEO . In addition to the foregoing Managers, the CEO of the Company shall be a Manager.

 

Independent Managers . The Board will have three independent Managers to be appointed by the unanimous agreement of the foregoing Managers.

Chairman

   Effective as of the Board Effective Date, the Chairman of the Board shall be appointed by a majority of the Board from among the independent Managers.

Facilitation

   The Definitive Documentation shall require each of the parties thereto to take such actions (either in their capacity as equity holders or through their Managers or otherwise) as shall be necessary to implement the foregoing.

Definitions

   “Minimum Ownership Threshold” means such percentage of the Common Membership Interests (as defined in the LLC Agreement) or other equity interests in the Company that has similar powers,


  

preferences, rights and privileges of the Common Membership Interests (the “Common Interests”) as shall be determined by the parties in consultation with the Treasury prior to the Deadline.

 

“Second-Tier Ownership Threshold” means such percentage of the Common Interests as shall be determined by the parties in consultation with the Treasury prior to the Deadline; provided that the Second-Tier Ownership Threshold shall be greater than the Minimum Ownership Threshold.