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 31, 2017

 

 

Invitation Homes Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   001- 38004   81-4080868

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1717 Main Street, Suite 2000, Dallas, Texas 75201

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(972) 421-3600

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

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

 

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.

Registration Rights Agreement and Stockholders Agreement

In connection with the initial public offering by Invitation Homes Inc. (the “Company”) of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), described in the Company’s prospectus dated January 31, 2017 (the “Prospectus”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 2, 2017 pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which is deemed to be part of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-215452), as amended (the “Registration Statement”), on January 31, 2017, the following agreements were entered into:

(1) the Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), dated as of January 31, 2017, by and among the Company and the equityholders named therein; and

(2) the Stockholders Agreement (the “Stockholders Agreement”), dated as of January 31, 2017, by and among the Company and the equityholders named therein.

The Registration Rights Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference. The material terms of these agreements are substantially the same as the terms set forth in the forms of such agreements filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement and as described in the Prospectus.

New Credit Facility

On February 6, 2017, Invitation Homes Operating Partnership LP (the “Borrower”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) with the lenders party thereto (the “Lenders”), Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and the other parties party thereto. The New Credit Agreement provides for senior secured credit facilities (together, collectively, the “New Credit Facility”) consisting of:

 

    a $1,000.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), which will mature on February 6, 2021, with a one-year extension option subject to certain conditions; and

 

    a $1,500.0 million term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”), which will mature on February 6, 2022.

The Revolving Credit Facility also includes borrowing capacity available for letters of credit and for short-term borrowings referred to as swing line borrowings, in each case subject to certain sublimits. The New Credit Agreement also includes the option to enter into additional incremental credit facilities (including an uncommitted incremental facility that provides the Borrower with the option to increase the size of the Revolving Facility and/or the Term Loan Facility by an aggregate commitment or principal amount of up to $1,500.0 million), subject to certain limitations.

Interest Rate and Fees

Borrowings under the New Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Borrower’s option, at a rate equal to a margin over either (a) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the Bloomberg LIBOR rate (or comparable or successor rate) for the interest period relevant to such borrowing or (b) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the administrative agent’s prime lending rate, (2) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50% and (3) the LIBOR rate that would be payable on such day for a LIBOR rate loan with a one-month interest period plus 1.00%. The margin is based on a total leverage based grid. The margin for the Revolving Credit Facility ranges from 0.75% to 1.30%, in the case of base rate loans, and 1.75% to 2.30%, in the case of LIBOR rate loans. The margin for the Term Loan Facility ranges from 0.70% to 1.30%, in the case of base rate loans, and 1.70% to 2.30%, in the case of LIBOR rate loans. The margin as of the date of effectiveness of the New Credit Agreement is (1) in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, 0.85%, in the case of base rate loans, and 1.85%, in the case of LIBOR rate loans and (2) in respect of the Term Loan Facility, 0.80%, in the case of base rate loans, and 1.80%, in the case of LIBOR rate loans. In addition, upon the Borrower’s receiving an investment grade rating on its non-credit enhanced, senior unsecured long term debt of BBB- or better from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or Baa3 or better from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (an “Investment Grade Rating Event”), the Borrower may elect to convert to a credit rating based pricing grid.

 

2


The Borrower is also required to pay a facility fee to the lenders in respect of the unutilized commitments thereunder at a rate of either 0.350% or 0.200% per annum, depending on the level of usage. Upon converting to a credit rating pricing based grid, the unused facility fee will no longer apply and the Borrower will be required to pay a facility fee ranging from 0.125% to 0.300%, as well as customary letter of credit fees.

Prepayments

The Borrower is permitted to voluntarily repay amounts outstanding under the New Credit Facility at any time without premium or penalty, subject to the payment of customary “breakage” costs in the case of the prepayment of LIBOR loans. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility may be reborrowed until the final maturity date thereof, however, once borrowings under the Term Loan Facility are repaid, no further borrowings will be permitted under the Term Loan Facility.

Amortization

The New Credit Facility has no required amortization payments prior to the final maturity date.

Guarantees and Security

The obligations under the New Credit Facility are guaranteed on a joint and several basis by each direct and indirect domestic wholly owned subsidiary of the Borrower that owns, directly or indirectly, unencumbered assets (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), subject to certain exceptions. These guarantees will be automatically released upon the occurrence of certain events, including if the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor no longer has a direct or indirect interest in an unencumbered asset or as a result of certain non-recourse refinancing transactions pursuant to which such Subsidiary Guarantor becomes contractually prohibited from providing its guaranty of the New Credit Facility. In addition, the Company may be required to provide a guarantee of the New Credit Facility under certain circumstances, including if it does not maintain its qualification as a real estate investment trust.

The New Credit Facility is collateralized by first priority or equivalent security interests in substantially all the capital stock of, or other equity interests in any Subsidiary Guarantor, held by the Borrower and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors. These security interests will be automatically released upon the occurrence of certain events, including upon an Investment Grade Rating Event or if the total net leverage ratio thereafter falls to 8.00:1.00 or less for the immediately preceding four consecutive fiscal quarters.

Certain Covenants and Events of Default

The New Credit Agreement contains certain customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. Subject to certain exceptions, such covenants restrict the ability of the Borrower, the Subsidiary Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries to, among other things:

 

    engage in certain mergers, consolidations or liquidations;

 

    sell, lease or transfer all or substantially all of their respective assets;

 

    engage in certain transactions with affiliates;

 

    make changes to the Borrower’s fiscal year or change the method of determining fiscal quarters;

 

    make changes in the nature of the business of the Borrower and its subsidiaries; and

 

    incur additional indebtedness that is secured on a pari passu basis with the New Credit Facility.

The New Credit Agreement also requires the Borrower, on a consolidated basis with its subsidiaries, to maintain a (i) maximum total leverage ratio, (ii) maximum secured leverage ratio, (iii) maximum unencumbered leverage ratio, (iv) minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, (v) minimum unencumbered fixed charge coverage ratio and (vi) minimum tangible net worth.

 

3


If an event of default occurs, the lenders will be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due under the New Credit Agreement and all actions permitted to be taken by a secured creditor.

The foregoing summary of the New Credit Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the New Credit Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and incorporated herein by reference.

From time to time, the Company has had customary commercial and/or investment banking relationships with Affiliates of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, and/or certain of their affiliates.

 

Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

The information set forth under Item 5.03 below is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.

 

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

Appointment of Director; Committee Composition; Director Compensation

Effective January 31, 2017, following the effective time of the Registration Statement, Ms. Janice L. Sears was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company, thereby joining Messrs. John B. Bartling Jr., Bryce Blair, Kenneth A. Caplan, Nicholas C. Gould, Jonathan D. Gray, Robert G. Harper, John B. Rhea, David A. Roth, John G. Schreiber and William J. Stein. In addition, effective January 31, 2017, Messrs. Rhea and Schreiber and Ms. Sears were appointed to serve as members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors; Messrs. Blair, Harper, Rhea and Stein were appointed to serve as members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors; Messrs. Blair, Gould, Harper and Stein and Ms. Sears were appointed to serve as members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance committee of the Board of Directors; and Messrs. Bartling, Blair, Caplan, Gould, Roth and Schreiber were appointed to serve as members of the Investment and Finance Committee. Biographical information regarding these directors, equity awards made to eligible non-employee directors, a description of the material terms of the directors’ annual compensation and relationships required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K have previously been reported by the Company in the Prospectus.

Invitation Homes Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan

On January 31, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders adopted the Invitation Homes Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Incentive Plan”), in the form previously filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Registration Statement. For further information regarding the Omnibus Incentive Plan, see “Management — Invitation Homes Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan” in the Prospectus. The Omnibus Incentive Plan is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.4 and is incorporated herein by reference. The material terms of the Omnibus Incentive Plan are substantially the same as the terms set forth in the form of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and as described in the Prospectus.

 

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

On February 6, 2017, the Company effected a conversion from a Delaware corporation to a Maryland corporation and the Company’s Charter (the “Charter”) and Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) in the forms previously approved by its Board and, in the case of the Charter, its stockholders, became effective. The Charter and the Bylaws are filed herewith as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference. The material terms of the Charter and Bylaws are substantially the same as the terms set forth in the forms previously filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, to the Registration Statement and as described in the Prospectus.

 

4


A description of the Common Stock after giving effect to the conversion has previously been reported by the Company in the Prospectus.

 

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On February 6, 2017, the Company completed its initial public offering of Common Stock by issuing 88,550,000 shares of Common Stock, which included 11,550,000 shares of Common Stock issued in connection with the underwriters’ exercise in full of their option to purchase additional shares, for cash consideration of $19.1085 per share (which price per share is net of underwriting discounts) to a syndicate of underwriters led by Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC as joint book-running managers for the offering for approximately $1,692.1 million in net proceeds before expenses. The other underwriters in the syndicate were Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P., BTIG, LLC, Evercore Group L.L.C., FBR Capital Markets & Co., JMP Securities LLC, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Siebert Cisneros Shank & Co., L.L.C. and Zelman Partners LLC.

As contemplated in the Prospectus, the Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, together with the borrowings under the Term Loan Facility, to repay its existing credit facilities and its mortgage loan relating to the IH1 2013-1 securitization and a portion of the mortgage loan relating to the IH1 2014-1 securitization transaction, and to pay fees and expenses related to the offering.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  3.1    Charter of Invitation Homes Inc., dated as of February 6, 2017.
  3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Invitation Homes Inc., dated as of February 6, 2017.
10.1    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2017, by and among the Company and the equityholders named therein.
10.2    Stockholders Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2017, by and among the Company and the equityholders named therein.
10.3    Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of February 6, 2017, by and among Invitation Homes Operating Partnership LP, as borrower, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and the other parties party thereto.
10.4    Invitation Homes Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

 

5


SIGNATURE

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.

 

INVITATION HOMES INC.
By:  

/s/ Mark A. Solls

  Name:   Mark A. Solls
  Title:  

Executive Vice President, Secretary

and Chief Legal Officer

Date: February 6, 2017


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  3.1    Charter of Invitation Homes Inc., dated as of February 6, 2017.
  3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Invitation Homes Inc., dated as of February 6, 2017.
10.1    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2017, by and among the Company and the equityholders named therein.
10.2    Stockholders Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2017, by and among the Company and the equityholders named therein.
10.3    Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of February 6, 2017, by and among Invitation Homes Operating Partnership LP, as borrower, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and the other parties party thereto.
10.4    Invitation Homes Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

Exhibit 3.1

INVITATION HOMES INC.

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT:

ARTICLE I

INCORPORATOR

The undersigned, Mark A. Solls, whose address is c/o Invitation Homes Inc., 1717 Main Street, Suite 2000, Dallas, Texas 75201, being at least 18 years of age, by these Articles of Incorporation and by Articles of Conversion effective as of 10:00 a.m. New York City time on February 6, 2017, does hereby convert Invitation Homes Inc., a Delaware corporation formed on October 4, 2016, into a corporation formed under the general laws of the State of Maryland.

ARTICLE II

NAME

The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is:

Invitation Homes Inc.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute (the “Code”)) for which corporations may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force. For purposes of the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”), “REIT” means a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code or any successor provision.

ARTICLE IV

PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN STATE AND RESIDENT AGENT

The address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 820, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The name and address of the resident agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland are CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 820, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The resident agent is a Maryland corporation.

 

1


ARTICLE V

PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING

AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE

CORPORATION AND OF THE STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 5.1 Number of Directors . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the board of directors (the “Board of Directors”). The number of directors of the Corporation initially shall be eleven, which number may be increased or decreased only by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”), but shall never be less than the minimum number required by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”), nor more than 15. The names of the directors who shall serve until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:

John B. Bartling Jr.

Kenneth A. Caplan

Bryce Blair

Nicholas C. Gould

Jonathan D. Gray

Robert G. Harper

John B. Rhea

David A. Roth

John G. Schreiber

Janice L. Sears

William J. Stein

Any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled in the manner provided in the Bylaws. The Corporation hereby elects, effective at such time as it becomes eligible under Section 3-802 of the MGCL to make the election provided for under Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL, that, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of stock, any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum (or, if only one director remains, by the sole director), and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.

Section 5.2 Extraordinary Actions . Except as provided in the Bylaws, notwithstanding any provision of law requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a greater number of votes, but subject to the provisions of the Charter requiring Stockholder Consent (as defined below), any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Section 5.3 Authorization by Board of Stock Issuance . The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into shares of its

 

2


stock of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter or the Bylaws.

Section 5.4 Preemptive and Appraisal Rights . Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of classified or reclassified shares of stock pursuant to Section 6.4 or as may otherwise be provided by a contract approved by the Board of Directors, no holder of shares of stock of the Corporation shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional shares of stock of the Corporation or any other security of the Corporation which it may issue or sell. Holders of shares of stock shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board of Directors, upon such terms and conditions as may be specified by the Board of Directors, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any shares of all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Corporation becomes subject to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, holders of shares of stock shall be entitled to exercise the rights of an objecting stockholder under Section 3-708(a) of the MGCL, unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws.

Section 5.5 Indemnification . The Corporation shall have the power, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to, (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation or (b) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, member, manager, or trustee of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his or her service in such capacity. The Corporation shall have the power, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation.

Section 5.6 Determinations by Board . The determination as to any of the following matters, made by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of shares of its stock: the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, acquisition of its stock or the payment of other distributions on its stock; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, cash flow, funds from operations, adjusted funds from operations, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been set aside, paid or discharged); any interpretation or resolution of any ambiguity with respect to any provision of the Charter (including any of the

 

3


terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation) or of the Bylaws; the number or value of shares of stock of any class or series of the Corporation; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation or of any shares of stock of the Corporation; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Corporation; the compensation of directors, officers, employees or agents of the Corporation; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Corporation or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or the Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 5.7 REIT Qualification . The Board of Directors shall use reasonable efforts to take such actions as it may determine in its sole judgment to be necessary or appropriate to preserve the status of the Corporation as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes; however, if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT, the Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, may revoke or otherwise terminate the Corporation’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code or through such other means as the Board of Directors determines appropriate. The Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, also may (a) determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and transfers set forth in Article VII is no longer required for REIT qualification and (b) make any other determination or take any other action pursuant to Article VII.

Section 5.8 Removal of Directors . Subject to the rights of holders of shares of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock (as defined below) to elect or remove one or more directors, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors; except that, for so long as that certain Stockholders Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2017 (as amended, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Stockholders Agreement”), by and among the Corporation and the other parties thereto, remains in effect, the consent of the Stockholder Designator (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement), delivered in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement (such consent, so delivered, the “Stockholder Consent”) shall also be required in order to remove any director who is a Stockholder Designee (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) or to amend this Section 5.8.

Section 5.9 Corporate Opportunities .

Section 5.9.1 In recognition and anticipation (a) that The Blackstone Group L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Blackstone”), the Non-Employee Directors (as defined below) and their respective Affiliates (each, an “Identified Person”) may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage or propose to engage, or in other business activities that overlap or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage or propose to engage, and (b) that certain Identified Persons may serve as directors, officers or agents of the Corporation, the provisions of this Section 5.9 are set forth to regulate and define the conduct of certain affairs of the Corporation with respect to certain

 

4


classes or categories of business opportunities as they may involve any of the Identified Persons and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Corporation and its directors, officers and stockholders in connection therewith.

Section 5.9.2 To the maximum extent permitted from time to time by Maryland law, no Identified Person will have any duty to refrain from, on such Identified Person’s own behalf or on behalf of any other Person (as defined below): (a) engaging, directly or indirectly, in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which the Corporation or any of its Affiliates now engages or proposes to engage, or (b) otherwise competing, directly or indirectly, with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates.

Section 5.9.3 To the maximum extent permitted from time to time by Maryland law, the Corporation renounces any interest or expectancy in, or any right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity that from time to time may be presented to or developed by any Non-Employee Director of the Corporation or any Affiliate of any Non-Employee Director, unless the business opportunity was expressly offered or made known to the Non-Employee Director in his or her capacity as a director of the Corporation. To the maximum extent permitted from time to time by Maryland law, in the event that any Identified Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity, no Identified Person will have any duty to communicate or offer such transaction or business opportunity to the Corporation or any of the Corporation’s Affiliates and such Identified Person may take any such opportunity for himself, herself or itself, or offer it to another Person unless the business opportunity is expressly offered to such Identified Person in his or her capacity as a director of the Corporation. An Identified Person’s taking or developing, or offering or other transfer to another Person, any potential transaction or business or investment opportunity that has been renounced by the Corporation, whether pursuant to the Charter or otherwise, shall not constitute an act or omission committed in bad faith or as the result of active or deliberate dishonesty, and any benefit received, directly or indirectly, by an Identified Person as the result of the taking or developing, or the offering or other transfer to another Person, of any such potential transaction or business or investment opportunity shall not constitute receipt of an improper benefit, or an improper personal benefit, in money, property, services or otherwise.

Section 5.9.4 To the maximum extent permitted from time to time by Maryland law, an Identified Person may (a) acquire, hold or dispose of, for his, her or its own account or for the account of others, and exercise all of the rights associated with any ownership of, interests in the Corporation and/or its subsidiaries, including without limitation, shares of the Corporation’s stock, common units of partnership interest (the “OP Units”) in Invitation Homes Operating Partnership LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), and/or other equity or debt securities issued by or indebtedness of the Corporation and/or its subsidiaries, and exercise all of the rights of a holder of any such interest, including, as the case may be, as a stockholder of the Corporation or a limited partner of the Operating Partnership, to the same extent and in the same manner as if he, she or it were not a director or stockholder of the Corporation and (b) in his, her or its personal capacity, or in his, her or its capacity, as applicable, as a director, officer, trustee, stockholder, partner, member, equity owner, manager, advisor or employee of any other Person, have business interests and engage, directly or indirectly, in business activities that are similar to those of the Corporation or compete, directly or indirectly, with the Corporation, that the Corporation could seize and develop or that include the acquisition, syndication, holding, management, development, operation or disposition of interests in mortgages, real property or persons engaged in the real estate business.

 

5


Section 5.9.5 As used herein, (a) “Affiliate” shall mean (i) in respect of Blackstone, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by Blackstone, controls Blackstone or is under common control with Blackstone and shall include any principal, member, director, partner, stockholder, officer, member, manager, employee or other representative of any of the foregoing (other than the Corporation and any entity that is controlled by the Corporation), (ii) in respect of a Non-Employee Director, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by such Non-Employee Director (other than the Corporation and any entity that is controlled by the Corporation) and (iii) in respect of the Corporation, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by the Corporation; (b) “Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1; and (c) “Non-Employee Director” shall mean a director of the Corporation who is not an employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.

Section 5.9.6 For so long as the Stockholders Agreement remains in effect, Stockholder Consent shall be required in order to amend this Section 5.9.

Section 5.10 Subtitle 8 . In accordance with Section 3-802(c) of the MGCL, the Corporation is prohibited from electing to be subject to the provisions of Sections 3-803, 3-804(a)-(b) or 3-805 of the MGCL, unless such election is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

ARTICLE VI

STOCK

Section 6.1 Authorized Shares . The Corporation has authority to issue 9,900,000,000 shares of stock, consisting of 9,000,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”) and 900,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”). The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $99,000,000. If shares of one class or series of stock are classified or reclassified into shares of another class or series of stock pursuant to Section 6.2, 6.3 or 6.4 of this Article VI, the number of authorized shares of the former class or series shall be automatically decreased and the number of shares of the latter class or series shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of shares of stock of all classes and series that the Corporation has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of shares of stock set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph. The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board of Directors and without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue.

Section 6.2 Common Stock . Subject to the provisions of Article VII and except as may otherwise be specified in the Charter, each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. The Board of Directors may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time into one or more classes or series of stock.

 

6


Section 6.3 Preferred Stock . The Board of Directors may classify any unissued shares of Preferred Stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of Preferred Stock of any class or series from time to time, into one or more classes or series of stock.

Section 6.4 Classified or Reclassified Shares . Prior to the issuance of classified or reclassified shares of any class or series of stock, the Board of Directors by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of stock of the Corporation; (b) specify the number of shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the provisions of Article VII and subject to the express terms of any class or series of stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”). Any of the terms of any class or series of stock set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 6.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board of Directors or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of stock is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other Charter document.

Section 6.5 Action by Stockholders .

Section 6.5.1 Written or Electronic Consent of Stockholders . Except to the extent that the Board of Directors adopts a Bylaw provision that expressly provides otherwise, no action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting unless a unanimous consent setting forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter and filed with the minutes of proceedings of the stockholders. To the extent that the Bylaws permit stockholders to take action without a meeting by less than unanimous written or electronic consent, the Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine the manner and the vote, including any supermajority vote, by which the stockholders may take action by written or electronic consent.

Section 6.5.2 Special Meetings of Stockholders . A special meeting of stockholders requested by the stockholders may only be called upon the request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Bylaws. For so long as the Stockholders Agreement remains in effect, a special meeting of stockholders shall be called by the secretary of the Corporation for the purpose of removing a Stockholder Designee upon the written request of the Stockholder Designator, delivered in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement. For so long as Stockholder Entities (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) collectively Beneficially Own (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) at least 35% of the

 

7


outstanding shares of Common Stock, a special meeting of stockholders shall be called by the secretary of the Corporation to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of the Stockholder Designator, delivered in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement.

Section 6.6 Charter and Bylaws . The rights of all stockholders and the terms of all stock of the Corporation are subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws. The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of the Bylaws, except to the extent that the Board of Directors adopts a Bylaw provision that expressly provides otherwise. In the event that the power to adopt, alter or repeal the Bylaws is concurrently vested in the stockholders, the Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine the manner and the vote, including any supermajority vote, by which the stockholders may adopt, alter or repeal the Bylaws.

Section 6.7 Distributions . The Board of Directors from time to time may authorize the Corporation to declare and pay to stockholders such dividends or other distributions in cash or other assets of the Corporation or in securities of the Corporation, including in shares of one class or series of stock of the Corporation payable to holders of shares of another class or series of stock of the Corporation, or from any other source as the Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion shall determine. The exercise of the powers and rights of the Board of Directors pursuant to this Section 6.7 shall be subject to the provisions of any class or series of stock of the Corporation at the time outstanding.

ARTICLE VII

RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES

Section 7.1 Definitions . For the purpose of this Article VII, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit . The term “Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, or such other percentage determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 7.2.8. For the purpose of determining the percentage of ownership of Capital Stock by any Person, shares of Capital Stock that may be acquired upon the conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of any securities of the Corporation directly or Constructively Owned by such Person, but not shares of Capital Stock issuable upon the conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of securities of the Corporation held by other Persons, shall be deemed to be outstanding prior to such conversion exchange, redemption or exercise.

Beneficial Ownership . The term “Beneficial Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

8


Business Day . The term “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Capital Stock . The term “Capital Stock” shall mean all classes or series of stock of the Corporation, including, without limitation, Common Stock and Preferred Stock.

Charitable Beneficiary . The term “Charitable Beneficiary” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Trust as determined pursuant to Section 7.3.6.

Common Stock Ownership Limit . The term “Common Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation, or such other percentage determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 7.2.8 of the Charter. For the purpose of determining the percentage of ownership of Common Stock by any Person, shares of Common Stock that may be acquired upon the conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of any securities of the Corporation directly or Constructively Owned by such Person, but not shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of securities of the Corporation held by other Persons, shall be deemed to be outstanding prior to such conversion exchange, redemption or exercise.

Constructive Ownership . The term “Constructive Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Excepted Holder . The term “Excepted Holder” shall mean a stockholder of the Corporation for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is established by the Charter or by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7.

Excepted Holder Limit . The term “Excepted Holder Limit” shall mean, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7 and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7.2.8, the percentage limit established by the Charter or by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7.

Initial Date . The term “Initial Date” shall mean the date upon which the Articles of Incorporation first containing this Article VII are accepted for record by the SDAT.

Market Price . The term “Market Price” on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding shares of Capital Stock, the Closing Price for such Capital Stock on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Capital Stock, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Capital Stock, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE,

 

9


as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such Capital Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if such system is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Capital Stock is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Capital Stock selected by the Board of Directors or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Capital Stock, the fair market value of the Capital Stock, as determined by the Board of Directors.

NYSE . The term “NYSE” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.

Person . The term “Person” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and a group to which an Excepted Holder Limit applies.

Prohibited Owner . The term “Prohibited Owner” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of this Article VII, would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

Restriction Termination Date . The term “Restriction Termination Date” shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board of Directors determines pursuant to Section 5.7 that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of shares of Capital Stock set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.

Transfer . The term “Transfer” shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, redemption, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire or possess Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Capital Stock or the right to vote or receive dividends on Capital Stock, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock or any interest in Capital Stock or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

10


Trust . The term “Trust” shall mean any trust provided for in Section 7.3.1.

Trustee . The term “Trustee” shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and a Prohibited Owner that is appointed by the Corporation to serve as trustee of the Trust.

Section 7.2 Capital Stock .

Section 7.2.1 Ownership Limitations . During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section 7.4:

(a) Basic Restrictions .

(i) (1) No Person, other than a Person exempted from the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit pursuant to Section 7.2.7 or an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, (2) no Person, other than a Person exempted from the Common Stock Ownership Limit pursuant to Section 7.2.7 or an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit and (3) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

(ii) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock would (or in the sole judgment of the Board of Directors, could) result in the Corporation being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including, without limitation, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership that would (or in the sole judgment of the Board of Directors, could) result in the Corporation owning (actually or Constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Corporation from such tenant would (or in the sole judgment of the Board of Directors, could) cause the Corporation to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code).

(iii) Any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock that, if effective, would (or in the sole judgment of the Board of Directors, could) result in the Capital Stock being beneficially owned by less than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.

(iv) No Person shall Beneficially Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership of Capital Stock would (or in the sole judgment of the Board of Directors, could) result in the Corporation failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code.

 

11


(b) Transfer in Trust . If any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock occurs which, if effective, would (or in the sole judgment of the Board of Directors, could) result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii) or (iv),

(i) then that number of shares of Capital Stock the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would (or in the sole judgment of the Board of Directors, could) cause such Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii) or (iv) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries, as described in Section 7.3, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares; or

(ii) if the transfer to the Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would not be automatically effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii) or (iv), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Capital Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii) or (iv) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.

(iii) in determining which shares of Capital Stock are to be transferred to a Trust in accordance with this Section 7.2.1(b) and Section 7.3 hereof, unless the Board of Directors agrees to a different methodology with a Person who has been granted an exemption from the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and/or the Common Stock Ownership Limit, shares shall be so transferred to the Trust in such manner as minimizes the aggregate value of the shares of Capital Stock that are transferred to the Trust (except as provided in Section 7.2.6) and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, on a pro rata basis.

(iv) To the extent that, upon a Transfer of shares of Capital Stock pursuant to this Section 7.2.1(b), a violation of any provision of this Article VII would nonetheless be continuing (for example where the ownership of shares of Capital Stock by a single Trust would violate the 100 stockholder requirement applicable to REITs), then shares of Capital Stock shall be transferred to that number of Trusts, each having a distinct Trustee and a Charitable Beneficiary or Charitable Beneficiaries that are distinct from those of each other Trust, such that there is no violation of any provision of this Article VII.

Section 7.2.2 Remedies for Breach . If the Board of Directors shall at any time determine that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 7.2.1 or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1 (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Directors shall take such action as it deems necessary or advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem shares of Capital Stock, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided , however , that any Transfer or

 

12


attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section 7.2.1 shall automatically result in the transfer to the Trust described above, and, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors.

Section 7.2.3 Notice of Restricted Transfer . Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock that will or may violate Section 7.2.1(a), and any Person who would have owned shares of Capital Stock that resulted in a transfer to the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.2.1(b), shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

Section 7.2.4 Owners Required To Provide Information . From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

(a) every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of each class or series of Capital Stock Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such shares are held; provided, that a stockholder of record who holds outstanding shares of Capital Stock as nominee for another Person, which other Person is required to include in gross income the dividends or distributions received on such shares (an “Actual Owner”), shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and address of such Actual Owner and the number of shares of Capital Stock of such Actual Owner with respect to which the stockholder of record is the nominee. Each such owner shall promptly provide to the Corporation such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit; and

(b) each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Capital Stock and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Capital Stock for a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner shall, on request, provide to the Corporation in writing such information as the Corporation may request, in order to determine the Corporation’s status as a REIT or to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

Section 7.2.5 Remedies Not Limited . Subject to Section 5.7, nothing contained in this Section 7.2 shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation in preserving the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

Section 7.2.6 Ambiguity . In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 7.2, Section 7.3 or any definition contained in Section 7.1,

 

13


the Board of Directors may determine the application of the provisions of this Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 or any such definition with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 requires an action by the Board of Directors and the Charter fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors may determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Sections 7.1, 7.2 or 7.3. Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board of Directors, if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Section 7.2.2) acquired Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1, such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the shares of Capital Stock which, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such shares of Capital Stock based upon the relative number of shares of Capital Stock held by each such Person.

Section 7.2.7 Exceptions .

(a) Subject to Sections 7.2.1(a)(ii) and 7.2.1(a)(iv), the Board of Directors may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit, as the case may be, and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if:

(i) the Board of Directors obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary for the Board of Directors to ascertain that no individual’s Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of such shares of Capital Stock will violate Sections 7.2.1(a)(ii) and 7.2.1(a)(iv);

(ii) the Board of Directors obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary for the Board of Directors to ascertain that such Person does not and represents that it will not own, actually or Constructively, an interest in a tenant of the Corporation (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) that would cause the Corporation to own, actually or Constructively, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant (for this purpose, a tenant from whom the Corporation (or an entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue such that, in the determination of the Board of Directors, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Corporation’s ability to qualify as a REIT shall not be treated as a tenant of the Corporation); and

(iii) such Person agrees that any violation or attempted violation of such representations or undertakings (or other action which is contrary to the restrictions contained in Sections 7.2.1 through 7.2.6) will result in such shares of Capital Stock being automatically transferred to a Trust in accordance with Sections 7.2.1(b) and 7.3.

(b) Prior to granting any exception or creating any Excepted Holder Limit pursuant to Section 7.2.7(a), the Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporation’s status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting any such exception.

 

14


(c) Subject to Sections 7.2.1(a)(ii) and 7.2.1(a)(iv), an underwriter which participates in a public offering or a private placement of shares of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, the Common Stock Ownership Limit, or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or private placement.

(d) The Board of Directors may only revoke an exemption previously granted to any Person pursuant to Section 7.2.7(a) or reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such exempted Person or Excepted Holder at any time, or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such exempted Person or Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the exemption for such exempted Person or Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Common Stock Ownership Limit.

Section 7.2.8 Increase or Decrease in Common Stock Ownership or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limits . Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii) and this Section 7.2.8, the Board of Directors may from time to time increase or decrease the Common Stock Ownership Limit or the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, or both for some or all Persons. No decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit will be effective for any Person whose percentage of ownership of Capital Stock is in excess of such decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable, until such time as such Person’s percentage of ownership of Capital Stock equals or falls below the decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable; provided , however , that any further acquisition of shares of Capital Stock by any such Person (other than a Person for whom an exemption has been granted pursuant to Section 7.2.7(a) or an Excepted Holder) in excess of the Capital Stock owned by such person on the date the Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable, became effective will be in violation of the Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit. No increase to the decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit may be approved if the new Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit would allow five or fewer Persons to Beneficially Own, in the aggregate more than 49.9% in value of the outstanding Capital Stock.

Section 7.2.9 Legend . Each certificate, if any, for shares of Capital Stock shall bear substantially the following legend:

The shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial Ownership and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose, among others, of the Corporation’s maintenance of its status as a Real Estate Investment Trust under the Code. Subject to certain further restrictions and except

 

15


as expressly provided in the Charter of the Corporation, (i) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (iii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Capital Stock that would result in the Corporation being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT; (iv) no Person may Transfer shares of Capital Stock if such Transfer would result in the Capital Stock of the Corporation being owned by fewer than 100 Persons (as determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code); and (v) no Person may Beneficially Own shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code. Any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns or attempts to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock which causes or will cause a Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Corporation. If the restrictions on ownership or transfer set forth in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) above are violated, the shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, the Corporation may redeem shares of Capital Stock upon the terms and conditions specified by the Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion if the Board of Directors determines that ownership or a Transfer or other event may violate the restrictions described above. Furthermore, any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock that would result in the Capital Stock of the Corporation being owned by fewer than 100 Persons and, upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the other restrictions described above will be void ab initio . A Person who attempts to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in violation of the ownership limitations described above shall have no claim, cause of action or any recourse whatsoever against a transferor of such shares. All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings defined in the Charter of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on ownership and transfer of Capital Stock, will be furnished to each holder of shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the secretary of the Corporation at its principal office.

 

16


Instead of the foregoing legend, the certificate may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge. If shares of Capital Stock are issued without a certificate, a statement describing the restrictions on ownership and transfer of such shares shall also be included in the written statement of information to the stockholder, if one is sent to any stockholder who is issued uncertificated shares.

Section 7.3 Transfer of Capital Stock in Trust .

Section 7.3.1 Ownership in Trust . Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 7.2.1(b) that would result in a transfer of shares of Capital Stock to a Trust, such shares of Capital Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Trustee as trustee of a Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the Trust pursuant to Section 7.2.1(b). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 7.3.6.

Section 7.3.2 Status of Shares Held by the Trustee . Shares of Capital Stock held by the Trustee shall be issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation. The relevant Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the shares held by the Trustee. Such Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the Trust.

Section 7.3.3 Dividend and Voting Rights . The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such dividend or distribution to the Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividend or distribution so paid to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustee’s sole and absolute discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust and (ii) to recast such vote; provided , however , that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VII, until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred into a Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes and determining the other rights of stockholders.

 

17


Section 7.3.4 Sale of Shares by Trustee . Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee of the Trust shall sell the shares held in the Trust to a person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 7.2.1(a). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the relevant Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 7.3.4. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at Market Price ( i.e. , in the case of a devise or gift), the Market Price of the shares on the last trading day before the day of such event causing the shares of Capital Stock to be held in one or more Trusts and (2) the price per share received by the Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Trust. The Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner and other amounts held in the Trust with respect to such shares shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 7.3.4, such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.

Section 7.3.5 Purchase Right in Stock Transferred to the Trustee . Shares of Capital Stock transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer of such shares to the Trust (or, if the event that resulted in the transfer to the Trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at Market Price ( i.e. , in the case of a devise or gift), the Market Price on the last trading day before the day of such event) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions which has been paid to the Prohibited Owner and is owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3 and may pay the amount of such reduction to the Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Trust pursuant to Section 7.3.4. Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner, and distribute any dividends or other distributions held by the Trustee with respect to the shares to the Charitable Beneficiary.

Section 7.3.6 Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries . By written notice to the Trustee, the Corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary or Charitable Beneficiaries of the interest in the Trust such that (i) the shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 7.2.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary or Charitable Beneficiaries and (ii) each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each

 

18


such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code. Neither the failure of the Corporation to make such designation nor the failure of the Corporation to appoint the Trustee before the automatic transfer provided in Section 7.2.1(b) shall make such transfer ineffective, provided that the Corporation thereafter makes such designation and appointment.

Section 7.4 NYSE Transactions . Nothing in this Article VII shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VII and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VII.

Section 7.5 Enforcement . The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article VII.

Section 7.6 Non-Waiver . No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

The Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to the Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any shares of outstanding stock. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on stockholders, directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation. Except for those amendments permitted to be made without stockholder approval under Maryland law or by specific provision in the Charter, and subject to such additional requirements as may be expressly set forth in the Charter, any amendment to the Charter shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

ARTICLE IX

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a corporation, no present or former director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article IX, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or the Bylaws inconsistent with this Article IX, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

19


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed these Articles of Incorporation and acknowledge the same to be my act as of the 3 rd day of February, 2017.

 

/s/ Mark A. Solls
Mark A. Solls , Incorporator

 

20

Exhibit 3.2

INVITATION HOMES INC.

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE . The principal office of Invitation Homes Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), in the State of Maryland shall be located at such place as the board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) may designate.

Section 2. ADDITIONAL OFFICES . The Corporation may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. PLACE . All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at such other place, or by means of remote communication, as shall be set in accordance with these Bylaws and applicable law and stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING . An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Corporation shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS .

(a) General . Each of the chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president, secretary and Board of Directors may call a special meeting of stockholders. Subject to subsection (b) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall also be called by the secretary of the Corporation to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting. Except as provided in subsection (b)(4) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders, including any special meeting called by the secretary in accordance with subsection (c) of this Section 3, shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president, secretary or Board of Directors, whoever has called the meeting.

(b) Stockholder Requested Special Meetings . (1) Stockholders of record entitled to cast not less than 10% of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter proposed to be acted on at a special meeting and seeking to have stockholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the secretary (the “Record Date Request Notice”) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to request a special meeting (the “Request Record Date”). The Record Date


Request Notice shall (i) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, (ii) be signed by stockholders of record entitled to cast not less than 10% of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter or matters proposed to be acted on at the special meeting as of the date of signature, (iii) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder and (iv) set forth, with regard to each stockholder signing the Record Date Request Notice, all information relating to each such stockholder and each matter proposed to be acted on at the meeting that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such a solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act”), and any other information that would be required to be included in a stockholder’s notice pursuant to paragraph (3) of Section 11(a) of these Bylaws. Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice, the Board of Directors may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than 10 days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors, within 10 days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the 10th day after the first date on which a Record Date Request Notice is received by the secretary.

(2) In order for any stockholder to request a special meeting to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders, one or more written requests for a special meeting (collectively, the “Special Meeting Request”) signed by stockholders of record as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting (the “Special Meeting Percentage”) shall be delivered to the secretary. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall (a) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it (which shall be limited to those lawful matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the secretary), (b) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder signing the Special Meeting Request, (c) set forth (i) the name and address, as they appear in the Corporation’s books, of each stockholder signing such Special Meeting Request, (ii) the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned (beneficially or of record) by each such stockholder and (iii) the nominee holder for, and number of, shares of stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, (d) be sent to the secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and (e) be received by the secretary within 60 days after the Request Record Date. Any requesting stockholder may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the secretary.

(3) The secretary shall inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing or delivering the notice of the meeting (including the Corporation’s proxy materials). The secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon stockholder request and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by paragraph (2) of this Section 3(b), the secretary receives payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the preparation and mailing or delivery of such notice of the meeting.

 

2


(4) In the case of any special meeting called by the secretary upon the request of stockholders (a “Stockholder Requested Meeting”), such meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Directors; provided , however , that the date of any Stockholder Requested Meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the record date for such meeting (the “Meeting Record Date”); and provided further that if the Board of Directors fails to designate, within 10 days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the secretary (the “Delivery Date”), a date and time for a Stockholder Requested Meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m., local time at the principal executive office of the Corporation, on the 90th day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such 90th day is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the first preceding Business Day; and provided further that in the event that the Board of Directors fails to designate a place for a Stockholder Requested Meeting within 10 days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. In fixing a date for a Stockholder Requested Meeting, the Board of Directors may consider such factors as it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Board of Directors to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any Stockholder Requested Meeting, if the Board of Directors fails to fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date within 30 days after the Delivery Date, then the close of business on the 30th day after the Delivery Date shall be the Meeting Record Date. The Board of Directors may revoke the notice for any Stockholder Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting stockholders fail to comply with the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Section 3(b).

(5) If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the secretary and the result is that stockholders of record, as of the Request Record Date, entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting on the matter to the secretary: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, the secretary shall refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for a special meeting on the matter, or (ii) if the notice of meeting has been delivered and if the secretary first sends to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting on the matter written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the Corporation’s intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chairman of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, (A) the secretary may revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before 10 days before the commencement of the meeting or (B) the chairman of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting from time to time without acting on the matter. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.

(6) The chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors may appoint regionally or nationally recognized independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Corporation for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been received by the secretary until the earlier of (i) five Business Days after actual receipt by the secretary of such purported request and (ii) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Corporation that the valid requests received by the

 

3


secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date, stockholders of record entitled to cast not less than the Special Meeting Percentage. Nothing contained in this paragraph (6) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Corporation or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five Business Day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).

(7) For purposes of these Bylaws, “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

(c) Blackstone Requested Special Meetings . Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3 of Article II to the contrary, (a) for so long as that certain Stockholders Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2017 (the “Stockholders Agreement”), by and among the Corporation and the other parties thereto, remains in effect, a special meeting of stockholders shall be called by the secretary for the purpose of removing a Stockholder Designee (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) upon the written request of the Stockholder Designator (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement), delivered in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement and (b) for so long as Stockholder Entities (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) collectively Beneficially Own (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) at least 35% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement), a special meeting of stockholders shall be called by the secretary to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of the Stockholder Designator, delivered in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement.

Section 4. NOTICE . Not less than 10 nor more than 90 days before each meeting of stockholders, the secretary shall give to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each stockholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting notice in writing or by electronic transmission stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by the Maryland General Corporation Law, or any successor statute (the “MGCL”), the purpose for which the meeting is called, by mail, by presenting it to such stockholder personally, by leaving it at the stockholder’s residence or usual place of business, by electronic transmission or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. The Corporation may give a single notice to all stockholders who share an address, which single notice shall be effective as to any stockholder at such address, unless a stockholder at such address objects to receiving such single notice or revokes a prior consent to receiving such single notice. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more stockholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article II or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.

Subject to Section 11(a) of this Article II, any business of the Corporation may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders without being specifically designated in the notice,

 

4


except such business as is required by the MGCL to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of stockholders except as specifically designated in the notice. The Corporation may postpone or cancel a meeting of stockholders by making a public announcement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. Notice of the date, time and place to which the meeting is postponed shall be given not less than 10 days prior to such date and otherwise in the manner set forth in this section.

Section 5. ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT . Every meeting of stockholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Directors to be chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment or appointed individual, by the chairman of the board or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the chairman of the board, by one of the following officers present at the meeting in the following order: the vice chairman of the board, if there is one, the chief executive officer, the president, the vice presidents in their order of rank and, within each rank, in their order of seniority, the secretary, or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the stockholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy. The secretary or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the secretary, an assistant secretary or an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary. In the event that the secretary presides at a meeting of stockholders, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the discretion of the chairman and without any action by the stockholders, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance or participation at the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized proxies and such other individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments; (d) determining when and for how long the polls should be opened and when the polls should be closed and when announcement of the results should be made; (e) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (f) removing any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; (g) concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting; and (h) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with any rules of parliamentary procedure.

Section 6. QUORUM . At any meeting of stockholders, the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting on any matter shall constitute a quorum; but this section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”) for the vote necessary for the approval of any matter. If such quorum is not established at any meeting of the stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting sine die or from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

 

5


The stockholders present either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough stockholders to leave fewer than would be required to establish a quorum.

Section 7. VOTING . A plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a director. Each share entitles the holder thereof to vote for as many different individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the holder is entitled to vote. For the avoidance of doubt, stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors generally. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless more than a majority of the votes cast is required by statute or by the Charter or these Bylaws. Unless otherwise provided by statute or by the Charter or these Bylaws, each outstanding share of stock, regardless of class, entitles the holder thereof to cast one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the chairman of the meeting shall order that voting be by ballot or otherwise.

Section 8. PROXIES . A holder of record of shares of stock of the Corporation may cast votes in person or by proxy executed by the stockholder or by the stockholder’s duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the secretary of the Corporation before or at the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than 11 months after its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

Section 9. VOTING OF STOCK BY CERTAIN HOLDERS . Stock of the Corporation registered in the name of a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, managing member, manager, general partner or trustee thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such stock pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of a partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such stock. Any director or fiduciary may vote stock registered in the name of such person in the capacity of such director or fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.

Shares of stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of stockholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date, the time after the record date

 

6


within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Directors considers necessary or appropriate. On receipt by the secretary of the Corporation of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the holder of record of the specified stock in place of the stockholder who makes the certification.

Section 10. INSPECTORS . The Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting may appoint, before or at the meeting, one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor to the inspector. Except as otherwise provided by the chairman of the meeting, the inspectors, if any, shall (a) determine the number of shares of stock represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and the validity and effect of proxies, (b) receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (c) report such tabulation to the chairman of the meeting, (d) hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, and (e) do such acts as are proper to fairly conduct the election or vote. Each such report shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

Section 11. ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND OTHER STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS .

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders . (1) Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the record date set by the Board of Directors for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting, at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in this Section 11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting (and any postponement or adjournment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with this Section 11(a).

(2) For any nomination or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 11, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation and any such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the stockholders. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth all information required under this Section 11 and shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 150th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided , however , that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, in order for notice by the stockholder to be timely, such notice must be so delivered not earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting, as originally convened, or the 10th day following the

 

7


day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made; provided further , that, for notice of any nomination or other business to be properly brought before the first annual meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders convened after the closing of the initial public offering of the Corporation’s common stock, to be timely, a stockholder s notice shall set forth all information required under, and shall be delivered to the secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive office of the Corporation within the time periods required by, this Section 11, such time periods to be calculated as though the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting had been April 1, and the date of such meeting had been June 1, in each case, of the preceding calendar year. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(3) Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth:

(i) as to each individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (each, a “Proposed Nominee”), all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) promulgated under the Exchange Act;

(ii) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of such business, the stockholder’s reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder or the Stockholder Associated Person therefrom;

(iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Stockholder Associated Person,

(A) the class, series and number of all shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or any controlled affiliate thereof (collectively, the “Company Securities”), if any, which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, the date on which each such Company Security was acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, and any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such stock or other security) in any Company Securities of any such person,

(B) the nominee holder for, and number of, any Company Securities owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person ,

(C) whether and the extent to which such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, directly or indirectly (through brokers, nominees or otherwise), is subject to or during the last six months has engaged in any

 

8


hedging, derivative or other transaction or series of transactions or entered into any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short interest, any borrowing or lending of securities or any proxy or voting agreement), the effect or intent of which is to (I) manage risk or benefit from changes in the price of Company Securities for such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person or (II) increase or decrease the voting power of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person in the Corporation or any controlled affiliate thereof disproportionately to such person’s economic interest in the Company Securities, and

(D) any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Corporation), by security holdings or otherwise, of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, in the Corporation or any controlled affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company Securities where such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series;

(iv) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Stockholder Associated Person with an interest or ownership referred to in clauses (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (3) of this Section 11(a) and any Proposed Nominee,

(A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s stock ledger, and the current name and business address, if different, of each such Stockholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee, and

(B) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person;

(v) the name and address of any person who contacted or was contacted by the stockholder giving the notice or any Stockholder Associated Person about the Proposed Nominee or other business proposal prior to the date of such stockholder’s notice; and

(vi) to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a director or the proposal of other business on the date of such stockholder’s notice.

(4) Such stockholder’s notice shall, with respect to any Proposed Nominee, be accompanied by a certificate executed by the Proposed Nominee (i) certifying that such Proposed Nominee (a) is not, and will not become, a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation and (b) will serve as a director of the Corporation if elected; and (ii) attaching a completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Corporation, upon request, to the stockholder providing the notice and shall include all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for

 

9


the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) promulgated under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, or would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange on which any securities of the Corporation are listed or over-the-counter market on which any securities of the Corporation are traded).

(5) Notwithstanding anything in this subsection (a) of this Section 11 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased, and there is no public announcement of such action at least 130 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 11(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

(6) For purposes of this Section 11, “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder (other than a stockholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person.

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders . Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with Section 3(a) of this Article II for the purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the record date set by the Board of Directors for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting, at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 11 and at the time of the special meeting (and any postponement or adjournment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board of Directors, any stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a director as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice, containing the information required by paragraphs (a)(3) and (4) of this Section 11, is delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

10


(c) General . (1) If information submitted pursuant to this Section 11 by any stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a director or any proposal for other business at a meeting of stockholders shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11. Any such stockholder shall notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change (within two Business Days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information. Upon written request by the secretary or the Board of Directors, any such stockholder shall provide, within five Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (A) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11, and (B) a written update of any information (including, if requested by the Corporation, written confirmation by such stockholder that it continues to intend to bring such nomination or other business proposal before the meeting) submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11 as of an earlier date. If a stockholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11.

(2) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 11 shall be eligible for election by stockholders as directors, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 11. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 11.

(3) For purposes of this Section 11, “the date of the proxy statement” shall have the same meaning as “the date of the company’s proxy statement released to shareholders” as used in Rule 14a-8(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as interpreted by the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. “Public announcement” shall mean disclosure (A) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Business Wire, PR Newswire or other widely circulated news or wire service or (B) in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act.

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the MGCL and of the Exchange Act with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11; provided, however , that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act are not intended to and shall not limit any requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to this Section 11 (including paragraphs (a)(1)(iii) and (b) hereof), and compliance with paragraphs (a)(1)(iii) and (b) of this Section 11 shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or submit other business.

(5) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, except as otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, if the stockholder giving notice as provided for in this Section 11 does not appear in person or by proxy at such annual or special meeting to present each nominee for election as a director or the proposed business, as applicable, such matter shall not be considered at the meeting.

 

11


Section 12. TELEPHONE MEETINGS . The Board of Directors or chairman of the meeting may permit one or more stockholders or other persons to participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at the meeting.

Section 13. CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the MGCL shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.

Section 14. STOCKHOLDERS’ CONSENT IN LIEU OF MEETING .

(a) General . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting if a consent setting forth the action is given, in writing or by electronic transmission, by stockholders entitled to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all stockholders entitled to vote thereon were present and voted is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the MGCL and this Section 14. The Corporation shall give notice of any such action taken in accordance with the MGCL.

(b) Written Consent Procedures . (1) Stockholders of record entitled to cast not less than 10% of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter proposed to be acted on by written or electronic consent and seeking to have stockholders act by written or electronic consent shall, by sending written notice to the secretary of the Corporation (the “Written Consent Record Date Request Notice”) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to act by written or electronic consent (the “Written Consent Request Record Date”). The Written Consent Record Date Request Notice shall (i) set forth the matters proposed to be acted on by written or electronic consent (including the text of any resolutions to be adopted by written or electronic consent), (ii) be signed by stockholders of record entitled to cast not less than 10% of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter proposed to be acted on by written or electronic consent as of the date of signature, (iii) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) and (iv) set forth, with regard to each stockholder signing the Written Consent Record Date Request Notice, all information relating to each such stockholder and each matter proposed to be acted on by written or electronic consent that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such a solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) promulgated under the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any other information that would be required to be included in a stockholder’s notice pursuant to paragraph (3) of Section 11(a) of these Bylaws. In connection with an action proposed to be taken by written or electronic consent in accordance with this

 

12


Section 14, stockholders seeking such action shall further update and supplement the information previously provided to the Corporation in connection therewith, if necessary, to ensure that such information remains accurate. Upon receiving the Written Consent Record Date Request Notice, the Board of Directors may fix a Written Consent Request Record Date. The Written Consent Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than 30 days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Written Consent Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors, within 30 days after the date on which a valid Written Consent Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Written Consent Request Record Date, the Written Consent Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the 30th day after the first date on which a Written Consent Record Date Request Notice is received by the secretary of the Corporation.

(2) No written or electronic consent shall be effective unless a Written Consent Request Record Date is set in accordance with this Section 14 and reasonable best efforts are undertaken to solicit all stockholders as of such Written Consent Request Record Date by the stockholder or stockholders who sent the Written Consent Record Date Request Notice. Unless a shorter period is set by the Board of Directors, no written or electronic consent shall be effective until the later of (i) the close of business on the 30th day after such consent is delivered to the Corporation, which delivery may not be prior to the 30th day after the Written Consent Request Record Date or (ii) the effective time of such written or electronic consent as set forth therein in accordance with the MGCL.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 14, for as long as the Stockholders Agreement remains in effect, no Stockholder (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) shall be subject to the procedures and requirements set forth in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this Section 14 with respect to any action by written or electronic consent initiated by such Stockholder.

Section 15. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS . By virtue of a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors prior to or at the time of the adoption of these Bylaws (and the adoption of these Bylaws shall be deemed to be, and shall be conclusive evidence of, the adoption of such resolution), any business combination (as defined in Section 3-601(e) of the MGCL) between the Corporation and any other person or entity or group of persons or entities is exempt from the provisions of Subtitle 6 of Title 3 of the MGCL. The approval by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors shall be required in order for the Board of Directors to revoke, alter or amend such resolution or otherwise adopt any resolution that is inconsistent with this Section 15 of Article II or with a prior resolution of the Board of Directors that exempts any business combination between the Corporation and any other person, whether identified specifically, generally or by type, from the provisions of Subtitle 6 of Title 3 of the MGCL.

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 1. GENERAL POWERS . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors.

 

13


Section 2. NUMBER, TENURE, QUALIFICATIONS AND RESIGNATION .

(a) A majority of the entire Board of Directors may exclusively establish, increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that the number thereof shall never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL, which is one, nor more than 15, and further provided that the tenure of office of a director shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of directors. For so long as the Stockholders’ Agreement remains in effect, in order for an individual to be qualified to be nominated for election as a director, or to serve as a director, the nomination and election of such individual, when considered together with all other individuals nominated by the same person or body, must not cause the Corporation to violate, and must meet all other requirements specified in, the Stockholders Agreement.

(b) Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation.

Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS . An annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held each year and may be held on the date and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders, no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary if so held. In the event such meeting is not so held, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place of regular meetings of the Board of Directors without any notice other than such resolution.

Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or a majority of the directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix the time and place of any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors without notice other than such resolution.

Section 5. NOTICE . Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, courier or United States mail to each director at his or her business or residence address. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Notice by United States mail shall be given at least three days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two days prior to the meeting. Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the director or his or her agent is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the director or his or her agent is a party. Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Corporation by the director. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Corporation by the director and receipt of a completed answer-back indicating receipt. Notice by United States mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or

 

14


delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.

Section 6. QUORUM . A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that, if less than a majority of such directors is present at such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, and provided further that if, pursuant to applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority or other percentage of a specified group of directors is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority or such other percentage of such group.

The directors present at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough directors to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum.

Section 7. VOTING . The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws. If enough directors have withdrawn from a meeting to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum, but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws.

Section 8. ORGANIZATION . At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board or, in the absence of the chairman, the vice chairman of the board, if any, shall act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of both the chairman and vice chairman of the board, the chief executive officer or, in the absence of the chief executive officer, the president or, in the absence of the president, a director chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The secretary or, in his or her absence, an assistant secretary of the Corporation, or, in the absence of the secretary and all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 9. TELEPHONE MEETINGS . Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 10. CONSENT BY DIRECTORS WITHOUT A MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each director and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors. Any or all of the signatures on such consent may be a copy or other reproduction.

 

15


Section 11. VACANCIES . If for any reason any or all of the directors cease to be directors, such event shall not terminate the Corporation or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining directors hereunder. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum (or, if only one director remains, by the sole director). Any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the class in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

Section 12. COMPENSATION . Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors but, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned or leased by the Corporation and for any service or activity they performed or engaged in as directors, including any service on any committee of the Board of Directors. Directors may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they perform or engage in as directors; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any directors from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

Section 13. RELIANCE . Each director and officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Corporation, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Corporation whom the director or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person, as to a matter which the director or officer reasonably believes to be within the person’s professional or expert competence, or, with respect to a director, by a committee of the Board of Directors on which the director does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the director reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.

Section 14. RATIFICATION . The Board of Directors or the stockholders may ratify any action or inaction by the Corporation or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the stockholders could have originally authorized the matter, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the Corporation and its stockholders. Any action or inaction questioned in any proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or stockholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, and such ratification shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS . The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and other committees, composed of one or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

 

16


Section 2. POWERS . The Board of Directors may delegate to any committee appointed under Section 1 of this Article any of the powers of the Board of Directors, except as prohibited by law.

Section 3. MEETINGS . Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Directors may designate a chairman of any committee, and such chairman or, in the absence of a chairman, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two members of the committee) may fix the time and place of its meeting unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another director to act in the place of such absent member.

Section 4. TELEPHONE MEETINGS . Members of a committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 5. CONSENT BY COMMITTEES WITHOUT A MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee. Any or all of the signatures on such consent may be a copy or other reproduction.

Section 6. VACANCIES . Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill any vacancy, to designate an alternate member to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee.

Section 7. COMMITTEE CHARTERS . The Board of Directors may establish, in a written charter for any committee of the Board, provisions governing the structure and operations of such committee and the appointment and removal of its members. To the extent that any such provisions are inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 3 through 6 of this Article IV, such provisions shall instead apply to such committee.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS . The officers of the Corporation shall include a president, a secretary and a treasurer and may include a chairman of the board, a vice chairman of the board, a chief executive officer, one or more vice presidents, a chief operating

 

17


officer, a chief financial officer, one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers. In addition, the Board of Directors may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or appropriate. The officers of the Corporation, including any officers elected to fill a vacancy among the officers, shall be elected by the Board of Directors, except that the chief executive officer or the president may from time to time appoint one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers or any other officers. Each officer shall serve for the term specified by the Board of Directors or the appointing officer or, if no such term is specified, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, or his or her resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices except president and vice president may be held by the same person. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Corporation and such officer or agent.

Section 2. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION . Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors or, to the extent permitted by the MGCL, the appointing officer, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Corporation.

Section 3. VACANCIES . A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors for the balance of the term.

Section 4. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD . The Board of Directors may designate from among its members a chairman of the board, who shall not, solely by reason of these Bylaws, be an officer of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate the chairman of the board as an executive or non-executive chairman. The chairman of the board shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Directors. The chairman of the board shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors.

Section 5. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief executive officer. In the absence of such designation, the president shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. The chief executive officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Corporation, as determined by the Board of Directors, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time. The chief executive officer may also serve as president of the Corporation.

Section 6. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief operating officer. The chief operating officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

 

18


Section 7. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief financial officer. The chief financial officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

Section 8. PRESIDENT . In the absence of a chief executive officer, the president shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. In the absence of a designation of a chief operating officer by the Board of Directors, the president shall be the chief operating officer. He or she in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 9. VICE PRESIDENTS . In the absence of the president or in the event of a vacancy in such office, the vice president (or in the event there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such vice president by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president, senior vice president, or vice president for particular areas of responsibility.

Section 10. SECRETARY . The secretary shall: (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation; (d) keep, or direct that a transfer agent and registrar appointed pursuant to Article VII, Section 5 of these Bylaws, keep a register of the post office address of each stockholder which shall be furnished to the secretary by such stockholder; (e) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors.

Section 11. TREASURER . The treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation, shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief financial officer, or any other appropriate officer may determine, and in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors. In the absence of a designation of a chief financial officer by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer, the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Corporation.

The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and Board of Directors, whenever the Board of Directors may require, an account of all his or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

 

19


Section 12. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS . The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the secretary or treasurer, respectively, or by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors.

Section 13. COMPENSATION . The compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by or under the authority of the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director.

ARTICLE VI

CONTRACTS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

Section 1. CONTRACTS . The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation when duly authorized or ratified by action of the Board of Directors and executed by the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, the president, any executive vice president or any other person designated by the Board of Directors or any of the foregoing officers.

Section 2. CHECKS AND DRAFTS . All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. DEPOSITS . All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited or invested from time to time to the credit of the Corporation as the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief financial officer, or any other officer designated by the Board of Directors may determine.

ARTICLE VII

STOCK

Section 1. CERTIFICATES . Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation, stockholders of the Corporation are not entitled to certificates representing the shares of stock held by them. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as prescribed by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized officer, shall contain the statements and information required by the MGCL and shall be signed by the officers of the Corporation in any manner permitted by the MGCL. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock without certificates, to the extent then required by the MGCL, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates. There shall be no difference in the rights and obligations of stockholders based on whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.

 

20


Section 2. TRANSFERS . All transfers of shares of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation, by the holder of the shares, in person or by his or her attorney, in such manner as the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation may prescribe and, if such shares are certificated, upon surrender of certificates duly endorsed. The issuance of a new certificate upon the transfer of certificated shares is subject to the determination of the Board of Directors or an officer of the Corporation that such shares shall no longer be represented by certificates. Upon the transfer of any uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall, to the extent then required by the MGCL, provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates.

The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of stock will be subject in all respects to the Charter and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.

Section 3. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE . Any officer of the Corporation may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated; provided, however , if such shares have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate shall be issued unless requested in writing by such stockholder and the Board of Directors or an officer of the Corporation has determined that such certificates may be issued. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the Corporation, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Corporation a bond in such sums as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation.

Section 4. FIXING OF RECORD DATE . The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other proper purpose. Such record date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than 90 days and, in the case of a meeting of stockholders, not less than 10 days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of stockholders of record is to be held or taken.

When a record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been set as provided in this section, such record date shall continue to apply to the meeting if postponed or adjourned, except if the meeting is postponed or adjourned to a date more than 120 days after the record date originally fixed for the meeting, in which case a new record date for such meeting may be determined as set forth herein.

 

21


Section 5. STOCK LEDGER . The Board of Directors shall have power and authority to make all such rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issuance and registration of shares of stock, including the appointment from time to time of transfer agents and registrars. The Corporation shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate stock ledger containing the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class held by such stockholder.

Section 6. FRACTIONAL STOCK; ISSUANCE OF UNITS . The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to issue fractional shares of stock or authorize the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as it may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of units consisting of different securities of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VIII

ACCOUNTING YEAR

The Board of Directors shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation by a duly adopted resolution.

ARTICLE IX

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 1. AUTHORIZATION . Dividends and other distributions upon the stock of the Corporation may be authorized by the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter.

Section 2. CONTINGENCIES . Before payment of any dividend or other distribution, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Corporation available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Directors may from time to time, in its sole discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends or other distributions, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall determine, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.

ARTICLE X

INVESTMENT POLICY

Subject to the provisions of the Charter, the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof may from time to time adopt, amend, revise or terminate any policy or policies with respect to investments by the Corporation as it shall deem appropriate in its sole discretion.

 

22


ARTICLE XI

SEAL

Section 1. SEAL . The Board of Directors may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Corporation. The seal shall contain the name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation and the words “Incorporated Maryland,” or shall be in any other form authorized by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.

Section 2. AFFIXING SEAL . Whenever the Corporation is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word “(SEAL)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Corporation.

ARTICLE XII

INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

Section 1. GENERAL . To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, the Corporation shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, shall pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (b) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, trustee, member, manager or partner of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity.

Section 2. INDEMNIFICATION NOT EXCLUSIVE . The indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not limit or restrict in any way the power of the Corporation to indemnify or pay or reimburse expenses and costs to any person in any other way permitted by law and shall not be deemed exclusive of, or invalidate in any way, any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses may be or may become entitled under any law, bylaws, resolution, insurance agreement or otherwise, including as to action in such person’s capacity as an officer, director, employee or agent of the Corporation and as to action in any other capacity.

Section 3. JOINTLY INDEMNIFIABLE CLAIMS . Given that certain Jointly Indemnifiable Claims (as defined below) may arise due to the service of a person entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article XII (an “Indemnitee”) as a director of the Corporation at the request of one of the Indemnitee-Related Entities (as defined below), the Corporation shall be fully and primarily responsible for the payment to the Indemnitee in respect of indemnification or advance of expenses in connection with any such Jointly Indemnifiable Claims, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Article XII, irrespective of any right of recovery the Indemnitee may have from the Indemnitee-Related Entities. Under no circumstance shall the Corporation be

 

23


entitled to any right of subrogation or contribution by the Indemnitee-Related Entities and no right of advance or recovery the Indemnitee may have from the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall reduce or otherwise alter the rights of the Indemnitee or the obligations of the Corporation hereunder. In the event that any of the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall make any payment in respect of indemnification or advance of expenses with respect to any Jointly Indemnifiable Claim, the Indemnitee-Related Entity making such payment shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee against the Corporation, and the Indemnitee shall execute all papers reasonably required and shall do all things that may be reasonably necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as may be necessary to enable the Indemnitee-Related Entities effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights. Each of the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to this Section 3 of Article XII, entitled to enforce this Section 3 of Article XII.

For purposes of this Section 3 of Article XII, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a) The term “Indemnitee-Related Entities” means any corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (other than the Corporation or any other corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise for which the Indemnitee serves or has served as a director, officer, trustee, member, manager or partner as described in clause (b) of Section 1 of this Article XII) from whom an Indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses with respect to which, in whole or in part, the Corporation may also have an indemnification or advance or reimbursement of expenses obligation.

(b) The term “Jointly Indemnifiable Claims” shall be broadly construed and means any action, suit or proceeding for which the Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification or advance or reimbursement of expenses from both an Indemnitee-Related Entity and the Corporation pursuant to law, any agreement or the charter, certificate of incorporation, bylaws, partnership agreement, operating agreement, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership, declaration of trust or comparable organizational document or governing instrument of the Corporation or the Indemnitee-Related Entity, as applicable.

(c) Any reference to an officer of the Corporation in this Article XII shall be deemed to refer exclusively to the President and Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer, Executive Vice President, Operations and Chief Operations Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer or Executive Chairman of the Corporation appointed pursuant to Article V of these Bylaws, and to any Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer or other officer of the Corporation appointed by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President pursuant to Article V of these Bylaws, and any reference to an officer of any another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be deemed to refer exclusively to an officer appointed by the board of directors or equivalent governing body of such other entity pursuant to the certificate of incorporation and bylaws or equivalent organizational documents of such other corporation,

 

24


partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise. The fact that any person who is or was an employee of the Corporation or an employee of any other corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise has been given or has used the title of “Vice President” or any other title that could be construed to suggest or imply that such person is or may be an officer of the Corporation or of such other corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall not result in such person being constituted as, or being deemed to be, an officer of the Corporation or of such other corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise for purposes of this Article XII.

Section 4. CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS, RELIANCE . The rights granted pursuant to the provisions of the Charter and this Article XII shall vest immediately upon election of a director or officer of the Corporation and shall be deemed to create a binding contractual obligation on the part of the Corporation to the persons who from time to time are elected as directors or officers of the Corporation, and such persons in acting in their capacities as directors or officers of the Corporation or any subsidiary shall be entitled to rely on such provisions of this Article XII without giving notice thereof to the Corporation.

Section 5. NATURE OF RIGHTS . The rights conferred upon Indemnities in the Article XII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article XII that adversely affects any right of an indemnitee or his, her, or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit, eliminate or impair any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission of act that took place prior to such amendment or repeal.

Section 6. INSURANCE . The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the MGCL.

Section 7. INDEMNIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS OF THE CORPORATION . The Corporation may, with the approval of its Board of Directors, provide such indemnification and advance for expenses to any individual who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 1 of this Article XII, above, and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or predecessor of the Corporation.

ARTICLE XIII

EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LITIGATION

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that Court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division, shall be the sole and

 

25


exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or to the stockholders of the Corporation, (c) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or the Charter or these Bylaws or (d) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

ARTICLE XIV

WAIVER OF NOTICE

Whenever any notice of a meeting is required to be given pursuant to the Charter or these Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing or by electronic transmission, given by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened.

ARTICLE XV

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, and new Bylaws may be adopted by the Board of Directors; provided , that any amendment to Section 13 or Section 15 of Article II must also be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. In addition, these Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, and new Bylaws may be adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation, without the approval of the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter by stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

 

26

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by and among

INVITATION HOMES INC.

and

the other parties hereto

Dated as of January 31, 2017

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     1   

SECTION 1.1 Certain Definitions

     1   

SECTION 1.2 Other Definitional Provisions; Interpretation

     5   

ARTICLE II REGISTRATION RIGHTS

     6   

SECTION 2.1 Piggyback Rights

     6   

SECTION 2.2 Demand Registration

     8   

SECTION 2.3 Registration Procedures

     12   

SECTION 2.4 Other Registration-Related Matters

     16   

ARTICLE III INDEMNIFICATION

     19   

SECTION 3.1 Indemnification by the Company

     19   

SECTION 3.2 Indemnification by the Holders and Underwriters

     20   

SECTION 3.3 Notices of Claims, Etc.

     20   

SECTION 3.4 Contribution

     21   

SECTION 3.5 Other Indemnification

     22   

SECTION 3.6 Non-Exclusivity

     22   

ARTICLE IV OTHER

     22   

SECTION 4.1 Notices

     22   

SECTION 4.2 Assignment

     22   

SECTION 4.3 Amendments; Waiver

     23   

SECTION 4.4 Third Parties

     23   

SECTION 4.5 Governing Law

     23   

SECTION 4.6 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION

     23   

SECTION 4.7 MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     24   

 

-i-


SECTION 4.8 Specific Performance

     24   

SECTION 4.9 Entire Agreement

     24   

SECTION 4.10 Severability

     24   

SECTION 4.11 Counterparts

     24   

SECTION 4.12 Effectiveness

     24   

SECTION 4.13 No Recourse

     24   

SECTION 4.14 Independent Nature of the Rights and Obligations of Holders

     25   

SECTION 4.15 Termination as to a Holder

     25   

 

-ii-


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”) is dated as of January 31, 2017 and is by and among Invitation Homes Inc. (the “ Company ”) and the Holders (as defined below) from time to time party hereto.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company is effecting an underwritten initial public offering (“ IPO ”) of shares of its Common Stock (as defined below); and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to grant registration rights to the Holders on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1 Certain Definitions .  As used in this Agreement:

Advice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b).

Affiliate ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the date hereof.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Board ” means the board of directors of the Company.

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday, holiday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

Closing Date ” means the date of completion of the IPO.

Common Stock ” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, and any other capital stock of the Company into which such common stock is reclassified or reconstituted.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Control ” (including its correlative meanings, “ Controlled by ” and “ under common Control with ”) means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise) of a Person.

Demand Party ” means the Sponsor Holder, or any group of Sponsor Holders collectively, then holding a majority of the Registrable Securities held by all Sponsor Holders.


Exchange Act ” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Family Group ” means, with respect to any individual, such individual’s spouse and descendants (whether natural or adopted) and any trust, partnership, limited liability company or similar vehicle established and maintained solely for the benefit of (or the sole members or partners of which are) such individual, such individual’s spouse and/or such individual’s descendants; provided that with respect to any Non-Sponsor Holder listed on Schedule I hereto, each other Non-Sponsor Holder listed on Schedule I hereto shall be deemed to be a member of such Non-Sponsor Holder’s Family Group.

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Governmental Authority ” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

Holder ” means each Sponsor Holder and Non-Sponsor Holder.

Indemnified Party ” and Indemnified Parties ” have the meanings set forth in Section 3.1.

IPO ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Law ” means any statute, law, regulation, ordinance, rule, injunction, order, decree, governmental approval, directive, requirement, or other governmental restriction or any similar form of decision of, or determination by, or any interpretation or administration of any of the foregoing by, any Governmental Authority.

Lockup Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(d)(i).

Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(f).

Non-Sponsor Holder ” means each Person listed on the signature pages hereto under the heading “Non-Sponsor Holders” and any Transferee of such Person to whom registration rights are assigned pursuant to Section 4.2.

Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, a cooperative, an unincorporated organization, or other form of business organization, whether or not regarded as a legal entity under applicable Law, or any Governmental Authority.

Proceeding ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

 

-2-


Public Offering ” means a public offering of equity securities of the Company or any successor thereto or any Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to a registration statement declared effective under the Securities Act.

Registrable Securities ” means all shares of Common Stock and any Securities issued in respect thereof, or in substitution therefor, in connection with any stock split, dividend or combination, or into which the Common Stock may be converted or exchanged pursuant to any reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, sale of all or any part of its assets, corporate conversion or other extraordinary transaction of the Company held by a Holder (whether now held or hereafter acquired), and including any such Securities received by a Holder upon the conversion or exchange of, or pursuant to such a transaction with respect to, other Securities held by such Holder. As to any Registrable Securities, such Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when:

 

  (a) a registration statement covering such Registrable Securities has been declared effective and such Registrable Securities have been disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement;

 

  (b) such Registrable Securities shall have been sold pursuant to Section 4(a)(1), Rule 144 or 145 (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act;

 

  (c) such Registrable Securities shall have been Transferred in a private transaction in which the Transferor’s registration rights under this Agreement are not assigned to the Transferee of the Securities;

 

  (d) such Registrable Securities may be sold pursuant to Section 4(a)(1), Rule 144 or 145 (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act, without limitation thereunder on volume or manner of sale, except, in the case of Registrable Securities held by the Sponsor Holders, to the extent that the Sponsor Holders collectively own 2% or more of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock; or

 

  (e) such Registrable Securities cease to be outstanding.

Registration Expenses ” means any and all expenses incurred in connection with the performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including:

 

  (a) all SEC, stock exchange, or FINRA registration and filing fees (including, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter,” as such term is defined in Rule 5121 of FINRA, and of its counsel);

 

  (b) all fees and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky Laws (including fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities);

 

  (c) all printing, messenger and delivery expenses;

 

-3-


  (d) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange or FINRA and all rating agency fees;

 

  (e) the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of its independent public accountants, including the expenses of any special audits and/or comfort letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance;

 

  (f) any fees and disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by the issuers or sellers of Securities, including liability insurance if the Company so desires or if the underwriters so require, and the reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts retained in connection with the requested registration, but excluding any underwriting discounts and commissions;

 

  (g) the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of not more than one law firm together with appropriate local counsel (as selected by the Sponsor Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities held by all Sponsor Holders included in such registration) acting as counsel for all the Holders in connection with the registration;

 

  (h) other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the holders of Registrable Securities incurred in connection with the registration;

 

  (i) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to analyst and investor presentations or any “road show” undertaken in connection with the registration and/or marketing of the Registrable Securities (including the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Holders); and

 

  (j) any other fees and disbursements customarily paid by the issuers of securities.

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

Securities ” means capital stock, limited partnership interests, limited liability company interests, beneficial interests, warrants, options, notes, bonds, debentures, and other securities, equity interests, ownership interests and similar obligations of every kind and nature of any Person.

Securities Act ” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Sponsor Holder ” means each Person listed on the signature pages hereto under the heading “Sponsor Holders” and any Transferee of such Person to whom registration rights are assigned pursuant to Section 4.2.

 

-4-


Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity of which: (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, representatives or trustees thereof is at the time owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of the total voting power of stock (or equivalent ownership interest) of the limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity is at the time owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or Control the managing director or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity.

Transfer ” (including its correlative meanings, “ Transferor ”, “ Transferee ” and “ Transferred ”) shall mean, with respect to any security, directly or indirectly, to sell, contract to sell, give, assign, hypothecate, pledge, encumber, grant a security interest in, offer, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any economic, voting or other rights in or to such security. When used as a noun, “ Transfer ” shall have such correlative meaning as the context may require.

SECTION 1.2 Other Definitional Provisions; Interpretation

(a) The words “hereof,” “herein,” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified. References in this Agreement to a designated “Article” or “Section” refer to an Article or Section of this Agreement unless otherwise specified and references to clauses without a cross-reference to a Section or subsection are references to clauses within the same Section or, if more specific, subsection. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” means the degree to which a subject or other thing extends and such phrase shall not mean simply “if.” References to “day” means a calendar day unless otherwise indicated as a “Business Day.”

(b) The headings in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and do not limit or otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

(c) The meanings given to terms defined herein are equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

(d) When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period is excluded. If the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question ends on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

-5-


ARTICLE II

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

SECTION 2.1 Piggyback Rights .

(a) If at any time following expiration or waiver of the Lockup Period, the Company proposes to register Securities for public sale (whether proposed to be offered for sale by the Company or by any other Person) under the Securities Act (other than a registration on Form S-4 or S-8, or any successor or other forms promulgated for similar purposes) in a manner which would permit registration of Registrable Securities for sale to the public under the Securities Act, it will give prompt written notice (which notice shall specify the intended method or methods of disposition) to the Holders of its intention to do so and of such Holder’s rights under this Section 2.1. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent such registration is being effected pursuant to the exercise of a demand right pursuant to Section 2.2(a), the Company shall not be obligated to provide such notice to the Demand Party or its Affiliates. Upon the written request of any Holder made within fifteen (15) days after the receipt of any such notice (which request shall specify the number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Holder), the Company shall use its best efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which the Holders have so requested to be registered; provided that: (i) any Holder shall have the right to withdraw such Holder’s request for inclusion of any of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in any registration statement pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) by giving written notice to the Company of such withdrawal, provided, that, in the case of any underwritten offering, written notice of such withdrawal must be given to the Company prior to the time at which the offering price and underwriter’s discount is determined with the managing underwriter or underwriters; (ii) if, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any Securities and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to proceed with the proposed registration of the Securities to be sold by it, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to the Holders and, thereupon, the Company shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such registration (but not from its obligation to pay the Registration Expenses incurred in connection therewith) without prejudice to the rights of the Demand Party to request that such registration be effected as a registration under Section 2.2(a); and (iii) subject to clause (i), if such registration involves an underwritten offering, each Holder of Registrable Securities requesting to be included in the registration must, upon the written request of the Company, sell its Registrable Securities to the underwriters on the same terms and conditions as apply to the other Securities being sold through underwriters under such registration, with, in the case of a combined primary and secondary offering, only such differences, including any with respect to representations and warranties, indemnification and liability insurance, as may be customary or appropriate in combined primary and secondary offerings.

(b) Expenses . The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with each registration of Registrable Securities requested pursuant to this Section 2.1.

 

-6-


(c) Priority in Piggyback Registrations . If a registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 involves an underwritten offering and the managing underwriter advises the Company in writing (a copy of which shall be provided to the Holders) that, in its opinion, the number of Registrable Securities and other Securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering, so as to be likely to have a material and adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the Securities offered in such offering, then the Company shall include in such registration: (i) first, the Securities the Company proposes to sell for its own account; and (ii) second, such number of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by the Holders which, in the opinion of such managing underwriter, can be sold without having the material and adverse effect referred to above, which number of Registrable Securities shall be allocated pro rata among all such requesting Holders of Registrable Securities on the basis of the relative number of Registrable Securities then held by each such Holder ( provided that any Securities thereby allocated to any such Holder that exceed such Holder’s request shall be reallocated among the remaining requesting Holders in like manner). Any other selling holders of the Company’s Securities shall be included in an underwritten offering only with the consent of Sponsor Holders holding a majority of the shares being sold in such offering and, if so included, such securities, at the election of the Sponsor Holders, shall be subject to clause (ii) above in the same manner as the Registrable Securities held by the Holders or shall have priority after the shares of the Holders.

(d) Excluded Transactions . The Company shall not be obligated to effect any registration of Registrable Securities under this Section 2.1 incidental to the registration of any of its Securities in connection with:

(i) the IPO;

(ii) a registration statement filed to cover solely issuances under employee benefits plans or dividend reinvestment plans;

(iii) any registration statement relating solely to the acquisition or merger after the date hereof by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of or with any other businesses, assets or properties; or

(iv) any registration related solely to an exchange by the Company of its own securities.

(e) Plan of Distribution, Underwriters, Advisors and Counsel . If a registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 involves an underwritten offering, the Sponsor Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such underwritten offering shall have the right to (i) determine the plan of distribution, (ii) select the investment banker or bankers, managers and any provider of advisory services, which may include Affiliates of the Sponsor Holders, to administer the offering, including the lead managing underwriter (provided that such investment banker or bankers, managers and providers of advisory services shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company) and (iii) select counsel for the selling Sponsor Holders.

(f) Shelf Takedowns . Subject to the expiration or waiver of any applicable lockup pursuant to Section 2.4(d), in connection with any shelf takedown (other than a shelf takedown at the request of the Demand Party, which shall be governed by Section 2.2(f), or a sale of Registrable Securities included on a Non-Sponsor Holder Registration Statement), the Holders may exercise “piggyback” rights in the manner described in this Agreement to have included in such takedown Registrable Securities held by them that are registered on such shelf registration statement.

 

-7-


SECTION 2.2 Demand Registration.

(a) General . At any time, upon the written request of the Demand Party requesting that the Company effect the registration under the Securities Act of Registrable Securities and specifying the amount and intended method of disposition thereof (including, but not limited to, an underwritten public offering), the Company shall (i) promptly give written notice of such requested registration to Holders other than the Demand Party and its Affiliates and to other holders of Securities entitled to notice of such registration, if any, and (ii) as expeditiously as possible, use its best efforts to file a registration statement to effect the registration under the Securities Act of:

(i) such Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested to register by the Demand Party in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof; and

(ii) the Registrable Securities of other Holders which the Company has been requested to register by written request given to the Company within fifteen (15) days after the giving of such written notice by the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to file a registration statement relating to any registration request under this Section 2.2(a):

(x) prior to the expiration or waiver of the applicable lockup period, if any, in respect of a previous Public Offering; or

(y) if the amount of Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested to register by the Demand Party is less than $150,000,000 at the time of such request; or

(z) if, in the good faith judgment of the Board, the Company is in possession of material non-public information the disclosure of which would be materially adverse to the Company and would not otherwise be required under Law, in which case the filing of the registration statement may be delayed until the earlier of the second Business Day after such conditions shall have ceased to exist and the 60th day after receipt by the Company of the written request from a Demand Party to register Registrable Securities under this Section 2.2(a); provided that the number of any such delays or any delay pursuant to Section 2.2(f) or 2.2(h) shall not exceed two in any twelve (12) month period.

(b) Form . Each registration statement prepared at the request of a Demand Party shall be effected on such form as reasonably requested by the Demand Party, including by a shelf registration pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act on a Form S-3 (or any successor rule or form thereto) if so requested by the Demand Party and if the Company is then eligible to effect a shelf registration and use such form for such disposition.

 

-8-


(c) Expenses . The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with each registration of Registrable Securities requested pursuant to this Section 2.2.

(d) Plan of Distribution, Underwriters, Advisors and Counsel . If a requested registration pursuant to this Section 2.2 involves an underwritten offering, the Demand Party shall have the right to (i) determine the plan of distribution, (ii) select the investment banker or bankers, managers and any provider of advisory services, which may include Affiliates of the Sponsor Holders, to administer the offering, including the lead managing underwriter (provided that such investment banker or bankers, managers and providers of advisory services shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company) and (iii) select counsel for the selling Holders.

(e) Priority in Demand Registrations . If a requested registration pursuant to this Section 2.2 involves an underwritten offering and the managing underwriter advises the Company in writing (a copy of which shall be provided to each Holder that has requested that its Registrable Securities be included in such underwritten offering) that, in its opinion, the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such offering (including Securities of the Company which are not Registrable Securities) exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering, so as to be likely to have a material and adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the Securities offered in such offering, then the number of such Registrable Securities to be included in such offering shall be allocated pro rata among the Holders that have requested that their Registrable Securities be included in such offering, including pursuant to Section 2.2(i), if any, on the basis of the relative number of Registrable Securities then held by each such Holder (provided that any Securities thereby allocated to any such Holder that exceed such Holder’s request will be reallocated among all such remaining parties in like manner). Any other selling holders of the Company’s Securities shall be included in an underwritten offering only with the consent of Sponsor Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold by all Sponsor Holders in such offering.

(f) Shelf Takedowns . Subject to the expiration or waiver of any applicable lockup pursuant to Section 2.4(d), upon the written request of the Demand Party at any time and from time to time, the Company shall facilitate in the manner described in this Agreement a “takedown” of the Demand Party’s Registrable Securities off of an effective shelf registration statement. Upon the written request of the Demand Party, the Company shall file and seek the effectiveness of a post-effective amendment to an existing shelf registration statement in order to register up to the number of the Demand Party’s Registrable Securities previously taken down off of such shelf by the Demand Party and not yet “reloaded” onto such shelf registration statement.

In connection with the exercise by the Demand Party of a demand right pursuant to this Section 2.2(f), where the contemplated plan of distribution includes a customary “road show” or other substantial marketing effort by the Company and the underwriters (a “ Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering ”), the Demand Party shall also deliver the applicable demand request to any Non-Sponsor Holders of Registrable Securities included on the applicable shelf registration statement and, subject to the limitations in Section 2.2(e), the Sponsor Holders shall permit each such Non-Sponsor Holder to include all or a portion of its Registrable Securities in the Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering if such Non-Sponsor Holder notifies the Demand Party and the Company within two days after delivery of the demand request to such Non-

 

-9-


Sponsor Holder of its election to participate (which election shall specify the number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Non-Sponsor Holder). For the avoidance of doubt, any proposed offer and sale of Registrable Securities to one or more purchasers or underwriters by means of a block trade, bought deal or direct sale shall not be deemed to be a Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to facilitate a “takedown” under this Section 2.2(f) if, in the good faith judgment of the Board, the Company is in possession of material non-public information the disclosure of which would be materially adverse to the Company and would not otherwise be required under Law, in which case the filing of the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement may be delayed until the earlier of the second Business Day after such conditions shall have ceased to exist and the 60th day after receipt by the Company of the written request from a Demand Party to effect the takedown under this Section 2.2(f); provided that the number of any such delays or any delay pursuant to Section 2.2(a)(z) or 2.2(h) shall not exceed two in any twelve (12) month period.

(g) No Inconsistent Agreements; Additional Rights . The Company has not entered, and shall not hereafter enter, into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement. If the Company has entered into or enters into a registration rights agreement with a third party, the Company shall promptly send a copy thereof to the Holders. If such registration rights agreement provides such third party with terms more favorable than those set forth herein with respect to Holders of an equal or greater number of the Company’s Common Stock (determined by reference to the Common Stock held by the Sponsor Holders collectively, on the one hand, and the Common Stock held by the Non-Sponsor Holders collectively, on the other), this Agreement shall, to the extent so requested by any such Holders, be amended so as to provide such Holders with substantially the same material terms as provided to such other third party.

In the event the Company engages in a merger or consolidation in which the shares of Common Stock are converted into Securities of another company, appropriate arrangements shall be made so that the registration rights provided under this Agreement continue to be provided to Holders by the issuer of such Securities. To the extent such new issuer, or any other company acquired by the Company in a merger or consolidation, was bound by registration rights that would conflict with the provisions of this Agreement, the Company shall use its best efforts to modify any such “inherited” registration rights so as not to interfere in any material respects with the rights provided under this Agreement.

In addition, in the event that the Company effects the separation of any portion of its business into one or more entities (each, a “ NewCo ”), whether existing or newly formed, including without limitation by way of spin-off, split-off, carve-out, demerger, recapitalization, reorganization or similar transaction, and any Holder will receive equity interests in any such NewCo as part of such separation, the Company shall cause any such NewCo to enter into a registration rights agreement with each such Holder that provides each such Holder with registration rights vis-á-vis such NewCo that are substantially identical to those set forth in this Agreement.

 

-10-


(h) Non-Sponsor Holder Shelf Registration Statement . Following the expiration or waiver of the Lockup Period, any Non-Sponsor Holder that (i) owns at least 3% of the then issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company (on a fully diluted basis) or (ii) is an Affiliate of the Company shall, in each case, be entitled to request the Company to register all or a portion of the Registrable Securities owned by such Non-Sponsor Holder on a Form S-3 (or any successor form thereto) if (x) such registration reasonably would be expected to be required under the Securities Act in light of such Non-Sponsor Holder’s contemplated plan of distribution and (y) the Company will be eligible to use such registration statement when filed (a “ Non-Sponsor Holder Registration ”) and such Non-Sponsor Holder may, in connection therewith, require the Company to file such registration statement with the SEC in accordance with Rule 415 under the Securities Act for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis, including, if the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in the Securities Act) at the time of the filing of such registration statement, as an automatic shelf-registration. Following the receipt of a written request (a “ Non-Sponsor Holder Registration Request ”) for a Non-Sponsor Holder Registration in accordance with this Section 2.2(h), the Company shall use its best efforts to file such Form S-3 registration statement as promptly as practicable and shall use its best efforts to cause such Form S-3 registration statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after the filing thereof. The Company will give prompt written notice of a Non-Sponsor Holder Registration Request to the Sponsor Holders. Upon request from time to time by any holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Non-Sponsor Holder Registration, the Company promptly shall amend or supplement such Form S-3 registration statement as so requested to enable such Registrable Securities to be distributed in accordance with the plan of distribution specified by the holder if such amendment or supplement shall be reasonably required under the Securities Act in light of such plan of distribution; provided , that the Company shall not be obligated to amend or supplement such Form S-3 registration statement if, in the good faith judgment of the Board, the Company is in possession of material non-public information the disclosure of which would be materially adverse to the Company and would not otherwise be required under Law, in which case the filing of such amendment or supplement may be delayed until the earlier of the second Business Day after such conditions shall have ceased to exist and the 60th day after receipt by the Company of the request to make such amendment or supplement under this Section 2.2(h); provided that the number of any such delays or any delay pursuant to Section 2.2(a)(z) or 2.2(f) shall not exceed two in any twelve (12) month period.

For purposes of this Section 2.2(h), including in computing the percentage of Common Stock owned by a Non-Sponsor Holder on a fully-diluted basis or in determining Registrable Securities of a Non-Sponsor Holder, the Non-Sponsor Holder shall be treated as owning, and shall be entitled to include in any registration and offering described in this Section 2.2(h), (i) all shares of Common Stock owned directly by the Non-Sponsor Holder and all shares of Common Stock owned by the Non-Sponsor Holder’s Affiliates and Family Group members and (ii) all shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of any option, warrant or conversion or exchange right owned by such Non-Sponsor Holder and such Non-Sponsor Holder’s Affiliates and Family Group members, whether or not such option, warrant or conversion or exchange right is immediately exercisable, and all such shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise shall be treated as outstanding, but no shares of Common Stock that are issuable upon exercise of any other option, warrant or conversion or exchange right shall be treated as outstanding.

 

-11-


Notwithstanding anything otherwise to the contrary herein, Section 2.3(q) and Section 2.4(d) shall not apply with respect to any registration or offering described in this Section 2.2(h), and the Company shall have no obligation under Section 2.3(i) to enter any underwriting or other agreement to the extent such agreement provides for a lockup.

(i) Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney; Underwritten Registrations . Upon delivering a request to participate in an offering under Section 2.1 or Section 2.2, a Non-Sponsor Holder will, if requested by the Company, execute and deliver a customary custody agreement and power of attorney in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company with respect to such Non-Sponsor Holder’s Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant thereto (a “Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney”). The Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney will provide, among other things, that the Non-Sponsor Holder will deliver to and deposit in custody with the custodian and attorney-in-fact named therein a certificate or certificates representing such Registrable Securities (duly endorsed in blank by the registered owner or owners thereof or accompanied by duly executed stock powers in blank), if such Registrable Securities are certificated, and irrevocably appoint said custodian and attorney-in-fact with full power and authority to act under the Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney on such Non-Sponsor Holder’s behalf with respect to the matters specified therein. Each Non-Sponsor Holder agrees to execute such other agreements as the Company may reasonably request to further evidence the provisions of this paragraph.

In addition, no Non-Sponsor Holder may participate in any underwritten registration pursuant to Section 2.2(a) or 2.2(f) unless such Non-Sponsor Holder (a) agrees to sell such holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Sponsor Holders (in the case of an underwritten registration pursuant to Section 2.2(a) through (f)), by the Company or other Person initiating the offering (in the case of an underwritten registration pursuant to Section 2.1) and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

SECTION 2.3 Registration Procedures . If and whenever the Company is required to file a registration statement with respect to, or to use its best efforts to effect or cause the registration of, any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in this Agreement, the Company shall as expeditiously as possible:

(a) promptly prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on an appropriate form with respect to such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable thereafter; provided , however , that before filing a registration statement or prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto (including documents that would be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference), the Company shall (i) furnish to counsel for the sellers of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of all documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review of such counsel, and such other documents reasonably requested by such counsel, including any comment letter from the SEC, (ii) fairly consider such reasonable changes in any such documents prior to or after the filing thereof as the counsel to the sellers of Registrable Securities being sold may request, and (iii) make such of the representatives of the Company as shall be reasonably requested by the sellers of the Registrable Securities being sold available for discussion of such documents;

 

-12-


(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for a period not in excess of two (2) years (which period shall not be applicable in the case of a shelf registration effected pursuant to a request under Section 2.2(b) or 2.2(h), which registration statements the Company shall keep effective until the applicable Holders’ Registrable Securities included on such registration statement are sold) and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all Securities covered by such registration statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement; provided that before filing a registration statement or prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto (other than any reports or other documents filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act), the Company shall (i) furnish to counsel for the sellers of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of all documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review of such counsel, and such other documents reasonably requested by such counsel, including any comment letter from the SEC, (ii) fairly consider such reasonable changes in any such documents prior to or after the filing thereof as the counsel to the sellers of Registrable Securities being sold may request, and (iii) make such of the representatives of the Company as shall be reasonably requested by the sellers of the Registrable Securities being sold available for discussion of such documents;

(c) furnish to each seller of such Registrable Securities and the underwriters of the securities being registered such number of copies of such registration statement and of each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits filed therewith, including any documents incorporated by reference), such number of copies of the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and summary prospectus), in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as such seller or underwriters may reasonably request, without charge, in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities by such seller or the sale of such securities by such underwriters (it being understood that, subject to the requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, the Company consents to the use of the prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each seller and the underwriters or agents in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement of which such prospectus, amendment or supplement is a part);

(d) use its best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities covered by such registration in such jurisdictions as each seller shall reasonably request and to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period in which the registration statement is required to be kept effective, and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller;

 

-13-


(e) use its best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities, including registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions within the United States, to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) effective during the period such registration statement is required to be kept effective pursuant to this Agreement, to cooperate with the selling holders of such Registrable Securities, the underwriters, if any, or agents and their respective counsel in connection therewith, and to take any other action as may be necessary or advisable to enable the seller or sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdiction;

(f) promptly notify each seller (and in the case of clause (x), any underwriter) of any such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the Company’s becoming aware that (i) the prospectus included in such registration statement, 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 the light of the circumstances then existing, and at the request of any such seller, as promptly as practicable thereafter prepare and furnish to such seller and any underwriter a reasonable number of copies of an amended or supplemental prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing and (ii) the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement) contemplated by Section 2.3(j) below ceases to be true and correct in all material respects;

(g) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to its Security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable after the effective date of the registration statement, an earnings statement which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act no later than 45 days after the end of any 12-month period (or 90 days after the end of any 12-month period if such period is a fiscal year) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Registrable Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts underwritten offering;

(h) (i) list such Registrable Securities on any securities exchange on which other Securities of the Company are then listed if such Registrable Securities are not already so listed and if such listing is then permitted under the rules of such exchange, and (ii) provide a transfer agent and registrar and CUSIP number for such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

(i) except as otherwise provided in Section 2.2(h), enter into such customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form), which shall include (x) indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable to the holders of Registrable Securities than those set forth in Article III hereof (or such other provisions and procedures acceptable to holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement and the underwriters or agents) and (y) such representations and warranties to the underwriters, with respect to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and such

 

-14-


registration statement, prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings, and the Company shall confirm the same if and when requested, and take such other actions as the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

(j) if requested by the managing underwriter(s) of an underwritten offering or if reasonably requested by the seller or sellers of a majority of such Registrable Securities, use best efforts to obtain a comfort letter or letters and updates thereof from the Company’s independent certified public accountants (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any Subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by the Company for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in such registration statement) addressed to the underwriters or seller or sellers in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered by comfort letters;

(k) make available for inspection by any seller of such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, by any underwriter participating in any disposition to be effected pursuant to such registration statement and by any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such seller or any such underwriter, all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause all of the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement;

(l) notify counsel for the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement and the managing underwriter or agent, immediately, and confirm the notice in writing: (i) when the registration statement, or any post-effective amendment to the registration statement, shall have become effective, or any supplement to the prospectus or any amendment to any prospectus shall have been filed; (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the SEC; (iii) of any request of the SEC to amend the registration statement or amend or supplement the prospectus or for additional information; and (iv) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the registration statement for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the institution or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes;

(m) provide each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement reasonable opportunity to comment on the registration statement, any post-effective amendments to the registration statement, any supplement to the prospectus or any amendment to any prospectus;

(n) make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible moment;

 

-15-


(o) if requested by the managing underwriter or agent or any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement, promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriter or agent or such Holder reasonably requests to be included therein, including, with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being sold by such Holder to such underwriter or agent, the purchase price being paid therefor by such underwriter or agent and with respect to any other terms of the underwritten offering of the Registrable 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 being notified of the matters incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

(p) cooperate with the Holders of Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement and the managing underwriter or agent, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legends) representing Securities to be sold under the registration statement, and enable such Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriter or agent, if any, or the Holders may request;

(q) except as otherwise provided in Section 2.2(h), use its best efforts to make available the executive officers of the Company to participate with the Holders of Registrable Securities and any underwriters in any “road shows” that may be reasonably requested by the Sponsor Holders in connection with distribution of Registrable Securities;

(r) in the case of an offering that includes a provider of advisory services, enter into and perform its obligations under customary agreements (including an advisory services agreement and an indemnification agreement in customary form);

(s) obtain for delivery to the Holders of Registrable Securities being registered and to the underwriter or agent an opinion or opinions from counsel for the Company in customary form and in form, substance and scope reasonably satisfactory to such Holders, underwriters or agents and their counsel; and

(t) cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities and each underwriter or agent participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA.

SECTION 2.4 Other Registration-Related Matters

(a) The Company may require any Person that is Transferring Securities in a Public Offering pursuant to Sections 2.1 or 2.2 to furnish to the Company in writing such information regarding such Person and pertinent to the disclosure requirements relating to the registration and the distribution of the Registrable Securities which are included in such Public Offering as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing; provided that such information shall be used only in connection with such registration.

(b) Each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.3(f)(i), it will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until its receipt of the copies of the amended or supplemented prospectus contemplated by Section 2.3(f) or until it is advised in writing (the “ Advice ”) by the Company

 

-16-


that the use of the prospectus may be resumed and, if so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company or destroy (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in its possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company gives any such notice, the period for which the Company shall be required to keep the registration statement effective 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 2.3(f)(i) to and including the date when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement has received the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 2.3(f)(i) or the Advice. The Company shall use its best efforts and take such actions as are reasonably necessary to render the Advice as promptly as practicable.

(c) Each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.3(l)(iv), it shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until the lifting of such stop order, other order or suspension or the termination of such proceedings and, if so directed by the Company, each Holder shall deliver to the Company or destroy (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in its possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company gives any such notice, the period for which the Company shall be required to keep the registration statement effective 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 2.3(l)(iv) to and including the date when such stop order, other order or suspension is lifted or such proceedings are terminated.

(d) (i) Each Holder (x) hereby agrees, with respect to the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder, to be bound by any and all restrictions on the sale, disposition, distribution, hedging or other Transfer of any interest in Registrable Securities imposed on such Holder and/or its Affiliates in connection with the IPO by the underwriters managing such offering for the period commencing on the date of such imposition (which shall be no earlier than 7 days prior to the expected “pricing” of such IPO), and continuing for no more than 180 days after the closing date of such IPO (or for such shorter period as to which the managing underwriter may agree, provided that such shorter period applies equally to all holders of Registrable Securities) (such period in which such sale, disposition, distribution, hedging or other Transfer of any interest is restricted, the “ Lockup Period ”) and (y) except as otherwise provided in Section 2.2(h), will, in connection with a Public Offering of the Company’s equity Securities (whether for the Company’s account or for the account of any Holder or Holders, or both), upon the request of the Company or of the underwriters managing any underwritten offering of the Company’s Securities, agree in writing not to effect any sale, disposition or distribution of Registrable Securities (other than those included in the Public Offering) without the prior written consent of the managing underwriter for such period of time commencing seven (7) days before and ending one hundred eighty (180) days (or such earlier date as the managing underwriter shall agree) after (x) the effective date of such registration or (y) in the case of a Public Offering pursuant to Section 2.2(f), the pricing of such Public Offering.

 

-17-


(ii) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.2(h), the Company and its Subsidiaries will, in connection with an underwritten Public Offering of the Company’s Securities in respect of which Registrable Securities are included, upon the request of the underwriters managing such offering, agree in writing not to effect any sale, disposition or distribution of equity Securities of the Company (other than those included in such Public Offering, offered on Form S-8, issuable in connection with any acquisition or merger of or with any other business, assets or properties, issuable upon conversion of Securities or upon the exercise of options, or the grant of options in the ordinary course of business pursuant to then-existing management equity plans or equity-based employee benefit plans, in each case outstanding on the date a notice is given by the Company pursuant to Section 2.1(a) or a request is made pursuant to Section 2.2(a), as the case may be, or agreed to by such managing underwriter), without the prior written consent of the managing underwriter, for such period of time commencing seven (7) days before and ending one hundred eighty (180) days (or such earlier date as the managing underwriter shall agree) after (x) the effective date of such registration or (y) in the case of a Public Offering pursuant to Section 2.2(f), the pricing of such Public Offering. The Company shall cause all directors and officers of the Company and all other Persons with registration rights with respect to the Company’s Securities (whether or not pursuant to this Agreement) to enter into agreements similar to those contained in this Section 2.4(d)(i) (without regard to this proviso).

(e) With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the SEC which may at any time permit the sale of Securities of the Company to the public without registration after such time as a public market exists for Registrable Securities, the Company agrees:

(i) to make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, at all times after the effective date of the first registration under the Securities Act filed by the Company for an offering of its Securities to the public;

(ii) to use its commercially reasonable efforts to then file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements); and

(iii) so long as a Holder owns any Registrable Securities, to furnish to such Holder promptly upon request: (A) a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 (at any time after ninety (90) days after the effective date of the first registration statement filed by the Company for an offering of its Securities to the public), and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements); (B) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company; and (C) such other reports and documents of the Company as such Holder may reasonably request in availing itself or himself of any rule or regulation of the SEC allowing such Holder to sell any such Securities without registration.

(f) Counsel to represent Holders of Registrable Securities shall be selected by the Sponsor Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities held by all Sponsor Holders included in the relevant registration.

 

-18-


(g) Each of the parties hereto agrees that the registration rights provided to the Holders herein are not intended to, and shall not be deemed to, override or limit any other restrictions on Transfer to which any such Holder may otherwise be subject.

ARTICLE III

INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 3.1 Indemnification by the Company . In the event of any registration of any Securities of the Company under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2, the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, each Affiliate of such Holder and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, equityholders, managers, accountants, attorneys and agents (and the directors, officers, employees, partners, equityholders, managers, accountants, attorneys, agents and controlling Persons of any of the foregoing), any financial or investment adviser, each other Person who participates as an underwriter in the offering or sale of such Securities and each other Person, if any, who controls such Holder or any such underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act (each, and “ Indemnified Party ” and collectively, the “ Indemnified Parties ”), against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, actions or proceedings (whether commenced or threatened) and reasonable and documented expenses and to which such Indemnified Party may become subject under the Securities Act, common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto) arise out of or are based upon: (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement under which such Securities were registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein, any other such disclosure document (including reports and other documents filed under the Exchange Act and any document incorporated by reference therein) or related document or report, or any issuer free writing prospectus (including any “road show,” whether or not required to be filed with the SEC); (b) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in the case of a prospectus or issuer free writing prospectus, in the light of the circumstances when they were made; or (c) any violation or alleged violation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any federal, state, foreign or common law rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and relating to action or inaction in connection with any such registration, disclosure document or related document or report, and the Company shall reimburse such Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, liability, action or proceeding; provided that the Company shall not be liable to any Indemnified Party 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 any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, in any such preliminary, final or summary prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any issuer free writing prospectus, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information with respect to such Indemnified Party furnished to the Company by such Indemnified Party expressly for use in the preparation thereof. Such indemnity will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Holder or any Indemnified Party and will survive the Transfer of such Securities by such Holder or any termination of this Agreement.

 

-19-


SECTION 3.2 Indemnification by the Holders and Underwriters . The Company may require, as a condition to including any Registrable Securities in any registration statement filed in accordance with Section 2.1 or 2.2, that the Company shall have received an undertaking from the Holder of such Registrable Securities, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless (in the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in Section 3.1) the Company, all other Holders and any of their respective Affiliates, directors, officers and controlling Persons, with respect to any untrue statement in or omission from such registration statement, any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein, any amendment or supplement, or any issuer free writing prospectus, to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue or alleged untrue statement is contained in, or such omission or alleged omission is required to be contained in, any information which (i) relates solely to such Holder’s individual ownership of the Registrable Securities, and (ii) if such untrue statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information with respect to such Holder furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in the preparation of such registration statement, preliminary, final or summary prospectus or amendment or supplement, a document incorporated by reference into any of the foregoing, or any such issuer free writing prospectus. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or any of the Holders, or any of their respective Affiliates, directors, officers or controlling Persons and shall survive the Transfer of such Securities by such Holder. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder of Registrable Securities hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds actually received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

SECTION 3.3 Notices of Claims, Etc . Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party hereunder of written notice of the commencement of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation or written threat thereof with respect to which a claim for indemnification may be made pursuant to this Article III (each, a “ Proceeding ”), such Indemnified Party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party, give written notice to the latter of the commencement of such Proceeding; provided that the failure of the Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein will not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under Section 3.1 or 3.2, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is actually and materially prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In case any such Proceeding is brought against an Indemnified Party, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and to assume the defense thereof, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified to the extent that it may wish, with counsel selected by the Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities included in the relevant registration and reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, at the indemnifying party’s expense, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the latter in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. If, in such Indemnified Party’s reasonable judgment, having common counsel would result in a conflict of interest between the interests of such indemnified and indemnifying parties, then such Indemnified Party may employ separate counsel reasonably acceptable to the indemnifying party to represent or defend such Indemnified Party in such Proceeding, it being understood, however,

 

-20-


that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all such Indemnified Parties (and not more than one separate firm of local counsel at any time for all such Indemnified Parties) in such action unless (i) the indemnifying party agrees to pay such fees and expenses; (ii) the indemnifying party or parties fail promptly to assume the defense of such Proceeding or fail to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party or parties; or (iii) the named parties to any such Proceeding (including any impleading parties) include both such indemnified party or parties and the indemnifying parties or an Affiliate of an indemnifying party or indemnified party, and there may be one or more defenses available to such indemnified party or parties that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party or parties, in which case, if such indemnified party or parties notifies the indemnifying party or parties in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expenses of the indemnifying party or parties, the indemnifying party or parties shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof and such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party or parties. No indemnifying party shall consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which (x) provides for other than monetary damages without the consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or (y) does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation.

SECTION 3.4 Contribution . If the indemnification provided for hereunder from the indemnifying party is unavailable to an Indemnified Party hereunder in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to herein for reasons other than those described in the proviso in the first sentence of Section 3.1, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and Indemnified Parties in connection with the actions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and Indemnified Parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or Indemnified Parties, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action. The amount paid or payable by a party under this Section 3.4 as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder of Registrable Securities hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds actually received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such contribution obligation. Any obligation of Holders to contribute pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall be several in the same proportion that the dollar amount of the proceeds actually received by each such Holder bears to the total dollar amount of the proceeds received by all Holders and not joint.

The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 3.4 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

-21-


If indemnification is available under Section 3.1, the indemnifying parties shall indemnify each Indemnified Party to the full extent provided in Section 3.1 without regard to the relative fault of said indemnifying party or Indemnified Party or any other equitable consideration provided for in this Section 3.4.

SECTION 3.5 Other Indemnification . Indemnification similar to that specified in this Article III (with appropriate modifications) shall be given by the Company with respect to any required registration or other qualification of Securities under any Law or with any Governmental Authority other than as required by the Securities Act.

SECTION 3.6 Non-Exclusivity . The obligations of the parties under this Article III shall be in addition to any liability which any party may otherwise have to any other party.

ARTICLE IV

OTHER

SECTION 4.1 Notices . Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any party hereto to another party hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (a) when delivered personally, (b) five (5) Business Days after being sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (c) one (1) Business Day after being sent by Federal Express or other nationally recognized overnight courier, or (d) if transmitted by facsimile, if confirmed within 24 hours thereafter by a signed original sent in the manner provided in clause (a), (b) or (c) to parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by prior written notice from such party):

if to the Company:

Invitation Homes Inc.

1717 Main Street, Suite 2000

Dallas, TX 75201

Attention: Mark A. Solls, Esq.

Fax: (972) 892-0382

if to a Holder:

the address and fax number set forth in the books and records of the Company.

SECTION 4.2 Assignment . This Agreement may not be assigned without the express prior written consent of the other parties hereto, and any attempted assignment, without such consents, shall be null and void; provided, however, that, without the prior written consent of any other party hereto, (i) a Sponsor Holder may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to any Transferee of Registrable Securities so long as such Transferee, if not already a party to this Agreement, executes and delivers to the Company a joinder to this Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A , and upon such Transfer such

 

-22-


transferee shall be deemed a “Sponsor Holder” hereunder; and (ii) any Non-Sponsor Holder may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to any Transferee of Registrable Securities that is an Affiliate of such Non-Sponsor Holder or a members of its Family Group, so long as such Transferee, if not already a party to this Agreement, executes and delivers to the Company a joinder to this Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit B , whereupon such Person shall be deemed a “Non-Sponsor Holder” hereunder. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding on the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

SECTION 4.3 Amendments; Waiver . This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified only by a written instrument executed by the Company and the Sponsor Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities held by all Sponsor Holders; provided that no such amendment, supplement or other modification shall adversely affect the economic interests of any Sponsor Holder hereunder disproportionately to other Sponsor Holders without the written consent of Sponsor Holders that hold a majority of the Registrable Securities held by all Sponsor Holders so affected; provided , further , that no such amendment, supplement or other modification shall materially adversely affect the rights of Non-Sponsor Holders under this Agreement without the written consent of Non-Sponsor Holders that hold a majority of the Registrable Securities held by all Non-Sponsor Holders so affected. No waiver by any party of any of the provisions hereof shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and executed by the party so waiving. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, no action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation, any investigation by or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party taking such action of compliance with any covenants or agreements contained herein. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

SECTION 4.4 Third Parties . This Agreement does not create any rights, claims or benefits inuring to any person that is not a party hereto nor create or establish any third party beneficiary hereto.

SECTION 4.5 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

SECTION 4.6 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION . EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO CONSENTS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OUT OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE

 

-23-


MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF VIA OVERNIGHT COURIER, TO SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN THIS AGREEMENT, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE FOURTEEN CALENDAR DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL IN ANY WAY BE DEEMED TO LIMIT THE ABILITY OF EITHER PARTY HERETO TO SERVE ANY SUCH LEGAL PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICES AND DOCUMENTS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR TO OBTAIN JURISDICTION OVER OR TO BRING ACTIONS, SUITS OR PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY HERETO IN SUCH OTHER JURISDICTIONS, AND IN SUCH MANNER, AS MAY BE PERMITTED BY ANY APPLICABLE LAW.

SECTION 4.7 MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS OR REMEDIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.

SECTION 4.8 Specific Performance . Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any breach of this Agreement by any of them, the non-breaching party would be irreparably harmed and could not be made whole by monetary damages. Each party accordingly agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and that the parties, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to compel specific performance of this Agreement.

SECTION 4.9 Entire Agreement . This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. There are no agreements, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings with respect to the subject matter hereof other than those expressly set forth herein. This Agreement supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter

SECTION 4.10 Severability . If one or more of the provisions, paragraphs, words, clauses, phrases or sentences contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision, paragraph, word, clause, phrase or sentence in every other respect and of the remaining provisions, paragraphs, words, clauses, phrases or sentences hereof shall not be in any way impaired, it being intended that all rights, powers and privileges of the parties hereto shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law.

SECTION 4.11 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

SECTION 4.12 Effectiv eness . This Agreement shall become effective, as to any Holder, as of the date signed by the Company and countersigned by such Holder.

SECTION 4.13 No Recourse . This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claims or cause of action that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the transactions contemplated

 

-24-


hereby or the subject matter hereof may only be made against the parties hereto and no past, present or future Affiliate, director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner, stockholder, agent, attorney or representative of any party hereto or any past, present or future Affiliate, director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner, stockholder, agent, attorney or representative of any of the foregoing (each, a “ Non-Recourse Party ”) shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of the parties to this Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby. Without limiting the rights of any party against the other parties hereto, in no event shall any party or any of its Affiliates seek to enforce this Agreement against, make any claims for breach of this Agreement against, or seek to recover monetary damages from, any Non-Recourse Party.

SECTION 4.14 Independent Nature of the Rights and Obligations of Holders . The rights and obligations of each Holder hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any Holder, and no Holder shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Holder hereunder. The decision of each Holder to enter into this Agreement has been made by such Holder independently of any Holder. Nothing contained herein, and no action taken by any Holder pursuant hereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Holders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Holders are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby and the Company acknowledges that the Holders are not acting in concert or as a group, and the Company will not assert any such claim, with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby.

SECTION 4.15 Termination as to a Holder . Any Person who ceases to hold any Registrable Securities shall cease to be a Holder and shall have no further rights or obligations under this Agreement (except with respect to any indemnification or contribution rights or obligations under Article III, which shall survive).

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

-25-


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:
INVITATION HOMES INC.
By:  

/s/ Mark A. Solls

Name:   Mark A. Solls
Title:  

Executive Vice President, Secretary and

Chief Legal Officer


SPONSOR HOLDERS:
Invitation Homes Parent L.P.
By: Invitation Homes GP Parent LLC, its general partner

By:

  /s/ Devin Peterson
 

 

 

Name:  Devin Peterson

 

Title:    Principal and Vice President

Invitation Homes 2-A L.P.
By: Invitation Homes 2 GP LLC

By:

  /s/ Devin Peterson
 

 

 

Name:  Devin Peterson

 

Title:    Managing Director and Vice President

Preeminent Parent L.P.

By: Invitation Homes 2 GP LLC

By:

  /s/ Devin Peterson
 

 

 

Name:  Devin Peterson

 

Title:    Managing Director and Vice President

Invitation Homes 3 Parent L.P.
By: Invitation Homes 3 GP Parent LLC, its general partner

By:

  /s/ Devin Peterson
 

 

 

Name:  Devin Peterson

 

Title:    Principal and Vice President

Invitation Homes 4 Parent L.P.

By: Invitation Homes 4 GP Parent LLC, its general partner

By:

  /s/ Devin Peterson
 

 

 

Name:  Devin Peterson

 

Title:    Principal and Vice President

Invitation Homes 5 Parent L.P.
By: Invitation Homes 5 GP Parent LLC, its general partner

By:

  /s/ Devin Peterson
 

 

 

Name:  Devin Peterson

 

Title:    Principal and Vice President

Invitation Homes 6 Parent L.P.
By: Invitation Homes 6 GP Parent LLC, its general partner

By:

  /s/ Devin Peterson
 

 

 

Name:  Devin Peterson

 

Title:    Principal and Vice President

NON-SPONSOR HOLDERS:

 

[                                     ]

 


Exhibit A

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND JOINDER

[______], 20__

Reference is made to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2017, by and among Invitation Homes Inc. (the “ Company ”) and the Holders (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Registration Rights Agreement, [_______] (the “ Assignor ”) in its capacity as a Sponsor Holder hereby assigns [in part][ or: in full] its rights and obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement to each of [_____], [_____] and [______] (each, an “ Assignee ” and collectively, the “ Assignees ”). [For the avoidance of doubt, the Assignor shall remain a party to the Registration Rights Agreement following the assignment in part of its rights and obligations thereunder to the undersigned Assignees.]

Each undersigned Assignee hereby agrees to and does become party to the Registration Rights Agreement as a Sponsor Holder. This assignment and joinder shall serve as a counterpart signature page to the Registration Rights Agreement and by executing below each undersigned Assignee is deemed to have executed the Registration Rights Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named a party thereto and each Assignee’s shares of Common Stock shall be included as Registrable Securities under the Registration Rights Agreement.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank. ]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this assignment and joinder as of date first set forth above.

 

ASSIGNOR:

[_______]

By:                                                        

                Name:
                Title:
ASSIGNEES:

        [__________]


Exhibit B

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND JOINDER

[______], 20__

Reference is made to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2017, by and among Invitation Homes Inc. (the “ Company ”) and the Holders (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Registration Rights Agreement, [_______] (the “ Assignor ”) in its capacity as a Non-Sponsor Holder hereby assigns [in part][ or: in full] its rights and obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement to each of [_____], [_____] and [______] (each, an “ Assignee ” and collectively, the “ Assignees ”). [For the avoidance of doubt, the Assignor shall remain a party to the Registration Rights Agreement following the assignment in part of its rights and obligations thereunder to the undersigned Assignees.]

Each undersigned Assignee hereby agrees to and does become party to the Registration Rights Agreement as a Non-Sponsor Holder. This assignment and joinder shall serve as a counterpart signature page to the Registration Rights Agreement and by executing below each undersigned Assignee is deemed to have executed the Registration Rights Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named a party thereto and each Assignee’s shares of Common Stock shall be included as Registrable Securities under the Registration Rights Agreement.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank. ]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this assignment and joinder as of date first set forth above.

 

ASSIGNOR:

[_______]

By:                                                                

                Name:
                Title:
ASSIGNEES:

        [__________]

Exhibit 10.2

STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

DATED AS OF JANUARY 31, 2017

AMONG

INVITATION HOMES INC.

AND

THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO


Table of Contents

 

             Page  
ARTICLE I. INTRODUCTORY MATTERS      1   
  1.1  

Defined Terms

     1   
  1.2  

Construction

     4   
ARTICLE II. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS      4   
  2.1  

Election of Directors

     4   
  2.2  

Compensation

     5   
ARTICLE III. INFORMATION; VCOC      6   
  3.1  

Books and Records; Access

     6   
  3.2  

Certain Reports

     6   
  3.3  

VCOC

     6   
  3.4  

Confidentiality

     9   
  3.5  

Information Sharing

     9   
ARTICLE IV. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS      10   
  4.1  

Ownership Limits

     10   
  4.2  

Pledges

     10   
  4.3  

Spin-Offs or Split-Offs

     10   
ARTICLE V. GENERAL PROVISIONS      10   
  5.1  

Termination

     10   
  5.2  

Notices

     10   
  5.3  

Amendment; Waiver

     11   
  5.4  

Further Assurances

     11   
  5.5  

Assignment

     11   
  5.6  

Third Parties

     12   
  5.7  

Governing Law

     12   
  5.8  

Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial

     12   
  5.9  

Specific Performance

     12   
  5.10  

Entire Agreement

     12   
  5.11  

Severability

     12   
  5.12  

Table of Contents, Headings and Captions

     13   
  5.13  

Counterparts

     13   
  5.14  

Effectiveness

     13   
  5.15  

No Recourse

     13   

 

i


STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

This Stockholders Agreement is entered into as of January 31, 2017, by and among Invitation Homes Inc. (the “ Company ”), and each of the other parties from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “ Stockholders ”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, the Company is effecting an underwritten initial public offering (“ IPO ”) of shares of its Common Stock (as defined below); and

WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO, the Company and the Stockholders wish to set forth certain understandings between such parties, including with respect to certain governance matters.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

INTRODUCTORY MATTERS

1.1 Defined Terms . In addition to the terms defined elsewhere herein, the following terms have the following meanings when used herein with initial capital letters:

Affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the date hereof.

Agreement ” means this Stockholders Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

Beneficially Own ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday, federal or New York State holiday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close.

Closing Date ” means the date of the closing of the IPO.

Common Stock ” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, and any securities issued in respect thereof, or in substitution therefor, in connection with any stock split, dividend or combination, or any reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or similar transaction.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.


Confidential Information ” means any information concerning the Company or its Subsidiaries that is furnished after the date of this Agreement by or on behalf of the Company or its designated representatives to a Stockholder or its designated representatives, together with any notes, analyses, reports, models, compilations, studies, documents, records or extracts thereof containing, based upon or derived from such information, in whole or in part; provided, however , that Confidential Information does not include information:

 

  (i) that is or has become publicly available other than as a result of a disclosure by a Stockholder or its designated representatives in violation of this Agreement;

 

  (ii) that was already known to a Stockholder or its designated representatives or was in the possession of a Stockholder or its designated representatives prior to its being furnished by or on behalf of the Company or its designated representatives;

 

  (iii) that is received by a Stockholder or its designated representatives from a source other than the Company or its designated representatives, provided that the source of such information was not actually known by such Stockholder or designated representative to be bound by a confidentiality agreement with, or other contractual obligation of confidentiality to, the Company;

 

  (iv) that was independently developed or acquired by a Stockholder or its designated representatives or on its or their behalf without the violation of the terms of this Agreement; or

 

  (v) that a Stockholder or its designated representatives is required, in the good faith determination of such Stockholder or designated representative, to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process, provided that such Stockholder or designated representative take reasonable steps to minimize the extent of any such required disclosure.

Control ” (including its correlative meanings, “ Controlled by ” and “ under common Control with ”) means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise) of a Person.

Director ” means any director of the Company.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Governmental Authority ” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

IPO ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

2


Law ” means any statute, law, regulation, ordinance, rule, injunction, order, decree, governmental approval, directive, requirement, or other governmental restriction or any similar form of decision of, or determination by, or any interpretation or administration of any of the foregoing by, any Governmental Authority.

Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, or other form of business organization, whether or not regarded as a legal entity under applicable Law, or any Governmental Authority.

Plan Asset Regulation ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

Pre-IPO Owners ” means (x) the Stockholders and (y) any other holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the closing of the IPO and, in each case, any Affiliate of any such holder that shall become a holder of such Common Stock.

Stockholder Designator ” means the Stockholder, or any group of Stockholders collectively, then holding a majority of the outstanding Common Stock held by all Stockholders.

Stockholder Designee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).

Stockholder Entities ” means the Stockholders and their Affiliates and their respective successors.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity of which: (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, representatives or trustees thereof is at the time owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or any combination thereof; or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of the total voting power of stock (or equivalent ownership interest) of the limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity is at the time owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or any combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons shall (a) be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or (b) Control the managing member, managing director or other governing body or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity.

Total Number of Directors ” means the total number of directors comprising the Board.

Transfer ” (including its correlative meanings, “ Transferor ”, “ Transferee ” and “ Transferred ”) shall mean, with respect to any security, directly or indirectly, to sell, contract to sell, give, assign, hypothecate, pledge, encumber, grant a security interest in, offer, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or

 

3


warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any economic, voting or other rights in or to such security. When used as a noun, “ Transfer ” shall have such correlative meaning as the context may require.

VCOC Investor ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

1.2 Construction . The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction will be applied against any party. Unless the context otherwise requires: (a) “ or ” is disjunctive but not exclusive, (b) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular, and (c) the words “ hereof ”, “ herein ”, and “ hereunder ” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

ARTICLE II.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS

2.1 Election of Directors .

(a) Following the Closing Date, the Stockholder Designator shall have the right, but not the obligation, to designate, and the individuals nominated for election as Directors by or at the direction of the Board or a duly-authorized committee thereof shall include, a number of individuals such that, following the election of any Directors and taking into account any Director continuing to serve as such without the need for re-election, the number of Stockholder Designees (as defined below) serving as Directors of the Company will be equal to: (i) if the Pre-IPO Owners collectively Beneficially Own 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock as of the record date for such meeting, the lowest whole number that is greater than 50% of the Total Number of Directors; (ii) if the Pre-IPO Owners collectively Beneficially Own at least 40% (but less than 50%) of the outstanding Common Stock as of the record date for such meeting, the lowest whole number that is greater than 40% of the Total Number of Directors; (iii) if the Pre-IPO Owners collectively Beneficially Own at least 30% (but less than 40%) of the outstanding Common Stock as of the record date for such meeting, the lowest whole number that is greater than 30% of the Total Number of Directors; (iv) if the Pre-IPO Owners collectively Beneficially Own at least 20% (but less than 30%) of the outstanding Common Stock as of the record date for such meeting, the lowest whole number that is greater than 20% of the Total Number of Directors; and (v) if the Pre-IPO Owners collectively Beneficially Own at least 5% (but less than 20%) of the outstanding Common Stock as of the record date for such meeting, the lowest whole number that is greater than 10% of the Total Number of Directors.

(b) If at any time the Stockholder Designator has designated fewer than the total number of individuals that the Stockholder Designator is then entitled to designate pursuant to Section 2.1(a), the Stockholder Designator shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, to designate such additional individuals which it is entitled to so designate, in which case, any individuals nominated by or at the direction of the Board or any duly-authorized committee thereof for election as Directors to fill any vacancy on the Board shall include such designees, and the Company shall use its best efforts to (x) effect the election of such additional designees,

 

4


whether by increasing the size of the Board or otherwise, and (y) cause the election of such additional designees to fill any such newly-created vacancies or to fill any other existing vacancies. Each such individual whom the Stockholder Designator shall actually designate pursuant to this Section 2.1 and who is thereafter elected and qualifies to serve as a Director shall be referred to herein as a “ Stockholder Designee .”

(c) In the event that a vacancy is created at any time by the death, disability, retirement, removal or resignation of any Stockholder Designee, any individual nominated by or at the direction of the Board or any duly-authorized committee thereof to fill such vacancy shall be, and the Company shall use its best efforts to cause such vacancy to be filled, as soon as possible, by a new designee of the Stockholder Designator, and the Company shall take or cause to be taken, to the fullest extent permitted by law, at any time and from time to time, all actions necessary to accomplish the same.

(d) The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, include in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board at any meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors (or consent in lieu of meeting), the persons designated pursuant to this Section 2.1 and use its best efforts to cause the election of each such designee to the Board, including nominating each such individual to be elected as a Director as provided herein, recommending such individual’s election and soliciting proxies or consents in favor thereof. In the event that any Stockholder Designee shall fail to be elected to the Board at any meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors (or consent in lieu of meeting), the Company shall use its best efforts to cause such Stockholder Designee (or a new designee of the Stockholder Designator) to be elected to the Board, as soon as possible, and the Company shall take or cause to be taken, to the fullest extent permitted by law, at any time and from time to time, all actions necessary to accomplish the same, including, without limitation, actions to effect an increase in the Total Number of Directors.

(e) In addition to any vote or consent of the Board or the stockholders of the Company required by applicable Law or the charter or bylaws of the Company, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, for so long as this Agreement is in effect, any action by the Board to increase or decrease the Total Number of Directors (other than any increase in the Total Number of Directors in connection with the election of one or more directors elected exclusively by the holders of one or more classes or series of the Company’s stock other than Common Stock) shall require the prior written consent of the Stockholder Designator, delivered in accordance with Section 5.13 of this Agreement.

2.2 Compensation . Except to the extent the Stockholder Designator may otherwise notify the Company, the Stockholder Designees shall be entitled to compensation consistent with the compensation received by other non-employee Directors, including any fees and equity awards, provided that (x) to the extent any Director compensation is payable in the form of equity awards, at the election of a Stockholder Designee, in lieu of any equity award, such compensation shall be paid in an amount of cash equal to the value of the equity award as of the date of the award, with any such cash subject to the same vesting terms, if any, as the equity awarded to other Directors and (y) at the election of a Stockholder Designee, any Director compensation (whether cash, equity awards and/or cash in lieu of equity as may be designated by the electing Stockholder Designee) shall be paid to a Stockholder or an Affiliate thereof specified

 

5


by such Stockholder Designee rather than to such Stockholder Designee. If the Company adopts a policy that Directors own a minimum amount of equity in the Company, Stockholder Designees shall not be subject to such policy.

2.3 Other Rights of Stockholder Designees . Except as provided in Section 2.2, each Stockholder Designee serving on the Board shall be entitled to the same rights and privileges applicable to all other members of the Board generally or to which all such members of the Board are entitled. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company shall indemnify, exculpate, and reimburse fees and expenses of the Stockholder Designees (including by entering into an indemnification agreement in a form substantially similar to the Company’s form director indemnification agreement) and provide the Stockholder Designees with director and officer insurance to the same extent it indemnifies, exculpates, reimburses and provides insurance for the other members of the Board pursuant to the charter and bylaws of the Company, applicable law or otherwise.

ARTICLE III.

INFORMATION; VCOC

3.1 Books and Records; Access . The Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, permit the Stockholder Entities and their respective designated representatives, at reasonable times and upon reasonable prior notice to the Company, to review the books and records of the Company or any of such Subsidiaries and to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of the Company or any of such Subsidiaries with the officers of the Company or any such Subsidiary; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to disclose any privileged information of the Company so long as the Company has used commercially reasonable efforts to enter into an arrangement pursuant to which it may provide such information to the Stockholder Entities without the loss of any such privilege.

3.2 Certain Reports . The Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Stockholder Entities, at their request:

(a) to the extent otherwise prepared by the Company, operating and capital expenditure budgets and periodic information packages relating to the operations and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries; and

(b) to the extent otherwise prepared by the Company, such other reports and information as may be reasonably requested by the Stockholder Entities; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to disclose any privileged information of the Company so long as the Company has used commercially reasonable efforts to enter into an arrangement pursuant to which it may provide such information to the Stockholder Entities without the loss of any such privilege.

3.3 VCOC .

(a) With respect to each Stockholder Entity that is intended to qualify its direct or indirect investment in the Company as a “venture capital investment” as defined in the Department of Labor regulations codified at 29 CFR Section 2510.3-101 (the “ Plan Asset Regulation ”) (each, a “ VCOC Investor ”), for so long as the VCOC Investor, directly or through

 

6


one or more subsidiaries, continues to hold any Common Stock (or other securities of the Company into which such Common Stock may be converted or for which such Common Stock may be exchanged), without limitation or prejudice of any the rights provided to the Stockholder Entities hereunder, the Company shall, with respect to each such VCOC Investor:

(i) provide each VCOC Investor or its designated representative with:

 

  (A) upon reasonable notice and at mutually convenient times, the right to visit and inspect any of the offices and properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries and inspect and copy the books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

 

  (B) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of the Company, consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such period, and consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the period then ended prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis, except as otherwise noted therein, and subject to the absence of footnotes and to year-end adjustments;

 

  (C) as soon as available and in any event within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such year, and consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the year then ended prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis, except as otherwise noted therein, together with an auditor’s report thereon of a firm of established national reputation;

 

  (D) to the extent the Company is required by law or pursuant to the terms of any outstanding indebtedness of the Company to prepare such reports, any annual reports, quarterly reports and other periodic reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, actually prepared by the Company as soon as available; and

 

  (E) upon written request by the VCOC Investor, copies of all materials provided to the Board, subject to appropriate protections with respect to confidentiality and preservation of attorney-client privilege;

 

7


provided , that , in each case, if the Company makes the information described in clauses (B), (C) and (D) of this clause (i) available through public filings on the EDGAR System or any successor or replacement system of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the delivery of such information shall be deemed satisfied;

(ii) make appropriate officers and/or Directors of the Company available, and cause the officers and directors of its Subsidiaries to be made available, periodically and at such times as reasonably requested by each VCOC Investor, upon reasonable notice and at mutually convenient times, for consultation with such VCOC Investor or its designated representative with respect to matters relating to the business and affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(iii) to the extent that the VCOC Investor requests to receive such information and rights, and to the extent consistent with applicable Law or listing standards (and with respect to events which require public disclosure, only following the Company’s public disclosure thereof through applicable securities law filings or otherwise), inform each VCOC Investor or its designated representative in advance with respect to any significant corporate actions, and to provide (or cause to be provided) each VCOC Investor or its designated representative with the right to consult with the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to such actions should the VCOC Investor elect to do so, provided however, that this right to consult must be exercised within five (5) days after the Company informs the VCOC Investor of the proposed corporate action, and provided further that the Company shall be under no obligation to provide the VCOC Investor with any material non-public information with respect to such corporate action; and

(iv) provide each VCOC Investor or its designated representative with such other rights of consultation which the VCOC Investor’s counsel may determine in writing to be reasonably necessary under applicable legal authorities promulgated after the date hereof to qualify its investment in the Company as a “venture capital investment” for purposes of the Plan Asset Regulation, provided that the parties agree that any such rights of consultation shall be of a nature consistent with those granted above and nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to require the Company to grant to the VCOC Investor any additional rights with respect to the governance or management of the Company.

(b) The Company agrees to consider, in good faith, the recommendations of each VCOC Investor or its designated representative in connection with the matters on which it is consulted as described above in this Section 3.3, recognizing that the ultimate discretion with respect to all such matters shall be retained by the Company.

(c) In the event a VCOC Investor or any of its Affiliates Transfers all or any portion of their investment in the Company to an Affiliated entity that is intended to qualify its

 

8


investment in the Company as a “venture capital investment” (as defined in the Plan Asset Regulation), such Transferee shall be afforded the same rights with respect to the Company afforded to the VCOC Investor hereunder and shall be treated, for such purposes, as a third party beneficiary hereunder.

(d) In the event that the Company ceases to qualify as an “operating company” (as defined in the first sentence of 2510.3-101(c)(1) of the Plan Asset Regulation), or the investment in the Company by a VCOC Investor does not qualify as a “venture capital investment” as defined in the Plan Asset Regulation, then the Company and each Stockholder Entity will cooperate in good faith and take all reasonable actions necessary, subject to applicable Law, to preserve the VCOC status of each VCOC Investor or the qualification of the investment as a “venture capital investment,” it being understood that such reasonable actions shall not require a VCOC Investor to purchase or sell any investments.

(e) For so long as the VCOC Investor, directly or through one or more subsidiaries, continues to hold Common Stock (or other securities of the Company into which such Common Stock may be converted or for which such Common Stock may be exchanged) and upon the written request of such VCOC Investor, without limitation or prejudice of any the rights provided to the Stockholder Entities hereunder, the Company shall, with respect to each such VCOC Investor, furnish and deliver, and cause Invitation Homes Operating Partnership LP, as its general partner, to furnish and deliver, a letter covering the matters set forth in subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) above in a form and substance satisfactory to such VCOC Investor.

(f) In the event a VCOC Investor is an Affiliate of a Stockholder Entity, as described in Section 3.3(a) above, such affiliated entity shall be afforded the same rights with respect to the Company and afforded to the Stockholder Entity under this Section 3.3 and shall be treated, for such purposes, as a third party beneficiary hereunder.

3.4 Confidentiality . Each Stockholder agrees that it will, and will direct its designated representatives to, keep confidential and not disclose any Confidential Information; provided, however , that such Stockholder and its designated representatives may disclose Confidential Information to the other Stockholders, to the Stockholder Designees and to (a) its attorneys, accountants, consultants, insurers and other advisors in connection with such Stockholder’s investment in the Company, (b) any Person, including a prospective purchaser of Common Stock, as long as such Person has agreed to maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information, (c) any of such Stockholder’s or its respective Affiliates’ partners, members, stockholders, directors, officers, employees or agents in the ordinary course of business (the Persons referenced in clauses (a), (b) and (c), a Stockholder’s “designated representatives”) or (d) as the Company may otherwise consent in writing; provided, further, however , that each Stockholder agrees to be responsible for any breaches of this Section 3.4 by such Stockholder’s designated representatives.

3.5 Information Sharing . Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees that Stockholder Designees may share any information concerning the Company and its Subsidiaries received by them from or on behalf of the Company or its designated representatives with each Stockholder and its designated representatives (subject to such Stockholder’s obligation to maintain the confidentiality of Confidential Information in accordance with Section 3.4).

 

9


ARTICLE IV.

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

4.1 Ownership Limits . The Board has granted the Stockholder Entities an exemption from the Common Stock Ownership Limit and Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit set forth in Article VII of the charter of the Company.

4.2 Pledges . Upon the request of any Stockholder Entity that wishes to pledge, hypothecate or grant security interests in any or all of the Common Stock held by it, including to banks or financial institutions as collateral or security for loans, advances or extensions of credit, the Company agrees to cooperate with each such Stockholder Entity in taking any action reasonably necessary to consummate any such pledge, hypothecation or grant, including without limitation, delivery of letter agreements to lenders in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such lenders (which may include agreements by the Company in respect of the exercise of remedies by such lenders) and instructing the transfer agent to transfer any such Common Stock subject to the pledge, hypothecation or grant into the facilities of The Depository Trust Company without restricted legends.

4.3 Spin-Offs or Split-Offs . In the event that the Company effects the separation of any portion of its business into one or more entities (each, a “ NewCo ”), whether existing or newly formed, including without limitation by way of spin-off, split-off, carve-out, demerger, recapitalization, reorganization or similar transaction, and any Stockholder will receive equity interests in any such NewCo as part of such separation, the Company shall cause any such NewCo to enter into a stockholders agreement with the Stockholders that provides the Stockholder Entities with rights vis-á-vis such NewCo that are substantially identical to those set forth in this Agreement.

ARTICLE V.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

5.1 Termination . Except for Section 3.3, this Agreement shall terminate on the earlier to occur of (i) such time as the Stockholder Designator is no longer entitled to designate a Director pursuant to Section 2.1(a) and (ii) the delivery of a written notice by the Stockholder Designator to the Company requesting that this Agreement terminate. The VCOC Investors shall advise the Company when they collectively first cease to beneficially own any Common Stock (or other securities of the Company into which such Common Stock may be converted or for which such Common Stock may be exchanged), whereupon Section 3.3 hereof shall terminate.

5.2 Notices . Any notice, designation, request, request for consent or consent provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be either personally delivered, sent by facsimile or sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) to the Company at the address set forth below and to any other recipient at the address indicated on the Company’s records, or at such address or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Notices and other such documents will be deemed to have been given or made hereunder when delivered personally, sent by facsimile (receipt confirmed), and one (1) Business Day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier service.

 

10


The Company’s address is:

Invitation Homes Inc.

1717 Main Street, Suite 2000

Dallas, TX 75201

Attention: Mark A. Solls, Esq.

Fax: (972) 892-0382

Each Stockholders address is:

c/o The Blackstone Group L.P.

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

Attention: Robert G. Harper

Fax: (212) 583-5749

5.3 Amendment; Waiver . This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified only by a written instrument executed by the Company and the other parties hereto. Neither the failure nor delay on the part of any party hereto to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver.

5.4 Further Assurances . The parties hereto will sign such further documents, cause such meetings to be held, resolutions passed, exercise their votes and do and perform and cause to be done such further acts and things necessary, proper or advisable in order to give full effect to this Agreement and every provision hereof. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company shall not directly or indirectly take any action that is intended to, or would reasonably be expected to result in, the Stockholders or any Stockholder Entity being deprived of the rights contemplated by this Agreement.

5.5 Assignment . This Agreement may not be assigned without the express prior written consent of the other parties hereto, and any attempted assignment, without such consents, will be null and void; provided , however , that, without the prior written consent of any other party hereto, a Stockholder may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to any Affiliate, so long as such Affiliate, if not already a party to this Agreement, executes and delivers to the Company a joinder to this Agreement evidencing its agreement to be become a party to and to be bound by this Agreement as a Stockholder hereunder, whereupon such Affiliate shall be deemed a “Stockholder” hereunder. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding on the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

11


5.6 Third Parties . Except as provided for in Article II, Article III and Article IV with respect to any Stockholder Entity, this Agreement does not create any rights, claims or benefits inuring to any person that is not a party hereto nor create or establish any third party beneficiary hereto.

5.7 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

5.8 Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . In any judicial proceeding involving any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, each of the parties unconditionally accepts the jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of Maryland or if jurisdiction over the matter is vested exclusively in federal courts, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, and the appellate courts to which orders and judgments thereof may be appealed. In any such judicial proceeding, the parties agree that in addition to any method for the service of process permitted or required by such courts, to the fullest extent permitted by law, service of process may be made by delivery provided pursuant to the directions in Section 5.2. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING ANY DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

5.9 Specific Performance . Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any breach of this Agreement by any of them, the other parties hereto would be irreparably harmed and could not be made whole by monetary damages. Each party accordingly agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and agrees that the parties, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to specific performance of this Agreement without the posting of a bond.

5.10 Entire Agreement . This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. There are no agreements, representations, warranties, covenants or understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof or thereof other than those expressly set forth herein and therein. This Agreement supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

5.11 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement, or the application of such provision to any Person or circumstance or in any jurisdiction, shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, (i) the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and each other provision hereof shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law, (ii) as to such Person or circumstance or in such jurisdiction such provision shall be reformed to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law and (iii) the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances or in other jurisdictions shall not be affected thereby.

 

12


5.12 Table of Contents, Headings and Captions . The table of contents, headings, subheadings and captions contained in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only, and in no way define, limit or describe the scope of this Agreement or the intent of any provision hereof.

5.13 Counterparts . This Agreement and any amendment hereto may be signed in any number of separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one Agreement (or amendment, as applicable).

5.14 Effectiveness . This Agreement shall become effective upon the Closing Date.

5.15 No Recourse . This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claims or cause of action that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or the subject matter hereof may only be made against the parties hereto and no past, present or future Affiliate, director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner, stockholder, agent, attorney or representative of any party hereto or any past, present or future Affiliate, director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner, stockholder, agent, attorney or representative of any of the foregoing (each, a “Non-Recourse Party”) shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of the parties to this Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby. Without limiting the rights of any party against the other parties hereto, in no event shall any party or any of its Affiliates seek to enforce this Agreement against, make any claims for breach of this Agreement against, or seek to recover monetary damages from, any Non-Recourse Party.

[ Remainder Of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

13


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.

 

COMPANY
INVITATION HOMES INC.
By:  

/s/ Mark A. Solls

Name:   Mark A. Solls
Title:  

Executive Vice President, Secretary

and Chief Legal Officer

 

[ Signature Page to Stockholders’ Agreement ]


STOCKHOLDERS:

 

Invitation Homes Parent L.P.
By: Invitation Homes GP Parent LLC, its general partner
By:   /s/ Devin Peterson
 

Name:  Devin Peterson

Title:    Principal and Vice President

 

Invitation Homes 2-A L.P.
By:   /s/ Devin Peterson
 

Name:  Devin Peterson

Title:    Principal and Vice President

 

Preeminent Parent L.P.

By:   /s/ Devin Peterson
 

Name:  Devin Peterson

Title:    Principal and Vice President

 

Invitation Homes 3 Parent L.P.
By: Invitation Homes 3 GP Parent LLC, its general partner
By:   /s/ Devin Peterson
 

Name:  Devin Peterson

Title:    Principal and Vice President

 

Invitation Homes 4 Parent L.P.
By: Invitation Homes 4 GP Parent LLC, its general partner
By:   /s/ Devin Peterson
 

Name:  Devin Peterson

Title:    Principal and Vice President

 

Invitation Homes 5 Parent L.P.
By: Invitation Homes 5 GP Parent LLC, its general partner
By:   /s/ Devin Peterson
 

Name:  Devin Peterson

Title:    Principal and Vice President

 

Invitation Homes 6 Parent L.P.
By: Invitation Homes 6 GP Parent LLC, its general partner
By:   /s/ Devin Peterson
 

Name:  Devin Peterson

Title:    Principal and Vice President

 

 

[ Signature Page to Stockholders’ Agreement ]

Exhibit 10.3

 

 

 

Deal CUSIP 46187CAA9

Revolving Loan CUSIP 46187CAB7

Term Loan CUSIP 46187CAC5

REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

dated as of

February 6, 2017

among

INVITATION HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP LP,

as Borrower,

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO,

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent,

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH, INCORPORATED,

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

and

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners,

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,

and

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

as Passive Joint Lead Arrangers,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Syndication Agents

and

CREDIT SUISSE AG CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH,

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA

and

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Documentation Agents

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

        1   

SECTION 1.01

  

Defined Terms

     1   

SECTION 1.02

  

Classification of Loans and Borrowings

     32   

SECTION 1.03

  

Terms Generally

     32   

SECTION 1.04

  

Accounting Terms; GAAP

     32   

ARTICLE II THE CREDITS

        33   

SECTION 2.01

  

Commitments

     33   

SECTION 2.02

  

Loans and Borrowings

     33   

SECTION 2.03

  

Requests for Borrowings

     34   

SECTION 2.04

  

Incremental Facilities

     34   

SECTION 2.05

  

Swingline Loans

     36   

SECTION 2.06

  

Letters of Credit

     39   

SECTION 2.07

  

Funding of Borrowings

     43   

SECTION 2.08

  

Interest Elections

     43   

SECTION 2.09

  

Termination and Reduction of Commitments

     44   

SECTION 2.10

  

Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt

     45   

SECTION 2.11

  

Prepayment of Loans

     46   

SECTION 2.12

  

Fees

     46   

SECTION 2.13

  

Interest

     47   

SECTION 2.14

  

Alternate Rate of Interest

     48   

SECTION 2.15

  

Increased Costs

     49   

SECTION 2.16

  

Break Funding Payments

     50   

SECTION 2.17

  

Payments Free of Taxes

     50   

SECTION 2.18

  

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

     54   

SECTION 2.19

  

Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders

     55   

SECTION 2.20

  

Defaulting Lenders

     56   

SECTION 2.21

  

Extension of Revolving Maturity Date

     58   

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     58   

SECTION 3.01

  

Organization; Powers

     58   

SECTION 3.02

  

Authorization; Enforceability

     58   

SECTION 3.03

  

Approvals; No Conflicts

     58   

SECTION 3.04

  

Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change

     59   

SECTION 3.05

  

Properties

     59   

SECTION 3.06

  

Litigation and Environmental Matters

     59   

SECTION 3.07

  

Compliance with Laws and Agreements; No Default

     60   

SECTION 3.08

  

Investment Company Status

     60   

SECTION 3.09

  

Taxes

     60   

SECTION 3.10

  

ERISA

     60   

SECTION 3.11

  

Disclosure

     60   

SECTION 3.12

  

Sanctions Laws and Regulations

     60   

SECTION 3.13

  

Federal Reserve Board Regulations

     60   

SECTION 3.14

  

Subsidiaries

     60   

SECTION 3.15

  

Solvency

     61   

SECTION 3.16

  

Insurance

     61   

SECTION 3.17

  

OFAC

     61   

SECTION 3.18

  

Anti-Corruption Laws

     61   

 

-i-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page  

ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS

        61   

SECTION 4.01

  

Effective Date

     61   

SECTION 4.02

  

Each Credit Event

     63   

ARTICLE V AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     64   

SECTION 5.01

  

Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information; Broker Price Opinions

     64   

SECTION 5.02

  

Notices of Material Events

     66   

SECTION 5.03

  

Existence; Conduct of Business

     67   

SECTION 5.04

  

Payment of Obligations

     67   

SECTION 5.05

  

Maintenance of Properties; Insurance

     67   

SECTION 5.06

  

Books and Records; Inspection Rights

     67   

SECTION 5.07

  

Compliance with Laws

     67   

SECTION 5.08

  

Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit

     67   

SECTION 5.09

  

Addition and Release of Guaranties

     68   

SECTION 5.10

  

Additions and Releases of Pledgors

     69   

SECTION 5.11

  

Further Assurances

     70   

SECTION 5.12

  

REIT Status

     70   

ARTICLE VI NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     70   

SECTION 6.01

  

Financial Covenants

     70   

SECTION 6.02

  

Fundamental Changes

     72   

SECTION 6.03

  

Restricted Payments

     72   

SECTION 6.04

  

Transactions with Affiliates

     72   

SECTION 6.05

  

Changes in Fiscal Periods

     73   

ARTICLE VII EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     73   

SECTION 7.01

  

Events of Default

     73   

SECTION 7.02

  

Distribution of Payments after Default

     75   

ARTICLE VIII THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

     76   

SECTION 8.01

  

Appointment and Authority

     76   

SECTION 8.02

  

Rights as a Lender

     76   

SECTION 8.03

  

Exculpatory Provisions

     76   

SECTION 8.04

  

Reliance by Administrative Agent

     77   

SECTION 8.05

  

Delegation of Duties

     77   

SECTION 8.06

  

Resignation or Removal of Administrative Agent

     77   

SECTION 8.07

  

Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders

     78   

SECTION 8.08

  

Issuing Bank Reports to Administrative Agent

     78   

SECTION 8.09

  

Secured Hedge Agreement and Pledged Collateral Matters

     78   

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS

     81   

SECTION 9.01

  

Notices

     81   

SECTION 9.02

  

Waivers; Amendments

     83   

 

-ii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page  

SECTION 9.03

  

Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver

     84   

SECTION 9.04

  

Successors and Assigns

     86   

SECTION 9.05

  

Survival

     90   

SECTION 9.06

  

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution

     91   

SECTION 9.07

  

Severability

     91   

SECTION 9.08

  

Right of Setoff

     91   

SECTION 9.09

  

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

     92   

SECTION 9.10

  

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     92   

SECTION 9.11

  

Headings

     93   

SECTION 9.12

  

Confidentiality

     93   

SECTION 9.13

  

Material Non-Public Information

     93   

SECTION 9.14

  

Interest Rate Limitation

     94   

SECTION 9.15

  

USA PATRIOT Act

     95   

SECTION 9.16

  

No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility

     95   

SECTION 9.17

  

Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions

     95   

ARTICLE X GUARANTIES

        96   

SECTION 10.01

  

The Guaranties

     96   

SECTION 10.02

  

Remedies

     96   

SECTION 10.03

  

Right of Contribution

     96   

 

-iii-


SCHEDULES:

 

Schedule IPLF      Initial Pre-Payable Loan Facilities
Schedule MSG      Material Subsidiary Guarantors
Schedule 2.01      Commitments
Schedule 3.05      Unencumbered Assets
Schedule 3.06      Disclosed Matters
Schedule 3.14      Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates
Schedule 6.04      Affiliate Transactions
EXHIBITS:     
Exhibit A      Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit B      Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit C-1      U.S. Tax Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit C-2      U.S. Tax Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit C-3      U.S. Tax Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit C-4      U.S. Tax Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit D      Form of Note
Exhibit E      Form of Borrowing Request
Exhibit F      Form of Pledge Agreement
Exhibit G      Form of Parent Guaranty
Exhibit H      Form of Notice of Loan Prepayment
Exhibit I      Form of Letter of Credit Report

 

-iv-


REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

THIS REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of February 6, 2017, is entered into by and among INVITATION HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP LP, a Delaware limited partnership, as Borrower, the LENDERS party hereto, and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide certain revolving and term loan credit facilities, and the Lenders are willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

The parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

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

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

Act ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section  9.15 .

Additional Credit Extension Amendment ” means an amendment to this Agreement providing for any New Revolving Commitments and/or New Term Loans which shall be consistent with the applicable provisions of this Agreement relating to New Revolving Commitments and/or New Term Loans and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, the New Revolving Loan Lender or New Term Loan Lender, as applicable, and the Borrower.

Additional Subsidiary Guarantor ” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is required to provide a Subsidiary Guaranty in accordance with Section 5.09(a) .

Adjustment Index ” means the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, a repeat sales, value and interval weighted, econometric home price index model that measures changes in U.S. single-family housing market prices.

Adjusted LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period or any ABR Borrowing bearing interest in accordance with clause (c) of the definition of “Alternate Base Rate”, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for the applicable Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.

Administrative Agent ” means Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder, and any successor thereto appointed pursuant to Article VIII .

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

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any Lender be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Borrower.


Agent Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(d) .

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

Alternate Base Rate ” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus one half of one percent (0.50%) and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one month Interest Period for such day plus one percent (1.00%). Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively.

Applicable Rate ” means, (i) as of the Effective Date and continuing until the Borrower makes an effective Investment Grade Election, the Applicable Rate – Leverage, and (ii) from and after the first Business Day following the date on which the Borrower makes an effective Investment Grade Election, the Applicable Rate – Rating. Such Investment Grade Election and the application of the Applicable Rate – Rating shall be irrevocable once made.

Applicable Rate Leverage ” means, for any day, with respect to each Type and Class of Loan, as the case may be, the number of basis points determined by the range into which the Total Leverage Ratio then falls in the table below:

 

Level

   Total Leverage
Ratio
  Revolving Loan:      Term Loan:  
     Adjusted LIBO
Rate - Applicable
Rate

(bps)
     ABR -
Applicable Rate

(bps)
     Adjusted LIBO
Rate -
Applicable
Rate (bps)
     ABR -
Applicable
Rate

(bps)
 

Level I

   < 40%     175         75         170         70   

Level II

   ³ 40% and <45%     185         85         180         80   

Level III

   ³ 45% and <50%     200         100         195         95   

Level IV

   ³ 50% and <55%     215         115         210         110   

Level V

   ³ 55%     230         130         230         130   

For purposes of this definition, any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate - Leverage resulting from a change in the Total Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered in accordance with Section  5.01(a)(iii) ; provided , however, that if such Compliance Certificate is not delivered within thirty (30) days after notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders to the Borrower notifying the Borrower of the failure to deliver such Compliance Certificate on the date when due in accordance with Section 5.01(a)(iii) , then the Applicable Rate - Leverage shall be the number of basis points that would apply to Level V of the table set forth in this definition above and it shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered. The Applicable Rate - Leverage from the Effective Date until the delivery of the Compliance Certificate for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2017 shall be based on Level II.

 

2


If at any time the Financial Statements upon which the Applicable Rate - Leverage was determined were incorrect (whether based on a restatement, fraud or otherwise), the Borrower shall be required to retroactively pay (or, if applicable, the Lenders will be required to credit against the next interest payment(s) due from the Borrower hereunder) any additional amount that the Borrower would have been required to pay (or, if applicable, should not have paid) if such Financial Statements had been accurate at the time they were delivered.

Applicable Rate Rating ” means, for any day, with respect to each Type and Class of Loan, as the case may be, the number of basis points determined by the range into which the Debt Rating then falls in the table below:

 

Level

   Debt Rating
(S&P / Moody’s )
   Revolving Loan:      Term Loan:  
      Adjusted
LIBO Rate
- Applicable
Rate

(bps)
     ABR -
Applicable
Rate

(bps)
     Revolving
Credit
Facility
Fee Rate

(bps)
     Adjusted
LIBO Rate
- Applicable
Rate

(bps)
     ABR -
Applicable
Rate

(bps)
 

Level I

   A- / A3      85         0         12.5         90         0   

Level II

   BBB+ / Baa1      90         0         15         95         0   

Level III

   BBB / Baa2      100         0         20         110         10   

Level IV

   BBB- / Baa3      120         20         25         135         35   

Level V

   Less than BBB- / Baa3
or unrated
     155         55         30         175         75   

If at any time the Borrower has more than one Debt Rating, and such Debt Ratings do not fall in the same Level of the table set forth in this definition, then: (A) if the difference between such Debt Ratings is one Level ( e.g. , BBB- by S&P and Baa2 by Moody’s), the Applicable Rate - Rating shall be determined based on the Level corresponding to the higher of the Debt Ratings ( e.g. , Level III); (B) if the difference between such Debt Ratings is two Levels ( e.g. , BBB- by S&P and Baa1 by Moody’s), the Applicable Rate - Rating shall be determined based on the average of the applicable Debt Ratings ( e.g. , Level III) and (C) if the difference between such Debt Ratings is three Levels ( e.g. , BBB- by S&P and A3 by Moody’s), the Applicable Rate - Rating shall be determined based on the Level corresponding to the Debt Rating that is one Level above the Level corresponding to the lower of the applicable Debt Ratings ( e.g. , Level III).

If each of S&P and Moody’s discontinue their Debt Ratings of the REIT industry or the Borrower, the Borrower may seek a corporate rating from another substitute rating agency reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower. For the period from the date of such discontinuance until the date the Borrower receives a corporate rating from such new, approved rating agency, the Applicable Rate - Rating and the Revolving Credit Facility Fee shall be the number of basis points that would apply to Level V of the table set forth in this definition above.

If a downgrade or discontinuance of the Debt Rating by S&P or Moody’s results in an increase in the Applicable Rate - Rating or the Revolving Credit Facility Fee and if such increase is reversed and the affected Applicable Rate - Rating or Revolving Credit Facility Fee is restored within ninety (90) days thereafter, at the Borrower’s request, the Borrower shall receive a credit against interest next due the Lenders equal to the interest differential on the Loans and the differential on the Revolving Credit Facility Fee during such period of downgrade or discontinuance.

 

3


If an upgrade of the Debt Rating by S&P or Moody’s results in a decrease in the Applicable Rate - Rating or Revolving Credit Facility Fee and if such upgrade is reversed and the affected Applicable Rate - Rating or Revolving Credit Facility Fee is restored within ninety (90) days thereafter, the Borrower shall be required to pay an amount to the Lenders equal to the interest differential on the Loans and the differential on the Revolving Credit Facility Fee during such period of upgrade.

Approved Counterparty ” means (a) the Administrative Agent, Lender or any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent or Lender at the time it entered into a Secured Hedge Agreement, in its capacity as a party thereto, in each case notwithstanding whether such Approved Counterparty ceases to be the Administrative Agent, Lender or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent or Lender after entering into such Secured Hedge Agreement, and (b) any other Person from time to time approved in writing by the Administrative Agent. Any counterparty that is not a party to this Agreement shall not be an “Approved Counterparty” unless and until such counterparty executes a joinder as required pursuant to the terms of Section  8.09(a) .

Approved Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section  9.04 ), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

Authorized Officer ” means any of the Senior Managing Director, Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Co-Chief Investment Officer, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary or General Counsel of the Borrower or the Borrower GP or any other officer listed on the applicable incumbency certificate delivered pursuant to Section  4.01(c)(iii) .

Availability Period ” means, with respect to the Revolving Facility, the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments.

Available Revolving Commitment ” means, as to any Revolving Lender at any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such Lender’s Revolving Commitment then in effect minus (b) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure then outstanding; provided , that in calculating any Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure for the purpose of determining such Lender’s Available Revolving Commitment pursuant to Section 2.12(a) and Section 2.12(b) , the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans then outstanding shall be deemed to be zero.

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

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

 

4


Balance Sheet Cash ” means the Ownership Share of all cash and Cash Equivalents, including cash and Cash Equivalents held as collateral, in escrow in a bank account by a lender, creditor or counterparty and from like-kind exchanges, in each case, of the Consolidated Group.

Bankruptcy Event ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, provided , further , that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

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

Book Value ” means, with respect to any asset, the book value of such asset determined in accordance with GAAP, without giving effect to depreciation but after taking into account any impairments.

Borrower ” means, Invitation Homes Operating Partnership LP, a Delaware limited partnership.

Borrower GP ” means Invitation Homes OP GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, if it is the general partner of the Borrower, or, if not, any Subsidiary of the Parent that is the general partner of the Borrower.

Borrowing ” means Loans (or in the case of Term Loans, each portion thereof) of the same Type and Class, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans (or in the case of Term Loans, each portion thereof), as to which a single Interest Period (i.e., of the same duration and ending on the same date) is in effect.

Borrowing Request ” means a request in substantially the form of Exhibit E hereto by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section  2.03 appropriately completed and signed by an Authorized Officer.

BPO Value ” means either (i) the “as is” value for any Operating Property set forth in the Broker Price Opinion most recently obtained by the Administrative Agent from the Diligence Agent or provided by the Borrower from the Diligence Agent with respect to such Operating Property (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any of the Broker Price Opinions obtained pursuant to Section  5.01(b) ), or (ii) the value described in the preceding clause (i) of this definition as adjusted at the end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter pursuant to the most recent change (from the then immediately preceding BPO Value adjustment) in the index value reported pursuant to the Adjustment Index (such adjusted value, the “ Index-Adjusted BPO Value ”), whichever value is more recent. For the avoidance of doubt, (x) the Borrower may periodically update the BPO Value of any Operating Property at any time by causing the Diligence Agent to obtain a revised Broker Price Opinion relating thereto and (y) the Index-Adjusted BPO Value of each Operating Property shall be readjusted at the end of each fiscal quarter pursuant to the process described in clause (ii) of this definition above.

 

5


Broker Price Opinion ” means, with respect to any Operating Property, either (x) a broker price opinion obtained by the Administrative Agent, (y) a broker price opinion obtained by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower from the Diligence Agent or (z) an appraisal obtained by the Administrative Agent from the Diligence Agent that at a minimum conforms to generally accepted appraisal standards as set forth in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice promulgated by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation. Broker Price Opinions shall include such information (including, but not limited to, opinion of value) and comply with such guidelines (including under applicable law) as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that, when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan (and any ABR Loans or Borrowings the interest on which is computed by reference to clause (c) of the definition of “Alternate Base Rate”), the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

Cash Equivalents ” means:

(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(b) investments in commercial paper maturing within three hundred sixty-five (365) days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody’s;

(c) investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within three hundred sixty-five (365) days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;

(d) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than thirty (30) days for securities described in clause (a)  above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c)  above; and

(e) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000.

Change in Control ” means: (a) for any reason whatsoever, the Parent or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Parent shall cease to Control, directly or indirectly, the Borrower GP; (b) for any reason whatsoever, any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Effective Date) other than the Permitted Holders shall beneficially own more than fifty percent (50%) of the then outstanding voting Equity Interests of the Parent; or (c) for any reason whatsoever, the Parent ceases to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the then outstanding voting Equity Interests of the Borrower. For purposes of this definition, a person or persons or group or groups shall be deemed to have a majority of the total voting power of the then outstanding voting Equity Interests in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity if such person or persons or group or groups shall be allocated a majority of limited

 

6


liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or Control the managing member, managing director or other governing body or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity.

Change in Law ” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement or, with respect to any Lender, such later date on which such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (a) the adoption of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) compliance by any Lender or any Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b) , by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

Class ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Term Loans or Swingline Loans.

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

Collateral Documents ” means the Pledge Agreement, and all other collateral documents made by or on behalf of a pledgor thereunder to or for the benefit of the secured parties thereunder in connection with the Pledge Agreement, as any of the foregoing have been and may be supplemented, modified or amended from time to time.

Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, its Revolving Commitment and/or its Term Loan Commitment, as the context may require.

Commitment Fee Rate ” means, to the extent in effect as calculated on a daily basis, for any applicable period (a) 0.35% per annum , if the actual daily Revolving Commitment Utilization Percentage for such quarter is less than or equal to fifty percent (50%), and (b) 0.20% per annum , if the actual daily Revolving Commitment Utilization Percentage for such quarter is greater than fifty percent (50%).

Commodity Exchange Act ” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.).

Communications ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(d) .

Compliance Certificate ” means a compliance certificate delivered in accordance with Section  5.01(a)(iii) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit  B .

Competitor ” shall mean (i) any competitor of the Borrower that is engaged in the business of owning, managing and/or operating residential real property, including single family homes in planned unit developments and individual single family townhomes and individual residential condominium units in a low-rise or high-rise condominium project, (ii) any REIT (other than (x) a REIT that invests primarily in mortgages and (y) which is not the Parent or a subsidiary thereof), or (iii) any Affiliate of either of the foregoing which is reasonably identifiable as an Affiliate solely based upon the name of such Affiliate; provided , however , that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any liability hereunder or otherwise in the event of an assignment pursuant to clause (iii) above to any Person not then actually known by the Administrative Agent or such Lender to be a “Competitor”.

 

7


Connection Income Taxes ” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

Consolidated Group ” means the Borrower and all of the Subsidiaries which are consolidated with the Borrower for financial reporting purposes under GAAP.

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

Credit Party ” means the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swingline Lender or any other Lender.

Customary Nonrecourse Carveouts ” means, with respect to any Nonrecourse Indebtedness, exclusions from the exculpation provisions with respect to such Nonrecourse Indebtedness for fraud, misrepresentation, misapplication of funds, waste, environmental claims, bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, prohibited transfers, violations of “special purpose entity” covenants and other similar events and exceptions customarily excluded by institutional lenders from exculpation provisions and/or included in separate indemnification agreements in nonrecourse financings of real estate.

Debt Rating ” means, as of any date of determination, the rating as determined by S&P and/or Moody’s of the Borrower’s non-credit enhanced, senior unsecured long-term debt.

Default ” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two (2) Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i)  above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within two (2) Business Days after request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under this Agreement; provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c)  upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of any Bankruptcy Event or (ii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to

 

8


Section  2.20 ) as of the date established therefor by the Administrative Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, each Issuing Bank, each Swingline Lender and each other Lender promptly following such determination.

Designated Jurisdiction ” means any country, region or territory to the extent that such country, region or territory itself is the subject of any Sanctions Laws and Regulations.

Designated Persons ” means a person or entity (a) listed in the annex to, or otherwise subject to the provisions of, any Sanctions Laws and Regulations-related Executive Order; (b) named as a “Specially Designated National and Blocked Person” (“ SDN ”) on the most current list published by OFAC at its official website or any replacement website or other replacement official publication of such list (the “ SDN List ”) or is otherwise the subject of any Sanctions Laws and Regulations; (c) in which an entity or person on the SDN List has fifty percent (50%) or greater ownership interest or that is otherwise controlled by an SDN.

Diligence Agent ” means (i) Green River Capital, LLC, or (ii) such other institution designated by the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders by written notice to the Borrower and the Lenders.

Disclosed Matters ” means the actions, suits and proceedings and the environmental matters disclosed in Schedule 3.06.

Disqualified Institution ” means any Person that is specifically identified by name on a written list that has been delivered to the Administrative Agent on or before the Effective Date, which list may be updated from time to time after the Effective Date upon the Borrower delivering an updated list to the Administrative Agent; provided , however , that no such update shall apply retroactively to any Persons that already acquired and continues to hold (or has and remains committed to acquire, without giving retroactive effect to any such commitment) an assignment or participation interest in any Commitment, Revolving Credit Exposure or Term Loan Exposure; provided , further , however, that any such Person that holds (or has and remains committed to acquire, without giving retroactive effect to any such commitment) an assignment or participation interest shall not be permitted to acquire an additional assignment, participation or other interest in any Commitment, Revolving Credit Exposure or Term Loan Exposure. The list of Disqualified Institutions shall be made available to a Lender upon reasonable request to the Administrative Agent in connection with a proposed assignment under Section  9.04 .

dollars ” or “ $ ” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

EBITDA ” means for the Consolidated Group and all Investment Affiliates for any period, as determined in accordance with GAAP, an amount equal to (i) the Ownership Share of Net Operating Income for each Operating Property owned by the members of the Consolidated Group or an Investment Affiliate, plus (ii) the Ownership Share of other income and revenues of the members of the Consolidated Group and Investment Affiliates, including, without limitation, third party Management Fees, third party captive insurance premiums and other corporate revenues, minus (iii) the Ownership Share of all general and administrative expenses of the Consolidated Group and Investment Affiliates; provided that such calculation shall exclude one-time gains and losses from asset sales and non-cash expenses.

EEA Financial Institution ” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority and subject to the Bail-In Legislation, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a)  of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a Subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a)  or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

9


EEA Member Country ” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

EEA Resolution Authority ” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

Effective Date ” means February 6, 2017, the date on which the conditions specified in Section  4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section  9.02 ).

Electronic Signature ” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record. For the avoidance of doubt, an executed counterpart of a signature page delivered by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall not be considered an Electronic Signature.

Electronic System ” means any electronic system, including IntraLinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar, or a substantially similar electronic transmission system and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank and any of its respective Related Persons or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security systems.

Eligible Assignee ” means (i) a Lender, (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender, (iii) an Approved Fund and (iv) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved in accordance with the provisions of Section  9.04(b) . For the avoidance of doubt, no Ineligible Institution is an Eligible Assignee.

Encumbered Asset ” means any Operating Property (a) located in the United States, (b) one hundred percent (100%) of which is owned directly or indirectly in fee simple by the Borrower or any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries and (c) which, as of any date of determination, is subject to any Liens, claims, or restrictions on transferability or assignability of any kind (including any such Lien, claim or restriction imposed by the organizational documents of any subsidiary, any Negative Pledge clause, or any “equal and ratable” clause or similar provision that entitles an entity to a Lien on such asset upon the occurrence of any contingency), except that no Operating Property shall be an Encumbered Asset solely by virtue of being subject to (i) Permitted Encumbrances or Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent or (ii) customary restrictions on transferability that result in a change of control or that trigger a right of first offer or right of first refusal.

Environmental Laws ” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material or to health and safety matters.

Environmental Liability ” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

10


Equity Interests ” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest.

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

ERISA Affiliate ” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(m) of the Code.

ERISA Event ” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30 day notice period is waived); (b) any failure to meet the minimum funding standards of Section 303 of ERISA or Section 430 of ERISA; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in endangered or critical status, or insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title I or IV of ERISA, as applicable.

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule ” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

Eurodollar ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate; provided , however , that any Loan or Borrowing bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to clause (c) of the definition of “Alternate Base Rate” shall not constitute a Eurodollar Loan or Borrowing, but an ABR Loan or Borrowing, as applicable.

Event of Default ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section  7.01 .

Excluded CFC ” means any (a) “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code (a “ CFC ”), (b) non-U.S. Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary of a CFC, or (c) non-U.S. Subsidiary substantially all the assets of which are CFCs, (d) direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Subsidiary that is an Excluded CFC, or (e) direct or indirect U.S. Subsidiary substantially all of the assets of which consist of equity of one or more direct or indirect non-U.S. Subsidiaries that are CFCs.

Excluded Subsidiary ” means (a) any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower or a Guarantor that is not organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (b) any Subsidiary holding title to assets that are collateral for any Nonrecourse Indebtedness

 

11


of such Subsidiary, (c) any Subsidiary that is prohibited (on or following the Effective Date) from guarantying the Indebtedness under this Agreement pursuant to any document, instrument or agreement evidencing such Nonrecourse Indebtedness, provided such document, instrument or agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such prohibition, or (d) any Excluded CFC. For the purposes of this definition, no Indebtedness shall fail to constitute Nonrecourse Indebtedness as the result of Customary Nonrecourse Carveouts.

Excluded Swap Obligation ” means, with respect to any Guarantor, (a) any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guaranty of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guaranty thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation, or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) (i) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure to constitute an “eligible contract participant,” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder (determined after giving effect to any applicable agreement for the benefit of such Guarantor and any and all applicable guarantees of such Guarantor’s Swap Obligations by other Loan Parties), at the time the guarantee of (or grant of such security interest by, as applicable) such Guarantor becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or (ii) in the case of a Swap Obligation that is subject to a clearing requirement pursuant to section 2(h) of the Commodity Exchange Act, because such Guarantor is a “financial entity,” as defined in section 2(h)(7)(C) of the Commodity Exchange Act, at the time the guarantee of (or grant of such security interest by, as applicable) such Guarantor becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or (b) any other Swap Obligation designated as an “Excluded Swap Obligation” of such Guarantor as specified in any agreement between the relevant Loan Parties and the Approved Counterparty applicable to such Swap Obligations. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one Swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to the Swap for which such guarantee or security interest is or becomes excluded in accordance with the first sentence of this definition.

Excluded Taxes ” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 2.19(b) ) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section  2.17 , amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(f) or (g) , and (d) any U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

Executive Order ” means an executive order issued by the President of the United States of America.

Facility ” means each of the Term Loan Facility and the Revolving Facility (and collectively, the “ Facilities ”).

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to

 

12


comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any intergovernmental agreement (or related legislation or official administrative rules or practices) implementing the foregoing.

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America, N.A., on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent; provided , however , that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of the Loan Documents.

Financial Covenants ” means the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.01(a) .

Financial Officer ” means the chief financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Borrower.

Financial Statements ” means the financial statements to be furnished pursuant to Sections  5.01(a)(i) and (a)(ii) .

Financing Lease Obligation ” means, at any time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a Financing Lease; provided , that , any obligations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries either existing on the Effective Date or created prior to any re-characterization described below (i) that were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as financing or capital lease obligations and (ii) that are subsequently re-characterized as financing or capital lease obligations or indebtedness due to a change in accounting treatment or otherwise, shall for all purposes under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the calculation of Net Operating Income and EBITDA) not be treated as financing or capital lease obligations, Financing Lease Obligations or Indebtedness.

Financing Leases ” means all leases that have been or are required to be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as a financing or capital leases (and, for the avoidance of doubt, not a straight-line or operating lease) on both the balance sheet and income statement for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP; provided , that , for all purposes hereunder the amount of obligations under any Financing Lease shall be the amount thereof accounted for as a liability on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 6.01(a)(iv) .

Fixed Charges ” means, for any period, the sum of (i) Total Interest Expense, (ii) all regularly scheduled principal payments due on account of Total Outstanding Indebtedness (excluding balloon payments), (iii) all cash dividends payable on account of preferred stock or preferred operating partnership units of the Borrower or any other Person in the Consolidated Group, and (iv) the Ownership Share of all cash dividends payable on account of preferred stock or preferred operating partnership units of any Investment Affiliate.

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (15 U.S.C. § 78dd-1, et seq.), as re-enacted from time to time, together with any successor statute thereto.

 

13


Foreign Lender ” means a Lender that is not a U.S. Person.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as in effect from time to time; provided , however , that (i) if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change in accounting principles or change as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies (including, but not limited to, the impact of Accounting Standards Update 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) or similar revenue recognition policies or any change in the methodology of calculating reserves for returns, rebates and other chargebacks) occurring after the Effective Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith, (ii) GAAP shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under FASB ASC Topic 825 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries at “fair value,” as defined therein, and Indebtedness shall be measured at the aggregate principal amount thereof, and (iii) the accounting for operating leases and financing or capital leases under GAAP as in effect on the Effective Date (including, without limitation, Accounting Standards Codification 840) shall apply for the purposes of determining compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, including the definition of Financing Leases and obligations in respect thereof.

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

guarantee ” of or by any Person (the “ guarantor ”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided , that the term guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Effective Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith.

Guaranties ” means, collectively, the Subsidiary Guaranty and, if required, the Parent Guaranty from and after the date it is required to be executed and delivered pursuant to Section  5.09(d) (and each individually, a “ Guaranty ”).

 

14


Guarantors ” means (i) subject to release as provided in Section  5.09(b) , the Material Subsidiary Guarantors, and (ii) from and after the date it is required to execute and deliver the Parent Guaranty pursuant to Section  5.09(d) , the Parent.

Hazardous Materials ” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

HOA ” means a homeowners or condominium association, board, corporation or similar entity with authority to create a Lien on an Operating Property as a result of the non-payment of HOA Fees that are payable with respect to such Operating Property.

HOA Fees ” means all homeowner’s and condominium dues, fees, assessments and impositions, and any other charges levied or assessed or imposed against an Operating Property, or any part thereof, by an HOA.

Increased Amount Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section  2.04 .

Incremental Commitments ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section  2.04 .

Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business and accruals for payroll and other liabilities accrued in the ordinary course), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Financing Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty and (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances, in each case, if and to the extent that the foregoing would constitute indebtedness or a liability in accordance with GAAP; provided , that Indebtedness of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower appearing on the balance sheet of the Borrower solely by reason of push-down accounting under GAAP shall be excluded. The Indebtedness of any Person shall (A) include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is personally liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except any Indebtedness to the extent that any such Person is not personally liable therefore pursuant to the terms of any such Indebtedness, and (B) exclude obligations under or in respect of Non-Financing Lease Obligations (to the extent they are treated as operating leases in the most recent financial statements in existence on the Effective Date), straight-line leases, operating leases or sale lease-back transactions (except any resulting Financing Lease Obligations).

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall in the case of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries exclude all intercompany indebtedness made in the ordinary course between the members of the Consolidated Group and reduced by any investment by the Consolidated Group in the indebtedness of any Excluded Subsidiary.

 

15


Indemnified Taxes ” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.

Index-Adjusted BPO Value ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of BPO Value.

Ineligible Institution ” means (a) natural persons, (b) each Defaulting Lender, (c) the Borrower and each of its Affiliates, (d) each Competitor and (e) each Disqualified Institution.

Initial Term Loan ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(b)(i) .

Initial Pre-Payable Loan Facilities ” means those loan facilities more particularly described on Schedule IPLF .

Interest Election Request ” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section  2.08 .

Interest Payment Date ” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (other than a Swingline Loan), the first Business Day following the last day of each of March, June, September and December, (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three (3) months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three (3) months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period, and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the last Business Day of each of March, June, September and December and the Revolving Maturity Date.

Interest Period ” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one (1), two (2), three (3), six (6) or twelve (12) months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect; provided , that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing only, such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (ii) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Borrowing that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period, (iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the then applicable Maturity Date for such Facility and (iv) each such Interest Period shall be available from each Lender. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and, in the case of a Revolving Borrowing or Term Borrowing, thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

Investment Affiliate ” means any Person in which the Consolidated Group, directly or indirectly, owns any Equity Interests, whose financial results are not consolidated under GAAP with the financial results of the Consolidated Group.

Investment Grade Election ” means the election by the Borrower made by written notice to the Administrative Agent at any time that the Borrower has an Investment Grade Rating, irrevocably electing that the Applicable Rate on all Loans and Borrowings under the Loan Documents shall be determined based on the Applicable Rate - Rating.

 

16


Investment Grade Rating ” means a Debt Rating of the Borrower of BBB- or better from S&P or Baa3 or better from Moody’s.

Involuntary Proceeding ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01(h) .

IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

ISP ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

Issuing Bank ” means each of Bank of America, N.A., Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, each in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and their respective successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.06(i) . Each Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of adequate creditworthiness of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate. The Borrower, the Administrative Agent and any Lender may agree that any Lender may issue Letters of Credit hereunder, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include such Lender with respect to the Letters of Credit issued by such Lender, and each reference to “Issuing Bank” shall mean the applicable Issuing Bank or all Issuing Banks, as the context may require.

Joint Lead Arrangers/Joint Bookrunners ” means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Incorporated, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman Sachs Bank USA, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers/Joint Bookrunners under this Agreement.

LC Disbursement ” means a payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

LC Exposure ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Revolving Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time.

LC Issuing Bank Exposure ” means, at any time with respect to a given Issuing Bank, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements under Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time.

Lender Parent ” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.

Lenders ” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to Section  2.04 or an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes each Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank.

Letter of Credit ” means any standby letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement or a commercial or trade letter of credit, if agreed to by any Issuing Bank in its sole discretion. The foregoing shall not constitute a commitment by any Issuing Bank to issue any commercial or trade letter of credit.

 

17


Letter of Credit Report ” means a report of outstanding Letters of Credit and information related thereto in form set forth as Exhibit I attached hereto.

Level ” means a level in the leftmost column of the table set forth in the definitions of “Applicable Rate - Leverage” or “Applicable Rate - Rating,” each as applicable based on the definition in which such term is used.

LIBO Rate ” means:

(a) for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“ LIBOR ”) or a comparable or successor rate, which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent, as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such interest period, for U.S. dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; and

(b) for any interest calculation with respect to an ABR Borrowing on any date, the rate per annum equal to LIBOR, at or about 11:00 a.m., London time determined two (2) Business Days prior to such date for U.S. dollar deposits with a term of one month commencing that day; and

(c) if the LIBO Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of the Loan Documents;

provided that to the extent a comparable or successor rate is approved by the Administrative Agent in connection herewith, the approved rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided , further that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such approved rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent.

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, easement, restrictive covenant, preference, assignment, security interest, or any other encumbrance, charge or transfer of, or any agreement to enter into or create any of the foregoing, on or affecting all or any portion of such asset or any interest therein, or any direct or indirect interest in Borrower or any Loan Party, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, the filing of any financing statement, and mechanic’s, materialmen’s and other similar liens and encumbrances, but excluding any UCC financing statement filed as a fixture filing, mortgage, deed of trust or deed to secure debt, in each case, in respect of third party indebtedness which has been repaid in full and all commitments, security interests and guarantees in connection therewith which have been terminated and released, for no more than seventy-five (75) days after such repayment.

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, including, without limitation, schedules and exhibits hereto, the Notes (if any), the Guaranties, the Pledge Agreement, and any other agreements entered into in connection herewith or therewith, including any amendments, modifications or supplements hereto or thereto or waivers hereof or thereof.

Loan Parties ” means the Borrower and the Guarantors.

Loans ” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

 

18


Management Fees ” means with respect to any Person, all fees and income earned by such Person for the applicable period in connection with the management, development, and operations of a property including, without limitation, all property management fees, asset management fees, leasing and sales commissions, development fees, construction management fees, tenant coordination fees, legal fees, accounting fees, tax preparation fees, consulting fees, and financing or debt placement fees.

Material Adverse Effect ” means (a) a material adverse effect on the business, operations, properties or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) a material impairment of the ability of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform any of their obligations under any Loan Document or (c) a material adverse effect on the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents.

Material Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit and Nonrecourse Indebtedness (including, but not limited to, term loan and/or term securitization transactions that are conducted pursuant to either a Rule 144A or registered public offering or similar form of securitization transaction so long as any such transaction satisfies the requirements of Nonrecourse Indebtedness)), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $50,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

Material Subsidiaries ” means those Persons identified on Schedule 3.14 hereto as “Material Subsidiaries” and any other Subsidiary that is then an Additional Subsidiary Guarantor.

Material Subsidiary Guarantors ” means (a) those Persons listed on Schedule MSG hereto and (b) any Subsidiary that becomes an Additional Subsidiary Guarantor.

Maturity Date ” means the Revolving Maturity Date and/or the Term Loan Maturity Date, as the context may require.

Maximum Leverage Ratio ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(a)(i) .

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

Multiemployer Plan ” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

Negative Pledge ” means a provision of any document, instrument or agreement (including any charter, by-laws or other organizational documents), other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document, that prohibits, restricts or limits, or purports to prohibit, restrict or limit, the creation or assumption of any Lien on any assets of a Person as security for the Indebtedness of such Person or any other Person, or entitles another Person to obtain or claim the benefit of a Lien on any assets of such Person.

Net Operating Income ” means, with respect to any Operating Property for any period, as determined in accordance with GAAP, an amount equal to (i) the Ownership Share of the rental income and other revenues from the operation of such Operating Property, including from straight-lined rent and amortization of above or below market leases, minus (ii) actual third party Management Fees with respect to such Operating Property, minus (iii) the Ownership Share of all expenses and charges incurred in connection with the operation and maintenance of such Operating Property (including, without limitation,

 

19


real estate taxes, insurance, homeowner association fees (when applicable), market-level personnel expenses, repairs and maintenance, leasing costs and marketing costs); but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding the payment of or provision for debt service charges, interest expenses, income taxes, capital expenses, general and administrative expenses, non-cash compensation expenses, impairment and other similar expenses, acquisition costs, gain on sales of property, interest income and other miscellaneous income and expenses, depreciation and amortization expenses, and other non-cash expenses.

New Revolving Commitments ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section  2.04 .

New Revolving Loan Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section  2.04 .

New Term Loan ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section  2.04 .

New Term Loan Commitments ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section  2.04 .

New Term Loan Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section  2.04 .

Nonrecourse Indebtedness ” means, with respect to a Person, Indebtedness for borrowed money (or the portion thereof) in respect of which recourse for payment (except for customary exceptions for fraud, misapplication of funds, misrepresentation, waste, environmental indemnities, prohibited transfers, violation of “special purpose entity” covenants, bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar events and other similar exceptions to recourse liability until a claim is made with respect thereto, and then in the event of any such claim, only a portion of such Indebtedness in an amount equal to the amount of such claim shall no longer constitute “Nonrecourse Indebtedness” for the period that such portion is subject to such claim) is contractually limited to specific assets of such Person encumbered by a Lien securing such Indebtedness.

Non-Financing Lease Obligation ” means a lease obligation that is not required to be accounted for as a financing or capital lease on both the balance sheet and the income statement for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. For the avoidance of doubt, a straight-line or operating lease shall be considered a Non-Financing Lease Obligation.

Non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ” means any consolidated subsidiary of the Borrower which is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

Notes ” means each of the promissory notes, if any, made by the Borrower to evidence the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.10(e) .

Obligations ” means the unpaid principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after the maturity of the Loans and LC Disbursements and interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) the Loans and all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender and obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary arising under any Secured Hedge Agreement, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Letters of Credit, or any other document made, delivered or given in connection herewith or therewith, whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses (including all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender that are required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant hereto) or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary under any Secured

 

20


Hedge Agreement shall be secured and guaranteed pursuant to the Pledge Agreement and the Guaranty only to the extent that, and for so long as, the other Obligations are so secured and guaranteed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Obligations of any Guarantor shall in no event include any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor.

OFAC ” means Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

Operating Property ” means any one (1) to four (4) unit residential real property, including single family homes in planned unit developments and individual single family townhomes and individual residential condominium units in a low-rise or high-rise condominium project (but excluding co-ops and manufactured housing), in each case owned in fee simple by any member of the Consolidated Group or any Investment Affiliate and located in a state within the United States of America or in the District of Columbia, which at any time is an income producing property in operating condition and in respect of which no material part thereof (a) has been damaged by fire or other casualty (unless such damage has been or will be diligently repaired) or (b) has been condemned (unless the remaining portion of such property has been restored).

Other Connection Taxes ” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

Other Taxes ” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section  2.19 ).

Ownership Share ” means (a) with respect to any member of the Consolidated Group other than a Non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary, one hundred percent (100%), (b) with respect to any Non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the percentage of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in such Non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary held by the Consolidated Group, and (c) with respect to any Investment Affiliate, the percentage of the total Equity Interests held by the Consolidated Group in the aggregate, in such Investment Affiliate determined by calculating the greater of (i) the percentage of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in such Investment Affiliate held by the Consolidated Group in the aggregate and (ii) the percentage of the total Book Value of such Investment Affiliate that would be received by the Consolidated Group in the aggregate, upon liquidation of such Investment Affiliate, after repayment in full of all Indebtedness and other claims that would have priority in such a liquidation of such Investment Affiliate.

Parent ” means Invitation Homes Inc., a Maryland corporation.

Parent Guaranty ” means the Guaranty to be entered into if and when required pursuant to Section  5.09(d) , from the Parent, in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit  G .

Parent Guaranty Event ” means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the Parent at any time directly or indirectly owns properties or assets (other than (A) direct or indirect Equity Interests in

 

21


the Borrower, an intermediate holding company owning the Borrower or the Borrower GP, or (B) properties or assets that are promptly distributed to the equity holders of the Parent) that, in the aggregate, equal more than two percent (2.00%) of the total assets of the Loan Parties; (ii) the Parent issues any Indebtedness or guarantee; or (iii) the Parent ceases for any reason to be a REIT.

Pari Passu Debt ” means the Ownership Share of any Secured Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group and each Investment Affiliate as of such date (other than Indebtedness of any Investment Affiliate to a member of the Consolidated Group and intercompany indebtedness between members of the Consolidated Group), determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, which is secured by the Pledged Collateral, or any portion thereof, on a pari passu basis with the Obligations; provided that obligations under Swap Agreements hedging the interest rate risk of Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Consolidated Group or an Investment Affiliate do not constitute Pari Passu Debt.

Pari Passu Obligations ” means Unsecured Indebtedness (exclusive of Indebtedness under the Loan Documents) of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor owing to a person or entity that is not a member of the Consolidated Group or a person or entity Controlled (directly or indirectly) by an affiliate of any member of the Consolidated Group.

Participant ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c) .

Participant Register ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c) .

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

Permitted Encumbrances ” means:

(a) Liens imposed by law for Taxes, impositions, HOA Fees, charges, liens or fees levied or assessed or imposed against a property by a Governmental Authority in connection with code violations, and any other charges levied or assessed or imposed against a property or any part thereof, in each such case, that are not yet delinquent or are being contested in compliance with Section  5.04 ;

(b) Statutory Liens of carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law, (i) securing obligations that are not overdue by more than sixty (60) days after which the Borrower receives notice, (ii) are being contested or bonded over in compliance with Section  5.04 , (iii) relate to tenant improvements and with respect to which the applicable Material Subsidiary Guarantor is diligently enforcing its rights under a tenant lease to have removed by the applicable tenant, or (iv) if not resolved in favor of the applicable Material Subsidiary Guarantor, is not reasonably likely to result in a material impairment of the value of the asset subject to such Lien;

(c) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

(d) the rights of tenants under leases or subleases not interfering with the ordinary conduct of business of the Borrower;

(e) Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the UCC on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodities brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) in favor of a banking or other financial institution arising as a matter of law or under customary general terms and conditions encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

 

22


(f) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(g) judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 7.01(k) ;

(h) Liens (i) on earnest money deposits in connection with purchases and sales of properties, (ii) on cash advances in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an investment permitted pursuant to this Agreement, or (iii) consisting of an agreement to dispose of any property;

(i) Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statement filings regarding leases entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(j) Liens deemed to exist in connection with investments in repurchase agreements to the extent not prohibited under this Agreement;

(k) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(l) Liens in respect of the Pledged Collateral securing any Secured Hedge Agreements designed to hedge against the Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s exposure to interest rates;

(m) Liens securing any Swap Agreements entered into by any Subsidiary prior to and in connection with a Qualified Refinancing; provided that such Qualified Refinancing shall occur no later than ninety (90) days from the date of the imposition of such Lien; and

(n) that certain Lien with total combined commercial lien value of $40,000 evidenced by the Notice of International Commercial Lien, dated January 09, 2014, filed and recorded as File No. 044-2014-000121 in the Clerk of Superior Court of Dekalb County, Georgia, and that certain Public Notice of Commercial Lien, filed and recorded June 16, 2015, as lien book 1649, page 283, in the Clerk of Superior Court of Dekalb County, Georgia, together with the UCC financing statements filed in connection therewith and any amendments in respect of such UCC financing statements;

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.

Permitted Holders ” means any of the following: (i) The Blackstone Group LP, investment funds that are part of the Blackstone Group family of funds and/or partnerships, parallel funds, alternative investment vehicles and other investment vehicles comprising the real estate funds commonly known as Blackstone Real Estate Partners, any Affiliate of the foregoing and any “group” within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Effective Date that includes any of the foregoing and (ii) all other owners of shares of capital stock, partnership interests or other equity ownership interests (including such owners that are members of the management of the Parent, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries) in the Borrower or the Parent immediately prior to the Effective Date and the effectiveness of this Agreement.

 

23


Permitted Pari Passu Provisions ” means provisions that are contained in documentation evidencing or governing Pari Passu Obligations which provisions are the result of (i) limitations on the ability of a member of the Consolidated Group to make restricted payments or to transfer property to the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor which limitations are not, taken as a whole, materially more restrictive than those contained in the Loan Documents, (ii) limitations on the creation of any lien on any assets of a person or entity that are not, taken as a whole, materially more restrictive than those contained in the Loan Documents or (iii) any requirement that Pari Passu Obligations be secured on an “equal and ratable basis” to the extent that Indebtedness under the Loan Documents is Secured Indebtedness.

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

Pledge Agreement ” means the Pledge Agreement executed and delivered pursuant to Section  4.01(a) and substantially in the form of Exhibit F .

Pledge Termination Event ” means any of the following occurs: (i) the Borrower obtains an Investment Grade Rating; or (ii) the ratio of (a) Total Outstanding Indebtedness minus Balance Sheet Cash divided by (b) EBITDA is at least 8.00 to 1.00 for the immediately preceding four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters.

Pledged Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Pledge Agreement.

Pledgor ” means any Person that is or hereafter becomes (pursuant to Section 5.10(b) or otherwise) a party to the Pledge Agreement as a “Pledgor”, unless such Person has then been released in accordance with Section  5.10(c) .

Prime Rate ” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America, N.A. (or any replacement Administrative Agent) as its “prime rate”; provided , however , that if the Prime Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of the Loan Documents. Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date specified in the public announcement of such change.

Pro-Rata Share ” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the total Term Loan Exposure, Revolving Credit Exposure and unused Commitments represented by such Lender’s Term Loan Exposure, Revolving Credit Exposure and unused Commitments.

Qualified Refinancing ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.09(b) .

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

Register ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(iv) .

REIT ” means a domestic trust or corporation that qualifies as a real estate investment trust under the provisions of § 856, et seq. of the Code or any successor provisions.

 

24


Related Parties ” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

Required Delivery Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.09(a) .

Required Facility Lenders ” means, with respect to any Facility, the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the total Term Loan Exposures or the total Revolving Commitments, as the case may be, outstanding under such Facility (or, in the case of the Revolving Facility, after any termination of the Revolving Commitments, the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the total Revolving Credit Exposures); provided that, in the event any Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender, then for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, “Required Facility Lenders” means Lenders (excluding all Defaulting Lenders) having more than fifty percent (50%) of the total Term Loan Exposures or the total Revolving Commitments (or total Revolving Credit Exposures), as the case may be, outstanding under such Facility (excluding the Term Loan Exposures, Revolving Commitments and Revolving Credit Exposures, as applicable, of all Defaulting Lenders).

Required Lenders ” means, at any time, Lenders having Term Loan Exposures, Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the sum of the total Term Loan Exposures, Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments at such time; provided that, in the event any of the Lenders shall be a Defaulting Lender, then for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, “Required Lenders” means Lenders (excluding all Defaulting Lenders) having Term Loan Exposures, Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the sum of the total Term Loan Exposures, Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments of such Lenders (excluding all Defaulting Lenders) at such time; provided , further , that at all times following repayment in full of the Term Loans, when four (4) or more Lenders (excluding all Defaulting Lenders) are a party to this Agreement, “ Required Lenders ” shall in no event mean less than four (4) Lenders (excluding all Defaulting Lenders).

Restricted Payment ” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests in the Borrower or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in the Borrower.

Revolving Borrowing ” means a Borrowing of Revolving Loans.

Revolving Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section  2.09 , (b) increased from time to time pursuant to Section  2.04 , and (c) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section  9.04 . The initial amount of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the Additional Credit Extension Amendment or the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Commitment, as applicable. The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Commitments as of the Effective Date is $1,000,000,000.

Revolving Commitment Utilization Percentage ” means on any date, the percentage equal to a fraction (a) the numerator of which is the total Revolving Credit Exposures and (b) the denominator of which is the total Revolving Commitments; provided that in calculating the total Revolving Credit Exposures for purposes of Section 2.12(a) and Section 2.12(b) , the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans then outstanding shall be deemed to be zero.

 

25


Revolving Credit Exposure ” means, with respect to any Revolving Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure at such time.

Revolving Credit Facility Fee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section  2.12(b) .

Revolving Credit Facility Fee Rate ” means the rate per annum in basis points set forth in the then applicable Level of the table set forth in the definition of Applicable Rate – Rating under the column labeled “Revolving Credit Facility Fee Rate.”

Revolving Facility ” means the Revolving Commitments and the Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans made, and Letters of Credit issued, thereunder.

Revolving Lender ” means a Lender with a Revolving Commitment or Revolving Credit Exposure.

Revolving Loan ” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(a) and Section  2.03 .

Revolving Maturity Date ” means February 6, 2021, subject to extension as provided in Section  2.21 .

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

Revolving Unused Facility Fee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section  2.12(a) .

S&P ” means S&P Global Ratings, or any successor thereto.

Sanctions Laws and Regulations means any sanctions, prohibitions or requirements administered, imposed or enforced by the United States Government (including, without limitation, OFAC), or other relevant sanctions authority having jurisdiction over any Loan Party or its subsidiaries.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America.

Secured Hedge Agreements ” means any Swap Agreement that is entered into by and between the Borrower or any Subsidiary and any Approved Counterparty and designated in writing by the Borrower or such Approved Counterparty to the Administrative Agent as a “ Secured Hedge Agreement ” under this Agreement.

Secured Indebtedness ” means all Indebtedness of any Person that is secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person (other than Pari Passu Debt).

Secured Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Pledge Agreement.

Solvent ” when used with respect to any Person, means that, as of any date of determination, with respect to such Person and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, (a) the fair saleable value of its assets is in excess of the total amount of its liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent liabilities); (b)

 

26


the present fair saleable value of its assets is greater than the probable liability on its existing debts as such debts become absolute and matured; (c) it is then able and expects to be able to pay its debts (including, without limitation, contingent debts and other commitments) as they mature; and (d) it has capital sufficient to carry on its business as conducted and as proposed to be conducted.

Statutory Reserve Rate ” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentage (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is subject with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate, for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentage shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. Eurodollar Loans (and ABR Loans and Borrowings the interest on which is computed by reference to clause (c) of the definition of “Alternate Base Rate”) shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person (the “ parent ”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the equity or more than fifty percent (50%) of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than fifty percent (50%) of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

Subsidiary ” means any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Borrower.

Subsidiary Guaranty ” means, collectively, (a) the Guaranty, dated as of the date hereof, from the Material Subsidiary Guarantors on the Effective Date in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders (the “ Initial Subsidiary Guaranty ”) and (b) any additional Guaranty in substantially the form of the Initial Subsidiary Guaranty that may be executed and delivered after the Effective Date by an Additional Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.09(a) .

Swap ” means, any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1(a)(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Swap Agreement ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

27


Swap Obligation ” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation to pay or perform under any Swap.

Swap Termination Value ” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Agreements, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Agreement, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Agreements have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Agreement, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Agreements (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

Swingline Exposure ” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Revolving Percentage of the total Swingline Exposure at such time.

Swingline Lender ” means each of Bank of America, N.A., Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, each in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder and their respective successors in such capacity. The Borrower, the Administrative Agent and any Lender may agree that any Lender may make Swingline Loans hereunder, in which case the term “Swingline Lender” shall include such Lender with respect to the Swingline Loans made by such Lender, and each reference to “Swingline Lender” shall mean the applicable Swingline Lender or all Swingline Lenders, as the context may require.

Swingline Loan ” means a Loan made pursuant to Section  2.05 .

Tangible Net Worth ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(a)(v) .

Taxes ” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Term Loan ” means the Initial Term Loan and any New Term Loans made pursuant to Section  2.04 .

Term Loan Commitment ” means, with respect to each Term Loan Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Term Loans hereunder, including any New Term Loan Commitments. The initial amount of each Lender’s Term Loan Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 . The aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Term Loan Commitments as of the Effective Date is $1,500,000,000.

Term Loan Exposure ” means, with respect to any Term Loan Lender at any time, the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Term Loans.

Term Loan Facility ” means the Term Loan Commitments and the Term Loans made thereunder.

Term Loan Lender ” means a Lender with a Term Loan Commitment or Term Loan Exposure.

 

28


Term Loan Maturity Date ” means February 6, 2022.

Termination Event ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section  8.09(c)(i) .

Total BPO Value ” means, as of any date, without duplication, an amount equal to the Ownership Share each of the following:

 

  (a) the BPO Value of all Operating Properties of the Consolidated Group, plus

 

  (b) the BPO Value of all Operating Properties owned by Investment Affiliates, plus

 

  (c) the amount of third party Management Fees (net of management expenses), fee income from concession agreements and third party captive insurance premiums received by the Consolidated Group for the most recent six (6) months for which the Borrower has reported financial results pursuant to Section  5.01 , annualized.

Total Interest Expense ” means, for any period, without duplication, the sum of (a) the Ownership Share of cash interest expense, determined in accordance with GAAP, of the Consolidated Group for such period attributable to Total Outstanding Indebtedness during such period and (b) the Ownership Share of any cash interest expense, determined in accordance with GAAP, of any Investment Affiliate, for such period, whether recourse or non-recourse. Total Interest Expense shall exclude, for the avoidance of doubt, the following:

(a) amortization of deferred financing costs, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, premiums, if any, pay-in-kind interest expense, the amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness below par, and any other amounts of non-cash interest (including as a result of the effects of purchase accounting);

(b) the accretion or accrual of discounted liabilities during such period;

(c) any interest in respect of items excluded from Indebtedness in the Loan Documents;

(d) non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement of the mark-to-market valuation of obligations under hedging agreements or other derivative instruments pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification 815;

(e) any one-time cash costs associated with breakage in respect of hedging agreements for interest rates;

(f) any expense resulting from the discounting of any Indebtedness in connection with the application of recapitalization accounting or, if applicable, purchase accounting; and

(g) any expensing of commitment and other financing fees.

Total Leverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, a percentage determined by dividing (a) Total Outstanding Indebtedness minus Balance Sheet Cash by (b) Total BPO Value.

Total Outstanding Indebtedness ” means, as of any date of determination, without duplication, the sum of (a) the Ownership Share of all Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group outstanding at such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (other than intercompany indebtedness between members of the Consolidated Group), plus (b) the applicable Ownership Share of

 

29


all Indebtedness of each Investment Affiliate other than Indebtedness of such Investment Affiliate to a member of the Consolidated Group; provided that obligations under Swap Agreements hedging the interest rate risk of Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Consolidated Group or an Investment Affiliate do not constitute Total Outstanding Indebtedness.

Total Outstanding Secured Indebtedness ” means, as of any date of determination, without duplication, the sum of (a) the Ownership Share of all Secured Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group outstanding at such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (other than intercompany indebtedness between members of the Consolidated Group), plus (b) the applicable Ownership Share of all Secured Indebtedness of each Investment Affiliate other than Indebtedness of such Investment Affiliate to a member of the Consolidated Group; provided that obligations under Swap Agreements hedging the interest rate risk of Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Consolidated Group or an Investment Affiliate do not constitute Total Outstanding Secured Indebtedness.

Total Outstanding Unsecured Indebtedness ” means, as of any date of determination, without duplication, the sum of (a) the Ownership Share of all Unsecured Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group outstanding at such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (other than intercompany indebtedness between members of the Consolidated Group), plus (b) the applicable Ownership Share of all Unsecured Indebtedness of each Investment Affiliate other than Indebtedness of such Investment Affiliate to a member of the Consolidated Group plus (c) Pari Passu Debt; provided that obligations under Swap Agreements hedging the interest rate risk of Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Consolidated Group or an Investment Affiliate do not constitute Total Outstanding Unsecured Indebtedness.

Transactions ” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and the other Loan Parties of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder.

Type ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.

UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

UCP ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

Unencumbered Asset ” means any Operating Property one hundred percent (100%) of which is owned directly in fee simple by the Borrower or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary thereof and which, as of any date of determination, meets each of the following criteria:

(a) Such Operating Property (including the right to receive income therefrom) is not subject to any Liens, claims, Negative Pledges (unless such Operating Property is owned by an Excluded Subsidiary and there is a Negative Pledge in connection with Nonrecourse Indebtedness of such Subsidiary), ground leases (except in the case of condominiums) or restrictions on transferability or assignability of any kind (including, without limitation, any such Lien, claim or restriction imposed by the organizational documents of any subsidiary, any Negative Pledge clause or similar provision that (x) restricts the owner thereof from granting a Lien on such Operating Property (or the right to receive income therefrom) to secure Indebtedness and other obligations arising under the Loan Documents (unless such Operating Property is owned by an Excluded Subsidiary and there is a

 

30


restriction in connection with Nonrecourse Indebtedness of such Subsidiary) or (y) entitles an entity to a Lien on such asset upon the occurrence of any contingency) other than (i) Permitted Encumbrances or Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent, (ii) Permitted Pari Passu Provisions and (iii) customary restrictions on transferability that result in a change of control or that trigger a right of first offer or right of first refusal; and

(b) The direct owner of such Operating Property is organized in a state within the United States of America or in the District of Columbia.

Unencumbered Asset Value ” means, as of any date, an amount equal to the sum of the following for the Consolidated Group (in each case, in an amount equal to the Ownership Share for each member of the Consolidated Group):

 

  (a) the BPO Value of all Operating Properties of the Consolidated Group that are Unencumbered Assets, plus

 

  (b) with respect to any Operating Property that is not an Unencumbered Asset, the product of (i) the lesser of (A) thirty-five percent (35%) and (B) the amount (expressed as a percentage) by which one hundred percent (100%) exceeds the ratio of Indebtedness that is secured by such Operating Property to the BPO Value thereof, multiplied by (ii) the Total BPO Value of such Operating Property; provided that to the extent Unencumbered Asset Value attributable to this clause (b)  would exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the total Unencumbered Asset Value, such excess shall be excluded from Unencumbered Asset Value;

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent Unencumbered Asset Value attributable to non-single family rental properties that are Unencumbered Assets would at any time exceed three percent (3.0%) of Unencumbered Asset Value, such excess shall be excluded from Unencumbered Asset Value.

Unencumbered Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(a)(v) .

Unencumbered Leverage Ratio ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(a)(iii) .

Unrestricted Cash ” means all Balance Sheet Cash other than cash and Cash Equivalents that (a) are held as collateral, in escrow in a bank account by a lender, creditor or contract counterparty and from like-kind exchanges, or are otherwise subject to a pledge, Lien or control agreement (excluding statutory liens in favor of any depositary bank where such cash and Cash Equivalents are maintained) or (b) are held by an entity other than a member of the Consolidated Group as deposits or security for contractual obligations.

Unsecured Indebtedness ” means all Indebtedness of any Person that is not secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person.

U.S. Person ” means a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(B)(3) .

 

31


Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any entity on any date, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which one hundred percent (100%) of the equity interests and one hundred percent (100%) of the ordinary voting power are, as of such date, owned and Controlled, directly or indirectly, by such entity. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” or to “Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

Withdrawal Liability ” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

Withholding Agent ” means any Loan Party and the Administrative Agent.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers ” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

SECTION 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings . For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class ( e.g. , a “ Revolving Loan ”) or by Type ( e.g. , a “ Eurodollar Loan ”) or by Class and Type ( e.g. , a “ Eurodollar Revolving Loan ”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class ( e.g. , a “ Revolving Borrowing ”) or by Type ( e.g. , a “ Eurodollar Borrowing ”) or by Class and Type ( e.g. , a “ Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing ”).

SECTION 1.03 Terms Generally . The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. With respect to a reference to any date, the word “from” shall mean “from and including” such date and the word “until” shall mean “until but excluding such date”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights, and (f) any reference to any law, rule or regulation shall mean such law, rule or regulation as amended, modified, replaced or supplemented from time to time.

SECTION 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 825 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein.

 

32


ARTICLE II

The Credits

SECTION 2.01 Commitments . (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Lender severally agrees to make Revolving Loans in dollars to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment, or (ii) after giving pro forma effect to such Borrowings and the use of proceeds thereof, (x) the Total Leverage Ratio exceeding sixty percent (60%) or (y) the Unencumbered Leverage Ratio exceeding fifty-five percent (55%). Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.

(b) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Term Loan Lender severally agrees to make Term Loans (other than New Term Loans) in dollars to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of $1,500,000,000 on the Effective Date (the “ Initial Term Loan ”). Any portion of the Term Loans that is repaid may not be reborrowed.

SECTION 2.02 Loans and Borrowings . (a) Each Revolving Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Revolving Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitments. Each Term Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Term Loans made by the Term Loan Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Term Loan Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

(b) Subject to Section  2.14 , each Borrowing of any Class shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith; provided that each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan. So long as doing so would not result in any increased costs to which the Borrower would be responsible for under Section  2.15 , each Lender at its option may make any Eurodollar Loan (or any ABR Loan the interest on which is computed by reference to clause (c) of the definition of “ Alternate Base Rate ”) by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000. At the time that each ABR Revolving Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $1,000,000; provided that (i) any Borrowing need not comply with the foregoing integral multiple requirements if the proceeds of such Borrowing are to be used to repay Indebtedness as long as such Borrowing is in an amount equal to the amount being repaid, and (ii) an ABR Revolving Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Revolving Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e) . At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Term Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $10,000,000. At the time that each ABR Term Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000; provided that an ABR Term Loan Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Term Loan Commitments. Each Swingline Loan shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $2,000,000. Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of eight (8) Eurodollar Revolving Borrowings or ten (10) Eurodollar Term Borrowings outstanding.

 

33


(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the applicable Maturity Date.

SECTION 2.03     Requests for Borrowings . To request a Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing (including any ABR Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e) ), not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing, and any notice of a Swingline Loan Borrowing shall be made in accordance with Section 2.05(b) . Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, or delivery through an electronic platform or electronic transmission system approved by the Administrative Agent, to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request and signed by an Authorized Officer. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section  2.02 :

 

  (i) the aggregate principal amount of the requested Borrowing, and whether such Borrowing is a Revolving Borrowing or a Term Loan Borrowing;

 

  (ii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

 

  (iii) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing;

 

  (iv) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”;

 

  (v) the location and account number of the account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section  2.07 ; and

 

  (vi) each written Borrowing Request made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Revolving Loans shall include the supporting calculations and other information needed to demonstrate compliance (after giving effect to the Advance requested pursuant thereto) with the Revolving Credit Exposure limitation set forth in Section 2.01(a)(ii) .

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

SECTION 2.04 Incremental Facilities .

(a) On one or more occasions at any time after the Effective Date, the Borrower may by written notice to the Administrative Agent elect to request (A) an increase to the existing Revolving Commitments (any such increase, the “ New Revolving Commitments ”) and/or (B) an increase to the

 

34


existing Term Loan Commitments and/or the establishment of one or more new term loan commitments (the “ New Term Loan Commitments ”, together with the New Revolving Commitments, the “ Incremental Commitments ”), by up to an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,500,000,000 for all Incremental Commitments (the “ Aggregate Maximum Incremental Facility Amount ”). Each such notice shall specify the date (each, an “ Increased Amount Date ”) on which the Borrower proposes that such Incremental Commitments shall be effective, which shall be a date not less than five (5) Business Days (or such lesser number of days as the Administrative Agent shall agree) after the date on which such notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and/or its Affiliates shall use commercially reasonable efforts, with the assistance of the Borrower, to arrange a syndicate of Lenders or other Persons that are Eligible Assignees willing to hold the requested Incremental Commitments; provided that (w) any Incremental Commitments on any Increased Amount Date shall be in the minimum aggregate amount of $10,000,000 (or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may agree), (x) with respect to any Lender, such Lender may enter into a New Revolving Commitment notwithstanding and in addition to the Aggregate Maximum Incremental Facility Amount, in an amount equal to the amount of any prepayment of its Term Loans under the Term Loan Facility in connection with any such transaction, (y) any Lender approached to provide all or a portion of the Incremental Commitments may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide an Incremental Commitment, and (z) any Lender or other Person that is an Eligible Assignee (each, a “ New Revolving Loan Lender ” or “ New Term Loan Lender ,” as applicable) to whom any portion of such Incremental Commitment shall be allocated shall be subject to the approval of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), and, in the case of a New Revolving Commitment, each Issuing Bank and each Swingline Lender (each of which approvals shall not be unreasonably withheld), unless such New Revolving Loan Lender or New Term Loan Lender is an existing Lender.

(b) The terms and provisions of any New Revolving Commitments shall be identical to the existing Revolving Commitments (other than pricing, rate floors, discounts, fees, premiums and optional prepayment or redemption provisions or additional terms applicable only to periods after the latest Maturity Date of any Revolving Commitments). The terms and provisions of any New Term Loan Commitments and any New Term Loans shall (i) provide that the maturity date of any New Term Loan that is a separate tranche shall be no earlier than the Term Loan Maturity Date and shall not have any scheduled amortization payments prior to the stated maturity date of the Initial Term Loans, (ii) share ratably in any prepayments of the existing Term Loan Facility, unless the Borrower and the New Term Loan Lenders in respect of such New Term Loans elect lesser payments and (iii) otherwise be identical to the existing Term Loans(other than pricing, amortization rate floors, discounts, fees, premiums and optional prepayment redemption provisions or additional terms applicable only to periods after the latest Maturity Date of any Term Loans) or reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

(c) The effectiveness of any Incremental Commitments and the availability of any borrowings under any such Incremental Commitment shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent: (x) after giving pro forma effect to such Incremental Commitments and borrowings and the use of proceeds thereof, no Event of Default shall exist and be continuing; (y) the representations and warranties made or deemed made by the Borrower in any Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects on the effective date of such Incremental Commitments except to the extent that such representations and warranties expressly relate solely to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date) or are qualified by materiality (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) and except for changes in factual circumstances specifically and expressly permitted under the Loan Documents; and (z) the Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent: (i) if not previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, copies certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of (A) all corporate or other necessary action taken by the Borrower to authorize such Incremental Commitments

 

35


and (B) all corporate, partnership, member, or other necessary action taken by each Guarantor authorizing the Guaranty by such Guarantor of such Incremental Commitments; and (ii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, a customary opinion of counsel to the Borrower and the Guarantors (which may be in substantially the same form as delivered on the Effective Date and may be delivered by internal counsel of the Borrower), and addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (iii) if requested by any Lender, new notes executed by the Borrower, payable to any new Lender, and replacement notes executed by the Borrower, payable to any existing Lenders.

(d) On any Increased Amount Date on which New Revolving Commitments are effected, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, (i) each of the Revolving Lenders shall assign to each of the New Revolving Loan Lenders, and each of the New Revolving Lenders shall purchase from each of the Revolving Lenders, at the principal amount thereof (together with accrued interest), such interests in the Revolving Loans outstanding on such Increased Amount Date as shall be necessary in order that, after giving effect to all such assignments and purchases, such Revolving Loans will be held by existing Revolving Loan Lenders and New Revolving Loan Lenders ratably in accordance with their Revolving Commitments after giving effect to the addition of such New Revolving Commitments to the Revolving Commitments, (ii) each New Revolving Commitment shall be deemed for all purposes a Revolving Commitment and each Loan made thereunder shall be deemed, for all purposes, a Revolving Loan and (iii) each New Revolving Loan Lender shall become a Lender with respect to its New Revolving Commitment and all matters relating thereto.

(e) On any Increased Amount Date on which any New Term Loan Commitments are effected, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, (i) each New Term Loan Lender shall make a Loan to the Borrower (a “ New Term Loan ”) in an amount equal to its New Term Loan Commitment, and (ii) each New Term Loan Lender shall become a Lender hereunder with respect to the New Term Loan Commitment and the New Term Loans made pursuant thereto.

(f) The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders promptly upon receipt of the Borrower’s notice of each Increased Amount Date and in respect thereof (y) the New Revolving Commitments and the New Revolving Loan Lenders or the New Term Loan Commitments and the New Term Loan Lenders, as applicable, and (z) in the case of each notice to any Revolving Loan Lender, the respective interests in such Revolving Loan Lender’s Revolving Loans, in each case subject to the assignments contemplated by this Section.

(g) The upfront fees payable to the New Revolving Loan Lenders and/or New Term Loan Lenders shall be determined by the Borrower and the applicable New Revolving Loan Lenders and/or New Term Loan Lenders.

(h) The Incremental Commitments shall be effected pursuant to one or more Additional Credit Extension Amendments executed and delivered by the Borrower, the New Revolving Loan Lender or New Term Loan Lender, as applicable, and the Administrative Agent, and each of which shall be recorded in the Register. Each Additional Credit Extension Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section  2.04 .

SECTION 2.05 Swingline Loans . (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Swingline Lender severally agrees to make Swingline Loans to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding $50,000,000 or (ii) the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the total Revolving Commitments or (iii) the aggregate

 

36


principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans made by such Swingline Lender to exceed its ratable share (based on the then number of Swingline Lenders) of the $50,000,000 Swingline Loan sublimit or (iv) the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans, plus (y) the aggregate Swingline exposure of such Lender (including the entire outstanding principal amount of Swingline Loans made by such Lender and the Swingline Exposure of such Lender with respect to Swingline Loans made by other Lenders), plus (z) the aggregate letter of credit exposure of such Lender (including the sum of the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit issued by such Lender at such time plus the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements under such Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time and the LC Exposure of such Lender with respect to Letters of Credit issued by other Lenders) exceeding the amount of such Swingline Lender’s then Revolving Commitment; provided that no Swingline Lender shall be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans

(b) To request a Swingline Loan, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone to the Administrative Agent (confirmed promptly by hand delivery, or delivery through an electronic platform or electronic transmission system approved by the Administrative Agent), not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the day of a proposed Swingline Loan Borrowing. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Swingline Loan. Promptly following receipt of a request for a Swingline Loan in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Swingline Lender of the details thereof. Each Swingline Lender shall make available to Administrative Agent its ratable share (based on the then number of Swingline Lenders) of such Swingline Loan on or before 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the day of the proposed Swingline Loan Borrowing and Administrative Agent shall make such Swingline Loan available to the Borrower by means of a credit to the general deposit account of the Borrower with the Administrative Agent or, (in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e) , by remittance to the applicable Issuing Bank) by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.

(c) Any Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Business Day require the Revolving Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding made by such Swingline Lender. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Revolving Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Revolving Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Swingline Lender, as applicable, such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Revolving Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section  2.07 with respect to Revolving Loans made by such Revolving Lender (and Section  2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the

 

37


Swingline Lender which originally made such Swingline Loan. Any amounts received by a Swingline Lender from the Borrower (or other party on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by such Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the applicable Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the applicable Swingline Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.

(d) Removal and Addition of a Swingline Lenders .

(i) A Swingline Lender may be removed as a Swingline Lender at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Swingline Lender, including the Swingline Lender being removed. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such removal of a Swingline Lender. At the time any such removal shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the removed Swingline Lender pursuant to this Agreement. After the removal of a Swingline Lender hereunder, (i) the removed Swingline Lender shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of a Swingline Lender under this Agreement with respect to Swingline Loans made by it prior to such removal, but shall not be required to make any additional Swingline Loans and (ii) references herein to the term “Swingline Lender” shall be deemed to refer to such removed Swingline Lender as the context shall require.

(ii) A Lender may be added as a Swingline Lender at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Swingline Lender and the Lender becoming a Swingline Lender. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such addition of a Swingline Lender. From and after the effective date of any such addition, (i) the new Swingline Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of a Swingline Lender under this Agreement with respect to Swingline Loans to be made by such Swingline Lender thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Swingline Lender” shall be deemed to refer to such new Swingline Lender as the context shall require.

(e) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Swingline Lender on or before 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the day of the proposed Swingline Loan Borrowing that such Swingline Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Swingline Lender’s ratable share (based on the then number of Swingline Lenders) of such Swingline Loan Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Swingline Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Swingline Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Swingline Loan Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Swingline Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Swingline Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Swingline Loans. If such Swingline Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Swingline Lender’s pro rata share such Swingline Loan Borrowing.

(f) The Administrative Agent shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on all Swingline Loans. Until each Revolving Lender funds its Revolving Percentage in accordance with this Section  2.05 , principal and interest received on account of such Swingline Loan shall be solely for the account of the Swingline Lenders on a ratable basis.

 

38


(g) Until such time as any Swingline Loan is refinanced under Section 2.05(c) , Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swingline Loans directly to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Swingline Lenders.

SECTION 2.06 Letters of Credit . (a) General . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request and the specified Issuing Bank shall issue Letters of Credit with the Borrower being the applicant thereof for the support of Borrower’s or the Subsidiaries’ obligations, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and such Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, the applicable Issuing Bank relating to the applicable Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

(b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions . To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) to the Issuing Bank which is being requested to issue (or issued, in the case of an amendment, renewal or extension) the Letter of Credit and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, but in any event no later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date three (3) Business Days in advance or such shorter period as the applicable Issuing Bank shall agree to) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the identity of the Issuing Bank selected by the Borrower to issue such Letter of Credit, the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c)  of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on the applicable Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the LC Exposure shall not exceed $50,000,000, (ii) the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures shall not exceed the total Revolving Commitments, (iii) the LC Issuing Bank Exposure of any Issuing Bank shall not exceed its ratable share of the $50,000,000 Letter of Credit sublimit, unless agreed in writing by such Issuing Bank and (iv) the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposure of such Issuing Bank exceeding the amount of such Issuing Bank’s then Revolving Commitment.

(c) Expiration Date . Each Letter of Credit shall expire (or be subject to termination by notice from the Issuing Bank that issued such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof) at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension, which renewals or extensions, subject to clause (ii)  hereof, may be automatic pursuant to the terms of such Letter of Credit so long as such Issuing Bank shall have the right to prevent such renewal or extension at least once in each twelve (12) month period) and (ii) the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Letter of Credit may have an expiration date that is not more than twelve (12) months after the Revolving Maturity Date so long as (x) the Borrower

 

39


shall provide cash collateral to the Administrative Agent pursuant to and in accordance with Section  2.06(j) on or prior to forty-five (45) days before the Revolving Maturity Date in an amount equal to one hundred two percent (102%) of the LC Exposure with respect to all such Letters of Credit with expiry dates after the Revolving Maturity Date, (y) the obligations of the Borrower under this Section  2.06 in respect of such Letters of Credit shall survive the Revolving Maturity Date and shall remain in effect until no such Letters of Credit remain outstanding and (z) each Lender shall remain obligated hereunder, to the extent any such cash collateral, the application thereof or reimbursement in respect thereof is required to be returned to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent after the Revolving Maturity Date until no such Letters of Credit remain outstanding.

(d) Participations . By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank that issued such Letter of Credit or the Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank that issued such Letter of Credit, such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph  (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(e) Reimbursement . If the Issuing Bank that issued a Letter of Credit shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of such Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if the Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by the Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is received prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the day of receipt, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time on the day of receipt; provided that the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section  2.03 or 2.05 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan. If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s Revolving Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Revolving Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section  2.07 with respect to Revolving Loans made by such Lender (and Section  2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuing Bank that issued a Letter of Credit the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Issuing Bank that issued a Letter of Credit or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments

 

40


pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Revolving Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank that issued a Letter of Credit for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans or a Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

(f) Obligations Absolute . The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e)  of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the Issuing Bank that issued a Letter of Credit under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor the Issuing Bank that issued a Letter of Credit, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of such Issuing Bank; provided that nothing in this Section shall be construed to excuse such Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank that issued a Letter of Credit (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit issued by an Issuing Bank, such Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

(g) Disbursement Procedures . The Issuing Bank issuing a Letter of Credit shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under such Letter of Credit. Such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

(h) Interim Interest . If the Issuing Bank that issued a Letter of Credit shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including

 

41


the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans; provided that, if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e)  of this Section, then Section 2.13(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of such Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (e)  of this Section to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Revolving Lender to the extent of such payment.

(i) Removal and Addition of an Issuing Bank .

(i) An Issuing Bank may be removed as an Issuing Bank at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank, including the Issuing Bank being removed. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such removal of an Issuing Bank. At the time any such removal shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the removed Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(c) . After the removal of an Issuing Bank hereunder, (i) the removed Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such removal, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such removed Issuing Bank as the context shall require.

(ii) A Lender may be added as an Issuing Bank at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lender becoming an Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such addition of an Issuing Bank. From and after the effective date of any such addition, (i) the new Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such new Issuing Bank as the context shall require.

(j) Cash Collateralization . If (A) any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Facility Lenders under the Revolving Facility (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than fifty percent (50%) of the total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, or (B) required by Section 2.06(c) , the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders, an amount in cash equal to one hundred two percent (102%) of the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in Section 7.01(h) or (i) . Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent for the satisfaction of the LC Exposure. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made in Cash Equivalents at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse each Issuing Bank ratably (based on the unreimbursed LC Disbursements held by each Issuing Bank) for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three (3) Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.

 

42


(k) Applicability of ISP and UCP; Limitation of Liability . Unless otherwise expressly agreed by an Issuing Bank and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued by such Issuing Bank, the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and the rules of the UCP shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such Issuing Bank shall not be responsible to the Borrower for, and such Issuing Bank’s rights and remedies against the Borrower shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of such Issuing Bank required or permitted under any law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit issued pursuant to this Agreement, including the law or any order of a jurisdiction where such Issuing Bank or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or UCP, as applicable, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade - International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.

SECTION 2.07 Funding of Borrowings . (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00 noon, New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section  2.05 . The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly, but in no event later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower or other account designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank.

(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a)  of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

SECTION 2.08 Interest Elections . (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section shall not apply to Swingline Loan Borrowings, which Borrowings may not be converted or continued.

 

43


(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section  2.03 if the Borrower was requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, or delivery through an electronic platform or electronic transmission system approved by the Administrative Agent, to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by an Authorized Officer.

(c) Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section  2.02 :

 

  (i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii)  and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

 

  (ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

 

  (iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and

 

  (iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “ Interest Period ”.

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e) If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Facility Lenders under the applicable Facility, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing under such Facility may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

SECTION 2.09 Termination and Reduction of Commitments . (a) Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Maturity Date and (b) the Term Loan Commitments shall terminate following disbursement of the Term Loans on the Effective Date.

(b) The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments under a particular Facility; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 and (ii) the Borrower shall not

 

44


terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section  2.11 , the sum of the Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the total Revolving Commitments.

(c) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b)  of this Section at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or the occurrence of some other identifiable event or condition, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments under a particular Facility shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments under such Facility.

SECTION 2.10 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt . (a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender, the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan on the Revolving Maturity Date, (ii) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Term Loan Lender, the then unpaid principal amount of each Term Loan on the Term Loan Maturity Date and (iii) to the Administrative Agent the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the earlier of the Revolving Maturity Date and the first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the fifteenth (15 th ) or last day of a calendar month and is at least two (2) Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made; provided that on each date that a Revolving Borrowing is made, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding.

(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b)  or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(e) Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by one or more promissory notes in substantially the form of Exhibit D . In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender one or more promissory notes payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note(s) and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section  9.04 ) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named therein, unless such assignee elects not to receive a

 

45


Note (in which case such assignor shall return to the Borrower any Note issued to it, or in the case of any loss, theft or destruction of any such Note, a lost note affidavit in customary form) (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns). Upon either (a) payment in full of the Loans evidenced by any such promissory note and termination of the Commitments relating thereto or (b) the assignment of such Loans and Commitments in accordance with Section  9.04 hereof, each such promissory note shall be promptly returned to the Borrower by the payee named therein at the request of the Borrower or in the case of any loss, theft or destruction of such Note, a lost note affidavit in customary form.

SECTION 2.11 Prepayment of Loans . (a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, without premium or penalty (except as provided in Section  2.16 ), subject to prior notice in accordance with paragraph (b)  of this Section.

(b) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed promptly by hand delivery, or delivery through an electronic platform or electronic transmission system approved by the Administrative Agent, to the Administrative Agent of a written notice in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H ) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three (3) Business Days before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment or (iii) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that, a notice of prepayment delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or the occurrence of some other identifiable event or condition, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to the prepayment of a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the applicable Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type and Class as provided in Section  2.02 . Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the applicable Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section  2.13 . Any portion of the Term Loan that is prepaid may not be reborrowed.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans exceeds the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments, the Borrower shall immediately upon demand pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Revolving Lenders, the amount of such excess.

SECTION 2.12 Fees . (a) At all times prior to the date on which an effective Investment Grade Election is made, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Revolving Lender, an unused facility fee (the “ Revolving Unused Facility Fee ”), computed at the Commitment Fee Rate on the actual daily amount of the Available Revolving Commitment of such Revolving Lender during the period for which payment is made, which Revolving Unused Facility Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each of March, June, September and December during the applicable period, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof, and on the date the Revolving Commitments terminate. All Revolving Unused Facility Fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

 

46


(b) On and after the date on which an effective Investment Grade Election is made, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Revolving Lender, a revolving credit facility fee (the “ Revolving Credit Facility Fee ”), equal to the Revolving Credit Facility Fee Rate multiplied by the amount of the Revolving Commitment of such Revolving Lender (regardless of usage and provided that if the Revolving Commitments terminate, then the Revolving Credit Facility Fee shall continue to accrue and be determined based on the Revolving Credit Exposure of such Revolving Lender) during the period for which payment is made, which Revolving Credit Facility Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each of March, June, September and December during the applicable period, commencing on the first such date to occur after an effective Investment Grade Election is made, and on the date the Revolving Commitments terminate. All Revolving Unused Facility Fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

(c) During such time as any LC Exposure exists, the Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurodollar Revolving Loans on the actual daily amount of such Revolving Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure and (ii) to each Issuing Bank, solely for its own account, a fronting fee equal to one-eighth of one percent (0.125%) per annum multiplied by the actual daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, as well as such Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees shall accrue interest through and including the last day of each calendar quarter and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the first Business Day after the last day of each of March, June, September and December during the applicable period, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date on which LC Exposure exists; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to any Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within ten (10) days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

(d) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(e) The Borrower agrees to pay directly to the Diligence Agent, the mutually agreed fees due and payable to the Diligence Agent.

(f) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to any Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for its own account or for distribution to the applicable Lenders, as the case may be. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

SECTION 2.13 Interest . (a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate, as applicable.

 

47


(b) The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate, as applicable.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a) , (b) , (h) or (i)  has occurred and is continuing, at the option of the Required Lenders, all overdue Obligations (which shall include all Obligations following an acceleration under Section  7.01 , including an automatic acceleration) shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, two percent (2%) plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, two percent (2%) plus the rate applicable to ABR Revolving Loans as provided in paragraph (a)  of this Section.

(d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination of the Revolving Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c)  of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

(e) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate (including ABR Loans and Borrowings the interest on which is computed by reference to clause (c) of the definition of “Alternate Base Rate”) shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty-five (365) days (or three hundred sixty-six (366) days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms hereof, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(f) In the event that the Borrower achieves an Investment Grade Rating and makes the Investment Grade Election, then the Applicable Rate and the Revolving Credit Facility Fee shall be based on the Applicable Rate – Rating as of the first Business Day of the first calendar month following the calendar month in which the Borrower effectively makes the Investment Grade Election. Once effectively made, the Investment Grade Election shall be irrevocable.

SECTION 2.14 Alternate Rate of Interest . If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:

(a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period; or

(b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Facility Lenders under a particular Facility that the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing under such Facility for such Interest Period;

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing under such Facility to, or continuation of any

 

48


Borrowing under such Facility as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing under such Facility, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then the other Type of Borrowings shall be permitted.

SECTION 2.15 Increased Costs . (a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity or similar requirement (including any compulsory loan requirement, insurance charge or other assessment) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or any Issuing Bank;

(ii) impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; or

(iii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b)  through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making, continuing, converting to or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), in each case in an amount that such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient deems to be material, then the Borrower will pay to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) If any Lender or any Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered; provided that such Lender or such Issuing Bank has determined to require such additional amount or amounts in good faith on a basis that is not arbitrary.

(c) A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a)  or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within thirty (30) days after receipt thereof.

 

49


(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the date that such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided , further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof. Any request for compensation pursuant to clauses  (a) or (b)  of this Section as a result of a Change in Law shall only be honored to the extent such Lender or Issuing Bank represents that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, is generally seeking compensation from similarly situated borrowers under similar credit facilities with respect to such Change in Law.

SECTION 2.16 Break Funding Payments . In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.11(b) and is revoked in accordance therewith), or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section  2.19 , then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event (excluding loss of anticipated profits); provided that each such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to mitigate any such loss, cost and expense in accordance with Section  2.19 . In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurodollar market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section, including, if requested by the Borrower, in reasonable detail a description of the basis for such compensation and a calculation of such amount or amounts (but excluding any confidential or proprietary information of such Lender), shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within thirty (30) days after receipt thereof.

SECTION 2.17 Payments Free of Taxes . (a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable withholding agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such

 

50


deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section  2.17 ) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties . The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for, Other Taxes.

(c) Evidence of Payments . As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section  2.17 , such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(d) Indemnification by the Loan Parties . The Loan Parties shall indemnify each Recipient, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(e) Indemnification by the Lenders . Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section  9.04(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e) .

(f) Status of Lenders . (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section  2.17(f)(ii)(A) , (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable

 

51


judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person,

        (A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. Federal backup withholding tax;

        (B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

        (1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of an applicable IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, an applicable IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

        (2) executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;

        (3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) executed originals of an applicable IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable; or

        (4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, an applicable IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2 or Exhibit C-3 , IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

 

52


        (C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. Federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

        (D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D) , “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds . If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section  2.17 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section  2.17 ), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section  2.17 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (g) ( plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g)  in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph  (g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

(h) Survival . Each party’s obligations under this Section  2.17 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

 

53


(i) Defined Terms . For purposes of this Section  2.17 , the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.

SECTION 2.18 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs . (a) The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by them hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section  2.15 , 2.16 or 2.17 , or otherwise) prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set off or counterclaim (but without prejudice to the Borrower’s rights with respect to any Defaulting Lender). Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at Bank of America, N.A. Agency Management, 135 S. LaSalle Street, Mail Code: IL4-135-09-61, Chicago, Illinois 60603, Attention: Denise Jones, or by wire transfer to for payments to the following unless otherwise directed by the Administrative Agent:

Bank of America, N.A., ABA#: 026009593

Account Name: Wire Clearing Acct for Syn Loans – LIQ

Account No.: 1366072250600

Ref: Invitation Homes Operating Partnership LP

except payments to be made directly to any Issuing Bank as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15 , 2.16 , 2.17 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. In the event the Administrative Agent fails to pay such amounts to such Lender within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such amounts, the Administrative Agent shall pay interest on such amount until paid at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate from time to time in effect. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in dollars. Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower on account of principal of and interest on the Term Loans (other than New Term Loans) shall be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Term Loans then held by the Term Loan Lenders. Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower on account of principal of and interest on the Revolving Loans shall be made pro rata according to the respective Revolving Percentages of the Revolving Lenders.

(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i)  first , towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii)  second , towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.

(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all

 

54


such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agree, to the extent they may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or any Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or each Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or each Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(c) , Section 2.06(d) , Section 2.06(e) , Section 2.07(b) , Section 2.18(d) or Section 9.03(c) , then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion and notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid, and/or (ii) hold such amounts in a segregated account over which the Administrative Agent shall have exclusive control as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under any such Section, in the case of each of clause (i)  and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.

SECTION 2.19 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders . (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section  2.15 , or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section  2.17 , then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Sections 2.15 or 2.17 , as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) If (w) any Lender requests compensation under Section  2.15 , or (x) if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section  2.17 , or (y) if any Lender becomes

 

55


Defaulting Lender, or (z) any Lender has refused to consent to any proposed amendment, modification, waiver, termination or consent with respect to any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that, pursuant to Section  9.02 , requires the consent of all Lenders or each Lender affected thereby and with respect to which Lenders constituting the Required Lenders have consented to such proposed amendment, modification, waiver, termination or consent, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice by the Borrower to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section  9.04 ), all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 2.15 or 2.17 ) and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, each Issuing Bank and each Swingline Lender) if such assignee is not a Lender, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) subject to the Borrower’s rights with respect to Defaulting Lenders under Section  2.20 hereof, such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts), (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section  2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section  2.17 , such assignment will result in a reduction in or elimination of such compensation or payments, and (iv) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a Lender’s refusal to consent to a proposed amendment, modification, waiver, termination or consent, the assignee shall approve the proposed amendment, modification, waiver, termination or consent. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

SECTION 2.20 Defaulting Lenders . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(a) Revolving Unused Facility Fees and Revolving Credit Facility Fees shall cease to accrue on the Revolving Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section  2.12(a) or Section 2.12(b) ;

(b) the Commitments, Term Loan Exposure and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders or the Required Facility Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section  9.02 ); provided , that (i) no Defaulting Lender’s Commitments may be increased or extended without its consent and (ii) the principal amount of, or interest or fees payable on, Loans or LC Disbursements may not be reduced or excused or the scheduled date of payment may not be postponed as to a Defaulting Lender without such Defaulting Lender’s consent;

(c) if any Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure exists at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

(i) all or any part of the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders that are Revolving Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Percentages but only to the extent that (x) the sum of all such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Credit Exposures plus such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Commitments and (y) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02(a) and (b)  are satisfied at such time;

 

56


(ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i)  above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, within one (1) Business Day following notice to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent (x)  first , prepay such Swingline Exposure and (y)  second , cash collateralize for the benefit of the Issuing Banks only the Borrower’s obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i)  above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.06(j) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;

(iii) if the Borrower cash collateralize any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to clause (ii)  above, the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(c) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;

(iv) if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to clause (i)  above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.12(a) , Section 2.12(b) and Section 2.12(c) shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Percentages; and

(v) if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither reallocated nor cash collateralized pursuant to clause (i)  or (ii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of any Issuing Bank or any other Lender hereunder, all facility fees payable under Section 2.12(a) and Section 2.12(b) that otherwise would have been payable to such Defaulting Lender (solely with respect to the portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment that was utilized by such LC Exposure) and letter of credit fees payable under Section 2.12(c) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to any Issuing Bank ratably (based on the LC Exposure then held by each Issuing Bank) until and to the extent that such LC Exposure is reallocated and/or cash collateralized; and

(d) so long as such Revolving Lender is a Defaulting Lender, no Swingline Lender shall be required to fund any Swingline Loan and no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure and the Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding LC Exposure will be one hundred percent (100%) covered by the Revolving Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section  2.20(c) , and participating interests in any newly made Swingline Loan or any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section  2.20(c)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).

If (i) a Bankruptcy Event with respect to a Lender Parent shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue or (ii) any Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank has a good faith belief that any Revolving Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, such Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and such Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless such Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, shall have entered into arrangements with the Borrower or such Lender, satisfactory to such Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.

In the event that each of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, each Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such

 

57


Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swingline Loans) as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Revolving Percentage.

SECTION 2.21 Extension of Revolving Maturity Date . The Borrower shall have one (1) option (which shall be binding on the Lenders), exercisable by written notice to the Administrative Agent given no more than one hundred twenty (120) days nor less than thirty (30) days prior to the then Revolving Maturity Date, to extend the Revolving Maturity Date for a period of one (1) year. Upon delivery of such notice, the Revolving Maturity Date shall be extended for one (1) year so long as the following conditions are satisfied as of the effective date of such extension: (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; (ii) the representations and warranties made or deemed made by the Borrower in any Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects except to the extent that (1) such representations and warranties expressly relate solely to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date) and/or (2) such representations and warranties are qualified by materiality (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects); and (iii) the Borrower shall have paid an extension fee equal to fifteen hundredths of one percent (0.15%) of the aggregate outstanding amount of the Revolving Commitments (to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Revolving Lenders).

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

The Borrower (and, for the purpose of Sections 3.01 , 3.02 , 3.03 , 3.07 , and 3.12 , the Parent) represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

SECTION 3.01 Organization; Powers . Each of the Parent and the Borrower is and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each of the Subsidiaries is, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

SECTION 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability . The Transactions are within the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other organizational powers, as applicable, of the Parent and each Loan Party and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other organizational action. Each of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Parent or a Loan Party is a party has been duly executed and delivered by the Parent or such Loan Party, as applicable, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Parent or such Loan Party, as applicable, enforceable against the Parent or such Loan Party, as applicable, in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

SECTION 3.03 Approvals; No Conflicts . The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority or any other Person, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and except for such filings as may be required with the SEC to comply with disclosure obligations, (b) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Borrower or

 

58


any of the Subsidiaries or the Parent or any order of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over any Loan Party, except for any violation of any applicable law or regulation that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or the Parent or their assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or the Parent, except for any violation or default that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of any Loan Party.

SECTION 3.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change . (a) The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Administrative Agent for delivery to the Lenders (i) the audited consolidated annual financial statements for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries fiscal year 2015, and (ii) the most recent unaudited consolidated quarterly financial statements of the Consolidated Group, certified by a the chief financial officer or another similarly responsible officer of the Borrower. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the relevant entities as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii)  above.

(b) Since September 30, 2016, no event, development or circumstance has occurred which has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.05 Properties . (a) The Borrower and each Subsidiary has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, except (i) in the case of Permitted Encumbrances or (ii) where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the assets included as Unencumbered Assets for purposes of the Financial Covenants satisfies the requirements for an Unencumbered Asset set forth in the definition thereof. As of the Effective Date, Schedule 3.05 sets forth a list of the Unencumbered Assets.

(b) The Borrower and each Subsidiary owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.06 Litigation and Environmental Matters . (a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary Guarantor (i) as to which there is a reasonable likelihood of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect (other than the Disclosed Matters and matters fully covered by insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of such action, suit or proceeding and has not issued a notice denying coverage thereof) or (ii) challenging the validity or enforceability of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or the Transactions. As of the date of this Agreement, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries have no material contingent obligations that are not disclosed in the financial statements referred to in Section  3.04 or listed as a Disclosed Matter.

(b) Except for the Disclosed Matters and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) is subject to any Environmental Liability of which it is aware, (iii) has received written notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

 

59


SECTION 3.07 Compliance with Laws and Agreements; No Default . The Borrower, each Subsidiary and the Parent is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing.

SECTION 3.08 Investment Company Status . No Loan Party is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.

SECTION 3.09 Taxes . The Borrower and each Subsidiary has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves in conformity with GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.10 ERISA . No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.11 Disclosure . None of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information (other than projections, other forward-looking information and information of a general economic or industry specific nature) furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other written information so furnished), when taken as a whole, contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time prepared (it being understood and agreed that actual results may vary materially from projections).

SECTION 3.12 Sanctions Laws and Regulations ; USA Patriot Act . None of the Borrower, the Subsidiaries or the Parent, or to the best of their knowledge, any of their respective directors or officers acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with this Agreement, is a Designated Person or is located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction. To the best of its knowledge, each of the Borrower, each Subsidiary and the Parent is in compliance in all material respects with the Act.

SECTION 3.13 Federal Reserve Board Regulations . None of the Loan Parties is engaged or will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purposes of “purchasing” or “carrying” any “Margin Stock” within the respective meanings of such terms under Regulations T, U and X of the Board. No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used for “purchasing” or “carrying” “Margin Stock” as so defined for any purpose which violates, or which would be inconsistent with, the provisions of, Regulations T, U or X of the Board.

SECTION 3.14 Subsidiaries . As of the Effective Date, (a)  Schedule 3.14 sets forth the name and jurisdiction of incorporation of each material Subsidiary and material Investment Affiliate of the Borrower and (b) except as disclosed on Schedule 3.14 , there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights or other agreements or commitments of any nature relating to any Equity Interests owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in any Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate.

 

60


SECTION 3.15 Solvency . As of the Effective Date, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are, and after giving effect to the transactions to occur on the Effective Date (including, without limitation, the initial public offering of the Parent, the initial disbursements to be made under this Agreement and the use of proceeds of each of the foregoing), will be, Solvent.

SECTION 3.16 Insurance . The Borrower and the Subsidiaries maintain (either directly or indirectly by causing its tenants to maintain) insurance on their material real estate assets with financially sound and reputable insurance companies (or through self-insurance provisions), in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such properties and risks as is prudent in the reasonable business judgment of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries.

SECTION 3.17 OFAC .

(a) To the knowledge of the Loan Parties, none of the Loan Parties, nor any of their respective subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower any director, officer, employee, agent or representative acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with this Agreement, is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by any individual or entity that is (i) currently the subject or target of any Sanctions Laws and Regulations, (ii) included on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals, HMT’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant sanctions authority having jurisdiction over any Loan Party or its subsidiaries or (iii) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction.

(b) To the knowledge of the Loan Parties, no Loan Party or any subsidiary thereof has used or will use, directly or indirectly, the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit (i) for the purpose of funding any unlawful activities or business of or with any Designated Person, or in any country, region or territory, that at the time of such funding is the subject of any sanctions under any Sanctions Laws and Regulations, or (ii) in any other manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions Laws and Regulations by any party to this Agreement.

SECTION 3.18 Anti-Corruption Laws . To the knowledge of the Loan Parties, the Loan Parties and their respective subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in material compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

ARTICLE IV

Conditions

SECTION 4.01 Effective Date . The obligations of the Lenders on the Effective Date to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section  9.02 ):

(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party thereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement and each other Loan Document signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement or such Loan Document) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement or such Loan Document.

 

61


(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, counsel for the Parent, the Borrower and the other Loan Parties, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent. The Borrower hereby request such counsel to deliver such opinion.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received the following items from the Borrower:

(i) Certificates of good standing for each Loan Party from the states of organization of such Loan Party, certified by the appropriate governmental officer and dated not more than thirty (30) days prior to the Effective Date;

(ii) Copies of the formation documents of each Loan Party certified by an officer of such Loan Party, together with all amendments thereto;

(iii) Incumbency certificates, executed by officers of each Loan Party, which shall identify by name and title and bear the signature of the Persons authorized to sign the Loan Documents on behalf of such Loan Party (and to make borrowings hereunder on behalf of the Borrower, in the case of the Borrower), upon which certificate the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely until informed of any change in writing by the Borrower;

(iv) Copies, certified by a Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or other authorized officer of each Loan Party of the resolutions (and resolutions of other bodies, if any are reasonably deemed necessary by counsel for the Administrative Agent) authorizing the Borrowings provided for herein, with respect to the Borrower, and the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to be executed and delivered by the Loan Parties;

(v) The most recent audited financial statements of the Borrower and the Consolidated Group;

(vi) UCC financing statement, judgment, and tax lien searches with respect to each Loan Party from its state of organization;

(vii) If a Borrowing is to be made on the Effective Date, written money transfer instructions in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, addressed to the Administrative Agent and signed by an officer of the Borrower, together with such other related money transfer authorizations as the Administrative Agent may have reasonably requested;

(viii) Compliance certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B , executed by a Financial Officer, demonstrating compliance with the Financial Covenants on a pro-forma basis as of the Effective Date based on the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2016 and after giving effect to the Transactions;

(ix) Broker Price Opinions for Operating Properties as necessary to support the calculations and computations set forth in the compliance certificate delivered pursuant to subclause (c)(viii) of this Section; and

(x) A customary solvency certificate from the Borrower certifying that, after giving pro forma effect to the transactions to occur on the Effective Date (including, without limitation, (the initial public offering of the Parent, the initial disbursements to be made under the Facilities and the use of proceeds of each of the foregoing), the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are Solvent.

 

62


(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees (including upfront fees payable to the Lenders) and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Effective Date, reimbursement or payment of all out of pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder, or satisfactory evidence that such fees and amounts will be paid out of the initial Borrowings hereunder.

(e) At least three (3) Business Days prior to the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received all documentation and other information about the Loan Parties as shall have been reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Effective Date, that it shall have reasonably determined is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation, the Act.

(f) The Initial Pre-Payable Loan Facilities shall have been, or contemporaneously with the making of the Initial Term Loans shall be, repaid in full and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received payoff letters and other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of (i) such repayment and (ii) the release of all Liens granted, if any, in connection with the Initial Pre-Payable Loan Facilities.

(g) On or substantially simultaneously with the Effective Date, the initial public offering of shares of common stock of the Parent shall be consummated.

Immediately upon the satisfaction of the foregoing conditions precedent, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of each Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit to be issued by such Issuing Bank hereunder shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section  9.02 ) at or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on June 30, 2017 (and, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, the Commitments shall terminate at such time).

Solely for purposes of satisfying the conditions precedent to the initial Borrowings hereunder on the Effective Date set forth in this Section  4.01 , each Lender that has authorized the release of its signature page to this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Effective Date specifying its objection thereto.

SECTION 4.02 Each Credit Event . The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of each Issuing Bank to issue, increase, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit to be issued or issued by such Issuing Bank, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) The representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, increase, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty (i) expressly relates to an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date and/or (ii) is qualified by materiality, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects).

 

63


(b) Immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, increase, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

Each Borrowing and each issuance, increase, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a)  and (b) of this Section.

ARTICLE V

Affirmative Covenants

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees and other Obligations payable hereunder shall have been paid in full (other than indemnities and other contingent obligations not then due and payable and as to which no claim has been made) and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated (or have been cash collateralized in accordance with Section  2.06 ), in each case, without any pending draw, and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower (and, for the purpose of Sections 5.09(d) and 5.12 , the Parent) covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 5.01 Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information; Broker Price Opinions .

(a) The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent (and the Administrative Agent will promptly furnish the same to each Lender):

(i) as soon as available but in any event no later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, for the Consolidated Group, setting forth in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by Deloitte & Touche LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification, commentary or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit, other than a “going concern” expressly resulting solely from an upcoming maturity date under any Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries occurring within one year from the time the opinion is delivered or a prospective default under any of the Financial Covenants)) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Consolidated Group on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

(ii) as soon as available but in any event no later than forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three (3) fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet and related unaudited statements of operations, equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, for the Consolidated Group, setting forth in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by a Financial Officer as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Consolidated Group on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

 

64


(iii) concurrently with any delivery of Financial Statements, a compliance certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B , signed by a Financial Officer (A) (x) certifying that, to such Financial Officer’s knowledge, no Default has occurred and is continuing, or (y) specifying the details of any Default that, to such Financial Officer’s knowledge, has occurred and is continuing, and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (B) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations and computations necessary to determine the Unencumbered Asset Value and demonstrating compliance with the applicable Financial Covenants including, without limitation, (x) a listing of the Unencumbered Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and the Net Operating Income for each of such Unencumbered Assets and (y) schedule of Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, to the extent included in such calculations and computations, and (C) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section  3.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;

(iv) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the Parent with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, and/or distributed by the Borrower or the Parent to its shareholders generally, as the case may be;

(v) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Parent, the Borrower, or any subsidiary of any thereof, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

Information required to be delivered pursuant to clause (i) , (ii) or (iv)  of this Section shall be deemed to have been delivered if such information, or one or more annual or quarterly reports containing such information, shall be available on the website of the SEC at http://www.sec.gov . Information required to be delivered pursuant to this Section may also be delivered by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent. Further, notwithstanding the foregoing, the information required pursuant to clause (i)  or (ii) of this Section shall be deemed to have been delivered if such information of the Parent is provided within the time periods set forth in such clauses; provided that to the extent such information relates to the Parent, it is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to the Parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Borrower and its subsidiaries, as applicable, on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand.

(b) The Borrower shall, at its own expense, order from the Diligence Agent revised Broker Price Opinions in accordance with the following, and deliver or cause to be delivered the same to the Administrative Agent as follows:

(i) no later than the third (3 rd ) Business Day after the fiscal quarter ended September 30 of each fiscal year, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2017, an initial sample of ten percent (10%) (by number) of the Operating Properties, such sample to be selected by Diligence Agent on a random basis from the Operating Properties for which no Broker Price Opinion has been obtained within the preceding sixty (60) days and to include Unencumbered Assets that (by number) represent a percentage of the total number of Operating Properties included in the sample that is at least equal to the percentage of Unencumbered Assets included in the pool of all Operating Properties (such properties, collectively, the “ Initial Sample Properties ”), and shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent such Broker Price Opinions promptly but in any event no later than sixty (60) days thereafter;

 

65


(ii) additionally, if the ratio of (x) the sum of the BPO Values of the Initial Sample Properties, calculated using the BPO Values reported pursuant to the Broker Price Opinions described in clause (b)(i) above, divided by (y) the sum of the Index-Adjusted BPO Values of the Initial Sample Properties (the ratio of (x) divided by (y), the “ Initial Sample Ratio ”), is less than ninety-five percent (95%), a sample of an additional fifteen percent (15%) (by number) of the Operating Properties pursuant to the process set forth in clause  (b)(i) above (such properties, together with the Initial Sample Properties, collectively, the “ Expanded Sample Properties ”); provided that the requirements of this clause (b)(ii) shall be waived if both (A) the Total Leverage Ratio, calculated such that Total BPO Value for all Operating Properties is discounted by the Initial Sample Ratio, is less than or equal to fifty-five percent (55%), and (B) the Unencumbered Leverage Ratio, calculated such that Total BPO Value for all Operating Properties is discounted by the Initial Sample Ratio, is less than or equal to fifty-five percent (55%), and shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent such Broker Price Opinions promptly but in any event no later than sixty (60) days after the delivery of the Broker Price Opinions delivered pursuant to clause  (b)(i) above;

(iii) additionally, if the ratio of (x) the sum of the BPO Values of the Expanded Sample Properties, calculated using the BPO Values reported pursuant to the Broker Price Opinions described in clauses (b)(i) and (b)(ii) above, divided by (y) the sum of the Index-Adjusted BPO Values of the Expanded Sample Properties (the ratio of (x) divided by (y), the “ Expanded Sample Ratio ”), is less than ninety-five percent (95%), all Operating Properties will be valued pursuant to the process set forth in clause  (b)(i) above; provided that the requirements of this clause (b)(iii) shall be waived if both (A) the Total Leverage Ratio, calculated such that Total BPO Value for all Operating Properties is discounted by the Expanded Sample Ratio, is less than or equal to fifty-five percent (55%) and (B) the Unencumbered Leverage Ratio, calculated such that Total BPO Value for all Operating Properties is discounted by the Expanded Sample Ratio, is less than or equal to fifty-five percent (55%), and shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent such Broker Price Opinions promptly but in any event no later than sixty (60) days after the delivery of the Broker Price Opinions delivered pursuant to clause  (b)(ii) above; and

(iv) further, with respect to each Operating Property, Borrower shall, as soon as reasonably possible after any such request for Broker Price Opinions is made, provide such cooperation and such information as the Diligence Agent may reasonably require for the purpose of obtaining the Broker Price Opinions from time to time.

SECTION 5.02 Notices of Material Events . The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent (and the Administrative Agent will promptly furnish the same to each Lender) prompt written notice, after an Authorized Officer becomes aware of such event, of the following events:

(a) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit, investigation or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting any of the Loan Parties that, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event, taken alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, that in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(d) any Environmental Liability that, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, has, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

66


(e) after the achievement by the Borrower of an Investment Grade Rating and the making of an Investment Grade Election, changes in the Debt Ratings.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

SECTION 5.03 Existence; Conduct of Business . The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect their legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business; provided that this Section  5.03 shall not require the Borrower or any Subsidiary to preserve or maintain any rights, licenses, permits, privileges or franchises if the Borrower shall reasonably determine that the failure to maintain and preserve the same by any Subsidiary would not reasonably be expected, in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.04 Payment of Obligations . The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries and the other Loan Parties to, pay their obligations, including Tax liabilities, that, if not paid, could result in a Material Adverse Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (i)(a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and (b) the Borrower or Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP, or (ii) the failure to make payment pending such contest would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.05 Maintenance of Properties; Insurance . The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries and the other Loan Parties to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except to the extent any failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (b) maintain (either directly or indirectly by causing its tenants to maintain), with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.

SECTION 5.06 Books and Records; Inspection Rights . The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries and the other Loan Parties to, keep proper books of record and account in which true and correct entries in all material respects are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities to the extent required by GAAP. The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries and the other Loan Parties to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants (in the presence of an officer of the Borrower), all at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as reasonably requested. Absent an Event of Default, only two (2) such visits per calendar year shall be at the Borrower’s expense.

SECTION 5.07 Compliance with Laws . The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries and each other Loan Party to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to their property, including Environmental Laws, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.08 Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit . The proceeds of the Loans will be used only for, and Letters of Credit will be issued only to support, (i) the repayment of existing

 

67


Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and (ii) general corporate purposes of the Borrower, including, but not limited to, the funding of acquisitions, investments, redevelopments, expansions, renovations, construction, capital expenditures and working capital needs. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of Regulations T, U and X of the Board.

SECTION 5.09 Addition and Release of Guaranties .

(a) Additional Subsidiary Guaranties .

(i) Not later than the applicable Required Delivery Date, the Borrower shall cause (A) each Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) that owns an Unencumbered Asset and (B) each direct or indirect Subsidiary that holds direct or indirect Equity Interests in a Person, other than an Excluded Subsidiary, which owns an Unencumbered Asset, to deliver to Administrative Agent: (1) a Subsidiary Guaranty executed by such Subsidiary and (2) the other items required to be delivered under the following subsection (a)(ii) below; provided , however , that (x) promptly (and in any event not later than the applicable Required Delivery Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in writing in its discretion)) upon any Excluded Subsidiary ceasing to be subject to the restriction which prevented it from being a Material Subsidiary Guarantor on the Effective Date or delivering a Subsidiary Guaranty pursuant to this Section, as the case may be, such Subsidiary shall comply with the provisions of this Section and (y) in respect of any Subsidiary which is required to become a Guarantor after the Closing Date pursuant to this subsection (a)(i), to the extent such Subsidiary has not become a Guarantor as of the applicable Required Delivery Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in writing in its discretion), the BPO Value of a Property owned by such Subsidiary shall not be included in any calculation of Unencumbered Asset Value unless and until such Subsidiary executes and delivers to the Administrative Agent a Subsidiary Guaranty and the other items required to be delivered under the following subsection (a)(ii) below. Any such Subsidiary Guaranty delivered pursuant to this subsection (a)(i) and the other items required under the immediately following subsection (a)(ii) shall, unless otherwise approved by the Administrative Agent, be delivered to the Administrative Agent not later than the later of (x) forty-five (45) days after such obligation first arises and (y) the date on which the Compliance Certificate with respect to the fiscal quarter (or fiscal year in the case of the fourth fiscal quarter) during which, in either such case, any of the above conditions first apply to a Subsidiary (the “ Required Delivery Date ”).

(ii) Each Subsidiary Guaranty delivered by a Subsidiary required to become a Guarantor under the preceding subsection (a)(i) above shall be accompanied by the items that would have been delivered under Section  4.01(c)(i) through (iv) , and Section  4.01(e) as if such Subsidiary had been a Guarantor on the Effective Date, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and such other documents, agreement and instruments as the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably require in order to comply with its “know your customary” and other regulatory obligations.

(b) Release of Material Subsidiary Guarantors from Subsidiary Guaranties . The Subsidiary Guaranty provided by a Material Subsidiary Guarantor shall be automatically released, solely as it relates to such Material Subsidiary Guarantor, at such time as (i) such Material Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to own any Equity Interest in a Person that owns an Unencumbered Asset, (ii) as the result of any transaction involving the incurrence by any Person of Nonrecourse Indebtedness (including, but not limited to, term loan and/or term securitization transactions that are conducted pursuant to either a Rule 144A or a registered public offering or similar form of securitization transaction) in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $50,000,000 encumbering any asset which previously constituted an Unencumbered Asset (a “ Qualified Refinancing ”), or (iii) such Material Subsidiary Guarantor becomes an Excluded Subsidiary.

 

68


(c) Instruments of Release . The Administrative Agent shall, at the request and expense of the Borrower and without the need for any consent or approval by the Lenders, execute and deliver an instrument of release to evidence any release of Guaranty described in this Section  5.09 in a form reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(d) Parent Guaranty . If any Parent Guaranty Event occurs, then, the Parent shall become a Guarantor by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent within forty-five (45) days of such occurrence, a Parent Guaranty, together with the items that would have been delivered under Section  4.01(c)(i) through (iv) , and Section  4.01(e) as if the Parent had been a Guarantor on the Effective Date. Provided no Default arising under Section 7.01(h) or Event of Default is then continuing, the Parent Guaranty provided by the Parent shall be automatically released at such time as no Parent Guaranty Event exists.

SECTION 5.10 Additions and Releases of Pledgors .

(a) Initial Delivery of Pledged Collateral . Within thirty (30) days following the Effective Date, (i) each Pledgor shall deliver to Administrative Agent each certificate or instrument in respect of the Pledged Collateral, in the manner required under the Pledge Agreement, duly indorsed by such Pledgor to the Administrative Agent, if required, together with an undated stock power covering such certificate (or other appropriate instrument of transfer) duly executed in blank by such Pledgor and (ii) the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a legal opinion issued by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (or such other law firm reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), which shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, covering the perfection of the security interest in the Pledged Collateral upon indorsement and delivery to the Administrative Agent of such certificates. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this clause (a) or elsewhere in this Agreement, no Pledgor shall be required to pledge (or cause to be pledged) more than sixty-five percent (65%) of the capital stock designated as having voting power and one hundred percent (100%) of the capital stock designated as having non-voting power in any Excluded CFC, or any other equity securities of any other Subsidiary to the extent that the Borrower reasonably determines (in consultation with the Administrative Agent) that such pledge would result in adverse tax consequences pursuant to Code section 956.

(b) Additional Pledgors . At all times prior to the occurrence of a Pledge Termination Event, following the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary Guarantor acquiring, after the Effective Date, any Equity Interests of any Material Subsidiary Guarantor, the Borrower, or such Material Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, not later than the applicable Required Delivery Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in writing in its discretion), each of the following in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent: (i) a supplement to the Pledge Agreement executed by each Person that owns any such Equity Interests, (ii) if such Subsidiary is not already a party to the Pledge Agreement at such time, each of the items that would have been delivered under Section  4.01(c)(i) through (iv) , Section  4.01(e) and Section  5.10(a) , as if the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, had been a Pledgor with respect to such Equity Interests on the Effective Date and (iii) and such other documents, agreement and instruments as the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably require in order to comply with its “know your customer” and other regulatory obligations; provided , however , that in respect of any Material Subsidiary Guarantor which is required to become a Pledgor after the Closing Date pursuant to this subsection (b), to the extent such Material Subsidiary Guarantor has not become a Pledgor as of the applicable Required Delivery Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in writing in its discretion), the BPO Value of an Unencumbered Asset(s) indirectly owned by such Material Subsidiary Guarantor through its Subsidiaries shall not be included in any calculation of Unencumbered Asset Value unless and until such Material Subsidiary Guarantor has become a Pledgor and complied with this subsection (b).

 

69


(c) Release of Pledged Collateral . All liens of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under any Loan Document encumbering any Pledged Collateral consisting of Equity Interests of a Subsidiary shall be automatically released, without the need for any consent or approval by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, at such time as: (i) such Subsidiary ceases to be a Guarantor; and (ii) no Default arising under Section 7.01(h) or Event of Default then exists. The Administrative Agent agrees to furnish to the Borrower, promptly after the Borrower’s request and at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense, any document evidencing the foregoing release as may be reasonably requested by the Borrower.

(d) Termination of Pledge Agreement . Upon the occurrence of a Pledge Termination Event, so long as no Default arising under Section 7.01(h) or Event of Default then exists, the Pledge Agreement shall be automatically terminated as it relates to each Pledgor and all of the Pledged Collateral shall be released free and clear of all liens and encumbrances of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall, at the request and expense of the Borrower and without the need for any consent or approval by the Lenders, execute and deliver an instrument of termination to evidence the termination and release of the Pledge Agreement and release of all the Pledged Collateral described in this Section  5.10(d) in a form reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 5.11 Further Assurances . At the Borrower’s cost and expense and upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, duly execute and deliver or cause to be duly executed and delivered, to the Administrative Agent such further instruments, documents and certificates, and do and cause to be done such further acts that may be reasonably necessary or advisable in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent to carry out more effectively the guaranty and security provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

SECTION 5.12 REIT Status . The Parent shall maintain its REIT status under the Code; provided that the requirements of this Section 5.12 may be waived in writing by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion so long as (x) the preservation and maintenance of REIT status under the Code is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and the Parent, taken as a whole, and that the failure to maintain and preserve REIT status is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Lenders, in each case, as determined in good faith by the Borrower and (y) the failure to maintain and preserve REIT status would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

ARTICLE VI

Negative Covenants

Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees and other Obligations payable hereunder have been paid in full (other than indemnities and other contingent obligations not then due and payable and as to which no claim has been made) and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated (or have been cash collateralized in accordance with Section  2.06 ), in each case, without any pending draw, and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 6.01 Financial Covenants

.

 

70


(a) Financial Covenants . From the Effective Date until the Obligations have been satisfied in full, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower, commencing with the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2017, the Borrower shall not permit:

(i) Maximum Leverage Ratio . Total Outstanding Indebtedness minus Balance Sheet Cash to exceed sixty-five percent (65%) of Total BPO Value ( “ Maximum Leverage Ratio ”).

(ii) Maximum Secured Leverage Ratio . Total Outstanding Secured Indebtedness minus Balance Sheet Cash to exceed fifty-five percent (55%) of Total BPO Value.

(iii) Maximum Unencumbered Leverage . Total Outstanding Unsecured Indebtedness (including all outstanding Indebtedness under this Agreement) minus all Unrestricted Cash and cash from like-kind exchanges (the “ Unencumbered Leverage Ratio ”) to exceed sixty-five percent (65%) of the Unencumbered Asset Value.

(iv) Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio . EBITDA to be less than one and one-half of one (1.5) times Fixed Charges the (“ Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ”), all for the four (4) fiscal quarters most recently ended.

(v) Minimum Unencumbered Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio . EBITDA attributable solely to Unencumbered Assets (such EBITDA, “ Unencumbered EBITDA ”) to be less than one and one-half of one (1.5) times Fixed Charges attributable solely to Unencumbered Assets (such Fixed Charges, “ Unencumbered Fixed Charges ”) (the ratio derived pursuant to this clause  (v) , the “ Unencumbered Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ”), all for the four (4) fiscal quarters most recently ended. For the purposes of calculating the Unencumbered Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Unencumbered EBITDA and Unencumbered Fixed Charges shall exclude general and administrative expenses from any Operating Property that is not an Unencumbered Asset, determined on a pro rata basis based on the number of such Operating Properties that are not Unencumbered Assets.

(vi) Minimum Tangible Net Worth . The sum of (x) Total BPO Value plus (y) Balance Sheet Cash minus (z) Total Outstanding Indebtedness (“ Tangible Net Worth ”) to be less than $4,000,000,000.

(vii) Maximum Pari Passu Debt Ratio . Pari Passu Debt to exceed five percent (5%) of Total BPO Value (the “ Maximum Pari Passu Debt Ratio ”). For the purposes of calculating the Maximum Pari Passu Debt Ratio, Pari Passu Debt shall exclude the Ownership Share of Secured Indebtedness to the extent the proceeds thereof are applied in permanent reduction of the Obligations or other Secured Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group.

(b) Calculation of Financial Covenants . For purposes of calculating the Financial Covenants under this Agreement:

(i) for any period, the Financial Covenants shall be calculated based upon the most recent quarter-end Financial Statements, on a pro forma basis, giving effect to any asset disposition or acquisition during such period (in each case, in excess of, in any individual transaction or series of transactions (calculated based on the cumulative effect of any acquisitions offsetting corresponding dispositions in any series of transactions), five percent (5.00%) of the number of Operating Properties) and any incurrence, retirement or extinguishment of Indebtedness during such period, in the case of any calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or the Unencumbered Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, with such asset disposition or acquisition or such incurrence, retirement or extinguishment of Indebtedness being deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the period for which such Financial Covenants are being determined;

 

71


(ii) the Financial Covenants set forth in Sections 6.01(a)(i) , (ii) , (iv) , (v) and (vi)  with respect to any Investment Affiliate or any Non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary shall be calculated in a manner such that only the Ownership Share of the applicable Investment Affiliate or Non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary shall be taken into account, so that the Borrower will be credited (or debited, if applicable) only with the Ownership Share of the direct and indirect definitional and other components that are included in the calculation of such Financial Covenants; and

(iii) Balance Sheet Cash and/or Unrestricted Cash that has been deducted in the calculation of the Financial Covenants set forth in Sections 6.01(a)(ii) and (iii)  shall be determined without duplication when calculating such Financial Covenants.

SECTION 6.02 Fundamental Changes . (a) The Borrower will not, nor will the Borrower permit any Subsidiary or the Parent to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it which would result in a Change of Control, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of their consolidated assets (including all or substantially all of the Equity Interests in the Subsidiaries) (in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or liquidate or dissolve; provided that, the following events shall be permitted without the consent of the Lenders: (i) any Person may merge into the Borrower or the Parent in a transaction in which the Borrower or the Parent is the surviving corporation (or, if the Borrower or the Parent is not the survivor, the Required Lenders have consented to such transaction), (ii) any Person (other than the Borrower or the Parent) may merge into any Subsidiary in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Subsidiary, (iii) any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of its assets to the Borrower or to another Subsidiary, (iv) any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve or merge into, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of its assets to, another Person on an arm’s-length basis if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution, merger or disposition is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders and (v) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any Subsidiary in connection with any disposition of assets that is not prohibited by this Agreement. The Borrower will not, and will not permit the Parent or any Guarantor to reorganize under the laws of a jurisdiction other than any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

(b) The Borrower will not, nor will the Borrower permit any Subsidiary to, engage, to any material extent, in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Effective Date and businesses reasonably related, complementary, synergistic, ancillary or incidental thereto or reasonable extensions thereof.

SECTION 6.03 Restricted Payments . Restricted Payments shall be permitted without restriction, provided that if (a) an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a) , Section  7.01(b) or Section 7.01(i) has occurred and is continuing or (b) the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, the Borrower will not declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payments except (i) if the Parent then maintains its REIT status, the amount required for the Parent (A) to continue to maintain its status as a REIT under the Code, and (B) to avoid any entity-level tax, including tax under Section 4981 of the Code, or (ii) to the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is a Guarantor.

SECTION 6.04 Transactions with Affiliates . The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of the Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) upon fair and reasonable terms which are not materially less favorable to the

 

72


Borrower or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions solely between or among the Borrower and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, (c) transactions pursuant to agreements and arrangements described on Schedule 6.04 , (d) the issuance of equity securities to Affiliates, (e) compensation, bonus and benefit arrangements with employees, officers, directors and trustees of the Borrower, the Subsidiaries or the Parent that are customary in the industry or are in the ordinary course consistent with past practices, (f) transactions with any Affiliate that manages any assets owned by the Consolidated Group; provided that any agreement therefor is expressly terminable by the asset owner without cause or penalty upon no more than sixty (60) days’ prior notice, and (g) Restricted Payments permitted by Section  6.03 . Subject to the requirements of Section  6.04(a) , this Section shall not prohibit loans to and other investments by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in Non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries or any Investment Affiliate, in each case that are otherwise not prohibited by this Agreement.

SECTION 6.05 Changes in Fiscal Periods . Unless required by a law, regulation or order of a Governmental Authority, the Borrower will not (i) permit the fiscal year of a Loan Party to end on a day other than December 31 or (ii) change a Loan Party’s method of determining fiscal quarters; provided that if such change is required by such law, regulation or order, the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent and the Lenders prior written notice of such change.

ARTICLE VII

Events of Default

SECTION 7.01 Events of Default . If any of the following events (“ Events of Default ”) shall occur:

(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a)  of this Article) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) Business Days;

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party in or in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendment or modification hereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any amendment or modification hereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;

(d) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Article VI ;

(e) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in clause (a) , (b) or (d)  of this Article) or any of the other Loan Documents required to be observed or performed by such Loan Party, and such failure shall continue without being remedied for a period of thirty (30) days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders to the Borrower;

(f) the Borrower or a Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall

 

73


become due and payable and after the expiration of all grace or cure periods ( provided that the failure to pay any such Indebtedness shall not constitute a Default so long as the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, is diligently contesting the payment of the same by appropriate legal proceedings and the Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside, in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, a sufficient reserve to repay such Indebtedness plus all accrued interest thereon calculated at the default rate thereunder and costs of enforcement in the event of an adverse outcome);

(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (after the giving of all notices and the expiration of all grace periods) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause such Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (g)  shall not apply to (x) Material Indebtedness that is Secured Indebtedness and that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Material Indebtedness, (y) regularly scheduled amortization payments with respect to Material Indebtedness or (z) customary non-default mandatory prepayments with respect to Material Indebtedness in connection with asset sales, casualty or condemnation events ( provided that the failure to pay any such Indebtedness shall not constitute a Default so long as the Borrower or such Material Subsidiary, as applicable, is diligently contesting the payment of the same by appropriate legal proceedings and the Borrower or such Material Subsidiary has set aside, in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, a sufficient reserve to repay such Indebtedness plus all accrued interest thereon calculated at the default rate thereunder and costs of enforcement in the event of an adverse outcome);

(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of a Loan Party, the Parent or any Material Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for a Loan Party, the Parent or any Material Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets (an “ Involuntary Proceeding ”), and, in any such case, such Involuntary Proceeding shall continue undismissed for sixty (60) days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(i) a Loan Party, the Parent or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h)  of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for such Loan Party, the Parent or any Material Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

(j) a Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(k) the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall fail within sixty (60) days to pay, bond or otherwise discharge any final judgments or orders for the payment of money (not covered by insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of such judgment or order and has not issued a notice denying coverage thereof) in an amount which, when added to all other judgments or orders outstanding against the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary would exceed $50,000,000 in the aggregate, which have not been stayed on appeal or otherwise appropriately contested in good faith;

 

74


(l) any Loan Party or the Parent shall disavow, revoke or terminate (or attempt to terminate) any Loan Document to which it is a party or shall otherwise challenge or contest in any action, suit or proceeding in any court or before any Governmental Authority the validity or enforceability of this Agreement, a Guaranty or any other Loan Document; or this Agreement, a Guaranty or any other Loan Document shall cease to be in full force and effect (except as a result of the express terms thereof);

(m) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

(n) a Change in Control shall have occurred;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h)  or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and in case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h)  or (i) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

SECTION 7.02 Distribution of Payments after Default . In the event that following the occurrence or during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as the case may be, receives any monies in connection with the enforcement of any the Loan Documents, such monies shall be distributed for application as follows:

(a) First , to the payment of, or (as the case may be) the reimbursement of the Administrative Agent for or in respect of, all reasonable costs, expenses, disbursements and losses which shall have been incurred or sustained by the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such in connection with the collection of such monies by the Administrative Agent, for the exercise, protection or enforcement by the Administrative Agent of all or any of the rights, remedies, powers and privileges of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in support of any provision of adequate indemnity to the Administrative Agent against any taxes or liens which by law shall have, or may have, priority over the rights of the Administrative Agent to such monies;

(b) Second , to pay any fees or expense reimbursements then due to the Lenders from the Loan Parties and any fees then due to the Administrative Agent;

(c) Third , to pay interest then due and payable on the Loans and unreimbursed LC Disbursements ratably in proportion to the respective amounts payable under this clause (c);

 

75


(d) Fourth , to pay or prepay, as applicable, principal on the Loans, unreimbursed LC Disbursements and any payment obligations then owing to the Approved Counterparties under Secured Hedge Agreements ratably to the Lenders, Issuing Banks, Approved Counterparties and any other Secured Party in proportion to the respective amounts under this clause (d);

(e) Fifth , to pay an amount to the Administrative Agent equal to one hundred two percent (102%) of the aggregate undrawn face amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit and the aggregate amount of any unreimbursed LC Disbursements, to be held as cash collateral for such Obligations;

(f) Sixth , to payment of any amounts owing with respect to indemnification provisions of the Loan Documents, if any;

(g) Seventh , to the payment of any other Obligation due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, if any; and

(h) Eighth , to the Borrower or whoever may be legally entitled thereto.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amounts received from any Guarantor shall be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligation of such Guarantor.

ARTICLE VIII

The Administrative Agent

SECTION 8.01 Appointment and Authority . Each of the Lenders and each Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, and neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

SECTION 8.02 Rights as a Lender . The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.

SECTION 8.03 Exculpatory Provisions . The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing: (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the

 

76


Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any applicable law with respect to any Bankruptcy Event or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any applicable law with respect to any Bankruptcy Event, and (c) except as expressly set forth herein, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Parent, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction). The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 8.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

SECTION 8.05 Delegation of Duties . The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

SECTION 8.06 Resignation or Removal of Administrative Agent . Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, (a) the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, each Issuing Bank and the Borrower and (b) the Required Lenders may by written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower remove the Administrative Agent (i) for its gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment, or (ii) if it has become a Defaulting Lender. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required Lenders shall have the right, subject to the consent of the Borrower (so long as no Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing at such time), to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring or

 

77


removed Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation or is removed, then the retiring or removed Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and each Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a Lender. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

SECTION 8.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders . Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that the extensions of credit made hereunder are commercial loans and letters of credit and not investments in a business enterprise or securities. Each Lender further represents that it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business and has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder. Each Lender shall, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder and in deciding whether or to the extent to which it will continue as a lender or assign or otherwise transfer its rights, interests and obligations hereunder.

SECTION 8.08 Issuing Bank Reports to Administrative Agent .

(a) Unless otherwise agreed by Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank shall, in addition to its notification obligations set forth elsewhere in this Section, provide Administrative Agent a Letter of Credit Report or other information, as and when set forth below:

(i) For so long as any Letter of Credit Issued by such Issuing Bank is outstanding, such Issuing Bank shall delivered to Administrative Agent (i) on the last Business Day of each calendar month and (ii) on each date that (1) a Letter of Credit extension or other modification occurs or (2) there is any expiration, cancellation or disbursement, in each case, with respect to such Letter of Credit, a Letter of Credit Report appropriately completed with the information for every outstanding Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank; and

(ii) on any Business Day, such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request as to the Letters of Credit issuing by such Issuing Bank.

SECTION 8.09 Secured Hedge Agreement and Pledged Collateral Matters .

(a) Appointment . Each Approved Counterparty hereby appoints Administrative Agent as its non-fiduciary collateral agent for the purpose of perfecting and maintaining Approved Counterparty’s security interest and lien in and on the Pledged Collateral and any and all other collateral under the Collateral Documents. Each Approved Counterparty hereby authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent to (a) enter into all of the Collateral Documents for and on behalf of and for the benefit of the

 

78


Secured Parties in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, (b) exercise such rights and powers under this Agreement and the Collateral Documents, as the case may be, as are specifically granted or delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such other rights and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto or as are customarily and typically exercised by agents performing duties similar to the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the Collateral Documents, and (c) perform the obligations of the Administrative Agent under the Collateral Documents. Each Approved Counterparty signing this Agreement as a Lender hereby agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and the Collateral Documents in such Lender’s capacity as an Approved Counterparty. Each Approved Counterparty that has not signed or otherwise joined this Agreement in writing to Administrative Agent’s reasonable satisfaction shall, as a condition precedent to being an Approved Counterparty or Secured Party in respect of the Pledged Collateral, execute a joinder to this Agreement, acknowledging and agreeing to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents applicable thereto, including, without limitation, this Section  8.09 .

(b) Limitations on Duties and Actions of Administrative Agent . The duties of the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents and in respect of the Pledged Collateral shall be deemed ministerial and administrative in nature, and the Administrative Agent shall not have, by reason of any the Loan Documents or any of the Collateral Documents, a fiduciary relationship with any Approved Counterparty. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the Collateral Documents to which it is a party. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it, or any action suffered by it to be taken or omitted, excepting only its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. IN THE ABSENCE OF WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE LENDERS REQUIRED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO FORECLOSE UPON ANY LIEN ENCUMBERING ANY OF THE COLLATERAL OR TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION WITH RESPECT TO THE COLLATERAL OR ANY PART THEREOF. Further, Sections  8.03 , 8.04 , 8.05 , 8.07 , 9.03(c) , 9.09 and 9.10 shall apply to (i) Administrative Agent in its capacity as non-fiduciary collateral agent mutatis mutandis to the same extent as such provisions apply to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as “Administrative Agent” under the Loan Documents and (ii) each Approved Counterparty in its capacity as such mutatis mutandis to the same extent as such provisions apply to a Lender under the Loan Documents. Each Approved Counterparty hereby acknowledges and agrees that it has received and reviewed the Loan Documents.

(c) Defaults and Acceleration .

(i) If an Approved Counterparty exercises any right to terminate or unwind one or more transactions under any Secured Hedge Agreement entered into by such Approved Counterparty in connection with any event of default, termination event or similar event (each, however described in such Secured Hedge Agreement, a “ Termination Event ”) including, for the avoidance of doubt, any right to designate an “Early Termination Date” provided for in such Secured Hedge Agreement, then such Approved Counterparty shall send written notice thereof to Administrative Agent, specifying in detail the nature of the related Termination Event. If an Approved Counterparty sends any such notice in respect of Borrower’s (or its affiliate’s) default under any Secured Hedge Agreement to Administrative Agent, then such Approved Counterparty agrees to send notice to Administrative Agent in the event Borrower (or its affiliate) cures said default. The failure of any Approved Counterparty to deliver any notice contemplated by this clause (i) shall not (A) affect the validity of any termination or unwind of one or more transactions under any applicable Secured Hedge Agreement, (B) result in, or form the basis of, any breach of the applicable Secured Hedge Agreement, or (C) impose any liability on such Approved Counterparty.

 

79


(ii)    Each Approved Counterparty acknowledges that, subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have the rights to declare Defaults and Events of Default under the Loan Documents, accelerate the Obligations and enforce such remedies as are available pursuant to the Loan Documents (including the Collateral Documents) or otherwise, including, without limitation, foreclosure. Each Approved Counterparty agrees that while it may have the right to terminate or unwind one or more transactions under any Secured Hedge Agreement entered into by such Approved Counterparty in respect of a Termination Event, only Administrative Agent shall have the right to enforce the remedies provided by the Loan Documents (or otherwise pursue remedies or recourse against the Pledged Collateral) arising from such Termination Event under such Secured Hedge Agreement entered into by such Approved Counterparty.

(iii)    Each Approved Counterparty acknowledges and agrees that (A) it shall only have recourse to the Pledged Collateral through the Administrative Agent and that it shall have no independent recourse to or right to take action in respect of the Pledged Collateral or any Loan Document and (B) the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to, and shall not, take any action under any of the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, under any Collateral Document) except in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

(iv)    Nothing herein shall be deemed to prohibit Administrative Agent or any Approved Counterparty from delivering to Borrower (and/or its affiliates) any notice or demand which Administrative Agent or such Approved Counterparty is entitled or required to give under the Loan Documents or any Secured Hedge Agreement entered into by such Approved Counterparty, as the case may be, notifying Borrower (and/or its affiliates) of the existence of the default or breach and affording Borrower (and/or its affiliates) the opportunity to cure such default or breach in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents or any Secured Hedge Agreement entered into by such Approved Counterparty, as the case may be.

(v)    Nothing contained herein shall restrict the rights of an Approved Counterparty to pursue remedies, by proceedings in law and equity, or to enforce its rights in accordance with the provisions of any Secured Hedge Agreement entered into by such Approved Counterparty, to the extent that pursuit of such remedies or enforcement does not relate to the Pledged Collateral or interfere with the Administrative Agent’s ability to take action under any of the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, under the Collateral Documents) or against any Loan Party. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained in this clause (v) shall restrict the rights of an Approved Counterparty to terminate or unwind one or more transactions under any applicable Secured Hedge Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof.

(vi)    No Approved Counterparty shall contest the validity, perfection, priority or enforceability of, or seek to avoid, any Lien securing any Obligation or any of the Loan Documents. No Approved Counterparty shall have the right to obtain any of the Pledged Collateral or the benefit of any Lien on any Pledged Collateral except as expressly provided herein.

(d)     Application of Proceeds . In the event of any payment, distribution, division or application, partial or complete, of any kind or character, whether in cash, securities or otherwise, voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law, exercise of remedies or otherwise, of all or any part of the Pledged Collateral or the proceeds thereof, whether by reason of foreclosure, UCC sale, liquidation, bankruptcy, receivership, assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other action or proceeding involving the payment or readjustment of all or any part of the Pledged Collateral (a “ Payment ”), then any Payment shall be allocated and paid or distributed to Administrative Agent and Administrative Agent shall make such Payment available to the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the terms and conditions of Section  7.02 of this Agreement.

 

80


(e)     Amounts Due Under Secured Hedge Agreement . Notwithstanding any provisions in the Loan Documents to the contrary, each Approved Counterparty expressly acknowledges and agrees that all amounts due to such Approved Counterparty under any Secured Hedge Agreement entered into by such Approved Counterparty belong to, and are the property of, such Approved Counterparty.

ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous

SECTION 9.01     Notices . (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (b)  below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

(i)    if to the Borrower, to the Borrower at: 1717 Main Street, Suite 2000, Dallas, TX 75201; Attn: Jonathan Olson; Fax: 214-481-5057; Electronic Mail: jolsen@invitationhomes.com ; with a copy to 1717 Main Street, Suite 2000, Dallas, TX 75201; Attn: Ernie Freedman; Fax: 214-481-5057; Electronic Mail: efreedman@invitationhomes.com ; with a copy to 1717 Main Street, Suite 2000, Dallas, TX 75201; Attn: Mark Solls; Fax: 214-481-5057; Electronic Mail: msolls@invitationhomes.com ; with a copy to 1717 Main Street, Suite 2000, Dallas, TX 75201; Attn: Liula Baban; Fax: 214-481-5057; Electronic Mail: liula.baban@invitationhomes.com

(ii)    if to the Administrative Agent, (A) for notices of prepayment and Borrowing Requests, to Bank of America, N.A., at: 101 N. Tryon St., Mail Code: NC1-001-05-46, Charlotte, NC 28255; Attn: Jeffrey Obasuyi; Fax: 704-409-0013; Telephone: 980-683-5401; Electronic Mail: jeffrey.obasuyi@baml.com, and (B) for financial communications and all other notices, to Bank of America, N.A., at: Agency Management, 135 S. LaSalle Street, Mail Code: IL4-135-09-61, Chicago, Illinois 60603; Attn: Denise Jones; Fax: 877-206-8413; Telephone: 312-828-1846; Electronic Mail: denise.j.jones@baml.com ;

(iii)    if to an Issuing Bank, (A) to Bank of America, N.A., at: Trade Finance Services, One Fleet Way, Mail Code: PA6-580-02-30, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18507; Attn: Alfonso Malave; Fax: 800-755-8743; Telephone: 570-496-9622; Electronic Mail: alfonso.malave@baml.com; (B) to Deutsche Bank AG NY Branch, at: 5022 Gate Parkway, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256; Attn: Hareesha Doddagowda Kuberappa; Telephone: 904-520-5449; Fax: 866-240-3622; Electronic Mail: loan.admin-NY@db.com; (C) to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., at: 10420 Highland Manor Drive, 4 th Floor, Tampa, Florida, 33610; Attn: Standby LC Unit; Tel: 800-364-1969; Fax: 856-294-5267; Electronic Mail: gts.ib.standby@jpmchase.com; (D) to Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch at: Eleven Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010; Attn: Jack Madej; Telephone: 212-325-5397; Electronic Mail: jack.madej@credit-suisse.com; (E) to Goldman Sachs Bank USA, at: 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282; Fax: 917-977-3966; and (F) to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., at: 401 B Street, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92101; Attn: Dale Northup; Telephone: 619-699-3025; Electronic Mail: dale.a.northup@wellsfargo.com; and to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. at: 1512 Eureka Road, Suite 350, Roseville, California 95661; Attn: Patty Cabrera; Telephone: 916-788-4672; Fax: 916-787-4526; Electronic Mail: pcabrera@wellsfargo.com;

(iv)    if to a Swingline Lender, (A) to Bank of America, N.A., at: 101 N. Tryon St., Mail Code: NC1-001-05-46, Charlotte, NC 28255; Attn: Jeffrey Obasuyi; Fax: 704-409-0013; Telephone: 980-683-5401; Electronic Mail: jeffrey.obasuyi@baml.com; (B) to Deutsche Bank AG NY Branch, at: 5022 Gate Parkway, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256; Attn: Hareesha Doddagowda Kuberappa; Telephone: 904-520-5449; Fax: 866-240-3622; Electronic Mail: loan.admin-NY@db.com;

 

81


(C) to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., at: 3 rd Floor, Prestige Technology Park, Platina Building No 3, Outer Ring Road, Bangalore – 560 103; Attn: NA CPG – Deepak Krishna; Telephone: +91 80 6790 5013; Electronic Mail: na.cpg@jpmorgan.com; (D) to Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, at: 7033 Louis Stephens Drive, PO Box 110047, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709; Attn: Courtney Blue; Telephone: 919-994-6396; Fax: 866-469-3871; Electronic Mail: courtney.blue@credit-suisse.com and 18664693871@docs.ldsprod.com; (E) Goldman Sachs Bank USA, at: 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282; Fax: 917-977-3966; and (F) to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., at: 401 B Street, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92101; Attn: Dale Northup; Telephone: 619-699-3025; Electronic Mail: dale.a.northup@wellsfargo.com; and to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. at: 600 South 4 th Street, 9 th Floor, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415; Attn: Breanna Schmid; Telephone: 612-667-4485; Fax: 866-968-5584; Electronic Mail: breanna.l.schmid@wellsfargo.com; and

(v)    if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices delivered through Electronic Systems, to the extent provided in paragraph (b)  below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b) .

(b)    Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereunder may be delivered or furnished by using Electronic Systems pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in their discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) , of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i)  and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

(c)    Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.

(d)     Electronic Systems .

(i)    Each Loan Party agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make Communications (as defined below) available to the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders by posting the Communications on Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or a substantially similar Electronic System.

 

82


(ii)    Any Electronic System used by the Administrative Agent is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of such Electronic Systems and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including, without limitation, any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Communications or any Electronic System. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “ Agent Parties ”) have any liability to the Borrower or the other Loan Parties, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including, without limitation, direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s, any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of communications through an Electronic System other than as a result of willful misconduct or gross negligence by such Person as determined by a final, non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction. “ Communications ” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Electronic System.

SECTION 9.02     Waivers; Amendments . (a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b)  of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

(b)    Subject to Section 2.20(b) , neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender (it being understood that a waiver of any condition precedent to a disbursement hereunder or of any Default shall not constitute an extension or increase of any Commitment of any Lender), (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby; it being understood that any change to the definition of “Total Leverage Ratio” or in the component definitions thereof shall not constitute a reduction or forgiveness in any rate of interest (provided that only the consent of the Required Facility Lenders under a particular Facility shall be necessary to waive any applicability of default interest with respect to such Facility), (iii) except as provided in Section  2.21 , postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without

 

83


the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.18(a) , (b) or (c)  or Section  7.02 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, or the definition of “Pro-Rata Share”, in each case without the written consent of each affected Lender thereby, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender, (vi) reduce the percentage specified in the definition of “Required Facility Lenders” with respect to any Facility without the written consent of all Lenders under such Facility, (vii) release the Parent from its obligations under the Parent Guaranty (except as otherwise provided in Section  5.09 ), or release any of the other Guarantors from their obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty (except as otherwise provided in Section  5.09 ) or any Pledge Agreement (except as otherwise provided in Section  5.10 ), in each case, without the written consent of each Lender, or (viii) extend the expiration date of any Letter of Credit beyond the Revolving Maturity Date without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby; provided , further , that (w) no such agreement shall amend, modify or waive any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents so as to alter the ratable treatment of the Obligations arising under the Loan Documents or the Obligations arising under the Secured Hedge Agreements under Section  7.02 , or any of the definitions of “Approved Counterparty”, “Secured Hedge Agreements”, “Obligations”, “Secured Parties” (as defined in the Pledge Agreement), or “Secured Obligations” (as defined in the Pledge Agreement), in each case in a manner disproportionately adverse to the Approved Counterparties without the consent of the Approved Counterparties in addition to the consent of the Lenders required above, (x) no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers/Joint Bookrunners, any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers/Joint Bookrunners, such Issuing Bank or such Swingline Lender, as the case may be, (y) the consent of the Required Facility Lenders of a Facility shall be required for any amendment, waiver or modification that adversely affects the rights of such Facility in a manner different than such amendment, waiver or modification affects the other Facility (it being understood, however, that any amendment, modification or waiver in relation to any representation, warranty, affirmative covenant, negative covenant, financial covenant or event of default contained in Articles III , V , VI or VII hereof, together with similar provisions contained in any other Loan Document, shall not require the consent of such Required Facility Lenders as a result of the operation of this clause (y) ), and (z) no such agreement shall amend or modify Section  2.20 without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, each Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank.

(c)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 9.02 , if the Administrative Agent and the Borrower have jointly identified an ambiguity, omission, mistake or defect in any provision of this Agreement and/or any of the other Loan Documents or an inconsistency between provisions of this Agreement and/or any of the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall be permitted to amend such provision or provisions to cure such ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency so long as to do so would not adversely affect the interests of the Lenders. Any such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any of other party to this Agreement.

SECTION 9.03     Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver . (a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out of pocket and documented expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers/Joint Bookrunners, the Diligence Agent and their Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one outside counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Joint Lead Arrangers/Joint Bookrunners and their Affiliates, taken as a whole, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), due diligence expenses and all printing,

 

84


reproduction, document delivery, travel, IntraLinks, and communication costs, (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket and documented expenses incurred by any Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket and documented expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender (but in each case limited to the fees, disbursements and other charges of one counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, taken as a whole and, if reasonably necessary, one additional local counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, taken as a whole, in each relevant jurisdiction, and in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, one additional counsel (and, if applicable, one additional local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction) to the affected Lender or Lenders similarly situated and taken as a whole), during the existence of an Event of Default and in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of pocket and documented expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

(b)    The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) enforcing or preserving any rights, in response to third party claims or the prosecuting or defending of any action or proceeding or other litigation, in each case against, under or affecting any Loan Party, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents; (iii) enforcing any obligations of or collecting any payments due from any Loan Party under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (iv) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by any Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (v) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, or (vi) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, whether brought by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or a third party; provided that (A) such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to (x) have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or from the material breach by such Indemnitee of its obligations under the Loan Documents, or (y) have not resulted from an act or omission by the Borrower or its Affiliates and have been brought by an Indemnitee against any other Indemnitee (other than a claim or dispute involving an Indemnitee in its capacity as the Administrative Agent or a Joint Lead Arranger/Joint Bookrunner) and (B) the Borrower shall not, in connection with any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate law firm (which shall be selected by the Joint Lead Arrangers/Joint Bookrunners after consultation with the Borrower) at any one time for the Indemnitees as a whole (and, if necessary, one firm of local and regulatory counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction and regulatory field, as applicable, at any one time for the Indemnitees as a whole); provided , further, that in the case of a conflict of interest where the Indemnitee affected by such conflict informs the Borrower of such conflict, the Borrower shall be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of one firm of counsel (and, if necessary, one firm of local and regulatory counsel in each appropriate

 

85


jurisdiction and regulatory field) for each such affected Indemnitee. If any action, suit or proceeding is brought against any Indemnitee in connection with any claim for which it is entitled to indemnity hereunder, such indemnified person shall (x) promptly notify the Borrower in writing of such action, suit or proceeding and (y) give the Borrower an opportunity to consult from time to time with such Indemnitee regarding defensive measures and potential settlement. This Section 9.03(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims or damages arising from any non-Tax claim and shall not duplicate any amounts paid under Section  2.14 or Section  2.15 .

(c)    To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent under paragraph (a)  or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Pro-Rata Share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such. To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender under paragraph (a)  or (b) of this Section, each Revolving Lender severally agrees to pay to such Issuing Bank or such Swingline Lender, as the case may be, such Lender’s Revolving Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against such Issuing Bank or such Swingline Lender in its capacity as such.

(d)    To the extent permitted by applicable law, no party hereto shall assert, and each such party hereby waives, any claim against any other party, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that, nothing in this clause (d)  shall relieve the Borrower of any obligation it may have to indemnify an Indemnitee against special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages asserted against such Indemnitee by a third party. No Indemnitee referred to in paragraph (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby except to the extent that liability is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or from the material breach by such Indemnitee of its obligations under the Loan Documents.

(e)    All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.

SECTION 9.04     Successors and Assigns . (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void), other than as contemplated in Section  6.02 , and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c)  of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

86


(b)    (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees (other than an Ineligible Institution) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:

(A)    the Borrower; provided that, the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan unless the Borrower shall have objected thereto within ten (10) Business Days after the Borrower has received written request therefor in accordance with Section  9.01 ; provided further that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to (I) if Revolving Commitment, a Revolving Lender or an Affiliate of a Revolving Lender, (II) if all or any portion of a Term Loan, a Term Loan Lender, an Affiliate of a Term Loan Lender, or an Approved Fund in respect of a Term Loan Lender, or (III) if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a) , (b) , (h) or (i)  has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or the Loans have been accelerated following an Event of Default, any Eligible Assignee (other than an Ineligible Institution). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall send notice of an assignment to the Borrower;

(B)    the Administrative Agent, provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of (x) any Revolving Commitment to an assignee that is a Lender with a Revolving Commitment immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment or an Affiliate thereof and (y) all or any portion of a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund;

(C)    each Issuing Bank, provided that no consent of any Issuing Bank shall be required for an assignment of (x) any Revolving Commitment to an assignee that is a Lender with a Revolving Commitment immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment or an Affiliate thereof, and (y) all or any portion of a Term Loan; and

(D)    each Swingline Lender, provided , that no consent of any Swingline Lender shall be required for an assignment of (x) any Revolving Commitment to an assignee that is a Lender with a Revolving Commitment immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment or an Affiliate thereof, and (y) all or any portion of a Term Loan.

(ii)    Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A)    except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000, unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a) , (b) , (h) or (i)  has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment;

(B)    each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that this clause shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of only one Facility;

 

87


(C)    the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 and any Tax Forms required to be provided under Section 2.17(f) ; and

(D)    the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts at such assignee to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower, the Loan Parties and their related parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.

(iii)    Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15 , 2.16 , 2.17 and 9.03 ). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section  9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c)  of this Section.

(iv)    The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, any Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(v)    Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b)  of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b)  of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(c) , Section 2.06(d) , Section 2.06(e) , Section 2.07(b) , Section 2.18(d) or Section 9.03(c) , the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

 

88


(c)    Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more Eligible Assignees (a “ Participant ”), other than an Ineligible Institution, in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged; (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations; and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15 , 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.17(f) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b)  of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section  2.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b)  of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section  2.15 or 2.17 , with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such participation was made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.19(b) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section  9.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “ Participant Register ”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(d)    Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including, without limitation, any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(e)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the parties hereto agree that Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated may, without notice to the Borrower or any other Loan Party, assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any other registered broker-dealer

 

89


wholly-owned by Bank of America Corporation to which all or substantially all of Bank of America Corporation’s or any of its subsidiaries’ investment banking, commercial lending services or related businesses may be transferred following the date hereof.

(f)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “ Granting Lender ”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an “ SPV ”) the option to fund all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to fund pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPV to fund any Loan, (ii) if an SPV elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to fund all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to fund such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof, (iii) no SPV shall have any voting rights pursuant to this Section 9.04(f) (all such voting rights shall be retained by the Granting Lender), (iv) with respect to notices, payments and other matters hereunder, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall not be obligated to deal with an SPV, but may limit their communications and other dealings relevant to such SPV to the applicable Granting Lender, and (v) with respect to the funding of any Loan by an SPV, the Borrower shall not have to pay any greater cost, or incur any greater expense, under the provisions of this Section 9.04(f) or otherwise, than if all Loans were funded by the applicable Granting Lender without the involvement of an SPV. The funding of a Loan by an SPV hereunder shall utilize the Revolving Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent that, and as if, such Loan were funded by such Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPV shall be liable for any indemnity or payment under this Agreement for which a Lender would otherwise be liable for so long as, and to the extent, the Granting Lender provides such indemnity or makes such payment. In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreements shall survive termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPV, it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, such SPV any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. This Section 9.04(f) may not be amended without the prior written consent of each Granting Lender, all or any part of whose Loan is being funded by an SPV at the time of such amendment.

(g)    In connection with any sale or assignment of any portion of the Facilities to any new Lender during the forty-five (45) day period following the Effective Date, the Borrower agrees that, upon written request by the Administrative Agent, following such forty-five (45) day period, the Borrower shall, at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense, deliver either (i) a reliance letter in favor of such new Lenders to the legal opinion issued by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP on the Effective Date and providing that such new Lenders have the right to rely thereon, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, or (ii) a replacement legal opinion from a law firm acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, shall cover the same matters as the original opinion delivered by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP on the Effective Date, and shall provide that the new Lenders have the right to rely thereon.

SECTION 9.05     Survival . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The

 

90


provisions of Sections 2.15 , 2.16 , 2.17 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

SECTION 9.06     Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution . (a) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section  4.01 , this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

(b)    Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept Electronic Signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it.

SECTION 9.07     Severability . Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 9.08     Right of Setoff . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section  2.18(c) and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such

 

91


Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application. The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have. No amounts set off from any Guarantor shall be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor.

SECTION 9.09     Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process . (a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

(b)    Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County, Borough of Manhattan, and of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined solely in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or operate to preclude (i) the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank from bringing suit or taking other legal action in any other jurisdiction to realize on any security for the Obligations (in which case any party shall be entitled to assert any claim or defense other than any objection to the laying of venue of such action or the action having been brought in an inconvenient forum but including any claim or defense that this Section  9.09 would otherwise require to be asserted in a legal action or proceeding in a New York court), or to enforce a judgment or other court order in favor of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank, (ii) any party from bringing any legal action or proceeding in any jurisdiction for the recognition and enforcement of any judgment, (iii) if all such New York courts decline jurisdiction over any Person, or decline (or, in the case of the Federal District court, lack) jurisdiction over any subject matter of such action or proceeding, a legal action or proceeding may be brought with respect thereto in another court having jurisdiction and (iv) in the event a legal action or proceeding is brought against any party hereto or involving any of its assets or property in another court (without any collusive assistance by such party or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates), such party from asserting a claim or defense (including any claim or defense that this Section  9.09 would otherwise require to be asserted in a legal action or proceeding in a New York court) in any such action or proceeding.

(c)    Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in paragraph (b)  of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d)    Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section  9.01 . Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

SECTION 9.10     WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING

 

92


OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

SECTION 9.11     Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 9.12     Confidentiality . Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower. For the purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from the Borrower relating to the Borrower or its business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

SECTION 9.13     Material Non-Public Information .

(a)     EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 9.12(a) ) FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BORROWER AND ITS RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES, AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

(b)     ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE BORROWER OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

93


PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE BORROWER, THE OTHER LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWER AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW.

(c)    The Borrower acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Joint Lead Arrangers may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “ Borrower Materials ”) by posting the Borrower Materials on the Electronic System and (b) certain of the Lenders (each a “ Public Lender ”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section  9.12 ); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Electronic System designated “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Joint Lead Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Electronic System not designated “Public Side Information.”    Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Electronic System in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable law, including United States Federal and state securities laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Electronic System and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.

SECTION 9.14     Interest Rate Limitation . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “ Charges ”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “ Maximum Rate ”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

 

94


SECTION 9.15     USA PATRIOT Act . Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “ Act ”) hereby notifies the Borrower and the Guarantors that pursuant to the requirements of the Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower and the Guarantors, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and the Guarantors and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower and the Guarantors in accordance with the Act.

SECTION 9.16     No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility . In connection with all aspects of the Transactions (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers/Joint Bookrunners, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers/Joint Bookrunners, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, on the other hand, (B) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understand and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii)(A) the Administrative Agent, each Joint Lead Arranger/Joint Bookrunner, each Lender and each Issuing Bank is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) none of the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger/Joint Bookrunner, any Lender or any Issuing Bank has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers/Joint Bookrunners, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and none of the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger/Joint Bookrunner, any Lender or any Issuing Bank has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower or its Affiliates. The Borrower hereby agrees that it will not claim that any of the Administrative Agent, Joint Lead Arrangers/Joint Bookrunners, Lenders, Issuing Banks and their respective affiliates has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect or owes a fiduciary duty or similar duty to it in connection with any aspect of the Transactions. Accordingly, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger/Joint Bookrunner, any Lender or any Issuing Bank with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of the Transactions.

SECTION 9.17     Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions . Solely to the extent any Lender or Issuing Bank that is an EEA Financial Institution is a party to this Agreement and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender or Issuing Bank that is an EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a)    the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender or Issuing Bank that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

(b)    the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

 

95


(i)    a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii)    a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii)    the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

ARTICLE X

Guaranties

SECTION 10.01     The Guaranties . Each Guarantor is guaranteeing the Obligations pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Subsidiary Guaranty or the Parent Guaranty, as and to the extent applicable (other than with respect to any Guarantor, Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor).

SECTION 10.02     Remedies . The Guarantors jointly and severally agree that, as between the Guarantors and the Lenders, the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement, if any, may be declared to be forthwith due and payable as provided in Section  7.01 (and shall be deemed to have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances provided in Section  7.01 ) for purposes of the Guaranties, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or such obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against the Borrower and that, in the event of such declaration (or such obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), such obligations (whether or not due and payable by the Borrower) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for purposes of the Guaranties.

SECTION 10.03     Right of Contribution . 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. The provisions of this Section  10.03 shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for the full amount guaranteed by such Guarantor hereunder.

[Signature pages follow]

 

96


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

INVITATION HOMES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP LP

By:

  Invitation Homes OP GP LLC,
 

as general partner

  By:  

/s/ Jonathan Olsen

  Name:  

Jonathan Olsen

  Title:  

Senior Vice President and Managing Director

[Signatures Continue on Following Page]

 

[Signature Page – Invitation Homes Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]


INVITATION HOMES INC.,

solely in respect of certain applicable provisions of Article III and Article V

By:

 

/s/ Jonathan Olsen

Name:

 

Jonathan Olsen

Title:

 

Senior Vice President and Managing Director

[Signatures Continue on Following Page]

 

[Signature Page – Invitation Homes Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

By:

 

/s/ Denise Jones

Name:

 

Denise Jones

Title:

 

Assistant Vice President

[Signatures Continue on Following Page]

 

[Signature Page – Invitation Homes Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Lender, Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender

By:

 

/s/ Michael J. Kauffman

Name:

 

Michael J. Kauffman

Title:

 

Vice President

[Signatures Continue on Following Page]

 

[Signature Page – Invitation Homes Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

By:

 

/s/ Chiara Carter

Name:

 

Chiara Carter

Title:

 

Executive Director

[Signatures Continue on Following Page]

 

[Signature Page – Invitation Homes Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]


DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH

By:

 

/s/ James Rolison

Name:

 

James Rolison

Title:

 

Managing Director

By:

 

/s/ Joanna Soliman

Name:

 

Joanna Soliman

Title:

 

Vice President

[Signatures Continue on Following Page]

 

[Signature Page – Invitation Homes Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:  

/s/ Dale Northup

Name:  

Dale Northup

Title:  

Senior Vice President

[Signatures Continue on Following Page]

 

[Signature Page – Invitation Homes Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]


GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA

By:  

/s/ Annie Carr

Name:  

Annie Carr

Title:  

Authorized Signatory

[Signatures Continue on Following Page]

 

[Signature Page – Invitation Homes Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]


CREDIT SUISSE AG CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH

By:

 

/s/ William O’Daly

Name:

 

William O’Daly

Title:

 

Authorized Signatory

By:

 

/s/ Karim Rahimtoola

Name:

 

Karim Rahimtoola

Title:

 

Authorized Signatory

[Signatures Continue on Following Page]

 

[Signature Page – Invitation Homes Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]


MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A.
By:  

/s/ Michael King

Name:  

Michael King

Title:  

Authorized Signatory

[Signatures Continue on Following Page]

 

[Signature Page – Invitation Homes Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]


ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

By:

 

/s/ Joshua Freedman

Name:

 

Joshua Freedman

Title:

 

Authorized Signatory

[Signatures Continue on Following Page]

 

[Signature Page – Invitation Homes Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]

Exhibit 10.4

INVITATION HOMES INC.

2017 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Purpose . The purpose of the Invitation Homes Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan is to provide a means through which the Company and the other members of the Company Group may attract and retain key personnel and to provide a means whereby directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors of the Company and the other members of the Company Group can acquire and maintain an equity interest in the Company, or be paid incentive compensation, including incentive compensation measured by reference to the value of Common Stock, thereby strengthening their commitment to the welfare of the Company Group and aligning their interests with those of the Company’s stockholders.

2. Definitions . The following definitions shall be applicable throughout the Plan.

(a) “ Absolute Share Limit ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5(b) of the Plan.

(b) “ Adjustment Event ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 14(a) of the Plan.

(c) “ Affiliate ” means any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company. The term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “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 or other securities, by contract or otherwise.

(d) “ Award ” means, individually or collectively, any Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, OP Unit, Other Equity-Based Award, and Cash-Based Incentive Award granted under the Plan.

(e) “ Award Agreement ” means the document or documents by which each Award (other than a Cash-Based Incentive Award) is evidenced, which may be in written or electronic form.

(f) “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(g) “ Cash-Based Incentive Award ” means an Award denominated in cash that is granted under Section 12 of the Plan.

(h) “ Cause ” means, as to any Participant, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise, “Cause,” as defined in any employment or consulting agreement between the Participant and the Service Recipient in effect at the time of such Termination; or in the absence of any such employment or consulting agreement (or the absence of any definition of “Cause” contained therein), the Participant’s (A) willful neglect in the performance of the Participant’s duties for the Service Recipient or willful or repeated failure or refusal to perform such duties; (B) engagement in conduct in connection with the Participant’s employment or service with the Service Recipient, which results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, material harm


to the business or reputation of the Company or any other member of the Company Group; (C) conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, (I) any felony; or (II) any other crime that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, material harm to the business or reputation of the Company or any other member of the Company Group; (D) material violation of the written policies of the Service Recipient, including, but not limited to, those relating to sexual harassment or the disclosure or misuse of confidential information, or those set forth in the manuals or statements of policy of the Service Recipient; (E) fraud or misappropriation, embezzlement or misuse of funds or property belonging to the Company or any other member of the Company Group; or (F) act of personal dishonesty that involves personal profit in connection with the Participant’s employment or service to the Service Recipient.

(i) “ Change in Control ” means:

(i) the acquisition (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, combination or other similar transaction) by any Person of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% (on a fully diluted basis) of either (A) the then outstanding shares of Common Stock, taking into account as outstanding for this purpose such Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants, the conversion of convertible stock or debt, and the exercise of any similar right to acquire such Common Stock; or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; provided , however , that for purposes of this Plan, the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (I) any acquisition by the Company or any Affiliate; (II) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Affiliate; or (III) in respect of an Award held by a particular Participant, any acquisition by the Participant or any group of Persons including the Participant (or any entity controlled by the Participant or any group of Persons including the Participant);

(ii) during any period of twelve (12) months, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board (the “ Incumbent Directors ”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date, whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without written objection to such nomination) shall be an Incumbent Director; provided , however , that no individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, with respect to directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director; or

(iii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company Group (taken as a whole) to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company.

 

2


Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, the occurrence of any of clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) which occurs solely as a result of an Internal Reorganization as defined in Section 14(c) of the Plan shall not constitute a Change in Control.

(j) “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, regulations or guidance.

(k) “ Committee ” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or any properly delegated subcommittee thereof or, if no such Compensation Committee or subcommittee thereof exists, the Board.

(l) “ Common Stock ” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (and any stock or other securities into which such Common Stock may be converted or into which it may be exchanged).

(m) “ Company ” means Invitation Homes Inc., a Maryland corporation, and any successor thereto, including any entity that is a constituent party in any merger or other combination involving the Company and that survives or succeeds as a publicly traded entity (including, without limitation, by virtue of a triangular merger structure) as part of any Internal Reorganization or other restructuring.

(n) “ Company Group ” means, collectively, the Company and its Subsidiaries.

(o) “ Date of Grant ” means the date on which the granting of an Award is authorized, or such other date as may be specified in such authorization.

(p) “ Designated Foreign Subsidiaries ” means all members of the Company Group that are organized under the laws of any jurisdiction or country other than the United States of America that may be designated by the Board or the Committee from time to time.

(q) “ Detrimental Activity ” means any of the following: (i) unauthorized disclosure of any confidential or proprietary information of any member of the Company Group; (ii) any activity that would be grounds to terminate the Participant’s employment or service with the Service Recipient for Cause; or (iii) a breach by the Participant of any restrictive covenant by which such Participant is bound, including, without limitation, any covenant not to compete or not to solicit, in any agreement with any member of the Company Group.

(r) “ Disability ” means, as to any Participant, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise, (i) “Disability,” as defined in any employment or consulting agreement between the Participant and the Service Recipient in effect at the time of such Termination; or (ii) in the absence of any such employment or consulting agreement (or the absence of any definition of “Disability” contained therein), a condition entitling the Participant to receive benefits under a long-term disability plan of the Service Recipient or other member of the Company Group in which such Participant is eligible to participate, or, in the absence of such a plan, the complete and permanent inability of the Participant by reason of illness or accident to perform the duties of the occupation at which the Participant was employed or

 

3


served when such disability commenced. Any determination of whether Disability exists in the absence of a long-term disability plan shall be made by the Company (or its designee) in its sole and absolute discretion.

(s) “ Effective Date ” means January 31, 2017.

(t) “ Eligible Person ” means any (i) individual employed by any member of the Company Group; provided , however , that no such employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement shall be an Eligible Person unless and to the extent that such eligibility is set forth in such collective bargaining agreement or in an agreement or instrument relating thereto; (ii) director or officer of any member of the Company Group; or (iii) consultant or advisor to any member of the Company Group who may be offered securities registrable pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act, who, in the case of each of clauses (i) through (iii) above has entered into an Award Agreement or who has received written notification from the Committee or its designee that they have been selected to participate in the Plan.

(u) “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of (or rule promulgated under) the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section or rule, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.

(v) “ Exempt Securities ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5(b) of the Plan.

(w) “ Exercise Price ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 7(b) of the Plan.

(x) “ Fair Market Value ” means, on a given date, (i) if the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the closing sales price of the Common Stock reported on the primary exchange on which the Common Stock is listed and traded on such date, or, if there are no such sales on that date, then on the last preceding date on which such sales were reported; (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed on any national securities exchange but is quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the average between the closing bid price and ask price reported on such date, or, if there is no such sale on that date, then on the last preceding date on which a sale was reported; or (iii) if the Common Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange or quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the amount determined by the Committee in good faith to be the fair market value of the Common Stock.

(y) “ GAAP ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 7(d) of the Plan.

(z) “ Immediate Family Members ” has the meaning given such term in Section 16(b) of the Plan.

(aa) “ Incentive Stock Option ” means an Option which is designated by the Committee as an incentive stock option as described in Section 422 of the Code and otherwise meets the requirements set forth in the Plan.

 

4


(bb) “ Indemnifiable Person ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4(e) of the Plan.

(cc) “ Internal Reorganization ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 14(c) of the Plan.

(dd) “ Negative Discretion ” means the discretion authorized by the Plan to be applied by the Committee to eliminate or reduce the size of a Cash-Based Incentive Award.

(ee) “ Nonqualified Stock Option ” means an Option which is not designated by the Committee as an Incentive Stock Option.

(ff) “ Non-Employee Director ” means a member of the Board who is not an employee of any member of the Company Group.

(gg) “ OP Unit ” means an Award granted under Section 10 of the Plan.

(hh) “ Operating Partnership ” means Invitation Homes Operating Partnership LP, a Delaware limited partnership and the entity through which the Company conducts its business and that has elected to be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, and any successor entity (or such other limited partnership designated as the “Operating Partnership” by the Board from time to time).

(ii) “ Option ” means an Award granted under Section 7 of the Plan.

(jj) “ Option Period ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 7(c) of the Plan.

(kk) “ Other Equity-Based Award ” means an Award that is not an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit, that is granted under Section 11 of the Plan and is (i) payable by delivery of Common Stock, and/or (ii) measured by reference to the value of Common Stock.

(ll) “ Participant ” means an Eligible Person who has been selected by the Committee to participate in the Plan and to receive an Award pursuant to the Plan.

(mm) “ Performance Compensation Award ” means any Award designated by the Committee as a Performance Compensation Award pursuant to Section 12 or Section 13 of the Plan.

(nn) “ Performance Criteria ” means the criterion or criteria that the Committee shall select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period with respect to any Performance Compensation Award under the Plan.

(oo) “ Performance Formula ” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more objective formulae applied against the relevant Performance Goal to determine, with regard to the Performance Compensation Award of a particular Participant, whether all, some portion but less than all, or none of the Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period.

 

5


(pp) “ Performance Goals ” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria.

(qq) “ Performance Period ” means the one or more periods of time of not less than twelve (12) months, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, and the payment of, a Performance Compensation Award.

(rr) “ Permitted Transferee ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 16(b) of the Plan.

(ss) “ Person ” means any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act).

(tt) “ Plan ” means this Invitation Homes Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time.

(uu) “ Qualifying Director ” means a person who is (i) with respect to actions intended to obtain an exemption from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act; and (ii) with respect to actions intended to obtain the exception for performance-based compensation under 162(m) of the Code, an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

(vv) “ Restricted Period ” means the period of time determined by the Committee during which an Award is subject to restrictions, including vesting conditions.

(ww) “ Restricted Stock ” means Common Stock, subject to certain specified restrictions (which may include, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 9 of the Plan.

(xx) “ Restricted Stock Unit ” means an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver shares of Common Stock, cash, other securities or other property, subject to certain restrictions (which may include, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 9 of the Plan.

(yy) “ SAR Period ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 8(c) of the Plan.

(zz) “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of (or rule promulgated under) the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section or rule, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.

(aaa) “ Service Recipient ” means, with respect to a Participant holding a given Award, the member of the Company Group by which the original recipient of such Award is, or

 

6


following a Termination was most recently, principally employed or to which such original recipient provides, or following a Termination was most recently providing, services, as applicable.

(bbb) “ Stock Appreciation Right ” or “ SAR ” means an Award granted under Section 8 of the Plan.

(ccc) “ Strike Price ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 8(b) of the Plan.

(ddd) “ Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of such entity’s voting securities (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

(ii) any partnership (or any comparable foreign entity) (A) the sole general partner (or functional equivalent thereof) or the managing general partner (or functional equivalent thereof) of which is such Person or Subsidiary of such Person or (B) the only general partners (or functional equivalents thereof) of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

(eee) “ Substitute Award ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5(e) of the Plan.

(fff) “ Sub-Plans ” means any sub-plan to the Plan that has been adopted by the Board or the Committee for the purpose of permitting the offering of Awards to employees of certain Designated Foreign Subsidiaries or otherwise outside the United States of America, with each such sub-plan designed to comply with local laws applicable to offerings in such foreign jurisdictions. Although any Sub-Plan may be designated a separate and independent plan from the Plan in order to comply with applicable local laws, the Absolute Share Limit and the other limits specified in Section 5(b) shall apply in the aggregate to the Plan and any Sub-Plan adopted hereunder.

(ggg) “ Termination ” means the termination of a Participant’s employment or service, as applicable, with the Service Recipient for any reason (including death).

3. Effective Date; Duration . The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date. The expiration date of the Plan, on and after which date no Awards may be granted hereunder, shall be the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the Effective Date; provided , however , that such expiration shall not affect Awards then outstanding, and the terms and conditions of the Plan shall continue to apply to such Awards.

 

7


4. Administration .

(a) The Committee shall administer the Plan. To the extent required to comply with the provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (if the Board is not acting as the Committee under the Plan) or necessary to obtain the exception for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, as applicable, it is intended that each member of the Committee shall, at the time such member takes any action with respect to an Award under the Plan that is intended to qualify for the exemptions provided by Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, as applicable, be a Qualifying Director. However, the fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify as a Qualifying Director shall not invalidate any Award granted by the Committee that is otherwise validly granted under the Plan.

(b) Subject to the provisions of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee shall have the sole and plenary authority, in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award, which may be not uniform for all Participants; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in, or exercised for, cash, shares of Common Stock or OP Units, as applicable, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited, or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited, or suspended; (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances the delivery of cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant or of the Committee; (vii) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, the Plan; (viii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive any rules and regulations and appoint such agents as the Committee shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (ix) adopt Sub-Plans; and (x) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.

(c) Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or traded, the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it. Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may delegate to one or more officers of any member of the Company Group, the authority to act on behalf of the Committee with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of, or which is allocated to, the Committee herein, and which may be so delegated as a matter of law, except with respect to grants of Awards to persons (i) who are Non-Employee Directors, (ii) who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or (iii) who are, or could reasonably be expected to be, “covered employees” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

8


(d) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all Persons, including, without limitation, any member of the Company Group, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award, and any stockholder of the Company.

(e) No member of the Board, the Committee or any employee or agent of any member of the Company Group (each such Person, an “ Indemnifiable Person ”) shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made with respect to the Plan or any Award hereunder (unless constituting fraud or a willful criminal act or omission). Each Indemnifiable Person shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense (including attorneys’ fees) that may be imposed upon or incurred by such Indemnifiable Person in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding to which such Indemnifiable Person may be a party or in which such Indemnifiable Person may be involved by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken or determination made with respect to the Plan or any Award hereunder and against and from any and all amounts paid by such Indemnifiable Person with the Company’s approval, in settlement thereof, or paid by such Indemnifiable Person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such Indemnifiable Person, and the Company shall advance to such Indemnifiable Person any such expenses promptly upon written request (which request shall include an undertaking by the Indemnifiable Person to repay the amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be determined, as provided below, that the Indemnifiable Person is not entitled to be indemnified); provided , that the Company shall have the right, at its own expense, to assume and defend any such action, suit or proceeding and once the Company gives notice of its intent to assume the defense, the Company shall have sole control over such defense with counsel of the Company’s choice. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be available to an Indemnifiable Person to the extent that a final judgment or other final adjudication (in either case not subject to further appeal) binding upon such Indemnifiable Person determines that the acts, omissions or determinations of such Indemnifiable Person giving rise to the indemnification claim resulted from such Indemnifiable Person’s fraud or willful criminal act or omission or that such right of indemnification is otherwise prohibited by law or by the organizational documents of any member of the Company Group. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of or otherwise supersede any other rights of indemnification to which such Indemnifiable Persons may be entitled under the organizational documents of any member of the Company Group, as a matter of law, under an individual indemnification agreement or contract or otherwise, or any other power that the Company may have to indemnify such Indemnifiable Persons or hold such Indemnifiable Persons harmless.

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan, the Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards and administer the Plan with respect to such Awards. Any such actions by the Board shall be subject to the applicable rules of the securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted. In any such case, the Board shall have all the authority granted to the Committee under the Plan.

 

9


5. Grant of Awards; Shares Subject to the Plan; Limitations .

(a) The Committee may, from time to time, grant Awards to one or more Eligible Persons.

(b) Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following limitations: (i) subject to Section 14 of the Plan, no more than 16,000,000 shares of Common Stock (the “ Absolute Share Limit ”) shall be available for Awards under the Plan (excluding those shares of Restricted Stock or OP Units received by Participants in exchange for (or in redemption of) partnership interests issued prior to the adoption of the Plan (such shares of Restricted Stock or OP Units, the “ Exempt Securities ”); (ii) subject to Section 14 of the Plan, grants of Options or SARs under the Plan in respect of no more than 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock may be made to any individual Participant during any single fiscal year of the Company (for this purpose, if a SAR is granted in tandem with an Option (such that the SAR expires with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option is exercised), only the shares underlying the Option shall count against this limitation); (iii) subject to Section 14 of the Plan, no more than the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Absolute Share Limit may be issued in the aggregate pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan; (iv) subject to Section 14 of the Plan, no more than 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock (excluding the Exempt Securities) may be issued in respect of Performance Compensation Awards denominated in shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to Section 13 of the Plan to any individual Participant for a single fiscal year during a Performance Period (or with respect to each single fiscal year in the event a Performance Period extends beyond a single fiscal year), or in the event such share-denominated Performance Compensation Award is paid in cash, other securities, other Awards or other property, no more than the Fair Market Value of such shares of Common Stock on the last day of the Performance Period to which such Award relates; (v) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to Awards granted during a single fiscal year to any Non-Employee Director, taken together with any cash fees paid to such Non-Employee Director during the fiscal year, shall not exceed $1,500,000 in total value (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes); and (vi) the maximum amount that can be paid to any individual Participant for a single fiscal year during a Performance Period (or with respect to each single fiscal year in the event a Performance Period extends beyond a single fiscal year) pursuant to a Cash-Based Incentive Award shall be $7,500,000. Unless the Committee shall otherwise determine, shares of Common Stock delivered by the Company or its Affiliates upon exchange of OP Units or other equity securities of any Subsidiary of the Company that have been issued under the Plan shall be issued under the Plan.

(c) Other than with respect to Substitute Awards, to the extent that an Award expires or is canceled, forfeited, terminated, settled in cash, or otherwise is settled without delivery to the Participant of the full number of shares of Common Stock to which the Award related, the undelivered shares will again be available for grant. Shares of Common Stock withheld in payment of the Exercise Price, or for taxes relating to an Award and shares equal to the number of shares surrendered in payment of any Exercise Price, or taxes relating to an Award, shall be deemed to constitute shares not issued to the Participant and shall be deemed to again be available for Awards under the Plan; provided , however , that such shares shall not become available for issuance hereunder if either (i) the applicable shares are withheld or surrendered

 

10


following the termination of the Plan; or (ii) at the time the applicable shares are withheld or surrendered, it would constitute a material revision of the Plan subject to stockholder approval under any then-applicable rules of the national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed.

(d) Shares of Common Stock issued by the Company in settlement of Awards may be authorized and unissued shares, shares held in the treasury of the Company, shares purchased on the open market or by private purchase or a combination of the foregoing.

(e) Awards may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity directly or indirectly acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (“ Substitute Awards ”). Substitute Awards shall not be counted against the Absolute Share Limit; provided , that Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding options intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code shall be counted against the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. Subject to applicable stock exchange requirements, available shares under a stockholder-approved plan of an entity directly or indirectly acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (as appropriately adjusted to reflect the acquisition or combination transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan.

6. Eligibility . Participation in the Plan shall be limited to Eligible Persons.

7. Options .

(a) General . Each Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which agreement need not be the same for each Participant. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. All Options granted under the Plan shall be Nonqualified Stock Options unless the applicable Award Agreement expressly states that the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option. Incentive Stock Options shall be granted only to Eligible Persons who are employees of a member of the Company Group, and no Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any Eligible Person who is ineligible to receive an Incentive Stock Option under the Code. No Option shall be treated as an Incentive Stock Option unless the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company in a manner intended to comply with the stockholder approval requirements of Section 422(b)(1) of the Code, provided , that any Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall not fail to be effective solely on account of a failure to obtain such approval, but rather such Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option unless and until such approval is obtained. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the terms and conditions of such grant shall be subject to, and comply with, such rules as may be prescribed by Section 422 of the Code. If for any reason an Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option (or any portion thereof) shall not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent of such nonqualification, such Option or portion thereof shall be regarded as a Nonqualified Stock Option appropriately granted under the Plan.

 

11


(b) Exercise Price . Except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the case of Substitute Awards, the exercise price (“ Exercise Price ”) per share of Common Stock for each Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share (determined as of the Date of Grant); provided , however , that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an employee who, at the time of the grant of such Option, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of any member of the Company Group, the Exercise Price per share shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share on the Date of Grant.

(c) Vesting and Expiration .

(i) Options shall vest and become exercisable in such manner and on such date or dates or upon such event or events as determined by the Committee.

(ii) Options shall expire upon a date determined by the Committee, not to exceed ten (10) years from the Date of Grant (the “ Option Period ”); provided , that if the Option Period (other than in the case of an Incentive Stock Option) would expire at a time when trading in the shares of Common Stock is prohibited by the Company’s insider trading policy (or Company-imposed “blackout period”), then the Option Period shall be automatically extended until the thirtieth (30 th ) day following the expiration of such prohibition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Option Period exceed five (5) years from the Date of Grant in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who on the Date of Grant owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of any member of the Company Group.

(d) Method of Exercise and Form of Payment . No shares of Common Stock shall be issued pursuant to any exercise of an Option until payment in full of the Exercise Price therefor is received by the Company and the Participant has paid to the Company an amount equal to any federal, state, local and non-U.S. income, employment and any other applicable taxes required to be withheld. Options which have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company (or telephonic instructions to the extent provided by the Committee) in accordance with the terms of the Option accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price shall be payable: (i) in cash, check, cash equivalent and/or shares of Common Stock valued at the Fair Market Value at the time the Option is exercised (including, pursuant to procedures approved by the Committee, by means of attestation of ownership of a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock in lieu of actual issuance of such shares to the Company); provided , that such shares of Common Stock are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and have been held by the Participant for at least six (6) months (or such other period as established from time to time by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment applying generally accepted accounting principles (“ GAAP ”)); or (ii) by such other method as the Committee may permit, in its sole discretion, including, without limitation: (A) in other property having a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price; (B) if there is a public market for the shares of Common Stock at such time, by means of a broker-assisted “cashless exercise” pursuant to which the Company is delivered (including telephonically to the extent permitted by the Committee) a copy of irrevocable instructions to a stockbroker to sell the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon the exercise of the Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount

 

12


equal to the Exercise Price; or (C) a “net exercise” procedure effected by withholding the minimum number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable in respect of an Option that are needed to pay the Exercise Price. Any fractional shares of Common Stock shall be settled in cash.

(e) Notification upon Disqualifying Disposition of an Incentive Stock Option . Each Participant awarded an Incentive Stock Option under the Plan shall notify the Company in writing immediately after the date the Participant makes a disqualifying disposition of any Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Incentive Stock Option. A disqualifying disposition is any disposition (including, without limitation, any sale) of such Common Stock before the later of (i) the date that is two (2) years after the Date of Grant of the Incentive Stock Option, or (ii) the date that is one (1) year after the date of exercise of the Incentive Stock Option. The Company may, if determined by the Committee and in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, retain possession, as agent for the applicable Participant, of any Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option until the end of the period described in the preceding sentence, subject to complying with any instructions from such Participant as to the sale of such Common Stock.

(f) Compliance With Laws, etc . Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall a Participant be permitted to exercise an Option in a manner which the Committee determines would violate the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as it may be amended from time to time, or any other applicable law or the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or traded.

8. Stock Appreciation Rights .

(a) General . Each SAR granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each SAR so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 8, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. Any Option granted under the Plan may include tandem SARs. The Committee also may award SARs to Eligible Persons independent of any Option.

(b) Strike Price . Except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the case of Substitute Awards, the strike price (“ Strike Price ”) per share of Common Stock for each SAR shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share (determined as of the Date of Grant). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a SAR granted in tandem with (or in substitution for) an Option previously granted shall have a Strike Price equal to the Exercise Price of the corresponding Option.

(c) Vesting and Expiration .

(i) A SAR granted in connection with an Option shall become exercisable and shall expire according to the same vesting schedule and expiration provisions as the corresponding Option. A SAR granted independent of an Option shall vest and become exercisable in such manner and on such date or dates or upon such event or events as determined by the Committee.

(ii) SARs shall expire upon a date determined by the Committee, not to exceed ten (10) years from the Date of Grant (the “ SAR Period ”); provided , that if the SAR Period would expire at a time when trading in the shares of Common Stock is prohibited by the Company’s insider trading policy (or Company-imposed “blackout period”), then the SAR Period shall be automatically extended until the thirtieth (30 th ) day following the expiration of such prohibition.

 

13


(d) Method of Exercise . SARs which have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award, specifying the number of SARs to be exercised and the date on which such SARs were awarded.

(e) Payment . Upon the exercise of a SAR, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to the number of shares subject to the SAR that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Common Stock on the exercise date over the Strike Price, less an amount equal to any federal, state, local and non-U.S. income, employment and any other applicable taxes required to be withheld. The Company shall pay such amount in cash, in shares of Common Stock valued at Fair Market Value, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee. Any fractional shares of Common Stock shall be settled in cash.

9. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units .

(a) General . Each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 9, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.

(b) Stock Certificates and Book-Entry; Escrow or Similar Arrangement . Upon the grant of Restricted Stock, the Committee shall cause a stock certificate registered in the name of the Participant to be issued or shall cause share(s) of Common Stock to be registered in the name of the Participant and held in book-entry form subject to the Company’s directions and, if the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or in escrow rather than issued to the Participant pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to additionally execute and deliver to the Company (i) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable; and (ii) the appropriate stock power (endorsed in blank) with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant shall fail to execute and deliver (in a manner permitted under Section 16(a) of the Plan or as otherwise determined by the Committee) an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and blank stock power within the amount of time specified by the Committee, the Award shall be null and void. Subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 9 and the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to shares of Restricted Stock, including, without limitation, the right to vote such Restricted Stock; provided , that if the lapsing of restrictions with respect to any grant of Restricted Stock is contingent on satisfaction of performance conditions (other than, or in addition to, the passage of time), any dividends payable on such shares of Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company and delivered (without

 

14


interest) to the Participant within fifteen (15) days following the date on which the restrictions on such Restricted Stock lapse (and the right to any such accumulated dividends shall be forfeited upon the forfeiture of the Restricted Stock to which such dividends relate). To the extent shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited, any stock certificates issued to the Participant evidencing such shares shall be returned to the Company, and all rights of the Participant to such shares and as a stockholder with respect thereto shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company. A Participant shall have no rights or privileges as a stockholder as to Restricted Stock Units.

(c) Vesting . Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall vest, and any applicable Restricted Period shall lapse, in such manner and on such date or dates or upon such event or events as determined by the Committee.

(d) Issuance of Restricted Stock and Settlement of Restricted Stock Units .

(i) Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth in the applicable Award Agreement shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company shall issue to the Participant, or the Participant’s beneficiary, without charge, the stock certificate (or, if applicable, a notice evidencing a book-entry notation) evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock which have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired (rounded down to the nearest full share). Dividends, if any, that may have been withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value (on the date of distribution) equal to the amount of such dividends, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends.

(ii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement or otherwise, upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock Units, the Company shall issue to the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, without charge, one (1) share of Common Stock (or other securities or other property, as applicable) for each such outstanding Restricted Stock Unit; provided , however , that the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to (A) pay cash or part cash and part shares of Common Stock in lieu of issuing only shares of Common Stock in respect of such Restricted Stock Units; or (B) defer the issuance of shares of Common Stock (or cash or part cash and part shares of Common Stock, as the case may be) beyond the expiration of the Restricted Period if such extension would not cause adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code. If a cash payment is made in lieu of issuing shares of Common Stock in respect of such Restricted Stock Units, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock as of the date on which the Restricted Period lapsed with respect to such Restricted Stock Units. To the extent provided in an Award Agreement, the holder of outstanding Restricted Stock Units shall be entitled to be credited with dividend equivalent payments (upon the payment by the Company of dividends on shares of Common Stock) either in

 

15


cash or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends (and interest may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be credited on the amount of cash dividend equivalents at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee), which accumulated dividend equivalents (and interest thereon, if applicable) shall be payable at the same time as the underlying Restricted Stock Units are settled following the date on which the Restricted Period lapses with respect to such Restricted Stock Units, and, if such Restricted Stock Units are forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividend equivalent payments (or interest thereon, if applicable).

(e) Legends on Restricted Stock . Each certificate, if any, or book entry representing Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan, if any, shall bear a legend or book entry notation substantially in the form of the following, in addition to any other information the Company deems appropriate, until the lapse of all restrictions with respect to such shares of Common Stock:

TRANSFER OF THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY IS RESTRICTED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE INVITATION HOMES INC. 2017 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN AND A RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT BETWEEN INVITATION HOMES INC. AND PARTICIPANT. A COPY OF SUCH PLAN AND AWARD AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF INVITATION HOMES INC.

10. OP Units .

(a) General . Awards may be granted under the Plan in the form of undivided fractional limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership of one or more classes (“ OP Units ”) established pursuant to the Operating Partnership’s agreement of limited partnership, as amended from time to time. Awards of OP Units shall be valued by reference to, or otherwise determined by reference to or based on, shares of Common Stock. OP Units awarded under the Plan may be (i) convertible, exchangeable or redeemable for other limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership (including OP Units of a different class or series) or shares of Common Stock, or (ii) valued by reference to the book value, fair value or performance of the Operating Partnership. Awards of OP Units are intended to qualify as “profits interests” within the meaning of IRS Revenue Procedure 93-27, as clarified by IRS Revenue Procedure 2001-43, with respect to a Participant in the Plan who is rendering services to or for the benefit of the Operating Partnership, including its Subsidiaries.

(b) Share Calculations . For purposes of calculating the number of shares of Common Stock underlying an award of OP Units relative to the total number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, the Committee shall establish in good faith the maximum number of shares of Common Stock to which a Participant receiving such award of OP Units may be entitled upon fulfillment of all applicable conditions set forth in the relevant award documentation, including vesting conditions, partnership capital account allocations, value accretion factors, conversion ratios, exchange ratios and other similar criteria. If and when any such conditions are no longer capable of being met, in whole or in part, the

 

16


number of shares of Common Stock underlying such awards of OP Units shall be reduced accordingly by the Committee, and the number of shares of Common Stock shall be increased by one (1) share of Common Stock for each share so reduced. Awards of OP Units may be granted either alone or in addition to other awards granted under the Plan. The Committee shall determine: (i) the eligible Participants to whom, and the time or times at which, awards of OP Units shall be made; (ii) the number of OP Units to be awarded; (iii) the price, if any, to be paid by the Participant for the acquisition of such OP Units (which may be less than the fair value of the OP Unit); and (iv) the restrictions and conditions applicable to such award of OP Units. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship), computation of financial metrics and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives, with related length of the service period for vesting, minimum or maximum performance thresholds, measurement procedures and length of the performance period to be established by the Committee at the time of grant, in its sole discretion (or any other Performance Criteria). The Committee may allow awards of OP Units to be held through a limited partnership, or similar “look-through” entity, and the Committee may require such limited partnership or similar entity to impose restrictions on its partners or other beneficial owners that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 10.

(c) Dividends and Distributions . Notwithstanding Section 16(c), to the extent provided in an Award Agreement, the holder of OP Units shall be entitled to be credited with dividend or dividend equivalent payments upon the payment by the Company of dividends on shares of Common Stock or other distributions from the Operating Partnership in the form of, in the sole discretion of the Committee, cash, shares of Common Stock or limited partnership interests having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends (and interest may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be credited on the amount of cash dividend equivalents at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee), which accumulated dividend equivalents (and interest thereon, if applicable) shall be payable at the same time as the underlying OP Units are settled following the date on which the restrictions and conditions applicable to the award of such OP Units lapse, and if such OP Units are forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividend equivalent payments (or interest thereon, if applicable).

11. Other Equity-Based Awards . The Committee may grant Other Equity-Based Awards under the Plan to Eligible Persons, alone or in tandem with other Awards, in such amounts and dependent on such conditions as the Committee shall from time to time in its sole discretion determine. Each Other Equity-Based Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement and shall be subject to such conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement, including, without limitation, those set forth in Section 16(a) of the Plan.

12. Cash-Based Incentive Awards . The Committee may grant Cash-Based Incentive Awards under the Plan to any Eligible Person who is or that the Committee reasonably believes could be a “covered employee” under Section 162(m) of the Code. All Cash-Based Incentive Awards shall be designated Performance Compensation Awards, and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 13 hereof. Each Cash-Based Incentive Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced in such form as the Committee may determine from time to time.

 

17


13. Performance Compensation Awards .

(a) General . The Committee shall have the authority, at or before the time of grant of any Award, to designate such Award as a Performance Compensation Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if the Company determines that a Participant who has been granted an Award designated as a Performance Compensation Award is not (or is no longer) a “covered employee” (within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code), the terms and conditions of such Award may be modified without regard to any restrictions or limitations set forth in this Section 13 (but subject otherwise to the provisions of Section 15 of the Plan).

(b) Discretion of Committee with Respect to Performance Compensation Awards . With regard to a particular Performance Period, the Committee shall have sole discretion to select the length of such Performance Period, the type(s) of Performance Compensation Awards to be issued, the Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s), the kind(s) and/or level(s) of the Performance Goal(s) that is (are) to apply and the Performance Formula(e). Within the first ninety (90) days of a Performance Period (or, within any other maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, with regard to the Performance Compensation Awards to be issued for such Performance Period, exercise its discretion with respect to each of the matters enumerated in the immediately preceding sentence and record the same in writing.

(c) Performance Criteria . The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s) may be based on the attainment of specific levels of performance of the Company (and/or one or more members of the Company Group, divisions or operational and/or business units, product lines, brands, business segments, administrative departments, or any combination of the foregoing) and shall be limited to the following, which may be determined in accordance with GAAP or on a non-GAAP basis: (i) net earnings, net income (before or after taxes) or consolidated net income; (ii) basic or diluted earnings per share (before or after taxes); (iii) net revenue or net revenue growth; (iv) gross revenue or gross revenue growth, gross profit or gross profit growth; (v) net operating profit (before or after taxes); (vi) return measures (including, but not limited to, return on investment, assets, capital, employed capital, invested capital, equity, or sales); (vii) cash flow measures (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow, or cash flow return on capital), which may but are not required to be measured on a per share basis; (viii) actual or adjusted earnings before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization (including EBIT and EBITDA); (ix) gross or net operating margins (including, but not limited to, core NOI margin); (x) productivity ratios; (xi) share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total stockholder return); (xii) expense targets or cost reduction goals, general and administrative expense savings; (xiii) cost and expenditure measures (including, but not limited to, average capital expenditures per home, average gross cost to maintain a home, or average maintenance and turnover expense per home); (xiv) operating efficiency; (xv) funds from operations (including, but not limited to, Core FFO); (xvi) objective measures of customer/client/tenant satisfaction; (xvii) working capital targets; (xviii) measures of economic value added or other ‘value creation’ metrics; (xix) enterprise value; (xx) sales; (xxi) stockholder return; (xxii) lease performance measures (including, but not limited to, average monthly rent, or measures of new and renewal lease

 

18


spreads such as net effective rental rate growth); (xxiii) occupancy measures (including, but not limited to, average occupancy, or retention of existing customers/clients/tenants); (xiv) competitive market metrics; (xv) employee retention; (xvi) objective measures of personal targets, goals or completion of projects (including but not limited to succession and hiring projects, completion of specific acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations or other corporate transactions or capital-raising transactions, expansions of specific business operations and meeting divisional or project budgets); (xxvii) comparisons of continuing operations to other operations; (xxviii) market share; (xxix) cost of capital, debt leverage year-end cash position or book value; (xxx) strategic objectives; or (xxxi) any combination of the foregoing. Any one or more of the Performance Criteria may be stated as a percentage of another Performance Criteria, or used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of the Company and/or one or more members of the Company Group as a whole or any divisions or operational and/or business units, product lines, brands, business segments or administrative departments of the Company and/or one or more members of the Company Group or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate, or any of the above Performance Criteria may be compared to the performance of a selected group of comparison companies, or a published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or as compared to various stock market indices. The Committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Award based on the achievement of Performance Goals pursuant to the Performance Criteria specified in this paragraph. To the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall, within the first ninety (90) days of a Performance Period (or, within any other maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period.

(d) Modification of Performance Goal(s) . In the event that applicable tax and/or securities laws change to permit Committee discretion to alter the governing Performance Criteria without obtaining stockholder approval of such alterations, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make such alterations without obtaining stockholder approval. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time a Performance Compensation Award is granted, the Committee shall, during the first ninety (90) days of a Performance Period (or, within any other maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), or at any time thereafter to the extent the exercise of such authority at such time would not cause the Performance Compensation Awards granted to any Participant for such Performance Period to fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, specify adjustments or modifications to be made to the calculation of a Performance Goal for such Performance Period, based on and in order to appropriately reflect the following events: (i) asset write-downs; (ii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements; (iii) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or regulatory rules affecting reported results; (iv) any reorganization and restructuring programs; (v) acquisitions or divestitures; (vi) any other specific, unusual or nonrecurring events, or objectively determinable category thereof; (vii) foreign exchange gains and losses; (viii) discontinued operations and nonrecurring charges; and (ix) a change in the Company’s fiscal year.

 

19


(e) Payment of Performance Compensation Awards .

(i) Condition to Receipt of Payment . Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee, a Participant must be employed by the Company on the last day of a Performance Period to be eligible for payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award for such Performance Period.

(ii) Limitation . Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee, a Participant shall be eligible to receive payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award only to the extent that (A) the Performance Goals for such period are achieved, and (B) all or some portion of such Participant’s Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period based on the application of the Performance Formula to such achieved Performance Goals.

(iii) Certification . Following the completion of a Performance Period, the Committee shall review and certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Period have been achieved and, if so, calculate and certify in writing that amount of the Performance Compensation Awards earned for the period based upon the Performance Formula. The Committee shall then determine the amount of each Participant’s Performance Compensation Award actually payable for the Performance Period and, in so doing, may apply Negative Discretion, to the extent applicable.

(iv) Use of Negative Discretion . In determining the actual amount of an individual Participant’s Performance Compensation Award for a Performance Period, if such Performance Compensation Award is a Cash-Based Incentive Award, the Committee may reduce or eliminate the amount of such Performance Compensation Award earned under the Performance Formula in the Performance Period through the use of Negative Discretion. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee, the Committee shall not have the discretion to (A) grant or provide payment in respect of Performance Compensation Awards for a Performance Period if the Performance Goals for such Performance Period have not been attained, or (B) increase a Performance Compensation Award above the applicable limitations set forth in Section 5 of the Plan.

(f) Timing of Award Payments . Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee, Performance Compensation Awards granted for a Performance Period shall be paid to Participants as soon as administratively practicable following completion of the certifications required by this Section 13. Any Performance Compensation Award that has been deferred shall not (between the date as of which the Award is deferred and the payment date) increase (i) with respect to a Performance Compensation Award that is a Cash-Based Incentive Award, by a measuring factor for each fiscal year greater than a reasonable rate of interest set by the Committee; or (ii) with respect to a Performance Compensation Award that is payable in shares of Common Stock, by an amount greater than the appreciation of a share of Common Stock from the date such Award is deferred to the payment date. Any Performance Compensation Award that is deferred and is otherwise payable in shares of Common Stock shall be credited (during the period between the date as of which the Award is deferred and the payment date) with dividend equivalents (in a manner consistent with the methodology set forth in the last sentence of Section 9(d)(ii) of the Plan).

 

20


14. Changes in Capital Structure and Similar Events . Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan to the contrary, the following provisions shall apply to all Awards granted hereunder (other than Cash-Based Incentive Awards):

(a) General . In the event of (i) any dividend (other than regular cash dividends) or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event that affects the shares of Common Stock (including a Change in Control); or (ii) unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, including changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements, that the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, could result in substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights intended to be granted to, or available for, Participants (any event in (i) or (ii), an “ Adjustment Event ”), the Committee shall, in respect of any such Adjustment Event, make such proportionate substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems equitable, to any or all of (A) the Absolute Share Limit, or any other limit applicable under the Plan with respect to the number of Awards which may be granted hereunder; (B) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) which may be issued in respect of Awards or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan or any Sub-Plan; and (C) the terms of any outstanding Award, including, without limitation, (I) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate; (II) the Exercise Price or Strike Price with respect to any Award; or (III) any applicable performance measures (including, without limitation, Performance Criteria and Performance Goals); provided , that in the case of any “equity restructuring” (within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor pronouncement thereto)), the Committee shall make an equitable or proportionate adjustment to outstanding Awards to reflect such equity restructuring.

(b) Change in Control . Without limiting the foregoing, in connection with any Change in Control, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for any one or more of the following:

(i) substitution or assumption of Awards, acceleration of the vesting of, exercisability of, lapse of restrictions on, or termination of, Awards, or, with respect to Awards subject to exercise, establishment of a period of time (which shall not be required to be more than ten (10) days) for Participants to exercise such outstanding Awards prior to the occurrence of such event (and any such Award not so exercised shall terminate upon such Change in Control); and

(ii) cancellation of any one or more outstanding Awards and payment to the holders of such Awards that are vested as of such cancellation (including, without

 

21


limitation, any Awards that would vest as a result of the occurrence of such event but for such cancellation or for which vesting is accelerated by the Committee in connection with such event pursuant to clause (i) above), the value of such Awards, if any, as determined by the Committee (which value, if applicable, may be based upon the price per share of Common Stock received or to be received by other stockholders of the Company in such event), including, without limitation, in the case of an outstanding Option or SAR, a cash payment in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Option or SAR over the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price of such Option or SAR (it being understood that, in such event, any Option or SAR having a per share Exercise Price or Strike Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock subject thereto may be canceled and terminated without any payment or consideration therefor).

For purposes of clause (i) above, an award will be considered granted in substitution of an Award if it has an equivalent value (as determined consistent with clause (ii) above) with the original Award, whether designated in securities of the acquiror in such Change in Control transaction (or an Affiliate thereof), or in cash or other property (including in the same consideration that other stockholders of the Company receive in connection with such Change in Control transaction), and retains the vesting schedule applicable to the original Award.

Payments to holders pursuant to clause (ii) above shall be made in cash or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in the form of such other consideration necessary for a Participant to receive property, cash, or securities (or combination thereof) as such Participant would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the transaction if the Participant had been, immediately prior to such transaction, the holder of the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Award at such time (less any applicable Exercise Price or Strike Price).

(c) Internal Reorganization . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) no payments or benefits or acceleration of payments, benefits or vesting will become payable or accelerated, as applicable, hereunder or under any Award Agreement or be triggered for any purpose in the event of any internal reorganization (whether by merger, consolidation, reorganization, combination, contribution, distribution, asset transfer or otherwise) or restructuring involving the Company or any of its Affiliates, including any such reorganization or restructuring pursuant to a merger or other combination involving the Company in which an Affiliate of the Company survives or succeeds as a publicly-traded entity (including, without limitation, by virtue of a triangular merger structure) and/or any such reorganization or restructuring undertaken in connection with implementation of an umbrella partnership REIT or downREIT structure (an “ Internal Reorganization ”), (ii) in connection with any Internal Reorganization, the Committee shall have the authority to transfer and assign the Plan and all related agreements, including Award Agreements, to a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company as part of such Internal Reorganization, subject to compliance with applicable law, and (iii) if any Internal Reorganization results in a transfer of a Participant’s service from the Company to one of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries, such a transfer shall not be considered or interpreted as a termination of employment or separation from service under any other similar provision that addresses an involuntary termination of employment or service.

 

22


(d) Other Requirements . Prior to any payment or adjustment contemplated under this Section 14, the Committee may require a Participant to (i) represent and warrant as to the unencumbered title to the Participant’s Awards; (ii) bear such Participant’s pro rata share of any post-closing indemnity obligations, and be subject to the same post-closing purchase price adjustments, escrow terms, offset rights, holdback terms, and similar conditions as the other holders of Common Stock, subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code; and (iii) deliver customary transfer documentation as reasonably determined by the Committee.

(e) Fractional Shares . Any adjustment provided under this Section 14 may provide for the elimination of any fractional share that might otherwise become subject to an Award.

(f) Binding Effect . Any adjustment, substitution, determination of value or other action taken by the Committee under this Section 14 shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

15. Amendments and Termination .

(a) Amendment and Termination of the Plan . The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided , that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination shall be made without stockholder approval if (i) such approval is necessary to comply with any regulatory requirement applicable to the Plan (including, without limitation, as necessary to comply with any rules or regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company may be listed or quoted) or for changes in GAAP to new accounting standards; (ii) it would materially increase the number of securities which may be issued under the Plan (except for increases pursuant to Section 5 or 14 of the Plan); or (iii) it would materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan; provided , further , that any such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant, holder or beneficiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment shall be made to the Section 15(c) of the Plan without stockholder approval.

(b) Amendment of Award Agreements . The Committee may, to the extent consistent with the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any Award theretofore granted or the associated Award Agreement, prospectively or retroactively (including after a Participant’s Termination); provided , that, other than pursuant to Section 14, any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant with respect to any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant.

(c) No Repricing . Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, without stockholder approval, except as otherwise permitted under Section 14 of the Plan, (i) no amendment or modification may reduce the Exercise Price of any Option or the Strike Price of

 

23


any SAR; (ii) the Committee may not cancel any outstanding Option or SAR and replace it with a new Option or SAR (with a lower Exercise Price or Strike Price, as the case may be) or other Award or cash payment that is greater than the intrinsic value (if any) of the cancelled Option or SAR; and (iii) the Committee may not take any other action which is considered a “repricing” for purposes of the stockholder approval rules of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or quoted.

16. General .

(a) Award Agreements . Each Award (other than a Cash-Based Incentive Award) under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant to whom such Award was granted and shall specify the terms and conditions of the Award and any rules applicable thereto, including, without limitation, the effect on such Award of the death, Disability or Termination of a Participant, or of such other events as may be determined by the Committee. For purposes of the Plan, an Award Agreement may be in any such form (written or electronic) as determined by the Committee (including, without limitation, a Board or Committee resolution, an employment agreement, a notice, a certificate or a letter) evidencing the Award. The Committee need not require an Award Agreement to be signed by the Participant or a duly authorized representative of the Company.

(b) Nontransferability .

(i) Each Award shall be exercisable only by such Participant to whom such Award was granted during the Participant’s lifetime, or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s legal guardian or representative. No Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant (unless such transfer is specifically required pursuant to a domestic relations order or by applicable law) other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against any member of the Company Group; provided , that the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance.

(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit Awards (other than Incentive Stock Options) to be transferred by a Participant, without consideration, subject to such rules as the Committee may adopt consistent with any applicable Award Agreement to preserve the purposes of the Plan, to (A) any person who is a “family member” of the Participant, as such term is used in the instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act or any successor form of registration statement promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (collectively, the “ Immediate Family Members ”); (B) a trust solely for the benefit of the Participant and the Participant’s Immediate Family Members; (C) a partnership or limited liability company whose only partners or stockholders are the Participant and the Participant’s Immediate Family Members; or (D) a beneficiary to whom donations are eligible to be treated as “charitable contributions” for federal income tax purposes (each transferee described in clauses (A), (B), (C) and (D) above is hereinafter referred to as a “ Permitted Transferee ”); provided , that the Participant gives the Committee advance written notice

 

24


describing the terms and conditions of the proposed transfer and the Committee notifies the Participant in writing that such a transfer would comply with the requirements of the Plan.

(iii) The terms of any Award transferred in accordance with clause (ii) above shall apply to the Permitted Transferee and any reference in the Plan, or in any applicable Award Agreement, to a Participant shall be deemed to refer to the Permitted Transferee, except that (A) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to transfer any Award, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; (B) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to exercise any transferred Option unless there shall be in effect a registration statement on an appropriate form covering the shares of Common Stock to be acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Option if the Committee determines, consistent with any applicable Award Agreement, that such a registration statement is necessary or appropriate; (C) neither the Committee nor the Company shall be required to provide any notice to a Permitted Transferee, whether or not such notice is or would otherwise have been required to be given to the Participant under the Plan or otherwise; and (D) the consequences of a Participant’s Termination under the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement shall continue to be applied with respect to the Participant, including, without limitation, that an Option shall be exercisable by the Permitted Transferee only to the extent, and for the periods, specified in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

(c) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents . The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide a Participant as part of an Award with dividends, dividend equivalents, or similar payments in respect of Awards, payable in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property, on a current or deferred basis, on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, payment directly to the Participant, withholding of such amounts by the Company subject to vesting of the Award or reinvestment in additional shares of Common Stock, Restricted Stock or other Awards; provided , that no dividends, dividend equivalents or other similar payments shall be payable in respect of outstanding (i) Options or SARs, or (ii) unearned Performance Compensation Awards or other unearned Awards subject to performance conditions (other than, or in addition to, the passage of time) (although dividends, dividend equivalents or other similar payments may be accumulated in respect of unearned Awards and paid within fifteen (15) days after such Awards are earned and become payable or distributable).

(d) Tax Withholding .

(i) A Participant shall be required to pay to the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, an amount in cash (by check or wire transfer) equal to the aggregate amount of any income, employment and/or other applicable taxes that are statutorily required to be withheld in respect of an Award. Alternatively, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may elect, in its sole discretion, to satisfy this requirement by withholding such amount from any cash compensation or other cash amounts owing to a Participant.

 

25


(ii) Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may (but is not obligated to), in its sole discretion, permit or require a Participant to satisfy, all or any portion of the minimum income, employment and/or other applicable taxes that are statutorily required to be withheld with respect to an Award by (A) the delivery of shares of Common Stock (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest) that have been both held by the Participant and vested for at least six (6) months (or such other period as established from time to time by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment under applicable accounting standards) having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such minimum statutorily required withholding liability (or portion thereof); or (B) having the Company withhold from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable to, or that would otherwise be retained by, the Participant upon the grant, exercise, vesting or settlement of the Award, as applicable, a number of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to an amount, subject to clause (iii) below, not in excess of such minimum statutorily required withholding liability (or portion thereof).

(iii) The Committee, subject to its having considered the applicable accounting impact of any such determination, has full discretion to allow Participants to satisfy, in whole or in part, any additional income, employment and/or other applicable taxes payable by them with respect to an Award by electing to have the Company withhold from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable to, or that would otherwise be retained by, a Participant upon the grant, exercise, vesting or settlement of the Award, as applicable, shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value that is greater than the applicable minimum required statutory withholding liability (but such withholding may in no event be in excess of the maximum statutory withholding amount(s) in a Participant s relevant tax jurisdictions).

(e) Data Protection . By participating in the Plan or accepting any rights granted under it, each Participant consents to the collection and processing of personal data relating to the Participant so that the Company and its Affiliates can fulfill their obligations and exercise their rights under the Plan and generally administer and manage the Plan. This data will include, but may not be limited to, data about participation in the Plan and shares offered or received, purchased, or sold under the Plan from time to time and other appropriate financial and other data (such as the date on which the Awards were granted) about the Participant and the Participant’s participation in the Plan.

(f) No Claim to Awards; No Rights to Continued Employment; Waiver . No employee of any member of the Company Group, or other Person, shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under the Plan or, having been selected for the grant of an Award, to be selected for a grant of any other Award. There is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committee’s determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any Participant any right to be retained in the employ or service of the Service Recipient or any other member of the Company Group, nor shall it be construed as giving any Participant any rights to continued service on the Board. The Service Recipient or

 

26


any other member of the Company Group may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or discontinue any consulting relationship, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or any Award Agreement. By accepting an Award under the Plan, a Participant shall thereby be deemed to have waived any claim to continued exercise or vesting of an Award or to damages or severance entitlement related to non-continuation of the Award beyond the period provided under the Plan or any Award Agreement, except to the extent of any provision to the contrary in any written employment contract or other agreement between the Service Recipient and/or any member of the Company Group and the Participant, whether any such agreement is executed before, on or after the Date of Grant.

(g) International Participants . With respect to Participants who reside or work outside of the United States of America and who are not (and who are not expected to be) “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend the terms of the Plan and create or amend Sub-Plans or amend outstanding Awards with respect to such Participants in order to conform such terms with the requirements of local law or to obtain more favorable tax or other treatment for a Participant or any member of the Company Group.

(h) Designation and Change of Beneficiary . Each Participant may file with the Committee a written designation of one or more Persons as the beneficiary(ies) who shall be entitled to receive the amounts payable with respect to an Award, if any, due under the Plan upon the Participant’s death. A Participant may, from time to time, revoke or change the Participant’s beneficiary designation without the consent of any prior beneficiary by filing a new designation with the Committee. The last such designation received by the Committee shall be controlling; provided , however , that no designation, or change or revocation thereof, shall be effective unless received by the Committee prior to the Participant’s death, and in no event shall it be effective as of a date prior to such receipt. If no beneficiary designation is filed by a Participant, the beneficiary shall be deemed to be the Participant’s spouse or, if the Participant is unmarried at the time of death, the Participant’s estate.

(i) Termination . Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, unless determined otherwise by the Committee at any point following such event: (i) neither a temporary absence from employment or service due to illness, vacation or leave of absence (including, without limitation, a call to active duty for military service through a Reserve or National Guard unit) nor a transfer from employment or service with one Service Recipient to employment or service with another Service Recipient (or vice-versa) shall be considered a Termination; and (ii) if a Participant undergoes a Termination of employment, but such Participant continues to provide services to the Company Group in a non-employee capacity, such change in status shall not be considered a Termination for purposes of the Plan. Further, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event that any Service Recipient ceases to be a member of the Company Group (by reason of sale, divestiture, spin-off or other similar transaction), unless a Participant’s employment or service is transferred to another entity that would constitute a Service Recipient immediately following such transaction, such Participant shall be deemed to have suffered a Termination hereunder as of the date of the consummation of such transaction.

 

27


(j) No Rights as a Stockholder . Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan or any Award Agreement, no Person shall be entitled to the privileges of ownership in respect of shares of Common Stock which are subject to Awards hereunder until such shares have been issued or delivered to such Person.

(k) Government and Other Regulations .

(i) The obligation of the Company to settle Awards in shares of Common Stock or other consideration shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by governmental agencies as may be required. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions of any Award to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to offer to sell or to sell, and shall be prohibited from offering to sell or selling, any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award unless such shares have been properly registered for sale pursuant to the Securities Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission or unless the Company has received an opinion of counsel (if the Company has requested such an opinion), satisfactory to the Company, that such shares may be offered or sold without such registration pursuant to an available exemption therefrom and the terms and conditions of such exemption have been fully complied with. The Company shall be under no obligation to register for sale under the Securities Act any of the shares of Common Stock to be offered or sold under the Plan. The Committee shall have the authority to provide that all shares of Common Stock or other securities of any member of the Company Group issued under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan, the applicable Award Agreement, the Federal securities laws, or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or quoted and any other applicable Federal, state, local or non-U.S. laws, rules, regulations and other requirements, and, without limiting the generality of Section 9 of the Plan, the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on certificates representing shares of Common Stock or other securities of any member of the Company Group issued under the Plan to make appropriate reference to such restrictions or may cause such Common Stock or other securities of any member of the Company Group issued under the Plan in book-entry form to be held subject to the Company’s instructions or subject to appropriate stop-transfer orders. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee reserves the right to add any additional terms or provisions to any Award granted under the Plan that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable in order that such Award complies with the legal requirements of any governmental entity to whose jurisdiction the Award is subject.

(ii) The Committee may cancel an Award or any portion thereof if it determines, in its sole discretion, that legal or contractual restrictions and/or blockage and/or other market considerations would make the Company’s acquisition of shares of Common Stock from the public markets, the Company’s issuance of Common Stock to the Participant, the Participant’s acquisition of Common Stock from the Company and/or the Participant’s sale of Common Stock to the public markets, illegal, impracticable or inadvisable. If the Committee determines to cancel all or any portion of an Award in

 

28


accordance with the foregoing, the Company shall, subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, (A) pay to the Participant an amount equal to the excess of (I) the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Award or portion thereof canceled (determined as of the applicable exercise date, or the date that the shares would have been vested or issued, as applicable) over (II) the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price (in the case of an Option or SAR, respectively) or any amount payable as a condition of issuance of shares of Common Stock (in the case of any other Award). Such amount shall be delivered to the Participant as soon as practicable following the cancellation of such Award or portion thereof; or (B) in the case of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Equity-Based Awards, provide the Participant with a cash payment or equity subject to deferred vesting and delivery consistent with the vesting restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Equity-Based Awards, or the underlying shares in respect thereof.

(l) No Section 83(b) Elections Without Consent of Company . Except with respect to OP Units, no election under Section 83(b) of the Code or under a similar provision of law may be made unless expressly permitted by the terms of the applicable Award Agreement or by action of the Committee in writing prior to the making of such election. If a Participant, in connection with the acquisition of shares of Common Stock or OP Units under the Plan or otherwise, is expressly permitted to make such election and the Participant makes the election, the Participant shall notify the Company of such election within ten (10) days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service or other governmental authority, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code or other applicable provision.

(m) Payments to Persons Other Than Participants . If the Committee shall find that any Person to whom any amount is payable under the Plan is unable to care for the Participant’s affairs because of illness or accident, or is a minor, or has died, then any payment due to such Person or the Participant’s estate (unless a prior claim therefor has been made by a duly appointed legal representative) may, if the Committee so directs the Company, be paid to the Participant’s spouse, child, relative, an institution maintaining or having custody of such Person, or any other Person deemed by the Committee to be a proper recipient on behalf of such Person otherwise entitled to payment. Any such payment shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Committee and the Company therefor.

(n) Nonexclusivity of the Plan . Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor the submission of the Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of equity-based awards otherwise than under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.

(o) No Trust or Fund Created . Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between any member of the Company Group, on the one hand, and a Participant or other Person, on the other hand. No provision of the Plan or any Award shall require the Company, for the purpose of

 

29


satisfying any obligations under the Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or other entity to which contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor shall the Company be obligated to maintain separate bank accounts, books, records or other evidence of the existence of a segregated or separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes. Participants shall have no rights under the Plan other than as unsecured general creditors of the Company, except that insofar as they may have become entitled to payment of additional compensation by performance of services, they shall have the same rights as other service providers under general law.

(p) Reliance on Reports . Each member of the Committee and each member of the Board shall be fully justified in acting or failing to act, as the case may be, and shall not be liable for having so acted or failed to act in good faith, in reliance upon any report made by the independent public accountant of any member of the Company Group and/or any other information furnished in connection with the Plan by any agent of the Company or the Committee or the Board, other than himself or herself.

(q) Relationship to Other Benefits . No payment under the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, profit sharing, group insurance or other benefit plan of the Company except as otherwise specifically provided in such other plan or as required by applicable law.

(r) Governing Law . The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Maryland applicable to contracts made and performed wholly within the State of Maryland, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof. EACH PARTICIPANT WHO ACCEPTS AN AWARD IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR OTHER PROCEEDING INSTITUTED BY OR AGAINST SUCH PARTICIPANT IN RESPECT OF THE PARTICIPANT’S RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER

(s) Severability . If any provision of the Plan or any Award or Award Agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be construed or deemed stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

(t) Obligations Binding on Successors . The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to substantially all of the assets and business of the Company (or as otherwise contemplated in connection with any Internal Reorganization).

 

30


(u) Section 409A of the Code .

(i) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, it is intended that the provisions of the Plan comply with Section 409A of the Code, and all provisions of the Plan shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. Each Participant is solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on or in respect of such Participant in connection with the Plan (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code), and neither the Service Recipient nor any other member of the Company Group shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold such Participant (or any beneficiary) harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties. With respect to any Award that is considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, references in the Plan to “termination of employment” (and substantially similar phrases) shall mean “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, each of the payments that may be made in respect of any Award granted under the Plan is designated as separate payments.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if a Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, no payments in respect of any Awards that are “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code and which would otherwise be payable upon the Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) shall be made to such Participant prior to the date that is six (6) months after the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death. Following any applicable six (6) month delay, all such delayed payments will be paid in a single lump sum on the earliest date permitted under Section 409A of the Code that is also a business day.

(iii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement or otherwise, in the event that the timing of payments in respect of any Award (that would otherwise be considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code) would be accelerated upon the occurrence of (A) a Change in Control, no such acceleration shall be permitted unless the event giving rise to the Change in Control satisfies the definition of a change in the ownership or effective control of a corporation, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a corporation pursuant to Section 409A of the Code; or (B) a Disability, no such acceleration shall be permitted unless the Disability also satisfies the definition of “Disability” pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.

(v) Clawback/Repayment . All Awards shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment to the extent necessary to comply with (i) any clawback, forfeiture or other similar policy adopted by the Board or the Committee and as in effect from time to time; and (ii) applicable law. Further, to the extent that the Participant receives any amount in excess of the amount that the Participant should otherwise have received under the terms of the Award for any reason (including, without limitation, by reason of a financial restatement, mistake in calculations or other administrative error), the Participant shall be required to repay any such excess amount to the Company.

 

31


(w) Detrimental Activity . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if a Participant has engaged in any Detrimental Activity, as determined by the Committee, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for one or more of the following:

(i) cancellation of any or all of such Participant’s outstanding Awards; or

(ii) forfeiture by the Participant of any gain realized on the vesting or exercise of Awards, and to repay any such gain to promptly to the Company.

(x) Right of Offset . The Company will have the right to offset against its obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock (or other property or cash) under the Plan or any Award Agreement any outstanding amounts (including, without limitation, travel and entertainment or advance account balances, loans, repayment obligations under any Awards, or amounts repayable to the Company pursuant to tax equalization, housing, automobile or other employee programs) that the Participant then owes to any member of the Company Group and any amounts the Committee otherwise deems appropriate pursuant to any tax equalization policy or agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Award is “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Committee will have no right to offset against its obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock (or other property or cash) under the Plan or any Award Agreement if such offset could subject the Participant to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A of the Code in respect of an outstanding Award.

(y) Expenses; Titles and Headings . The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company Group. The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.

 

32