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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 31, 2018

Securities Act File No. 333-226149

Investment Company Act File No. 811-22546

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-14

 

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
     Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
    Post-Effective Amendment No.       

 

 

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, New York 10018

(Address of Principal Executive Offices: Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code)

1-888-777-0102

(Area Code and Telephone Number)

Jane Trust

Legg Mason & Co., LLC

100 International Drive

Baltimore, MD 21202

(Name and Address of Agent for Services)

 

 

with copies to:

 

Sarah E. Cogan, Esq.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
  Robert I. Frenkel, Esq.
Legg Mason & Co., LLC
100 First Stamford Place
Stamford, Connecticut 06902

 

 

Calculation of Registration Fee under the Securities Act of 1933:

 

 

Title of Securities Being Registered   Amount Being
Registered(1)
  Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
per Unit(1)
  Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price(1)
  Amount of
Registration Fee

Common Stock ($.001 par value)

  42,750,000   $12.50   $534,375,000   $66,529.69(2)

 

 

(1)

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.

 

(2)

$58,650.71 previously paid in connection with the registration of 41,000,000 worth of common stock on July 12, 2018.

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission acting pursuant to said section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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CLEARBRIDGE AMERICAN ENERGY MLP FUND INC.

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, New York 10018

    , 2018

Dear Stockholder:

A Joint Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) of ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc. (“CBA”) and ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. (“EMO” and together with CBA, the “Funds”) will be held at 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York, on November 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, for the purposes of considering and voting upon a proposal (the “Proposal”) to approve the merger of CBA with and into EMO in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “Merger”).

The attached Proxy Statement/Prospectus asks for your approval of the proposal. After careful consideration, the Board of each Fund recommends that you vote “FOR” the Proposal.

As a result of the Merger, each share of common stock of CBA would convert into an equivalent dollar amount (to the nearest $0.001) of full shares of common stock of EMO, based on the net asset value of each Fund on the date preceding the Merger. EMO will not issue fractional shares to CBA stockholders. In lieu of issuing fractional shares, EMO will pay cash to each former holder of CBA common stock in an amount equal to the value of the fractional shares of EMO common stock that the investor would otherwise have received in the Merger. The currently issued and outstanding common stock of EMO will remain issued and outstanding.

In addition, EMO would issue and deliver to CBA for distribution to holders of CBA MRPS the same number of newly issued shares of Series D, E, F and G mandatory redeemable preferred stock (“MRPS,” “Preferred Shares” or “Preferred Stock”) as that number of shares of CBA’s Series A, B, C and D MRPS issued and outstanding immediately before the date of the Merger, with terms identical to the terms of CBA’s Series A, B, C, and D MRPS. The aggregate liquidation preference of EMO MRPS to be distributed to the holders of CBA in the event of liquidation of EMO would equal the aggregate liquidation preference of CBA MRPS held immediately before the date of the Merger. The newly issued EMO MRPS would have equal priority with any other outstanding EMO MRPS as to the payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of EMO. The accrual for CBA MRPS with respect to any accrued and unpaid dividends as of the date of the Merger would be assumed by EMO and would apply and be payable on an equivalent share-for-share basis and on the same dividend payment schedule.

Both CBA and EMO are closed-end, diversified management investment companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange. CBA’s investment objective is to provide a high level of total return, with an equal emphasis on current distributions and capital appreciation. Similarly, EMO’s investment objective is to provide long-term investors a high level of total return with an emphasis on cash distributions. A more detailed comparison of the Funds’ investment objectives and policies appears in the attached Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The current investment objectives of EMO will continue unchanged if the Merger occurs.

The Board believes that the Merger is in the best interests of both CBA stockholders and EMO stockholders. There are no material differences between CBA’s and EMO’s investment objectives, policies and strategies, which will allow CBA stockholders to continue to have exposure to a high level of total return. Moreover, the combined Fund will likely benefit from economies of scale, as one set of fixed expenses would be spread over a larger asset base, as well as from enhanced market liquidity and additional opportunities for diversification. Furthermore, the Merger will result in a more streamlined product offering, allowing for more focused marketing and stockholder servicing efforts. No material portfolio turnover is expected as a result of the Merger.

Your vote is very important to us regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting in person, please read the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and cast your vote promptly. To vote, simply date, sign and return the proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope or follow the instructions on the proxy card for voting by touch-tone telephone or on the Internet.

If you have any questions about the proposal to be voted on, please call Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. at 1-855-723-7819 or Legg Mason & Co., LLC at 1-888-777-0102.

It is important that your vote be received no later than the time of the Meeting.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Jane Trust

President and Chief Executive Officer

ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc.

ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.


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CLEARBRIDGE AMERICAN ENERGY MLP FUND INC.

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

 

 

IMPORTANT NEWS FOR STOCKHOLDERS

 

 

The enclosed combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus describes a proposal to merge ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc. (“CBA”) with and into ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. (“EMO,” and together with CBA, the “Funds”) in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “Merger”).

While we encourage you to read the full text of the enclosed combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus, here is a brief overview of the proposals. Please refer to the more complete information contained elsewhere in the combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus about the proposal.

 

 

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER

 

  Q.

Why am I receiving the Proxy Statement/Prospectus?

A.    As a stockholder of either CBA or EMO, you are being asked to vote in favor of a proposal to merge CBA with and into EMO in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “Proposal”). If approved, this Proposal will be implemented concurrently with an amendment to EMO’s name and 80% policy that is further described below.

 

  Q.

How will the Merger affect me?

A.    If the Merger is approved, CBA will be merged with and into EMO in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law. CBA’s assets and liabilities will be combined with the assets and liabilities of EMO, and stockholders of CBA will become stockholders of EMO.

 

  Q.

What will happen to the stock of CBA and/or EMO that I currently own as a result of the Merger?

A.    As a result of the Merger, each share of common stock of CBA would convert into an equivalent dollar amount (to the nearest $0.001) of full shares of common stock of EMO, based on the net asset value of each Fund on the date preceding the Merger. EMO will not issue fractional shares to CBA stockholders. In lieu of issuing fractional shares, EMO will pay cash to each former CBA stockholder in an amount equal to the value of the fractional shares of EMO common stock that the investor would otherwise have received in the Merger. The currently issued and outstanding shares of EMO common stock will remain issued and outstanding. Stockholders of EMO will be stockholders in a larger fund.

In addition, EMO would issue and deliver to CBA for distribution to holders of CBA MRPS the same number of newly issued shares of Series D, E, F and G MRPS as that number of shares of CBA’s Series A, B, C and D MRPS issued and outstanding immediately before the date of the Merger, with terms identical to the terms of CBA’s existing Series A, B, C and D MRPS. The aggregate liquidation preference of EMO MRPS to be distributed to the holders of CBA MRPS in the event of liquidation of EMO would equal the aggregate liquidation preference of CBA MRPS held immediately before the date of the Merger. The newly issued EMO MRPS would have equal priority with any other outstanding EMO MRPS as to the payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of EMO. Any accrued and unpaid dividends on the CBA MRPS as of date of the Merger would be assumed by EMO and would apply and be payable on an equivalent share-for-share basis and on the same dividend payment schedule.

Upon the consummation of the Merger, all shares of CBA common stock and MRPS shall cease to be outstanding, shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and the holders of certificates or book entry shares which, immediately prior to the effective date of the Merger, represented such shares of CBA common stock and/or MRPS, as the case may be, shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the consideration described above.

 

  Q.

What are the benefits of the Merger?

A.    The Board of Directors of each Fund believes that the Merger is in the best interests of both CBA stockholders and EMO stockholders. There are no material differences between CBA’s and EMO’s investment objectives, policies and


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strategies, which will allow CBA stockholders to continue to have exposure to total return. In addition, after careful consideration, the Board of Directors for CBA and EMO believe that the Merger will benefit the stockholders of each Fund for the following reasons:

 

   

Cost savings through elimination of duplicative expenses and greater economies of scale

It is anticipated that the combined company would have a lower expense level with estimated aggregate cost savings of approximately $646,000 annually, the majority of which is expected to be attributable to reduced operating costs. The following table shows the expenses of each Fund and on a pro forma basis on May 31, 2018.

 

     CBA     EMO     Pro Forma
Combined Fund
 

Management Fees (% of Net Assets)

     1.47     1.49     1.48

Other Expenses (% of Net Assets)

     0.27     0.31     0.20

Sub-Total Expenses (% of Net Assets)

     1.74     1.80     1.68

Interest/Leverage

     1.81     1.73     1.78

Total Expenses (% of Net Assets)

     3.55     3.53     3.46

 

   

Larger Asset Base of the Combined Fund Relative to the Current Funds

The larger asset base of the combined Fund relative to each Fund may provide greater financial flexibility. In particular, as the merged larger entity, EMO stockholders may benefit from access to more attractive leverage terms (i.e. lower borrowing costs on debt and preferred stock) and a wider range of alternatives for raising capital to growing capital.

 

   

Enhanced Market Liquidity

A larger fund size and additional trading has the potential to make the merged fund more attractive to traditional and institutional investors. There is also the potential for tighter bid/ask spreads in the secondary market and guiding the Fund’s market price to trade closer to its NAV.

 

   

Additional diversification from a larger pool of assets, a broader investment mandate and a more streamlined product offering

In addition to diversification from a larger pool of assets, a more streamlined product will allow for more focused marketing and stockholder servicing efforts.

At a meeting held on May 22, 2018, the Board of Directors of each Fund, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Funds under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Independent Directors”), unanimously approved an Agreement and Plan of Merger with respect to both Funds.

 

  Q.

Who do we expect to vote on the Merger?

A:    CBA’s common and preferred stockholders are being asked to vote, together as a class, on the Merger. CBA preferred stockholders will also vote on the Merger as a separate class. Similarly, EMO’s common and preferred stockholders are being asked to vote, together as a class, on the Merger. EMO preferred stockholders will also vote on the Merger as a separate class.

 

  Q.

Are EMO’s investment objectives and policies similar to those of CBA?

A.    There are no material differences between CBA’s and EMO’s investment objectives, policies and strategies.

CBA’s investment objective is to provide a high level of total return, with an equal emphasis on current distributions and capital appreciation. Similarly, EMO’s investment objective is to provide long-term investors a high level of total return with an emphasis on cash distributions. On May 29, 2018, the Board of Directors of EMO announced that it had approved an amendment to EMO’s name and 80% policy that will go into effect at the time of the Merger.

 

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Pursuant to EMO’s amended policy, under normal market conditions, EMO will invest at least 80% of its managed assets in energy midstream entities including entities structured as both partnerships and corporations. For purposes of the 80% policy, EMO considers investments in midstream entities as those entities that provide midstream services including the gathering, transporting, processing, fractionation, storing, refining, and distribution of oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas. EMO considers an entity to be within the energy sector if it derives at least 50% of its revenues from the business of exploring, developing, producing, gathering, transporting, processing, fractionating, storing, refining, distributing, mining or marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids (including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal. In addition, concurrent with the implementation of EMO’s amended 80% policy, EMO will also change its name to “ClearBridge Energy Midstream Opportunity Fund Inc.” No material change in the portfolio construction of EMO is expected in the near term because of the policy change.

In seeking to fulfill its investment objectives, CBA invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its managed assets in U.S. based energy master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). For purposes of the 80% policy, CBA considers investments in MLPs to include investments that offer economic exposure to public and private MLPs in the form of MLP equity securities, securities of entities holding primarily general partner or managing member interests in MLPs, securities that are derivatives of interests in MLPs, including I-Shares, exchange-traded funds that primarily hold MLP interests and debt securities of MLPs. An issuer will be deemed to be U.S. based if (1) it is organized in the United States, or (2) it is organized elsewhere but headquartered in the United States. Energy entities are engaged in the business of exploring, developing, producing, gathering, transporting, processing, fractionating, storing, refining, distributing, mining or marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids (including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal. It may invest up to 20% of its managed assets in securities of issuers that are not MLPs. This 20% allocation may be in any of the securities described in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement, including securities of non-MLP companies engaged primarily in the energy sector.

The table below shows the portfolio mix of each Fund and on a pro forma basis.

 

       EMO      CBA      Pro Forma
Combined Fund
 

Crude oil / refined products pipeline MLPs

     22.65      17.41      19.96

Natural gas / natural gas liquids pipeline MLPs

     46.06      41.47      43.96

Gathering and processing MLPs

     27.01      28.01      26.59

Propane

     1.63      3.30      2.56

Offshore

     1.02      0.66      0.82

Storage/Materials

     1.10      8.66      5.71

Cash

     0.53      0.49      0.40

Please see “Comparison of Investment Objectives, Principal Investment Strategies, and Principal Risks” in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus for a more complete comparison of the Funds’ investment objectives, policies and a summary of the principal risks of investing in the Funds.

 

  Q.

Why is EMO changing its name and investment policy?

A.    EMO is changing its name and policy to add potential investment flexibility by including midstream companies in EMO’s 80% policy and expanding EMO’s investment policy beyond MLPs. No material change in the portfolio construction of EMO is expected in the near term because of the policy change.

 

  Q.

When will this name and policy change occur?

A.    The name and policy change are intended to be effective concurrent with the Merger. No material change in the portfolio construction of EMO is expected in the near term because of the name and policy change.

 

  Q.

How does CBA’s performance compare to EMO?

A.    For each Fund, set forth below are the average annual total returns for the Fund’s common stock, on the basis of NAV price, for various periods ended June 30, 2018, as well as comparative performance information for each Fund’s performance benchmark, Lipper peer group category average and ranking.

 

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Performance History (Through 6/30/2018)

 

Average Annual Total Returns

   1 Year     3 Years     5 Years  

CBA (Target Fund) NAV

     -8.08     -11.79     -8.69

Alerian MLP Index

     -4.58     -5.93     -4.09

Lipper Category Average – Energy MLP Funds

     -0.20     -9.87     -6.80

Lipper Category & Ranking – Energy MLP Funds

     23/24       19/23       14/17  

 

Performance History (Through 6/30/2018)

 

Average Annual Total Returns

   1 Year     3 Years     5 Years  

EMO (Acquiring Fund) NAV

     -2.52     -10.72     -5.91

Alerian MLP Index

     -4.58     -5.93     -4.09

Lipper Category Average – Energy MLP Funds

     -0.20     -9.87     -6.80

Lipper Category & Ranking – Energy MLP Funds

     17/24       15/23       10/17  

 

  Q.

How will the Merger affect fees and expenses?

A.    It is anticipated that CBA’s stockholders’ total expense ratio will decline by 0.09% and EMO’s stockholders’ total expense ratio will decline by 0.07% as a result of the Merger. Legg Mason Partners Fund Adviser, LLC (“LMPFA”) provides administrative and certain oversight services to CBA. CBA pays an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 1.47% of CBA’s average daily net assets as of May 31, 2018. EMO currently pays LMPFA, which is also EMO’s investment manager, an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 1.49% of average daily net assets as of May 31, 2018.

 

  Q.

What impact will the Merger have on leverage levels?

A.     The amount of leverage as a percentage of total assets following the Merger is not expected to significantly change from that of each company’s standalone leverage levels. The table below illustrates the leverage of each company on both a standalone and pro forma basis.

 

($ in millions) as of 5/31/18    CBA     EMO     Pro Forma
Combined Company
 

Total Net Assets plus Leverage

   $ 716     $ 546     $ 1,262  

Loan/Fixed Rate Notes

   $ 211     $ 159     $ 370  

Preferred Shares

   $ 25     $ 23     $ 48  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Leverage

   $ 236     $ 182     $ 418  

Leverage as % of total net assets plus leverage

     33.0     33.3     33.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  Q.

What are the Funds’ net operating loss and capital loss carryovers?

A.    Net operating loss and capital loss carryovers are favorable tax assets that can be used by a Fund to offset income and gains in future taxable periods. As of November 30, 2017, the Funds are entitled to net operating loss and capital loss carryovers for federal income tax purposes in the amounts set forth below:

 

CBA (as of November 30, 2017)

 

EMO (as of November 30, 2017)

     

Amount of Carryover

 

Fiscal
Year of
Expiration
Prior to
Merger

     

Amount of Carryover

 

Fiscal
Year of
Expiration
Prior to
Merger

Net Operating Loss Carryover:

    $59,995,060   11/30/2034   Net Operating Loss Carryover:   $12,540,554   11/30/2037
  $103,447,182   11/30/2035      

Capital Loss Carryover:

  $168,805,903   11/30/2021   Capital Loss Carryover:   $72,953,415   11/30/2021
 

 

     

 

 

Total

  $332,248,145       $85,493,969  
 

 

     

 

 

 

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Approximately 64.6% of EMO’s $73.0 million capital loss carryover may be forfeited as a result of the Merger. No forfeitures are anticipated for EMO’s net operating loss carryover or CBA’s loss carryovers. However, the Merger will cause the taxable year of CBA to close, which will accelerate by one year the schedule for expiration of its loss carryovers. Additionally, EMO will be limited in its ability to use CBA’s loss carryovers to offset the recognition of its “built-in gains” in assets that existed at the time of the Merger for a five-year period following the Merger. These outcomes may increase the likelihood that some portion of CBA’s loss carryovers (in particular its capital loss carryover) will expire unused. The potential loss forfeitures are based on information currently available and could change significantly by the time of the Merger. See “Information About the Proposed Merger—Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

 

  Q.

Will I have to pay any taxes as a result of the Merger?

A.    The Merger is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Assuming the Merger qualifies for such treatment, you generally will not recognize a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Merger. CBA stockholders may, however, recognize gain or loss with respect to any cash those stockholders receive pursuant to the Merger in lieu of fractional shares. As a condition to the closing of the Merger, CBA and EMO will each receive an opinion of counsel to the effect that the Merger will qualify for such treatment. Opinions of counsel are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or the courts. You should talk to your tax advisor about any state, local and other tax consequences of the Merger. See “Information About the Proposed Merger—Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

 

  Q.

Who will pay for the Merger?

A.    LMPFA, or an affiliate thereof, will bear 100% of each Fund’s Merger costs whether or not the Merger is consummated. The costs of the Merger are anticipated to be approximately $403,000 for CBA and approximately $575,775 for EMO ($978,775 in total). These costs include preparing, printing, assembling and mailing material and proxy solicitation and tabulation costs, which are anticipated to be $220,000.

 

  Q.

How does the Board of each Fund recommend that I vote on the Merger?

A.    After careful consideration, CBA’s Board of Directors, including all of the Independent Directors, and EMO’s Board of Directors, including all of the Independent Directors, unanimously recommend that you vote FOR the Merger.

 

  Q.

What will happen if the Merger is not approved? Will the name change and 80% policy change still occur?

A.    If the Merger is not approved, CBA and EMO will continue as separate investment companies, and each Board will consider such alternatives as it determines to be in the best interests of such Fund’s stockholders, including reproposing the Merger. However, to the extent the Merger is not approved, EMO’s name change and amended 80% policy will still be implemented.

 

  Q.

When is the Merger expected to happen?

A.    If each Fund’s stockholders approve the Merger, the Merger is expected to occur on or about November 16, 2018.

 

  Q.

Will my vote make a difference?

A.    Your vote is very important and can make a difference in the governance of each Fund, no matter how many shares you own. Your vote can help ensure that the proposal recommended by the Board of Directors of each Fund can be implemented. We encourage all stockholders to participate in the governance of each Fund.

 

  Q.

Whom do I call if I have questions?

A.    If you need more information, or have any questions about voting, please call Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., the proxy solicitor, at 1-855-723-7819 or Legg Mason & Co., LLC at 1-888-777-0102.

 

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  Q.

How do I vote my shares?

A.    You can provide voting instructions by telephone by calling the toll-free number on the enclosed proxy card or electronically by going to the Internet address provided on the proxy card and following the instructions, using your proxy card as a guide. Alternatively, you can vote your shares by signing and dating the enclosed proxy card and mailing it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.

A stockholder may revoke a proxy at any time on or before the Meeting by (1) submitting to the applicable Fund a subsequently dated proxy, (2) delivering to the applicable Fund a written notice of revocation (addressed to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Funds at the address shown at the beginning of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus) or (3) otherwise giving notice of revocation at the Meeting, at all times prior to the exercise of the authority granted in the proxy card. Merely attending the Meeting, however, will not revoke any previously executed proxy. Unless revoked, all valid and executed proxies will be voted in accordance with the specifications thereon or, in the absence of such specifications, for approval of the proposals.

You may also attend the Meeting and vote in person. However, even if you intend to attend the Meeting, we encourage you to provide voting instructions by one of the methods described above.

It is important that you vote promptly.

 

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CLEARBRIDGE AMERICAN ENERGY MLP FUND INC.

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, New York 10018

 

 

NOTICE OF A JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

 

To the Stockholders:

A Joint Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) of ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc. (“CBA”) and ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. (“EMO,” and together with CBA, the “Funds”) will be held at 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York, on Friday, November 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, to consider and vote upon a proposal (the “Proposal”) to approve the merger of CBA with and into EMO in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “Merger”).

The Board of each Fund recommends that you vote “FOR” the Proposal upon which you are being asked to vote.

Stockholders of record at the close of business on September 5, 2018 are entitled to vote at the Meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.

By order of the Board of Directors,

 

LOGO

Robert I. Frenkel

Secretary

ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc.

ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.

    , 2018


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INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGNING PROXY CARDS

The following general rules for signing proxy cards may be of assistance to you and avoid the time and expense to CBA involved in validating your vote if you fail to sign your proxy card properly.

1.     Individual Accounts: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the registration on the proxy card.

2.     Joint Accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party signing should conform exactly to a name shown in the registration.

3.     All Other Accounts: The capacity of the individual signing the proxy card should be indicated unless it is reflected in the form of registration. For example:

 

Registration

  

Valid Signature

Corporate Accounts

  

(1)   ABC Corp.

   ABC Corp. (by John Doe, Treasurer)

(2)   ABC Corp.

   John Doe, Treasurer

(3)   ABC Corp., c/o John Doe, Treasurer

   John Doe

(4)   ABC Corp. Profit Sharing Plan

   John Doe, Trustee

Trust Accounts

  

(1)   ABC Trust

   Jane B. Doe, Trustee

(2)   Jane B. Doe, Trustee, u/t/d 12/28/78

   Jane B. Doe

Custodial or Estate Accounts

  

(1)   John B. Smith, Cust., f/b/o John B. Smith, Jr. UGMA

   John B. Smith

(2)   John B. Smith

   John B. Smith, Jr., Executor

 

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The information contained in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED August 30, 2018

PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

            , 2018

PROXY STATEMENT FOR:

CLEARBRIDGE AMERICAN ENERGY MLP FUND INC.

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, New York 10018

888-777-0102

PROSPECTUS FOR:

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, New York 10018

888-777-0102

This combined Proxy Statement and Prospectus (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) is being furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc. (“CBA”) and ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. (“EMO,” and together with CBA, the “Funds”) for a Joint Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) for each Fund. The Meeting will be held Friday, November 7, 2018 at 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. At the Meeting, stockholders of CBA and EMO will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the merger of CBA with and into EMO in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “Merger”).

If the Merger is approved, each share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of CBA (the “CBA Common Shares”) would convert into an equivalent dollar amount (to the nearest $0.001) of full shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of EMO (the “EMO Common Shares”), based on the net asset value of each Fund on the date preceding the Merger. EMO will not issue fractional EMO Common Shares to holders of CBA Common Shares. In lieu of issuing fractional shares, EMO will pay cash to each former holder of CBA Common Shares in an amount equal to the value of the fractional EMO Common Shares that the investor would otherwise have received in the Merger. Although the EMO Common Shares received in the Merger will have the same total net asset value as the CBA Common Shares held immediately before the Merger (disregarding fractional shares), their stock price on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) may be greater or less than that of the CBA Common Shares, based on current market prices existing at the time of the Merger. All EMO Common Shares currently issued and outstanding will remain issued and outstanding following the Merger.

In addition, EMO would issue and deliver to CBA for distribution to holders of CBA MRPS the same number of newly issued shares of Series D, E, F and G mandatory redeemable preferred stock (“MRPS,” “Preferred Shares” or “Preferred Stock”) as that number of shares of CBA’s Series A, B, C and D MRPS issued and outstanding immediately before the date of the Merger, with terms identical to the terms of CBA’s Series A, B, C and D MRPS. The aggregate liquidation preference of EMO MRPS to be distributed to the holders of CBA MRPS in the event of liquidation of EMO would equal the aggregate liquidation preference of CBA MRPS held immediately before the date of the Merger. The newly issued EMO MRPS would have equal priority with any other outstanding EMO MRPS as to the payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of EMO. The accrual for CBA MRPS with respect to any accrued and unpaid dividends as of date of the Merger would be assumed by EMO and would apply and be payable on an equivalent share-for-share basis and on the same dividend payment schedule.


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The Board believes that the Merger is in the best interests of both CBA stockholders and EMO stockholders. There are no material differences between CBA’s and EMO’s investment objectives, policies and strategies, which will allow CBA stockholders to continue to have exposure to total return. Moreover, the combined Fund will likely benefit from economies of scale, as one set of fixed expenses would be spread over a larger asset base, as well as from enhanced market liquidity and additional opportunities for diversification. Furthermore, the Merger will result in a more streamlined product offering, allowing for more focused marketing and stockholder servicing efforts.

At a meeting held on May 22, 2018, the Board of Directors of each Fund, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Funds under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Directors”), unanimously approved an Agreement and Plan of Merger with respect to both Funds.

EMO was incorporated in Maryland on April 5, 2011; CBA was incorporated in Maryland on February 21, 2013. Both CBA and EMO are closed-end, diversified management investment companies listed on the NYSE.

EMO’s investment objective is to provide long-term investors a high level of total return with an emphasis on cash distributions. On May 29, 2018, the Board of Directors of EMO announced that it had approved an amendment to EMO’s 80% policy that will go into effect at the time of the Merger. Pursuant to EMO’s amended policy, under normal market conditions, EMO will invest at least 80% of its managed assets in energy midstream entities including entities structured as both partnerships and corporations. For purposes of the 80% policy, EMO considers investments in midstream entities as those entities that provide midstream services including the gathering, transporting, processing, fractionation, storing, refining, and distribution of oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas. EMO considers an entity to be within the energy sector if it derives at least 50% of its revenues from the business of exploring, developing, producing, gathering, transporting, processing, fractionating, storing, refining, distributing, mining or marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids (including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal. In addition, concurrent with the implementation of EMO’s amended 80% policy, EMO will also change its name to “ClearBridge Energy Midstream Opportunity Fund Inc.” EMO is changing its name and policy to add potential investment flexibility by including midstream companies in EMO’s 80% policy and expanding EMO’s investment policy beyond MLPs.

Similarly, CBA’s investment objective is to provide a high level of total return, with an equal emphasis on current distributions and capital appreciation The current investment policies of EMO will be changed at the time of the Merger. Please see “Comparison of Investment Objectives, Principal Investment Strategies, and Principal Risks” in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus for a more complete comparison of the Funds’ investment objectives and policies.

The Merger will be effected pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, a form of which is attached to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix A. The material terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger are summarized in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. See “Information About the Proposed Merger—The Agreement and Plan of Merger.”

This Proxy Statement/Prospectus serves as a prospectus for EMO Common Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the issuance of EMO Common Shares in the Merger.

Assuming the holders of CBA Common Shares approve the Merger and all other conditions to the consummation of the Merger are satisfied or waived, the Funds will jointly file articles of merger (the “Articles of Merger”) with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”). The Merger will become effective when the SDAT accepts for record the Articles of Merger or at such later time, which may not exceed 30 days after the Articles of Merger are accepted for record, as specified in the Articles of Merger. The date when the Articles of Merger are accepted for record, or the later date, is referred to in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus as the “Closing Date.” CBA, as soon as practicable after the Closing Date, will withdraw its registration under the 1940 Act.

The Merger is being structured as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes. See “Information About the Proposed Merger—Federal Income Tax Consequences.” Stockholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the actual impact of the Merger on them in light of their individual tax circumstances.

 

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You should retain this Proxy Statement/Prospectus for future reference as it sets forth concisely information about CBA and EMO that you should know before voting on the proposal described below.

A Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) dated                     , 2018, which contains additional information about the Merger and the Funds, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The SAI, as well as CBA’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2017, filed on January 31, 2018 (accession no. 0001193125-18-027288), CBA’s Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders for the Period Ended May 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on July 26, 2018 (accession no. 0001193125-18-227280), EMO’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2017, filed with the SEC on January 31, 2018 (accession no. 0001193125-18-027278) and EMO’s Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders for the Period Ended May 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on July 26, 2018 (accession no. 0001193125-18-227257), which highlight certain important information such as investment performance and expense and financial information, are incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. In addition, stockholder reports, proxy materials and other information concerning CBA (File No. 811-22805) and EMO (File No. 811-22546) can be inspected at the NYSE. You may receive free of charge a copy of the SAI, or the annual report and semi-annual report for either Fund, by contacting CBA and EMO at 888-777-0102, by writing either Fund at the address listed above or by visiting our website at www.lmcef.com .

In addition, you can copy and review this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the complete filing on Form N-14 containing the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (File No. 333-226149) and any of the above-referenced documents at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. You may obtain information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 202-551-8090. Reports and other information about each Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of this information, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov , or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549.

CBA Common Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “CBA,” and EMO Common Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “EMO.” After the Closing Date, EMO Common Shares will continue to be listed on the NYSE under the symbol “EMO.”

The information contained herein concerning CBA and EMO has been provided by, and is included herein in reliance upon, CBA and EMO, respectively.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities nor passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

PROPOSAL—TO APPROVE THE MERGER OF CBA WITH AND INTO EMO IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MARYLAND GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

     1  

Summary

     1  

Proposed Merger

     1  

Comparison of Investment Objectives, Principal Investment Strategies and Principal Risks

     2  

Effect on Expenses

     3  

Fee Table and Expense Example

     3  

Comparison of Investment Objectives, Strategies and Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds

     5  

Risk Factors

     19  

Information About the Proposed Merger

     36  

The Agreement and Plan of Merger

     36  

Reasons for the Merger and Board Considerations

     37  

Federal Income Tax Consequences

     39  

PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

     43  

INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

     43  

Information About Directors and Officers

     43  

Security Ownership of Management

     47  

Director Compensation

     47  

Responsibilities of the Board of CBA and EMO

     48  

Audit Committee

     49  

Nominating Committee

     49  

Pricing and Valuation Committee

     50  

Compensation Committee

     50  

Officers

     51  

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

     52  

Investment Manager and Sub-Advisers

     52  

Codes of Ethics

     54  

Proxy Voting Policies

     54  

Investment Professionals of the Funds

     54  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS

     59  

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

     59  

NET ASSET VALUE, MARKET PRICE AND PREMIUM/DISCOUNT

     62  

CAPITALIZATION

     63  

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

     64  

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

     64  

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     65  

Distributions

     65  

EMO Dividend Reinvestment Plan

     65  

TAXATION

     67  

Taxation of EMO

     69  

MLP Equity Securities

     69  

U.S. Holders

     69  

Non-U.S. Holders

     71  

Additional Withholding Requirements

     72  

Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income

     73  

Investment by Tax-Exempt Investors

     73  

Other Taxation

     73  

NET ASSET VALUE

     73  

DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS’ SECURITIES

     74  

FEES PAID TO INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (EMO)

     84  

5% BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (EMO)

     86  

 

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     Page  

FEES PAID TO INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (CBA)

     86  

5% BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (CBA)

     88  

OTHER BUSINESS

     88  

VOTING INFORMATION

     88  

Adjournments and Postponements

     90  

OTHER BUSINESS

     90  

Appraisal Rights

     90  

EXPENSES OF PROXY SOLICITATION

     90  

SERVICE PROVIDERS

     90  

INDEX OF APPENDICES

     92  

Appendix A Form of Agreement and Plan Of Merger

     A-1  

Appendix B Description of Moody’s and S&P Ratings

     B-1  

Appendix C Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC Proxy Voting Policy

     C-1  

Appendix D ClearBridge Investments, LLC Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures

     D-1  

 

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PROPOSAL—TO APPROVE THE MERGER OF CBA WITH AND INTO EMO IN ACCORDANCE

WITH THE MARYLAND GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

Summary

This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the additional information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Agreement and Plan of Merger, a form of which is attached to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix A.

Proposed Merger

The Board believes that the Merger is in the best interests of both CBA stockholders and EMO stockholders. There are no material differences between CBA’s and EMO’s investment objectives, policies and strategies, which will allow CBA stockholders to continue to total return. Moreover, the combined Fund will likely benefit from economies of scale, as one set of fixed expenses would be spread over a larger asset base, as well as from enhanced market liquidity and additional opportunities for diversification. Furthermore, the Merger will result in a more streamlined product offering, allowing for more focused marketing and stockholder servicing efforts.

At a meeting held on May 22, 2018, the Boards of CBA and EMO, including all of the Independent Directors, unanimously approved the Agreement and Plan of Merger with respect to each Fund. As a result of the Merger:

 

   

each CBA Common Share will convert into an equivalent dollar amount (to the nearest $0.001) of full EMO Common Shares, based on the net asset value per share of each Fund calculated at 4:00 p.m. on the business day preceding the Closing Date;

 

   

each holder of CBA Common Shares will become a holder of EMO Common Shares and will receive, on the Closing Date, that number of EMO Common Shares having an aggregate net asset value (disregarding fractional shares) equal to the aggregate net asset value of such stockholder’s CBA Common Shares as of the close of business on the business day preceding the Closing Date;

 

   

EMO will not issue any fractional EMO Common Shares to CBA holders of Common Shares. In lieu thereof, EMO will pay cash to each former holder of CBA Common Shares in an amount equal to the value of the fractional EMO Common Shares that the investor would otherwise have received in the Merger; and

 

   

EMO will issue and deliver to CBA for distribution to holders of CBA MRPS the same number of newly issued shares of Series D, E, F and G MRPS as that number of shares of CBA’s Series A, B, C and D MRPS issued and outstanding immediately before the date of the Merger, with terms identical to the terms of CBA’s Series A, B, C and D MRPS. The aggregate liquidation preference of EMO MRPS to be distributed to the holders of CBA MRPS in the event of liquidation of EMO will equal the aggregate liquidation preference of CBA MRPS held immediately before the date of the Merger. The newly issued EMO MRPS will have equal priority with any other outstanding EMO MRPS as to the payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of EMO. The accrual for CBA MRPS with respect to any accrued and unpaid dividends as of date of the Merger will be assumed by EMO and would apply and be payable on an equivalent share-for-share basis and on the same dividend payment schedule.

If the Merger is not approved, each Fund will continue as a separate investment company, and the Boards of CBA and EMO will consider such alternatives as they determine to be in the best interests of their respective stockholders, including reproposing the Merger.

For the reasons set forth below in “Information About the Proposed Merger—Reasons for the Merger and Board Considerations,” the Boards of CBA and EMO, including all of the Independent Directors, have concluded that the Merger would be in the best interests of each Fund, and that the interests of the holders of CBA Common Shares and EMO Common Shares would not be diluted as a result of the Merger. The Board of each Fund, therefore, is hereby submitting the Merger to the holders of CBA Common Shares and MRPS and EMO Common Shares and MRPS and recommends that stockholders of CBA and EMO vote “FOR” the Merger.

Because the Merger has been approved by at least 75% of CBA’s “Continuing Directors” as that term is defined in CBA’s charter, approval of the Merger requires the affirmative vote of (i) the holders of a majority of the issued and


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outstanding CBA common and preferred stock (voting as a class) and (ii) the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding CBA preferred stock (“CBA Preferred Shares”) (voting as a separate class). Similarly, because the Merger has been approved by at least 75% of EMO’s “Continuing Directors” (as that term is defined in EMO’s Bylaws) approval of the Merger requires the affirmative vote of (i) the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding EMO common and preferred stock (voting as a class) and (ii) the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding EMO preferred stock (“EMO Preferred Shares”) (voting as a separate class). See “Voting Information” below. If stockholders of each Fund approve the Merger, the Closing Date of the Merger is expected to be on or about     , 2018.

Prior to completion of the Merger, CBA and EMO will each have received an opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP to the effect that the Merger will qualify as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, for federal income tax purposes, (i) no gain or loss will generally be recognized by CBA (except for consequences regularly attributable to a termination of CBA’s taxable year) or (subject to the following sentence) the holders of CBA Common Shares or CBA Preferred Shares, as applicable, as a result of the Merger, (ii) the aggregate tax basis of the EMO Common Shares (including fractional EMO Common Shares purchased by EMO) received by the holders of CBA Common Shares will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the holders’ CBA Common Shares immediately prior to the completion of the Merger, (iii) the aggregate tax basis of the EMO Preferred Shares received by the holders of CBA Preferred Shares will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the holders’ CBA Preferred Shares immediately prior to the completion of the Merger, (iv) a holder’s holding period for EMO Common Shares (including that of fractional EMO Common Shares purchased by EMO) will generally be determined by including the period for which such stockholder held CBA Common Shares converted pursuant to the Merger, provided that such shares were held by such stockholder as capital assets, and (v) a holder’s holding period for EMO Preferred Shares will generally be determined by including the period for which such stockholder held CBA Preferred Shares converted pursuant to the Merger, provided that such shares were held by such stockholder as capital assets. Holders of CBA Common Shares may, however, recognize gain or loss with respect to cash such holders receive pursuant to the Merger in lieu of fractional shares. For more information about the federal income tax consequences of the Merger, see “Information about the Proposed Merger—Federal Income Tax Consequences” below.

Comparison of Investment Objectives, Principal Investment Strategies and Principal Risks

There are no material differences between CBA’s and EMO’s investment objectives, policies and strategies.

CBA’s investment objective is to provide a high level of total return, with an equal emphasis on current distributions and capital appreciation. Similarly, EMO’s investment objective is to provide long-term investors a high level of total return with an emphasis on cash distributions. On May 29, 2018, the Board of Directors of EMO announced that it had approved an amendment to EMO’s 80% policy that will go into effect at the time of the Merger. Pursuant to EMO’s amended policy, under normal market conditions, EMO will invest at least 80% of its managed assets in energy midstream entities including entities structured as both partnerships and corporations. For purposes of the 80% policy, EMO considers investments in midstream entities as those entities that provide midstream services including the gathering, transporting, processing, fractionation, storing, refining, and distribution of oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas. EMO considers an entity to be within the energy sector if it derives at least 50% of its revenues from the business of exploring, developing, producing, gathering, transporting, processing, fractionating, storing, refining, distributing, mining or marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids (including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal. In addition, concurrent with the implementation of EMO’s amended 80% policy, EMO will also change its name to “ClearBridge Energy Midstream Opportunity Fund Inc.” To the extent the Merger is not approved, EMO will still implement its amended 80% policy and name change. No material change in the portfolio construction of EMO is expected in the near term because of the policy change.

Neither Fund is intended to be a complete investment program, and there is no assurance that either Fund will achieve its objectives.

The preceding summary of the Funds’ investment objectives and certain policies should be considered in conjunction with the discussion below under “Comparison of Investment Objectives, Strategies and Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds—Investment Objectives,” “—Principal Investment Strategies,” “—Fundamental Investment Restrictions” and “—Risk Factors.”

 

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Effect on Expenses

It is anticipated that CBA’s stockholders’ total expense ratio will decline by 0.09% and EMO’s stockholders’ total expense ratio will decline by 0.07% as a result of the Merger. LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to CBA. CBA pays an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 1.47% of CBA’s average daily net assets as of May 31, 2018. Similarly, EMO currently pays LMPFA, which is also EMO’s investment manager, an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 1.49% of average daily net assets as of May 31, 2018. CBA incurs 2.08% in other expenses, including financing expenses, based on its average daily net assets, whereas EMO incurs 2.04% in other expenses based on its average daily net assets.

Fee Table and Expense Example

The table below (1) compares the estimated fees and expenses of each Fund, as of May 31, 2018, and (2) shows the estimated fees and expenses of the combined Fund on a pro forma basis as if the Merger occurred on May 31, 2018. The estimates are based on the contracts and agreements in effect as of May 31, 2018 and reflect the operating expense accrual rates on that date, which are based on each Fund’s net assets as of May 31, 2018. Accordingly, the actual fees and expenses of each Fund and the combined Fund as of the Closing Date of the Merger may differ from those reflected in the tables below due to changes in net assets from those at such dates. No amount of any prior fee waiver or expense reimbursement to EMO or CBA may be recovered by any person.

Changes in net assets may result from market appreciation or depreciation and other factors occurring between May 31, 2018 and the Closing Date of the Merger. As a general matter, changes (positive or negative) in a Fund’s expense ratio resulting from fluctuations in the Fund’s net assets will be borne by the stockholders of that Fund and the combined Fund. For information concerning the net assets of each Fund as of November 30, 2017, please see “Capitalization.”

The estimated expenses of CBA and EMO and pro forma expenses following the proposed Merger are set forth below. The percentages in the table below are percentages of the Funds’ net assets attributable to the Funds’ Common Shares on May 31, 2018.

Fee Table

 

     Pre-Merger        
     CBA
(Target Fund)
    EMO
(Acquiring  Fund)
    EMO
(Pro Forma
Combined Fund)
 

ANNUAL EXPENSES

      

Management Fees (1)

     1.47     1.49     1.48

Interest Payment on Borrowed Funds (2)

     1.59     1.48     1.54

Dividends on Preferred Stock (3)

     0.22     0.25     0.24

Other Expenses (4)

     0.27     0.31     0.20
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Annual Expenses (exclusive of current and deferred income tax expense)

     3.55     3.53     3.46

Current/Deferred Income Tax Expense (5)

            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ANNUAL EXPENSES (including current and deferred income tax expense)

     3.55     3.53     3.46
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Each Fund pays LMPFA an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets. “Managed Assets” means net assets plus the amount of any Borrowings and assets attributable to any Preferred Stock that may be outstanding. For the purposes of this table, we have assumed that CBA has utilized leverage in an aggregate amount of 32% of its Managed Assets (the actual average amount of Borrowings and Preferred Stock during the period ended May 31, 2018) and EMO has utilized leverage in an aggregate amount of 33% of its Managed Assets (the actual average amount of Borrowings and Preferred Stock during the period ended May 31, 2018). If CBA were to use leverage in excess of 32% of its Managed Assets or EMO were to use leverage in excess of 33% of its Managed Assets, the management fees shown for each Fund would be higher.

 

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(2)

For the purposes of this table, we have assumed that EMO has utilized Borrowings in an aggregate amount of 29% of its Managed Assets and that CBA has utilized Borrowings in an aggregate amount of 29% of its Managed Assets (which equals the average level of leverage for the period ended May 31, 2018). The expenses and rates associated with leverage may vary as and when Borrowings or issuances of Preferred Stock are made.

 

(3)

Assumes the dividend rate for each series of the MRPS is the applicable rate and is not increased as a result of any downgrade in the ratings of the MRPS. If the ratings of any series of the MRPS are downgraded, each Fund’s dividend expense may increase.

 

(4)

Estimated based on amounts incurred in the period ended May 31, 2018.

 

(5)

For the period ended May 31, 2018, CBA had a net income tax benefit of 0.11%, and EMO had a net income tax benefit of 0.18%. The net income tax benefit is not reflected in Fund expense ratios and is not annualized.

Example

The following example helps you compare the costs of investing in the Funds’ Common Shares with the costs of investing in other funds. The example assumes that you invest $1,000 in the Funds’ Common Shares for the periods shown, that your investment has a 5% return each year, that you reinvest all distributions and dividends and that the Funds’ operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

     1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years  

CBA

   $ 36      $ 109      $ 184      $ 382  

EMO

   $ 36      $ 109      $ 184      $ 381  

Pro Forma Combined Fund

   $ 35      $ 106      $ 180      $ 374  

 

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Comparison of Investment Objectives, Strategies and

Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds

The following chart lists the investment objectives, principal investment policies and fundamental investment restrictions of CBA and EMO and describes the principal differences between the Funds’ respective policies. The chart provides CBA and EMO stockholders with a means of comparing the investment objectives, policies and strategies of CBA and EMO. On May 29, 2018, the Board of Directors of EMO announced that it had approved an amendment to EMO’s 80% policy, which is reflected in the chart below and that will go into effect at the time of the Merger.

 

    

ClearBridge American
Energy MLP Fund Inc.

  

ClearBridge Energy MLP
Opportunity Fund Inc.

 

Differences between EMO and CBA

Investment Objective(s)

   CBA’s investment objective is to provide a high level of total return, with an equal emphasis on current distributions and capital appreciation.    EMO’s investment objective is to provide long-term investors a high level of total return with an emphasis on cash distributions.   EMO’s objective refers only to long-term investors and emphasizes only cash distributions. CBA’s objective has an equal emphasis on current distributions and capital appreciation

Principal Investment Policies and Strategies

   Under normal market conditions, CBA will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets (as defined below) in U.S. based energy MLPs (the “80% policy”). For purposes of the 80% policy, CBA considers investments in MLPs to include investments that offer economic exposure to public and private MLPs in the form of MLP equity securities, securities of entities holding primarily general partner or managing member interests in MLPs, securities that are derivatives of interests in MLPs, including I-Shares, exchange-traded funds that primarily hold MLP interests and debt securities of MLPs. An issuer will be deemed to be U.S. based if (1) it is organized in the United States, or (2) it is organized elsewhere but headquartered in the United States. Energy entities are engaged in the business of exploring, developing, producing, gathering, transporting, processing, storing, refining, distributing, mining or    Under normal market conditions, EMO invests at least 80% of its Managed Assets (as defined below) in energy midstream entities including entities structured as both partnerships and corporations (the “80% policy”). For purposes of the 80% policy, EMO considers investments in midstream entities as those entities that provide midstream services including the gathering, transporting, processing, fractionation, storing, refining, and distribution of oil, natural gas liquids, natural gas, refined petroleum products or coal. EMO considers an entity to be within the energy sector if it derives at least 50% of its revenues from the business of exploring, developing, producing, gathering, transporting, processing, fractionating, storing, refining, distributing, mining or marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids   CBA’s 80% policy is restricted to only U.S. based energy MLPs and its investment policy defines what it means for an issuer to be U.S. based. EMO’s 80% policy is restricted to energy midstream entities and does not have a geographic restriction. CBA’s investment strategy contains a focus on investments in MLPs that Clearbridge believes are poised to benefit from the growing production and use of natural gas, while minimizing exposure to commodity price fluctuations. EMO instead focuses on investments in midstream entities that provide midstream services for oil, natural gas liquids, natural gas, refined petroleum products or coal. EMO’s investment strategy defines entities that are within the energy sector as deriving at least 50% of revenues from certain activities. CBA’s definition for energy entity does not contain a specific percentage of revenue derived from the energy sector.

 

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ClearBridge American
Energy MLP Fund Inc.

  

ClearBridge Energy MLP
Opportunity Fund Inc.

 

Differences between EMO and CBA

  

marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids (including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal.

 

For as long as “American Energy MLP” is in the name of CBA, CBA will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in U.S. based energy MLPs. CBA may not change its policy to invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in U.S. based energy MLPs unless it provides stockholders with at least 60 days’ written notice of such change.

  

(including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal.

 

For as long as “Energy Midstream” is in the name of EMO, EMO will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in energy midstream entities. EMO may not change its policy to invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in energy midstream entities unless it provides stockholders with at least 60 days’ written notice of such change.

 
   “Managed Assets” means net assets plus the amount of any borrowings and the liquidation preference of any preferred stock that may be outstanding.    “Managed Assets” means net assets plus the amount of any borrowings and assets attributable to any preferred stock that may be outstanding.   Essentially no difference in definition of managed assets.
   CBA may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in securities of issuers that are not MLPs. This 20% allocation may be in any of the securities described in the prospectus and the SAI. Such issuers may be treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, therefore, may not offer the tax benefits of investing in MLPs described in the prospectus.    EMO may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in securities of issuers that are not energy midstream entities. This 20% allocation may be in any of the securities described in the prospectus and the SAI, including securities of non-MLP companies engaged primarily in the energy sector. Such issuers may be treated as corporations for United States federal income tax purposes and, therefore, may not offer the tax benefits of investing in MLPs described in the prospectus.   Essentially no difference in 20% policy.
   CBA may invest up to 30% of its Managed Assets in unregistered or otherwise restricted securities.    EMO may invest up to 30% of its Managed Assets in unregistered or otherwise restricted   Both EMO and CBA may invest up to 30% of their Managed Assets in restricted securities. CBA includes

 

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ClearBridge American
Energy MLP Fund Inc.

  

ClearBridge Energy MLP
Opportunity Fund Inc.

 

Differences between EMO and CBA

   “Restricted securities” are securities that are unregistered, held by control persons of the issuer or subject to contractual restrictions on resale. In connection with its investments in restricted securities generally, CBA may invest up to 15% of its Managed Assets in restricted securities issued by non-public companies.   

securities. “Restricted securities” are securities that are unregistered or subject to contractual or other legal restrictions on resale. EMO typically acquires restricted securities in directly negotiated transactions.

 

In connection with its investments in restricted securities generally, EMO may invest up to 15% of its Managed Assets in restricted securities issued by non-public companies. In some instances, such an investment may be made with the expectation that the assets of such non-public company will be contributed to a newly-formed MLP or sold to or merged with an existing MLP in the future.

  securities held by control persons of the issuer in its definition of a restricted security. EMO may invest in restricted securities of non-public companies with certain expectations that CBA does not address.
   CBA may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in debt securities of MLPs and other issuers, including both investment grade debt securities and debt securities rated below investment grade (that is, rated Ba or lower by Moody’s, BB+ or lower by S&P or Fitch, comparably rated by another NRSRO, or, if unrated, as determined by ClearBridge to be of comparable credit quality). CBA may invest in debt securities without regard for their maturity.    EMO may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in debt securities of MLPs and other issuers, including debt securities rated below investment grade (that is, rated Ba or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), BB+ or lower by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”), comparably rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”), or, if unrated, determined by ClearBridge to be of comparable credit quality), also known as “junk bonds.” EMO may invest in debt securities without regard for their maturity.   Essentially no difference in 20% policy.

 

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Table of Contents
    

ClearBridge American
Energy MLP Fund Inc.

  

ClearBridge Energy MLP
Opportunity Fund Inc.

 

Differences between EMO and CBA

   CBA intends to primarily invest in MLPs receiving partnership taxation treatment under the Code, and whose interests or “units” are traded on securities exchanges like shares of corporate stock.    EMO intends to primarily invest in MLPs receiving partnership taxation treatment under the Code, and whose interests or “units” are traded on securities exchanges like shares of corporate stock.   No difference.

Fundamental Investment Restrictions

   CBA may not issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by (i) the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, the SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.    EMO may not issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, the SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.   No difference.
   CBA may not make loans to other persons, except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.    EMO may not make loans to other persons, except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.   No difference.
   CBA may not underwrite the securities of other issuers, except insofar as CBA may be deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities Act, in connection with the sale and purchase of portfolio securities    EMO may not underwrite the securities of other issuers, except insofar as EMO may be deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities Act, in connection with the sale and purchase of portfolio securities   No difference.
   CBA may not invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in any one industry provided that such limitation shall not be    EMO may not invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in any one industry provided that such limitation shall not   No difference.

 

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ClearBridge American
Energy MLP Fund Inc.

  

ClearBridge Energy MLP
Opportunity Fund Inc.

 

Differences between EMO and CBA

   applicable to industries in the energy sector and obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.    be applicable to industries in the energy sector and obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.  
   CBA may not purchase or sell real estate or interests therein other than corporate securities secured by real estate or interests therein.    EMO may not purchase or sell real estate or interests therein other than corporate securities secured by real estate or interests therein.   No difference.
   CBA may not purchase or sell commodities, commodity futures contracts or commodity options except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.    EMO may not borrow money, except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.   No difference.

Additional Investment Policies and Strategies

   CBA will typically purchase MLP common units through open market transactions and underwritten offerings, but may also acquire MLP common units through direct placements and privately negotiated transactions. CBA may invest in different classes of common units.    EMO typically purchases such common units through open market transactions and underwritten offerings, but may also acquire common units through direct placements and privately negotiated transactions. EMO may invest in different classes of common units.   Essentially no difference.
   CBA will typically purchase MLP subordinated units through negotiated transactions directly with holders of such units or newly issued subordinated units directly from the issuer. CBA may invest in different classes of subordinated units.    EMO typically purchases MLP subordinated units through negotiated transactions directly with holders of such units or newly issued subordinated units directly from the issuer. EMO may invest in different classes of subordinated units.   No difference.

 

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ClearBridge American
Energy MLP Fund Inc.

  

ClearBridge Energy MLP
Opportunity Fund Inc.

 

Differences between EMO and CBA

   CBA will typically purchase MLP preferred units through negotiated transactions directly with MLPs, affiliates of MLPs and institutional holders of such units.    EMO typically purchases MLP preferred units through negotiated transactions directly with MLPs, affiliates of MLPs and institutional holders of such units.  
   CBA may invest in equity securities issued by affiliates of MLPs, including the general partners or managing members of MLPs. Such issuers may be organized and/or taxed as corporations and therefore may not offer the advantageous tax characteristics of MLP units. CBA intends to purchase equity securities through market transactions, but may also acquire equity securities through direct placements.    EMO may invest in equity securities issued by affiliates of MLPs, including the general partners or managing members of MLPs. Such issuers may be organized and/or taxed as corporations and therefore may not offer the advantageous tax characteristics of MLP units. EMO intends to purchase equity securities through market transactions, but may also acquire equity securities through direct placements.   No difference.
   For purposes of CBA’s 80% policy, securities that are derivatives of interests in MLPs include I-Shares and other derivative securities that have economic characteristics of MLP securities.    For purposes of EMO’s 80% policy, securities that are derivatives of interests in MLPs include I-Shares and other derivative securities that have economic characteristics of MLP securities.   No difference.
   CBA also may invest in common and preferred stock, convertible securities, warrants and depository receipts of companies that are organized as corporations, limited liability companies or limited partnerships.    EMO also may invest in common and preferred stock, convertible securities, warrants and depository receipts of companies that are organized as corporations, limited liability companies or limited partnerships.   No difference.
   A portion of CBA’s portfolio may include investments in non-cumulative preferred securities, whereby the    A portion of EMO’s portfolio may include investments in non-cumulative preferred securities, whereby the   No difference.

 

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Table of Contents
    

ClearBridge American
Energy MLP Fund Inc.

  

ClearBridge Energy MLP
Opportunity Fund Inc.

 

Differences between EMO and CBA

   issuer does not have an obligation to make up any arrearages to its shareholders. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on non-cumulative preferred stocks in which CBA invests will be declared or otherwise paid.    issuer does not have an obligation to make up any arrearages to its shareholders. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on non-cumulative preferred stocks in which EMO invests will be declared or otherwise paid.  
   CBA may invest in warrants or rights (including those acquired in units or attached to other securities) that entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time but will do so only if such equity securities are deemed appropriate by ClearBridge for inclusion in CBA’s portfolio.    EMO may invest in warrants or rights (including those acquired in units or attached to other securities) that entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time but will do so only if such equity securities are deemed appropriate by ClearBridge for inclusion in EMO’s portfolio.   No difference.
   CBA may purchase Rule 144A securities for which there may be a secondary market of qualified institutional buyers as contemplated by Rule 144A under the Securities Act.    EMO may purchase Rule 144A securities for which there may be a secondary market of qualified institutional buyers as contemplated by Rule 144A under the Securities Act.   No difference.
   CBA may invest in royalty trusts. However, such investments do not count towards CBA’s 80% policy.    EMO may invest in royalty trusts. However, such investments do not count towards EMO’s 80% policy.   No difference.
   CBA may invest in MLPs or MLP affiliates in other sectors of the economy. For instance, CBA may invest in entities operating in the natural resources sector including companies principally engaged in owning or developing non-energy natural resources (including timber and minerals) and industrial materials, or supplying goods or services to such    EMO may invest in MLPs or MLP affiliates in other sectors of the economy. For instance, EMO may invest in entities operating in the natural resources sector including companies principally engaged in owning or developing non-energy natural resources (including timber and minerals) and industrial materials, or supplying   No difference.

 

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Table of Contents
    

ClearBridge American
Energy MLP Fund Inc.

  

ClearBridge Energy MLP
Opportunity Fund Inc.

 

Differences between EMO and CBA

   companies. Additionally, CBA may invest in MLPs that focus on developing infrastructure assets.    goods or services to such companies. Additionally, EMO may invest in MLPs that focus on developing infrastructure assets.  
   CBA may invest in securities of foreign issuers including securities traded on non-U.S. exchanges and of emerging markets issuers. Such investments in securities of foreign issuers may include investments in American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). CBA considers a country to be an emerging market country if, at the time of investment, it is represented in the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global or categorized by the World Bank in its annual categorization as middle or low-income.    EMO may invest, without limitation, in securities of foreign issuers including securities traded on non-U.S. exchanges and of emerging market issuers. Such investments in securities of foreign issuers may include investments in ADRs. EMO considers a country to be an emerging market country if, at the time of investment, it is represented in the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global or categorized by the World Bank in its annual categorization as middle or low-income.   Essentially no difference.
   CBA may enter into derivative transactions, such as interest rate swaps, options contracts, futures contracts, forward contracts, options on futures contracts and indexed securities for investment, hedging and risk management purposes; provided that CBA’s exposure to derivative instruments, as measured by the total notional amount of all such instruments, will not exceed 33  1 / 3 % of its Managed Assets. With respect to this limitation, CBA may calculate its exposure in respect of derivatives transactions by netting offsetting positions (for example, if CBA purchases and sells identical call options on the same    EMO may enter into derivative transactions, such as interest rate swaps, options contracts, futures contracts, forward contracts, options on futures contracts and indexed securities for investment, hedging and risk management purposes; provided that EMO’s exposure to derivative instruments, as measured by the total notional amount of all such instruments, will not exceed 20% of its Managed Assets. With respect to this limitation, EMO may net derivatives with opposite exposure to the same underlying instrument. To the extent that the security or index underlying the derivative  

EMO’s exposure to derivative instruments will not exceed 20%, whereas CBA’s exposure will not exceed 33  1 / 3 %.

 

Essentially no difference in how EMO and CBA calculate exposure to derivate instruments, although CBA’s policy is more explicit.

 

Essentially no difference in how derivatives count towards the 80% policy, except that CBA’s is limited to U.S. based energy MLPs.

 

No difference in the ability to sell securities short.

 

EMO includes disclosure that its ability to pursue its strategies with respect to derivatives has regulatory limitations.

 

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ClearBridge American
Energy MLP Fund Inc.

  

ClearBridge Energy MLP
Opportunity Fund Inc.

 

Differences between EMO and CBA

   underlying security, with the same strike price) where appropriate. CBA may use such net calculations, where appropriate, for purposes of determining its total derivatives position with respect to the 33  1 / 3 % limitation. CBA may sell certain equity securities short for investment and/or hedging purposes. To the extent that the security or index underlying the derivative or synthetic instrument is or is composed of securities of U.S. based energy MLPs, CBA will include such derivative and synthetic instruments for the purposes of CBA’s 80% policy. CBA may sell certain securities short. CBA may use any or all of these techniques at any time, and the use of any particular derivative transaction will depend on market conditions.    or synthetic instrument is or is composed of securities of energy MLPs, EMO will include such derivative and synthetic instruments, at market value, for the purposes of EMO’s 80% policy. EMO may sell certain equity securities short for investment and/or hedging purposes. he Fund may use any or all of these techniques at any time, and the use of any particular derivative transaction will depend on market conditions. EMO’s ability to pursue certain of these strategies may be limited by applicable regulations of the CFTC, SEC, or other applicable regulators.  
   CBA is operated by persons who have claimed an exclusion, granted to operators of registered investment companies like CBA, from registration as a “commodity pool operator” with respect to CBA under the CEA, and, therefore, are not subject to registration or regulation with respect to CBA under the CEA. CBA is limited in its ability to use commodity futures (which include futures on broad-based securities indexes and interest rate futures) (collectively, “commodity interests”) or options on commodity futures, engage in certain swaps transactions or make    EMO is operated by persons who have claimed an exclusion, granted to operators of registered investment companies like EMO, from registration as a “commodity pool operator” with respect to EMO under the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”), and, therefore, are not subject to registration or regulation with respect to EMO under the CEA. As a result, since December 31, 2012, EMO has been limited in its ability to use commodity futures (which include futures on broad-based   Essentially no difference.

 

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Table of Contents
    

ClearBridge American
Energy MLP Fund Inc.

  

ClearBridge Energy MLP
Opportunity Fund Inc.

 

Differences between EMO and CBA

   certain other investments (whether directly or indirectly through investments in other investment vehicles) for purposes other than “bona fide hedging,” as defined in the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. With respect to transactions other than for bona fide hedging purposes, either: (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish CBA’s positions in such investments may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of CBA’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments); or (2) the aggregate net notional value of such instruments, determined at the time the most recent position was established, may not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of CBA’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, CBA may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the futures, options or swaps markets.    securities indexes and interest rate futures) (collectively, “commodity interests”) or options on commodity futures, engage in certain swaps transactions or make certain other investments (whether directly or indirectly through investments in other investment vehicles) for purposes other than “bona fide hedging,” as defined in the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. With respect to transactions other than for bona fide hedging purposes, either: (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish EMO’s positions in such investments may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of EMO’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments); or (2) the aggregate net notional value of such instruments, determined at the time the most recent position was established, may not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of EMO’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, EMO may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the futures, options or swaps markets.  

 

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Table of Contents
    

ClearBridge American
Energy MLP Fund Inc.

  

ClearBridge Energy MLP
Opportunity Fund Inc.

 

Differences between EMO and CBA

   CBA may use interest rate swaps for hedging purposes only and not as a speculative investment and would typically use interest rate swaps to shorten the average interest rate reset time of CBA’s holdings. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by CBA with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments). CBA will only enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the interest rate swap, with CBA receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. If the other party to an interest rate swap defaults, CBA’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that CBA is contractually entitled to receive. The net amount of the excess, if any, of CBA’s obligations over its entitlements will be maintained in a segregated account by CBA’s custodian. CBA will not enter into any interest rate swap unless the claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be investment grade by ClearBridge. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, CBA will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction, which may or may not be limited by    EMO may use interest rate swaps for hedging purposes only and not as a speculative investment and would typically use interest rate swaps to shorten the average interest rate reset time of EMO’s holdings. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by EMO with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments). EMO will only enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the interest rate swap, with EMO receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. If the other party to an interest rate swap defaults, EMO’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that EMO is contractually entitled to receive. The net amount of the excess, if any, of EMO’s obligations over its entitlements will be maintained in a segregated account by EMO’s custodian. EMO will not enter into any interest rate swap unless the claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be investment grade by ClearBridge. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction,   CBA explains that it may purchase an interest rate swap to hedge against a change in an interest rate of a security, and then decide not to go forward with purchasing the security as planned, which will result in a loss on the interest rate swap.

 

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Table of Contents
    

ClearBridge American
Energy MLP Fund Inc.

  

ClearBridge Energy MLP
Opportunity Fund Inc.

 

Differences between EMO and CBA

   applicable bankruptcy, receivership, or other insolvency laws. These instruments have historically traded in the over-the-counter market, however certain interest rate swaps have already become subject to mandatory clearing and though in the future may also be required to be traded on a swap execution facility or a contract market. If CBA purchases an interest rate swap to hedge against a change in an interest rate of a security CBA anticipates buying, and such interest rate changes unfavorably for CBA, CBA may determine not to invest in the securities as planned and will realize a loss on the interest rate swap that is not offset by a change in the interest rates or the price of the securities.    EMO will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction, which may or may not be limited by applicable bankruptcy, receivership, or other insolvency laws. These instruments are traded in the over-the-counter market, though in the future may be required to be traded through a derivatives clearing organization and/or a swap execution facility.  
   CBA may, but has no current intention to, invest in securities of other closed-end or open-end investment companies that invest primarily in MLP entities in which CBA may invest directly to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. CBA may invest in other investment companies during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash, such as the period shortly after CBA receives the proceeds of the offering of its Common Stock, during periods when there is a shortage of attractive MLP securities available in the market, or when ClearBridge believes share prices of other investment    EMO may, but has no current intention to, invest in securities of other closed-end or open-end investment companies, including exchange-traded funds, that invest primarily in MLP entities in which EMO may invest directly to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. EMO may invest in other investment companies during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash, such as the period shortly after EMO receives the proceeds of the offering of its securities, during periods when there is a shortage of attractive MLP securities available   Substantially similar, except EMO specifies exchange-traded funds in the types of investments companies it may invest.

 

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Table of Contents
    

ClearBridge American
Energy MLP Fund Inc.

  

ClearBridge Energy MLP
Opportunity Fund Inc.

 

Differences between EMO and CBA

   companies offer attractive values. CBA may invest in investment companies that are advised by ClearBridge or its affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law and/or pursuant to exemptive relief from the SEC. Other investment companies may have investment policies that differ from those of CBA. In addition, to the extent CBA invests in other investment companies, CBA will be dependent upon the investment and research abilities of persons other than ClearBridge.    in the market, or when ClearBridge believes share prices of other investment companies offer attractive values. EMO may invest in investment companies that are advised by ClearBridge or its affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law and/or pursuant to exemptive relief from the SEC. Other investment companies may have investment policies that differ from those of EMO. In addition, to the extent EMO invests in other investment companies, EMO is dependent upon the investment and research abilities of persons other than ClearBridge.  
   ClearBridge expects, consistent with CBA’s investment objective and policies, to invest in such new types of securities and to engage in such new types of practices if ClearBridge believes that these investments and investment techniques may assist CBA in achieving its investment objective. In addition, ClearBridge may use investment techniques and instruments that are not specifically described herein.    ClearBridge expects, consistent with EMO’s investment objective and policies, to invest in such new types of securities and to engage in such new types of investment practices if ClearBridge believes that these investments and investment techniques may assist EMO in achieving its investment objective. In addition, ClearBridge may use investment techniques and instruments that are not specifically described herein   No difference.
   At times ClearBridge may judge that conditions in the markets for securities of MLP entities make pursuing CBA’s primary investment strategy inconsistent with the best interests of its    At times ClearBridge may judge that conditions in the markets for securities of MLP entities make pursuing EMO’s primary investment strategy inconsistent with the best   No difference.

 

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Table of Contents
    

ClearBridge American
Energy MLP Fund Inc.

  

ClearBridge Energy MLP
Opportunity Fund Inc.

 

Differences between EMO and CBA

  

stockholders. At such times ClearBridge may, temporarily, use alternative strategies primarily designed to reduce fluctuations in the value of CBA’s assets. If CBA takes a temporary defensive position, it may be unable to achieve its investment objective.

 

In implementing these “defensive” strategies, CBA may invest all or a portion of its assets in cash, obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; other investment grade debt securities; investment grade commercial paper; certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances; or any other fixed income securities that ClearBridge considers consistent with this strategy. It is impossible to predict if, when or for how long CBA will use these alternative strategies. There can be no assurance that such strategies will be successful.

  

interests of its stockholders. At such times ClearBridge may, temporarily, use alternative strategies primarily designed to reduce fluctuations in the value of EMO’s assets. If EMO takes a temporary defensive position, it may be unable to achieve its investment objective.

 

In implementing these “defensive” strategies, EMO may invest all or a portion of its assets in cash, obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; other investment grade debt securities; investment grade commercial paper; certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances; or any other fixed income securities that ClearBridge considers consistent with this strategy. It is impossible to predict if, when or for how long EMO will use these alternative strategies. There can be no assurance that such strategies will be successful.

 
   It is not CBA’s policy to engage in transactions with the objective of seeking profits from short-term trading. However, CBA may engage in active and frequent trading when ClearBridge believes such trading is, in light of prevailing economic and market conditions, in the best interests of CBA’s stockholders. Frequent trading also increases transaction costs, which could detract from CBA’s performance.    It is not EMO’s policy to engage in transactions with the objective of seeking profits from short-term trading. However, EMO may engage in active and frequent trading when ClearBridge believes such trading is, in light of prevailing economic and market conditions, in the best interests of EMO’s stockholders. Frequent trading also increases transaction costs, which could detract from EMO’s performance.   No difference.

 

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Risk Factors

There is no assurance that EMO or CBA will meet their investment objectives. You may lose money on your investment in either Fund. The value of each Fund’s shares may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Market conditions, financial conditions of issuers represented in each Fund’s portfolio, investment strategies, portfolio management, and other factors affect the volatility of each Fund’s shares. An investment in EMO is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.

The following section includes a summary of the principal risks of investing in EMO. References to “we,” “us,” “our” or “the Fund” in this section are references to EMO and CBA. Except as described below, your investment in CBA is subject to the same risks.

Investment and Market Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire amount that you invest. Your investment in securities represents an indirect investment in MLPs and other securities owned by the Fund, most of which could be purchased directly. An investment in our common stock is not intended to constitute a complete investment program and should not be viewed as such. The value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. At any point in time, your securities may be worth less than your original investment. We are primarily a long-term investment vehicle and should not be used for short-term trading.

Risks of Investing in MLP Units. An investment in MLP units involves risks that differ from a similar investment in equity securities, such as common stock, of a corporation. Holders of MLP units have the rights typically afforded to limited partners in a limited partnership. As compared to common stockholders of a corporation, holders of MLP units have more limited control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership. Holders of MLP units are also exposed to the risk that they will be required to repay amounts to the MLP that are wrongfully distributed to them. Additionally, conflicts of interest may exist among common unit holders, subordinated unit holders and the general partner or managing member of an MLP; for example, a conflict may arise as a result of incentive distribution payments, and the general partner does not generally have any duty to the limited partners beyond a “good faith” standard. For example, over the last few years there have been several “simplification” transactions in which the incentive distribution rights were eliminated by either (i) a purchase of the outstanding MLP units by the general partner or (ii) by the purchase of the incentive distribution rights by the MLP. These simplification transactions present a conflict of interest between the general partner and the MLP and may be structured in a way that is unfavorable to the MLP. There are also certain tax risks associated with an investment in MLP units (described below).

Tax Risks of Investing in Equity Securities of MLPs. Partnerships do not pay United States federal income tax at the partnership level. Rather, each partner of a partnership, in computing its United States federal income tax liability, will include its allocable share of the partnership’s income, gains, losses, deductions and expenses. A change in current tax law, a change in the business of a given MLP, or a change in the types of income earned by a given MLP, could result in an MLP being treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, which would result in such MLP being required to pay United States federal income tax on its taxable income. The classification of an MLP as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes would have the effect of reducing the amount of cash available for distribution by the MLP and causing any such distributions received by the Fund to be taxed as dividend income to the extent of the MLP’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. Thus, if any of the MLPs owned by the Fund were treated as corporations for United States federal income tax purposes, the after-tax return to the Fund with respect to its investment in such MLPs could be materially reduced, which could cause a substantial decline in the value of the Fund’s shares of common stock (the “Common Stock”).

The Fund is treated as a regular corporation, or a “C” corporation, for United States federal income tax purposes and, as a result, unlike most investment companies, is subject to corporate income tax to the extent the Fund recognizes positive returns. Any taxes paid by the Fund reduce the amount available to pay distributions to Common Stockholders, and therefore investors in the Fund will likely receive lower distributions than if they invested directly in MLPs.

To the extent that the Fund invests in the equity securities of an MLP, the Fund will be a partner in such MLP. Accordingly, the Fund is required to include in its taxable income the Fund’s allocable share of the income, gains, losses, deductions and expenses recognized by each such MLP, regardless of whether the MLP distributes cash to the Fund. Historically, MLPs have been able to offset a significant portion of their income with tax deductions. The Fund incurs a

 

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current tax liability on its allocable share of an MLP’s income and gains that are not offset by the MLP’s tax deductions, losses and credits, or its net operating loss carryovers, if any. The portion, if any, of a distribution received by the Fund from an MLP that is offset by the MLP’s tax deductions, losses or credits is treated as a return of capital. However, those distributions reduce the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the equity securities of the MLP, which results in an increase in the amount of gain (or decrease in the amount of loss) that is recognized by the Fund for United States federal income tax purposes upon the sale of any such equity securities or upon subsequent distributions in respect of such equity securities. The percentage of an MLP’s income and gains that are offset by tax deductions, losses and credits will fluctuate over time for various reasons. A significant slowdown in acquisition activity or capital spending by MLPs held in the Fund’s portfolio could result in a reduction of accelerated depreciation generated by new acquisitions, which may result in increased current tax liability for the Fund.

The Fund accrues deferred income taxes for its future tax liability associated with the difference between the Fund’s tax basis in an MLP security and the fair market value of the MLP security. Upon the Fund’s sale of an MLP security, the Fund will be liable for previously deferred taxes on taxable realized gains from such sale. The Fund relies to some extent on information provided by MLPs, which may not necessarily be timely, to estimate its deferred tax liability for purposes of financial statement reporting and determining its net asset value. From time to time, the Fund may modify its estimates or assumptions regarding its deferred tax liability as new information becomes available.

A corporation’s earnings and profits are generally calculated by making certain adjustments to the corporation’s reported taxable income. However, because of the Fund’s investment in equity securities of MLPs, its earnings and profits may be calculated using accounting methods that are different from those used for calculating taxable income. Due to these differences, the Fund may make distributions out of its current or accumulated earnings and profits, which will be treated as dividends, that are in excess of its taxable income.

In addition, changes in tax laws or regulations, or future interpretations of such laws or regulations, could adversely affect the Fund or the MLP investments in which the Fund invests. For instance, the recently enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has resulted in significant changes to the federal tax law. Some of these changes, such as partial limitations on the deductibility of business interest expense and the use of net operating loss carryovers, may have an adverse impact on the Fund or the MLPs in which it invests.

Lack of Diversification of MLP Customers and Suppliers. Certain MLPs in which the Fund invests or may invest in the future depend upon a limited number of customers for substantially all of their revenue. Similarly, certain MLPs in which the Fund invests or may invest in the future depend upon a limited number of suppliers of goods or services to continue their operations. The loss of any such customers or suppliers could materially adversely affect such MLPs’ results of operations and cash flow, and their ability to make distributions to unit holders, such as the Fund, would therefore be materially adversely affected.

Affiliated Party Risk. Certain MLPs in which the Fund may invest depend upon their parent or sponsor entities for the majority of their revenues. If their parent or sponsor entities fail to make such payments or satisfy their obligations, the revenues and cash flows of such MLPs and ability of such MLPs to make distributions to unit holders, such as the Fund, would be adversely affected.

Equity Securities Risk. A substantial percentage of the Fund’s assets are invested in equity securities, including MLP common units, MLP subordinated units, MLP preferred units, equity securities of MLP affiliates, including I-Shares, and common stocks of other issuers. Equity risk is the risk that MLP units or other equity securities held by the Fund will fall due to general market or economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, changes in interest rates, and the particular circumstances and performance of particular companies whose securities the Fund holds. The price of an equity security of an issuer may be particularly sensitive to general movements in the stock market, or a drop in the stock market may depress the price of most or all of the equity securities held by the Fund. In addition, MLP units or other equity securities held by the Fund may decline in price if the issuer fails to make anticipated distributions or dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer experiences a decline in its financial condition. In general, the equity securities of MLPs that are publicly traded partnerships tend to be less liquid than the equity securities of corporations, which means that the Fund could have difficulty selling such securities at the time it would prefer and at a price it believes would reflect the value of the security.

 

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MLP subordinated units typically are convertible to MLP common units at a one-to-one ratio. The price of MLP subordinated units is typically tied to the price of the corresponding MLP common unit, less a discount. The size of the discount depends upon a variety of factors, including the likelihood of conversion, the length of time remaining until conversion and the size of the block of subordinated units being purchased or sold.

I-Shares represent an indirect investment in MLP I-units. Prices and volatilities of I-Shares tend to correlate to the price of common units. Holders of I-Shares are subject to the same risks as holders of MLP common units. In addition, I-Shares may trade less frequently, particularly those of issuers with smaller capitalizations. Given their potential for limited trading volume, I-Shares may display volatile or erratic price movements. In addition, I-Shares often may be subordinated in terms of liquidation rights to MLP common units.

If the Fund invests in equity securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies, including exchange-traded funds, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company’s expenses, and Common Stockholders would remain subject to payment of the Fund’s investment management fees with respect to the assets so invested. Common Stockholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies.

Energy Sector Risks. MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector are subject to many operating risks, including: equipment failure causing outages; structural, maintenance, impairment and safety problems; transmission or transportation constraints, inoperability or inefficiencies; dependence on a specified fuel source; changes in electricity and fuel usage; availability of competitively priced alternative energy sources; changes in generation efficiency and market heat rates; lack of sufficient capital to maintain facilities; significant capital expenditures to keep older assets operating efficiently; seasonality; changes in supply and demand for energy; catastrophic and/or weather-related events such as spills, leaks, well blowouts, uncontrollable flows, ruptures, fires, explosions, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, discharges of toxic gases and similar occurrences; storage, handling, disposal and decommissioning costs; and environmental compliance. Breakdown or failure of an energy company’s assets may prevent it from performing under applicable sales agreements, which in certain situations could result in termination of the agreement or incurring a liability for liquidated damages. As a result of the above risks and other potential hazards associated with energy companies, certain companies may become exposed to significant liabilities for which they may not have adequate insurance coverage. Any of the aforementioned risks could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of energy companies.

Because the Fund invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its managed assets in energy midstream entities including entities structured as both partnerships and corporations, concentration in the energy sector may present more risks than if the Fund were broadly diversified over numerous sectors of the economy. A downturn in the energy sector of the economy, adverse political, legislative or regulatory developments, material declines in energy-related commodity prices (such as those experienced over the last few years) or other events could have a larger impact on the Fund than on an investment company that does not concentrate in the sector. At times, the performance of securities of companies in the sector may lag the performance of other sectors or the broader market as a whole. In addition, there are several specific risks associated with investments in the energy sector, including the following:

Regulatory Risk . The energy sector is highly regulated. MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector are subject to significant regulation of nearly every aspect of their operations by federal, state and local governmental agencies. Such regulation can change rapidly or over time in both scope and intensity. For example, a particular by-product or process, including hydraulic fracturing, may be declared hazardous—sometimes retroactively—by a regulatory agency and unexpectedly increase production costs or limit ability to develop some reserves. Various governmental authorities have the power to enforce compliance with these regulations and the permits issued under them, and violators are subject to administrative, civil and criminal penalties, including civil fines, injunctions or both. Stricter laws, regulations or enforcement policies could be enacted in the future which would likely increase compliance costs and may materially adversely affect the financial performance of MLPs.

Specifically, the operations of wells, gathering systems, pipelines, refineries and other facilities are subject to stringent and complex federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. These include, for example:

 

   

the federal Clean Air Act and comparable state laws and regulations that impose obligations related to air emissions;

 

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the federal Clean Water Act and comparable state laws and regulations that impose obligations related to discharges of pollutants into regulated bodies of water;

 

   

RCRA and comparable state laws and regulations that impose requirements for the handling and disposal of waste from facilities; and

 

   

CERCLA, also known as “Superfund,” and comparable state laws and regulations that regulate the cleanup of hazardous substances that may have been released at properties currently or previously owned or operated by MLPs or at locations to which they have sent waste for disposal.

Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may trigger a variety of administrative, civil and criminal enforcement measures, including the assessment of monetary penalties, the imposition of remedial requirements, and the issuance of orders enjoining future operations. Certain environmental statutes, including RCRA, CERCLA, the federal Oil Pollution Act and analogous state laws and regulations, impose strict, joint and several liability for costs required to clean up and restore sites where hazardous substances have been disposed of or otherwise released. Moreover, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the release of hazardous substances or other waste products into the environment.

There is an inherent risk that entities may incur environmental costs and liabilities due to the nature of their businesses and the substances they handle. For example, an accidental release from wells or gathering pipelines could subject them to substantial liabilities for environmental cleanup and restoration costs, claims made by neighboring landowners and other third parties for personal injury and property damage, and fines or penalties for related violations of environmental laws or regulations. Moreover, the possibility exists that stricter laws, regulations or enforcement policies could significantly increase the compliance costs of entities or limit their ability to develop some reserves. For example, hydraulic fracturing, a technique used in the completion of certain oil and gas wells, has become a subject of increasing regulatory scrutiny and may be subject in the future to more stringent, and more costly to comply with, requirements. Similarly, the implementation of more stringent environmental requirements could significantly increase the cost of any remediation that may become necessary. Entities may not be able to recover these costs from insurance.

Voluntary initiatives and mandatory controls have been adopted or are being discussed both in the United States and worldwide to reduce emissions of “greenhouse gases” such as carbon dioxide, a by-product of burning fossil fuels, and methane, the major constituent of natural gas, which many scientists and policymakers believe contribute to global climate change. These measures and future measures could result in increased costs to certain companies in which the Fund may invest to operate and maintain facilities and administer and manage a greenhouse gas emissions program and may reduce demand for fuels that generate greenhouse gases and that are managed or produced by companies in which the Fund may invest.

Federal, state and local governments may enact laws, and federal, state and local agencies (such as the Environmental Protection Agency) may promulgate rules or regulations, that prohibit or significantly regulate the operation of energy assets. For instance, in the wake of a Supreme Court decision holding that the EPA has some legal authority to deal with climate change under the Clean Air Act, the EPA and the Department of Transportation jointly wrote regulations to cut gasoline use and control greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks. The EPA has also taken action to require certain entities to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions and certain facilities may be required to control emissions of greenhouse gases pursuant to EPA air permitting and other regulatory programs. While the current administration has sought to roll back some of these requirements, it is unclear whether this rollback will be sustained in the face of pending judicial challenges. Some states are also pushing back, and the net effect of these challenges is unclear. These measures, and other programs addressing greenhouse gas emissions, could reduce demand for energy or raise prices, which may adversely affect the total return of certain of the Fund’s investments.

Commodity Price Risk . MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector may be affected by fluctuations in the prices of energy commodities, including, for example, natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil and coal, in the short- and long-term. Fluctuations in energy commodity prices would impact directly companies that own such energy commodities and could impact indirectly companies that engage in transportation, storage, processing, distribution or marketing of such energy commodities. Fluctuations in energy commodity prices can result from changes in general economic conditions or political circumstances (especially of key energy producing and consuming countries); market conditions; weather patterns; domestic

 

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production levels; volume of imports; energy conservation; domestic and foreign governmental regulation; international politics; policies of OPEC; taxation; tariffs; and the availability and costs of local, intrastate and interstate transportation methods. The energy sector as a whole may also be impacted by the perception that the performance of energy sector companies is directly linked to commodity prices. High commodity prices may drive further energy conservation efforts, and a slowing economy may adversely impact energy consumption, which may adversely affect the performance of MLPs and other companies operating in the energy sector. Recent economic and market events have fueled concerns regarding potential liquidations of commodity futures and options positions.

Depletion Risk . Entities engaged in the exploration, development, management or production of energy commodities face the risk that commodity reserves are depleted over time. Such companies seek to increase their reserves through expansion of their current businesses, acquisitions, further development of their existing sources of energy commodities, exploration of new sources of energy commodities or by entering into long-term contracts for additional reserves; however, there are risks associated with each of these potential strategies. If such companies fail to acquire additional reserves in a cost-effective manner and at a rate at least equal to the rate at which their existing reserves decline, their financial performance may suffer. Additionally, failure to replenish reserves could reduce the amount and affect the tax characterization of the distributions paid by such companies.

Supply and Demand Risk . Entities operating in the energy sector could be adversely affected by reductions in the supply of or demand for energy commodities. The volume of production of energy commodities and the volume of energy commodities available for transportation, storage, processing or distribution could be affected by a variety of factors, including depletion of resources; depressed commodity prices; catastrophic events; labor relations; increased environmental or other governmental regulation; equipment malfunctions and maintenance difficulties; import volumes; international politics, policies of OPEC; and increased competition from alternative energy sources. Alternatively, a decline in demand for energy commodities could result from factors such as adverse economic conditions (especially in key energy-consuming countries); increased taxation; increased environmental or other governmental regulation; increased fuel economy; increased energy conservation or use of alternative energy sources; legislation intended to promote the use of alternative energy sources; or increased commodity prices.

Acquisition Risk . MLP investments owned by the Fund may depend on their ability to make acquisitions that increase adjusted operating surplus per unit in order to increase distributions to unit holders. The ability of such MLPs to make future acquisitions is dependent on their ability to identify suitable targets, negotiate favorable purchase contracts, obtain acceptable financing and outbid competing potential acquirers. To the extent that such MLPs are unable to make future acquisitions, or such future acquisitions fail to increase the adjusted operating surplus per unit, their growth and ability to make distributions to unit holders will be limited. There are risks inherent in any acquisition, including erroneous assumptions regarding revenues, acquisition expenses, operating expenses, cost savings and synergies; assumption of liabilities; indemnification; customer losses; key employee defections; distraction from other business operations; and unanticipated difficulties in operating or integrating new product areas and geographic regions.

Weather Risks . Weather plays a role in the seasonality of some entities’ cash flows. Entities in the propane industry, for example, rely on the winter season to generate almost all of their earnings. In an unusually warm winter season, propane MLPs experience decreased demand for their product. Although most entities can reasonably predict seasonal weather demand based on normal weather patterns, extreme weather conditions, such as the hurricanes that severely damaged cities along the U.S. Gulf Coast in recent years, demonstrate that no amount of preparation can protect an entity from the unpredictability of the weather or possible climate change. The damage done by extreme weather also may serve to increase many entities’ insurance premiums and could adversely affect such companies’ financial condition and ability to pay distributions to shareholders.

Cyclical Industry Risk . The energy industry is cyclical and from time to time may experience a shortage of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, or qualified personnel, or due to significant demand, such services may not be available on commercially reasonable terms. An entity’s ability to successfully and timely complete capital improvements to existing or other capital projects is contingent upon many variables. Should any such efforts be unsuccessful, an entity could be subject to additional costs and/or the write-off of its investment in the project or improvement. The marketability of oil and gas production depends in large part on the availability, proximity and capacity of pipeline systems owned by third parties. Oil and gas properties are subject to royalty interests, liens and other burdens, encumbrances, easements or restrictions, all of

 

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which could impact the production of a particular entity. Oil and gas entities operate in a highly competitive and cyclical industry, with intense price competition. A significant portion of their revenues may depend on a relatively small number of customers, including governmental entities and utilities.

Catastrophic Event Risk . MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector are subject to many dangers inherent in the production, exploration, management, transportation, processing and distribution of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, refined petroleum and petroleum products and other hydrocarbons. These dangers include leaks, fires, explosions, damage to facilities and equipment resulting from natural disasters, inadvertent damage to facilities and equipment (such as those suffered by BP’s Deepwater Horizon drilling platform in 2010 or spills by various onshore oil pipelines) and terrorist acts. Since the September 11th terrorist attacks, the U.S. government has issued warnings that energy assets, specifically U.S. pipeline infrastructure, may be targeted in future terrorist attacks. These dangers give rise to risks of substantial losses as a result of loss or destruction of commodity reserves; damage to or destruction of property, facilities and equipment; pollution and environmental damage; and personal injury or loss of life. Any occurrence of such catastrophic events could bring about a limitation, suspension or discontinuation of the operations of MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector. MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector may not be fully insured against all risks inherent in their business operations and therefore accidents and catastrophic events could adversely affect such companies’ financial condition and ability to pay distributions to shareholders. It is expected that increased governmental regulation will mitigate such catastrophic risk, such as the recent oil spills referred to above, which could increase insurance premiums and other operating costs for MLPs.

Industry Specific Risks. MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector are also subject to risks that are specific to the industry they serve.

Pipelines . Pipeline companies are subject to (i) the demand for natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil or refined products in the markets they serve, (ii) changes in the availability of products for gathering, transportation, processing or sale due to natural declines in reserves and production in the supply areas serviced by the companies’ facilities, (iii) sharp decreases in crude oil or natural gas prices that cause producers to curtail production or reduce capital spending for exploration activities, and (iv) environmental regulation. Demand for gasoline, which accounts for a substantial portion of refined product transportation, depends on price, prevailing economic conditions in the markets served, and demographic and seasonal factors. Companies that own interstate pipelines that transport natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil or refined petroleum products are subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) with respect to the tariff rates they may charge for transportation services. An adverse determination by FERC with respect to the tariff rates of such companies could have a material adverse effect on their business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and their ability to pay cash distributions or dividends.

Further, effective January 2018, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed several provisions of the federal tax code, including a reduction in the maximum corporate tax rate. Following the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act being signed into law, filings have been made at FERC requesting that FERC require natural gas and liquids pipelines to lower their transportation rates to account for lower taxes. Following the effective date of the law, FERC orders granting certificates to construct proposed natural gas pipeline facilities have directed pipelines proposing new rates for service on those facilities to re-file such rates so that the rates reflect the reduction in the corporate tax rate, and FERC has issued data requests in pending certificate proceedings for proposed natural gas pipeline facilities requesting pipelines to explain the impacts of the reduction in the corporate tax rate on the rate proposals in those proceedings and to provide re-calculated initial rates for service on the proposed pipeline facilities. Furthermore, on March 15, 2018, the FERC took a number of actions that could materially adversely impact MLPs. First, the FERC reversed a long-standing policy that allowed MLPs to include an income tax allowance when calculating the transportation rates for cost-of-service pipelines owned by such MLPs. Second, the FERC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to create a process to determine whether cost-of-service natural gas pipelines subject to FERC jurisdiction are overearning in light of either the lower corporate tax rate or the FERC’s policy change related to an MLP’s ability to recover an income tax allowance. Third, with respect to cost-of-service oil and refined products pipelines, the FERC announced that it will account for the lower corporate tax rate and the FERC’s policy change related to an MLP’s ability to recover an income tax allowance in 2020 when setting the next cost inflation index level, which index level sets the maximum allowable rate increases for oil and refined products pipelines and is set by FERC every five years. Finally, the FERC issued a notice of inquiry requesting comments as to how FERC should address accumulated deferred income tax balances on the regulatory books of pipelines regulated by FERC as well as comments on any other effects of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Many experts believe it is likely that the proposed rule concerning natural gas pipelines will be adopted

 

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as-is or in a form very close to what the FERC has proposed. As a result, many natural gas pipelines could be required to lower their transportation rates, either through the FERC process or because shippers may challenge their rates. In addition, oil and refined products pipelines may be forced to reduce rates in 2020 or may not be able to increase rates as previously expected. Finally, the notice of inquiry could result in additional adverse outcomes for pipeline owners, including potentially compensating shippers for the reduction in accumulated deferred income taxes resulting from either the lower corporate tax rate or the FERC’s policy change related to an MLP’s ability to recover an income tax allowance, which compensation could take the form of material cash payments. The MLPs that own the affected natural gas, oil or refined products pipelines could experience a material reduction in revenues and cash flows, which may in turn materially adversely affect their financial condition and results of operations. FERC may enact other regulations or issue further requests to pipelines which may lead to lower rates. Any such change could have an adverse impact on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of MLPs.

Gathering and processing . Gathering and processing companies are subject to natural declines in the production of oil and natural gas fields, which utilize their gathering and processing facilities as a way to market their production, prolonged declines in the price of natural gas or crude oil, which curtails drilling activity and therefore production, and declines in the prices of natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products, which cause lower processing margins. In addition, some gathering and processing contracts subject the gathering or processing company to direct commodities price risk.

Midstream . Midstream MLPs and other entities that provide crude oil, refined product and natural gas services are subject to supply and demand fluctuations in the markets they serve which may be impacted by a wide range of factors including fluctuating commodity prices, weather, increased conservation or use of alternative fuel sources, increased governmental or environmental regulation, depletion, rising interest rates, declines in domestic or foreign production, accidents or catastrophic events, and economic conditions, among others.

Exploration and production . Exploration, development and production companies are particularly vulnerable to declines in the demand for and prices of crude oil and natural gas. Reductions in prices for crude oil and natural gas can cause a given reservoir to become uneconomic for continued production earlier than it would if prices were higher, resulting in the plugging and abandonment of, and cessation of production from, that reservoir. In addition, lower commodity prices not only reduce revenues but also can result in substantial downward adjustments in reserve estimates. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data, the accuracy of assumptions regarding future commodity prices and future exploration and development costs and engineering and geological interpretations and judgments. Different reserve engineers may make different estimates of reserve quantities and related revenue based on the same data. Actual oil and gas prices, development expenditures and operating expenses will vary from those assumed in reserve estimates, and these variances may be significant. Any significant variance from the assumptions used could result in the actual quantity of reserves and future net cash flow being materially different from those estimated in reserve reports. In addition, results of drilling, testing and production and changes in prices after the date of reserve estimates may result in downward revisions to such estimates. Substantial downward adjustments in reserve estimates could have a material adverse effect on a given exploration and production company’s financial position and results of operations. In addition, due to natural declines in reserves and production, exploration and production companies must economically find or acquire and develop additional reserves in order to maintain and grow their revenues and distributions.

Propane . Propane MLPs are subject to earnings variability based upon weather conditions in the markets they serve, fluctuating commodity prices, increased use of alternative fuels, increased governmental or environmental regulation, and accidents or catastrophic events, among others.

Coal . MLP entities and other entities with coal assets are subject to supply and demand fluctuations in the markets they serve, which may be impacted by a wide range of factors including fluctuating commodity prices, the level of their customers’ coal stockpiles, weather, increased conservation or use of alternative fuel sources, increased governmental or environmental regulation, depletion, rising interest rates, declines in domestic or foreign production, mining accidents or catastrophic events, health claims and economic conditions, among others. It has become increasingly difficult to obtain and maintain the permits necessary to mine coal. Further, such permits, if obtained, have increasingly contained more stringent, and more difficult and costly to comply with, provisions relating to environmental protection.

Marine shipping . Marine shipping (or “tanker” companies) are exposed to many of the same risks as other energy companies. In addition, the highly cyclical nature of the tanker industry may lead to volatile changes in charter rates and

 

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vessel values, which may adversely affect the earnings of tanker companies in our portfolio. Fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values result from changes in the supply and demand for tanker capacity and changes in the supply and demand for oil and oil products. Historically, the tanker markets have been volatile because many conditions and factors can affect the supply and demand for tanker capacity. Changes in demand for transportation of oil over longer distances and supply of tankers to carry that oil may materially affect revenues, profitability and cash flows of tanker companies. The successful operation of vessels in the charter market depends upon, among other things, obtaining profitable spot charters and minimizing time spent waiting for charters and traveling unladen to pick up cargo. The value of tanker vessels may fluctuate and could adversely affect the value of tanker company securities in our portfolio. Declining tanker values could affect the ability of tanker companies to raise cash by limiting their ability to refinance their vessels, thereby adversely impacting tanker company liquidity. Tanker company vessels are at risk of damage or loss because of events such as mechanical failure, collision, human error, war, terrorism, piracy, cargo loss and bad weather. Tanker vessels are also subject to international environmental regulations, including increasingly stringent engine efficiency and ballast water exchange requirements, and older vessels that have not been retrofitted may be limited in the ports they can access. In addition, changing economic, regulatory and political conditions in some countries, including political and military conflicts, have from time to time resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways, piracy, terrorism, labor strikes, boycotts and government requisitioning of vessels. These sorts of events could interfere with shipping lanes and result in market disruptions and a significant loss of tanker company earnings.

Energy and Energy Infrastructure Sector Risk. EMO is subject to the risk of focusing investments in the energy sector, which makes it more susceptible to factors adversely affecting issuers within that industry than would a fund investing in a more diversified portfolio of securities. A downturn in the energy sector of the economy could have an adverse impact on EMO. At times, the performance of securities of companies in the energy sector of the economy may lag the performance of other sectors or the broader market as a whole. The profitability of companies in the energy infrastructure sector is related to worldwide energy prices and costs related to energy production. The energy sector is cyclical and highly dependent on commodity prices. Energy-related companies can be significantly affected by the supply of, and demand for, particular energy products (such as oil and natural gas). Companies in the energy infrastructure sector may be adversely affected by natural disasters or other catastrophes. These companies may be at risk for environmental damage claims and other types of litigation. Companies in the energy infrastructure sector also may be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates, interest rates, economic conditions, tax treatment, government regulation and intervention, negative perception, efforts at energy conservation and world events in the regions in which the companies operate (e.g., expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and repatriation of capital, military coups, social unrest, violence or labor unrest). Companies in the energy infrastructure sector may have significant capital investments in, or engage in transactions involving, emerging market countries, which may heighten these risks.

Interest Rate Risk. Rising interest rates could increase the costs of capital thereby increasing operating costs and reducing the ability of MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector to carry out acquisitions or expansions in a cost-effective manner. As a result, rising interest rates could negatively affect the financial performance of MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector. Rising interest rates may also impact the price of the securities of MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector as the yields on alternative investments increase. During periods of rising interest rates, the market price of such securities generally declines. Conversely, during periods of declining interest rates, the market price of fixed income securities generally rises.

Inflation/Deflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of certain assets or income from the Fund’s investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Common Stock and distributions on the Common Stock can decline. Most of the securities in which the Fund invests pay quarterly dividends/distributions to investors and are viewed by investors as yield-based investments. As a result, the equity prices of such securities may decline when interest rates rise.

In addition, during any periods of rising inflation, the dividend rates or borrowing costs associated with the Fund’s use of leverage would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to Common Stockholders. Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time—the opposite of inflation. Deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer defaults more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

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Liquidity Risk. Although the equity securities of the MLPs in which the Fund invests generally trade on major stock exchanges, certain securities owned by the Fund may trade less frequently, particularly those of MLPs and other issuers with smaller capitalizations. Securities with limited trading volumes may display volatile or erratic price movements. Also, the Fund may be one of the largest investors in certain sub-sectors of the energy or natural resource sectors. Thus, it may be more difficult for the Fund to buy and sell significant amounts of such securities without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices. Larger purchases or sales of these securities by the Fund in a short period of time may cause abnormal movements in the market price of these securities. As a result, these securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when ClearBridge believe it is desirable to do so. If these securities are private securities, they are more difficult to value, and market quotations may not accurately reflect the value of such securities. Investment of our capital in securities that are less actively traded or over time experience decreased trading volume may restrict our ability to take advantage of other market opportunities.

Natural Resources Sector Risks. The natural resources sector includes companies principally engaged in owning or developing non-energy natural resources (including timber and minerals) and industrial materials, or supplying goods or services to such companies. The Fund’s investments in MLPs and other entities operating in the natural resources sector will be subject to the risk that prices of these securities may fluctuate widely in response to the level and volatility of commodity prices; exchange rates; import controls; domestic and global competition; environmental regulation and liability for environmental damage; mandated expenditures for safety or pollution control; the success of exploration projects; depletion of resources; tax policies; and other governmental regulation. Investments in the natural resources sector can be significantly affected by changes in the supply of or demand for various natural resources. The value of investments in the natural resources sector may be adversely affected by a change in inflation.

Small Capitalization Risk. The Fund may invest in securities of MLPs and other issuers that have comparatively smaller capitalizations relative to issuers whose securities are included in major benchmark indexes, which presents unique investment risks. These companies often have limited product lines, markets, distribution channels or financial resources, and the management of such companies may be dependent upon one or a few key people. The market movements of equity securities issued by MLPs with smaller capitalizations may be more abrupt or erratic than the market movements of equity securities of larger, more established companies or the stock market in general. Historically, smaller capitalization companies have sometimes gone through extended periods when they did not perform as well as larger companies. In addition, equity securities of smaller capitalization companies generally are less liquid than those of larger companies. Finally, small-cap securities may not be widely followed by the investment community, which may result in reduced demand. This means that the Fund could have greater difficulty selling such securities at the time and price that the Fund would like.

Competition Risk. A number of alternatives available to the Fund as vehicles for investment in a portfolio of energy MLPs and their affiliates currently exist, including other publicly traded investment companies, structured notes and private funds. These competitive conditions may adversely impact our ability to meet our investment objective, which in turn could adversely impact our ability to make distributions.

Restricted Securities Risk. The Fund may invest up to 30% of its Managed Assets in unregistered or otherwise restricted securities. The term “restricted securities” refers to securities that are unregistered, held by control persons of the issuer or are subject to contractual restrictions on their resale. Restricted securities are often purchased at a discount from the market price of unrestricted securities of the same issuer reflecting the fact that such securities may not be readily marketable without some time delay. Such securities are often more difficult to value and the sale of such securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale of liquid securities trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. Contractual restrictions on the resale of securities result from negotiations between the issuer and purchaser of such securities and therefore vary substantially in length and scope. To dispose of a restricted security that the Fund has a contractual right to sell, the Fund may first be required to cause the security to be registered. A considerable period may elapse between a decision to sell the securities and the time when the Fund would be permitted to sell, during which time the Fund would bear market risks. The difficulties and delays associated with selling restricted securities could result in our inability to realize a favorable price upon disposition of such securities, and at times might make disposition of such securities impossible.

Cash Flow Risk. The Fund expects that a substantial portion of the cash flow it receives will be derived from its investments in equity securities of MLPs. The amount and tax characterization of cash available for distribution by an MLP

 

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depends upon the amount of cash generated by such entity’s operations. Cash available for distribution by MLPs will vary widely from quarter to quarter and is affected by various factors affecting the entity’s operations and the energy industry at large. Large declines in commodity prices (such as those experienced from mid-2014 to early 2016) can result in material declines in cash flow from operations. Further, covenants in debt instruments issued by MLPs in which the Fund intends to invest may restrict distributions to equity holders or, in certain circumstances, may not allow distributions to be made to equity holders. Finally, the acquisition of an MLP by an acquiror with a lower yield could result in lower distributions to the equity holders of the acquired MLP. These kind of transactions have become more prevalent in recent years. To the extent MLPs that the Fund owns reduce their distributions to equity holders, this will result in reduced levels of net distributable income and can cause the Fund to reduce its distributions. In addition to the risks described herein, operating costs, capital expenditures, acquisition costs, construction costs, exploration costs and borrowing costs may reduce the amount of cash that an MLP has available for distribution in a given period.

Capital Market Risk. Global financial markets and economic conditions have been, and continue to be, volatile due to a variety of factors, including significant write-offs in the financial services sector. As a result, the cost of raising capital in the debt and equity capital markets has increased substantially while the ability to raise capital from those markets has diminished significantly, and these challenges remain even though crude oil and natural gas liquids prices have increased significantly since the lows of February 2016. In particular, as a result of concerns about the general stability of financial markets and specifically the solvency of lending counterparties, the cost of raising capital from the credit markets generally has increased as many lenders and institutional investors have increased interest rates, enacted tighter lending standards, refused to refinance debt on existing terms or at all and reduced, or in some cases ceased to provide, funding to borrowers. In addition, lending counterparties under existing credit facilities and other debt instruments may be unwilling or unable to meet their funding obligations. Due to these factors, MLPs may be unable to obtain new debt or equity financing on acceptable terms or at all. If funding is not available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, MLPs may not be able to meet their obligations as they come due, which may include multi-year capital expenditure commitments, and may have to reduce their distributions (and many have done so over the last few years) to manage their funding needs. Moreover, without adequate funding, MLPs may be unable to execute their growth strategies, complete future acquisitions, take advantage of other business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on their revenues and results of operations.

Valuation Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in private securities, market prices generally are unavailable for such investments, including MLP subordinated units, direct ownership of general partner or managing member interests and restricted or unregistered securities of certain MLPs and private companies. The values of such securities will ordinarily be determined by fair valuations determined by the Board of Directors or its designee in accordance with procedures governing the valuation of portfolio securities adopted by the Board of Directors. Proper valuation of such securities may require more reliance on the judgment of ClearBridge than valuation of securities for which an active trading market exists. As a limited partner in the MLPs, the Fund includes its allocable share of the MLP’s taxable income in computing its own taxable income. Deferred income taxes in the financial statements of the Fund reflect (i) taxes on unrealized gains/losses, which are attributable to the temporary difference between fair market value and the cost basis of the Fund’s assets for financial reporting purposes, (ii) the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount and the cost basis of such assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes and, as applicable, (iii) the net tax benefit of accumulated net operating losses, capital losses and tax credit carryovers. To the extent the Fund has a deferred tax asset, consideration is given as to whether or not a valuation allowance is required. The need to establish a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is assessed periodically by the Fund based on the criterion established by Financial Accounting Standards Board Codification Topic 740, Income Taxes (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109) that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In the assessment for a valuation allowance, consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax asset. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability (which are highly dependent on future allocations of taxable income and future cash distributions from the Fund’s MLP holdings), the duration of statutory carryover periods and the associated risk that net operating loss, capital loss and tax credit carryovers may expire unused.

The Fund may rely to some extent on information provided by the MLPs, which may not necessarily be timely, to estimate taxable income allocable to the MLP units held in the portfolio and to estimate the associated deferred tax asset or

 

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liability. Such estimates are made in good faith. From time to time, as new information becomes available, the Fund modifies its estimates or assumptions regarding the deferred tax asset or liability.

Deferred tax assets may constitute a relatively high percentage of the Fund’s net asset value. Any valuation allowance required against such deferred tax assets or future adjustments to a valuation allowance may reduce the Fund’s deferred tax assets and could have a material impact on the Fund’s net asset value and results of operations in the period the valuation allowance is recorded or adjusted.

Royalty Trust Risk. Royalty trusts are exposed to many of the same risks as other MLPs. In addition, the value of the equity securities of the royalty trusts in which the Fund invests may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of those royalty trusts, the condition of equity markets generally, commodity prices, and other factors. Distributions on royalty trusts in which the Fund may invest will depend upon the declaration of distributions from the constituent royalty trusts, but there can be no assurance that those royalty trusts will pay distributions on their securities. Typically royalty trusts own the rights to royalties on the production and sales of a natural resource, including oil, gas, minerals and timber As these deplete, production and cash flows steadily decline, which may decrease distributions. The declaration of such distributions generally depends upon various factors, including the operating performance and financial condition of the royalty trust and general economic conditions.

In many circumstances, the royalty trusts in which the Fund may invest may have limited operating histories. The value of royalty trust securities in which the Fund invests are influenced by factors that are not within the Fund’s control, including the financial performance of the respective issuers, interest rates, exchange rates and commodity prices (which will vary and are determined by supply and demand factors including weather and general economic and political conditions), the hedging policies employed by such issuers, issues relating to the regulation of the energy industry and operational risks relating to the energy industry.

Market Discount from Net Asset Value Risk. EMO’s Common Stock has traded both at a premium and at a discount to its net asset value. The last reported sale price, as of August 28, 2018 was $11.67 per share. Our net asset value per share and percentage discount to net asset value per share of our Common Stock as of August 28, 2018 were $12.50 and 6.64%, respectively. There is no assurance that this discount will not continue after the date of this Prospectus or that EMO’s Common Stock will again trade at a premium. Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. This characteristic is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value could decrease as a result of our investment activities and may be greater for investors expecting to sell their shares in a relatively short period following completion of any offering under this Prospectus. Although the value of our net assets is generally considered by market participants in determining whether to purchase or sell shares, whether investors will realize gains or losses upon the sale of EMO’s Common Stock depends upon whether the market price of EMO’s Common Stock at the time of sale is above or below the investor’s purchase price for EMO’s Common Stock. Because the market price of EMO’s Common Stock is affected by factors such as net asset value, dividend or distribution levels (which are dependent, in part, on expenses), supply of and demand for EMO’s Common Stock, stability of distributions, trading volume of EMO’s Common Stock, general market and economic conditions, and other factors beyond our control, EMO cannot predict whether the Common Stock will trade at, below or above net asset value or at, below or above the offering price. EMO’s Common Stock is designed primarily for long-term investors and you should not view EMO as a vehicle for trading purposes.

Dilution Risk. The voting power of current Common Stockholders of EMO will be diluted to the extent that such current Common Stockholders do not purchase Common Stock in any future offerings of Common Stock or do not purchase sufficient Common Stock to maintain their percentage interest. If EMO is unable to invest the proceeds of such offerings as intended, EMO’s per share distributions may decrease and EMO may not participate in market advances to the same extent as if such proceeds were fully invested as planned.

Below Investment Grade (High Yield or Junk Bond) Securities Risk. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in fixed income securities of below investment grade quality. Fixed income securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as “high yield” securities or “junk bonds” and are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligations and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Fixed income securities rated as low as C by Moody’s, CCC or lower by S&P or CC or lower by Fitch are considered to have extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real

 

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investment standing, to have a current identifiable vulnerability to default, to be unlikely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due in the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions and/or to be in default or not current in the payment of interest or principal. Ratings may not accurately reflect the actual credit risk associated with a corporate security.

Fixed income securities rated below investment grade generally offer a higher current yield than that available from higher grade issues, but typically involve greater risk. These securities are especially sensitive to adverse changes in general economic conditions, to changes in the financial condition of their issuers and to price fluctuation in response to changes in interest rates. During periods of economic downturn or rising interest rates, issuers of below investment grade instruments may experience financial stress that could adversely affect their ability to make payments of principal and interest and increase the possibility of default. The secondary market for high yield securities may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities, a factor which may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to dispose of a particular security. There are fewer dealers in the market for high yield securities than for investment grade obligations. The prices quoted by different dealers may vary significantly, and the spread between the bid and ask price is generally much larger for high yield securities than for higher quality instruments. Under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for high yield securities could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer, and these securities may become illiquid. In addition, adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may also decrease the values and liquidity of below investment grade securities, especially in a market characterized by a low volume of trading.

Default, or the market’s perception that an issuer is likely to default, could reduce the value and liquidity of securities held by the Fund, thereby reducing the value of your investment in the Fund’s securities. In addition, default may cause the Fund to incur expenses in seeking recovery of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio company, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Among the risks inherent in investments in a troubled entity is the fact that it frequently may be difficult to obtain information as to the true financial condition of such issuer. ClearBridge’s judgment about the credit quality of an issuer and the relative value of its securities may prove to be wrong. Investments in below investment grade securities may present special tax issues for the Fund to the extent that the issuers of these securities default on their obligations pertaining thereto, and the federal income tax consequences to the Fund as a holder of such distressed securities may not be clear.

Foreign Securities and Emerging Markets Risk. A fund that invests in foreign (non-U.S.) securities may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than a fund that invests exclusively in securities of U.S. companies. The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Investments in foreign securities (including those denominated in U.S. dollars) are subject to economic and political developments in the countries and regions where the issuers operate or are domiciled, or where the securities are traded, such as changes in economic or monetary policies. Values may also be affected by restrictions on receiving the investment proceeds from a foreign country. Less information may be publicly available about foreign companies than about U.S. companies. Foreign companies are generally not subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards as are U.S. companies. In addition, the Fund’s investments in foreign securities may be subject to the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets, imposition of currency exchange controls or restrictions on the repatriation of foreign currency, confiscatory taxation, political or financial instability and adverse diplomatic developments. In addition, there may be difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment abroad. Dividends or interest on, or proceeds from the sale of, foreign securities may be subject to non-U.S. withholding taxes, and special U.S. tax considerations may apply.

The risks of foreign investment are greater for investments in emerging markets. The Fund considers a country to be an emerging market country if, at the time of investment, it is represented in the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global or categorized by the World Bank in its annual categorization as middle- or low-income. Emerging market countries typically have economic and political systems that are less fully developed, and that can be expected to be less stable, than those of more advanced countries. Low trading volumes may result in a lack of liquidity and in price volatility. Emerging market countries may have policies that restrict investment by foreigners, that require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons, or that prevent foreign investors from withdrawing their money at will. An investment in emerging market securities should be considered speculative.

 

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Currency Risk. If the Fund invests directly in securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies, it will be subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the United States or abroad. As a result, the Fund’s investments in foreign currency denominated securities may reduce the returns of the Fund.

Leverage Risk. As of August 29, 2018, EMO had outstanding senior secured notes, a revolving credit facility with a financial institution and outstanding MRPS. Leverage may result in greater volatility of the net asset value and market price of the Common Stock because changes in the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments, including investments purchased with the proceeds from borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions and/or the issuance of debt securities (collectively, “Borrowings”), and the issuance of the Fund’s preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”) are borne entirely by the holders of Common Stock. Common Stock income may fall if the interest rate on Borrowings or the dividend rate on Preferred Stock rises, and may fluctuate as the interest rate on Borrowings or the dividend rate on Preferred Stock varies. The Fund’s use of leverage results in increased operating costs. Thus, to the extent that the then-current cost of any leverage, together with other related expenses, approaches the net return on the Fund’s investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to holders of Common Stock will be reduced, and if the then-current cost of any leverage together with related expenses were to exceed the net return on the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund’s leveraged capital structure would result in a lower rate of return to holders of Common Stock than if the Fund were not so leveraged and a decline in the Fund’s net asset value. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s leveraging strategy will be successful.

During periods when the Fund is using leverage through Borrowings or the issuance of Preferred Stock, the fees paid to LMPFA and ClearBridge for advisory services will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets, which includes the amount of Borrowings and any assets attributable to the issuance of Preferred Stock. This means that LMPFA and ClearBridge have a financial incentive to increase the Fund’s use of leverage.

Any decline in the net asset value of the Fund will be borne entirely by the holders of Common Stock. Borrowings and Preferred Stock leverage investments in Common Stock. Therefore, if the market value of the Fund’s portfolio declines, the Fund’s use of leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset value to holders of Common Stock than if the Fund were not leveraged. Such greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the Common Stock.

Certain types of Borrowings, including the Fund’s current Borrowings, result in the Fund being subject to covenants relating to asset coverage, credit ratings, portfolio composition or otherwise. In addition, the Fund may be subject to certain restrictions imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies which issue ratings for the notes and Preferred Stock issued by the Fund. Such restrictions are more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. In addition, the terms of the Fund’s current Borrowings also require that the Fund pledge its assets as collateral.

Holders of the Fund’s Preferred Stock also have certain voting rights, including the right to elect two of our directors. The interests of holders of Preferred Stock may not be aligned with the interests of Common Stockholders and holders of Preferred Stock may vote in a manner adverse to the interests of Common Stockholders.

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may utilize a variety of derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps, options contracts, futures contracts, forward contracts, options on futures contracts and indexed securities. Generally, derivatives are financial transactions whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index, and may relate to individual debt or equity instruments, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities, related indexes and other assets. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in this Prospectus, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and management risk. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation to the Fund. Changes in the credit quality of the companies that serve as the Fund’s counterparties with respect to its derivative transactions will affect the value of those instruments. By using derivatives that expose the Fund to counterparties, the Fund assumes the risk that its counterparties could experience financial hardships that could call into question their continued ability to perform their obligations. In addition, in the event of the insolvency of a counterparty to a derivative transaction, the derivative transaction would

 

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typically be terminated at its fair market value. If the Fund is owed this fair market value in the termination of the derivative transaction and its claim is unsecured, the Fund will be treated as a general creditor of such counterparty, and will not have any claim with respect to the underlying reference asset or security. As a result, concentrations of such derivatives in any one counterparty would subject the Fund to an additional degree of risk with respect to defaults by such counterparty. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with an underlying asset, interest rate or index. Suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that the Fund will engage in these transactions to reduce exposure to other risks when that would be beneficial. If the Fund invests in a derivative instrument, it could lose more than the principal amount invested. Changes to the derivatives markets as a result of rules promulgated pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and other government regulation may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to make use of derivative transactions.

Derivative instruments can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses and may have a potentially large impact on Fund performance.

Short Sales Risk. To the extent the Fund makes use of short sales for investment and/or risk management purposes, the Fund may be subject to risks associated with selling short. Short sales are transactions in which the Fund sells securities or other instruments that the Fund does not own. Short sales expose the Fund to the risk that it will be required to cover its short position at a time when the securities have appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss to the Fund. The Fund may engage in short sales where it does not own or have the right to acquire the security sold short at no additional cost. The Fund’s loss on a short sale theoretically could be unlimited in a case where the Fund is unable, for whatever reason, to close out its short position. In addition, the Fund’s short selling strategies may limit its ability to benefit from increases in the markets. If the Fund engages in short sales, it will segregate liquid assets, enter into offsetting transactions or own positions covering its obligations; however, such segregation and cover requirements will not limit or offset losses on related positions. Short selling also involves a form of financial leverage that may exaggerate any losses realized by the Fund. Also, there is the risk that the counterparty to a short sale may fail to honor its contractual terms, causing a loss to the Fund. The Fund will incur transaction costs with any short sales, which will be borne by shareholders. Finally, regulations imposed by the SEC or other regulatory bodies relating to short selling may restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in short selling.

The Fund’s obligation to replace a borrowed security is secured by collateral deposited with the broker-dealer, usually cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities similar to those borrowed. The Fund is also required to segregate similar collateral to the extent, if any, necessary so that the value of both collateral amounts in the aggregate is at all times equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the security sold short. Depending on arrangements made with the broker-dealer from which the Fund borrowed the security regarding payment over of any payments received by us on such security, the Fund may not receive any payments (including interest) on the collateral deposited with such broker-dealer.

Legal and Regulatory Risk. Legal, tax and regulatory changes could occur and may adversely affect the Fund and its ability to pursue its investment strategies and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies. New (or revised) laws or regulations may be imposed by the CFTC, the SEC, the U.S. Federal Reserve or other banking regulators, other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets that could adversely affect the Fund. In particular, these agencies are empowered to promulgate a variety of new rules pursuant to recently enacted financial reform legislation in the United States. The Fund also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by these governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations.

In addition, the securities and futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations and margin requirements. The CFTC, the SEC, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, other regulators and self-regulatory organizations and exchanges are authorized under these statutes, regulations and otherwise to take extraordinary actions in the event of market emergencies. The Fund and the Investment Manager have historically been eligible for exemptions from certain regulations. However, there is no assurance that the Fund and LMPFA will continue to be eligible for such exemptions.

The U.S. Government enacted legislation that provides for new regulation of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting, recordkeeping, and registration requirements. Although the CFTC has released final rules relating to

 

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clearing, reporting, recordkeeping and registration requirements under the legislation, certain of the provisions are subject to further final rule making, and thus its ultimate impact remains unclear. New regulations could, among other things, restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in derivatives transactions (for example, by making certain types of derivatives transactions no longer available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such derivatives transactions (for example, by increasing margin or capital requirements), and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategies as a result. It is unclear how the regulatory changes will affect counterparty risk.

The CFTC and certain futures exchanges have established limits, referred to as “position limits,” on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person may hold or control in particular options and futures contracts; those position limits may also apply to certain other derivatives positions the Fund may wish to take. All positions owned or controlled by the same person or entity, even if in different accounts, may be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the applicable position limits have been exceeded. Thus, even if the Fund does not intend to exceed applicable position limits, it is possible that different clients managed by the Investment Manager and its affiliates may be aggregated for this purpose. Therefore it is possible that the trading decisions of the Investment Manager may have to be modified and that positions held by the Fund may have to be liquidated in order to avoid exceeding such limits. The modification of investment decisions or the elimination of open positions, if it occurs, may adversely affect the performance of the Fund.

The SEC has in the past adopted interim rules requiring reporting of all short positions above a certain de minimis threshold and may adopt rules requiring monthly public disclosure in the future. In addition, other non-U.S. jurisdictions where the Fund may trade have adopted reporting requirements. If the Fund’s short positions or its strategy become generally known, it could have a significant effect on ClearBridge’s ability to implement its investment strategy. In particular, it would make it more likely that other investors could cause a “short squeeze” in the securities held short by the Fund, forcing the Fund to cover its positions at a loss. Such reporting requirements also may limit the Investment Manager’s ability to access management and other personnel at certain companies where ClearBridge seeks to take a short position. In addition, if other investors engage in copycat behavior by taking positions in the same issuers as the Fund, the cost of borrowing securities to sell short could increase drastically and the availability of such securities to the Fund could decrease drastically. Such events could make the Fund unable to execute its investment strategy. In addition, the SEC and other regulatory and self-regulatory authorities have implemented various rules and may adopt additional rules in the future that may impact those engaging in short selling activity. If additional rules were adopted regarding short sales, they could restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in short sales in certain circumstances, and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategy as a result.

The SEC and regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions may adopt (and in certain cases, have adopted) bans on short sales of certain securities in response to market events. Bans on short selling may make it impossible for the Fund to execute certain investment strategies and may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to generate returns.

Counterparty Risk. The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivative contracts (whether a clearing corporation in the case of exchange-traded instruments or another party in the case of over-the-counter instruments) and other instruments entered into directly by the Fund or held by special purpose or structured vehicles in which the Fund invests. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties or otherwise, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a dissolution, assignment for the benefit of creditors, liquidation, winding-up, bankruptcy, or other analogous proceeding. In addition, in the event of the insolvency of a counterparty to a derivative transaction, the derivative transaction would typically be terminated at its fair market value. If the Fund is owed this fair market value in the termination of the derivative transaction and its claim is unsecured, the Fund will be treated as a general creditor of such counterparty, and will not have any claim with respect to the underlying reference asset or security. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.

Counterparty risk with respect to certain exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives may be further complicated by U.S. financial reform legislation.

Privately Held Company Risk. Privately held companies are not subject to SEC reporting requirements, are not required to maintain their accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and are not required to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting. As a result, ClearBridge may not have timely or accurate information about the business, financial condition and results of operations of the privately held companies in which the Fund invests.

 

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Debt Securities Risks. Debt securities in which the Fund invests are subject to many of the risks described elsewhere in this section. In addition, they are subject to credit risk, interest rate risk, and, depending on their quality, other special risks. An issuer of a debt security may be unable to make interest payments and repay principal. The Fund could lose money if the issuer of a debt obligation is, or is perceived to be, unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. The downgrade of a security by rating agencies may further decrease its value. Certain debt instruments, particularly below investment grade securities or “junk bonds,” may contain call or redemption provisions which would allow the issuer thereof to prepay principal prior to the debt instrument’s stated maturity. This is known as prepayment risk. Prepayment risk is greater during a falling interest rate environment as issuers can reduce their cost of capital by refinancing higher yielding debt instruments with lower yielding debt instruments. An issuer may also elect to refinance its debt instruments with lower yielding debt instruments if the credit standing of the issuer improves. To the extent debt securities in its portfolio are called or redeemed, the Fund may be forced to reinvest in lower yielding securities. Debt securities have reinvestment risk, which is the risk that income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called fixed income instruments at market interest rates that are below the portfolio’s current earnings rate. A decline in income could affect the Fund’s Common Stock price or its overall return.

Redenomination Risk. Continuing uncertainty as to the status of the euro and the EMU has created significant volatility in currency and financial markets generally. Any partial or complete dissolution of the EMU could have significant adverse effects on currency and financial markets, and on the values of the Fund’s portfolio investments. If one or more EMU countries were to stop using the euro as its primary currency, the Fund’s investments in such countries may be redenominated into a different or newly adopted currency. As a result, the value of those investments could decline significantly and unpredictably. In addition, securities or other investments that are redenominated may be subject to foreign currency risk, liquidity risk and valuation risk to a greater extent than similar investments currently denominated in euros. To the extent a currency used for redenomination purposes is not specified in respect of certain EMU- related investments, or should the euro cease to be used entirely, the currency in which such investments are denominated may be unclear, making such investments particularly difficult to value or dispose of. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek judicial or other clarification of the denomination or value of such securities.

Management Risk and Reliance on Key Personnel . The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment portfolio. ClearBridge and each individual portfolio manager may not be successful in selecting the best performing securities or investment techniques, and the Fund’s performance may lag behind that of similar funds. The Fund depends upon the diligence and skill of ClearBridge’s portfolio managers, who evaluate, negotiate, structure and monitor its investments. These individuals do not have long-term employment contracts with ClearBridge, although they do have equity interests and other financial incentives to remain with ClearBridge. The Fund also depends on the senior management of LMPFA, and the departure of any of the senior management of LMPFA could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. In addition, there is no guarantee that ClearBridge will remain our investment adviser.

Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk . LMPFA, ClearBridge and the portfolio managers have interests which may conflict with the interests of the Fund. In particular, LMPFA also manages, and ClearBridge serves as subadviser to, other closed-end investment companies listed on the NYSE that have investment objectives and investment strategies that are substantially similar to those of the Fund. Further, LMPFA and ClearBridge may at some time in the future manage and/or advise other investment funds or accounts with the same or substantially similar investment objective and strategies as the Fund. As a result, LMPFA, ClearBridge and the Fund’s portfolio managers may devote unequal time and attention to the management of the Fund and those other funds and accounts, and may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities as might be the case if they were to devote substantially more attention to the management of the Fund. LMPFA, ClearBridge and the Fund’s portfolio managers may identify a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and accounts, and the opportunity may be allocated among these several funds and accounts, which may limit the Fund’s ability to take full advantage of the investment opportunity. Additionally, transaction orders may be aggregated for multiple accounts for purpose of execution, which may cause the price or brokerage costs to be less favorable to the Fund than if similar transactions were not being executed concurrently for other accounts. At times, a portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the funds and accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds and accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio manager may place separate transactions for one or more funds or accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment or benefit of one or more other funds and accounts. For example, a portfolio manager

 

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may determine that it would be in the interest of another account to sell a security that the Fund holds, potentially resulting in a decrease in the market value of the security held by the Fund.

The portfolio managers may also engage in cross trades between funds and accounts, may select brokers or dealers to execute securities transactions based in part on brokerage and research services provided to LMPFA or ClearBridge which may not benefit all funds and accounts equally and may receive different amounts of financial or other benefits for managing different funds and accounts. Finally, LMPFA or its affiliates may provide more services to some types of funds and accounts than others.

There is no guarantee that the policies and procedures adopted by LMPFA, ClearBridge and the Fund will be able to identify or mitigate the conflicts of interest that arise between the Fund and any other investment funds or accounts that LMPFA and/or ClearBridge may manage or advise from time to time.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk . The aftermath of the war in Iraq, instability in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Middle East and terrorist attacks in the United States and around the world may result in market volatility, may have long-term effects on the U.S. and worldwide financial markets and may cause further economic uncertainties in the United States and worldwide. The Fund does not know how long the securities markets may be affected by these events and cannot predict the effects of these events or similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets. The wars and occupation, terrorism and related geopolitical risks have led, and may in the future lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Those events also could have an acute effect on individual issuers or related groups of issuers. These risks also could adversely affect individual issuers and securities markets, interest rates, secondary trading, ratings, credit risk, inflation, deflation and other factors relating to the Fund’s investments and the market value and net asset value of the Common Stock.

Portfolio Turnover . EMO’s annual portfolio turnover rate was 16% in 2017 and may vary greatly from year to year. A higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne by the Fund. Portfolio turnover may result in the Fund’s recognition of gains that will be taxable to the Fund. Such gains will generally also increase the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, possibly resulting in a greater portion of the Fund’s distributions being treated as a dividend to the Common Stockholders.

Government Intervention in Financial Markets Risk . United States federal and state governments and foreign governments, their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations may take actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity that affect the regulation of the securities in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such securities, in ways that are unforeseeable Issuers of corporate fixed income securities might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. ClearBridge monitors developments and seeks to manage the Fund’s portfolio in a manner consistent with achieving the Fund’s investment objective, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful in doing so.

Temporary Defensive Strategies Risk . When ClearBridge anticipates unusual market or other conditions, the Fund may temporarily depart from its primary investment strategy as a defensive measure and invest all or a portion of its assets in cash, obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; other investment grade debt securities; investment grade commercial paper; certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances; or any other fixed income securities that ClearBridge considers consistent with this strategy. To the extent that the Fund invests defensively, it may not achieve its investment objective.

Non-Diversification Risk . The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. As a result, it can invest a greater portion of its assets in obligations of a single issuer than a “diversified” fund. The Fund may therefore be more susceptible than a diversified fund to being adversely affected by any single corporate, economic, political or regulatory occurrence.

Anti-Takeover Provisions . The Fund’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to an open-end fund. These provisions could have the effect of depriving Common Stockholders of opportunities to sell their Common Stock at a premium over the then-current market price of the Common Stock.

 

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER

The Agreement and Plan of Merger

The following is a summary of the material terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Form of Agreement and Plan of Merger attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Under the Agreement and Plan of Merger, CBA will merge with and into EMO on the Closing Date. As a result of the Merger and on the Closing Date:

 

   

CBA will no longer exist, and

 

   

EMO will be the surviving corporation

CBA will then:

 

   

deregister as an investment company under the 1940 Act,

 

   

cease its separate existence under Maryland law,

 

   

remove its Common Shares from listing on the NYSE, and

 

   

withdraw from registration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”).

Each outstanding CBA Common Share will be converted into an equivalent dollar amount (to the nearest one tenth of one cent) of full EMO Common Shares, based on the net asset value per share of each of the parties at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the business day prior to the Closing Date. No fractional EMO Common Shares will be issued to the holders of CBA Common Shares. In lieu thereof, EMO will pay cash to each former holder of CBA Common Shares in an amount equal to the value of the fractional EMO Common Shares that the investor would otherwise have received in the Merger.

In addition, EMO will issue and deliver to CBA for distribution to holders of CBA MRPS the same number of newly issued shares of Series D, E, F and G MRPS as that number of shares of CBA’s Series A, B, C and D MRPS issued and outstanding immediately before the date of the Merger, with terms identical to the terms of CBA’s existing Series A, B, C and D MRPS. The aggregate liquidation preference of EMO MRPS to be distributed to the holders of CBA MRPS in the event of liquidation of EMO will equal the aggregate liquidation preference of CBA MRPS held immediately before the date of the Merger. The newly issued EMO MRPS would have equal priority with any other outstanding EMO MRPS as to the payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of EMO. The accrual for CBA MRPS with respect to any accrued and unpaid dividends as of date of the Merger will be assumed by EMO and will apply and be payable on an equivalent share-for-share basis and on the same dividend payment schedule.

No sales charge or fee of any kind will be charged to holders of CBA Common Shares in connection with their receipt of EMO Common Shares in the Merger.

From and after the Closing Date, EMO will possess all of the properties, assets, rights, privileges and powers and shall be subject to all of the restrictions, liabilities, obligations, disabilities and duties of CBA, all as provided under Maryland law.

Under Maryland law, stockholders of a corporation whose shares are traded publicly on a national securities exchange, such as the Funds’ Common Shares, are not entitled to demand the fair value of their shares upon a merger; therefore, the holders of the Funds’ Common Shares will be bound by the terms of the Merger, if approved. However, any holder of either Fund’s Common Shares may sell his or her Common Shares on the NYSE at any time prior to the Merger.

The Agreement and Plan of Merger may be terminated and the Merger abandoned, whether before or after approval by CBA’s stockholders, at any time prior to the Closing Date by resolution of either Fund’s Board, if circumstances should develop that, in the opinion of that Board, make proceeding with the Merger inadvisable with respect to EMO or CBA, respectively.

The Agreement and Plan of Merger provides that either Fund may waive compliance with any of the terms or conditions made therein for the benefit of that Fund, other than the requirements that: (a) the Agreement and Plan of Merger be

 

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approved by stockholders of EMO and CBA, and (b) CBA and EMO receive the opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP that the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger will constitute a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes, if, in the judgment of the Fund’s Board, after consultation with Fund counsel, such waiver will not have a material adverse effect on the benefits intended to be provided by the Merger to the stockholders of the Fund.

Under the Agreement and Plan of Merger, each Fund, out of its assets and property, will indemnify and hold harmless the other Fund and the members of the Board and officers of the other Fund from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including, without limitation, the payment of reasonable legal fees and reasonable costs of investigation) to which the other Fund and those board members and officers may become subject, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based on (a) any breach by the Fund of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement or (b) any act, error, omission, neglect, misstatement, materially misleading statement, breach of duty or other act wrongfully done or attempted to be committed by the Fund or the members of the Board or officers of the Fund prior to the Closing Date, provided that such indemnification by the Fund is not (i) in violation of any applicable law or (ii) otherwise prohibited as a result of any applicable order or decree issued by any governing regulatory authority or court of competent jurisdiction.

The Board of each Fund, including the Independent Directors, has determined, with respect to its Fund, that the interests of the holders of that Fund’s Common Shares will not be diluted as a result of the Merger and that participation in the Merger is in the best interests of that Fund. LMPFA, or an affiliate thereof, will bear the costs of the Merger, whether or not the Merger is consummated. Such expenses shall also include, but not be limited to, all costs related to the preparation and distribution of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, proxy solicitation expenses, SEC registration fees and NYSE listing fees.

Approval of the Agreement and Plan of Merger requires (i) the affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding CBA Common Shares and CBA Preferred Shares (voting together), (ii) the affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding CBA Preferred Shares (voting as a separate class), (iii) the affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding EMO Common Shares and EMO Preferred Shares (voting together) and (iv) the affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding EMO Preferred Shares (voting as a separate class). See “Voting Information” below.

Reasons for the Merger and Board Considerations

Board Considerations

The Funds may be deemed affiliated investment companies as a result of LMPFA and ClearBridge serving as each Fund’s investment advisers. In connection with a merger of affiliated investment companies, Rule 17a-8 requires the board of each affiliated investment company, including a majority of the directors who are not interested persons of the investment company, to determine that (1) participation in the transaction is in the best interests of the investment company, and (2) the interests of the existing stockholders of the investment company will not be diluted as a result of the transaction.

Moreover, Rule 17a-8 requires that the directors request and evaluate such information as may reasonably be necessary to make their findings. Rule 17a-8 does not specify the factors to be considered in making the findings required by the rule. In making its finding that the interests of the Fund’s existing stockholders will not be diluted as a result of the Merger, the Board of each Fund considered that the Merger would be conducted on the basis of the Funds’ relative net asset values. The SEC has recommended that boards consider the following factors in determining whether a transaction is in the best interests of the investment company, in addition to any others that may be appropriate under the circumstances:

 

   

any fees or expenses that will be borne directly or indirectly by the fund in connection with the merger (“Factor 1”);

 

   

any effect of the merger on annual fund operating expenses and stockholder fees and services (“Factor 2”);

 

   

any change in the fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions that will result from the merger (“Factor 3”); and

 

   

any direct or indirect federal income tax consequences of the transaction to fund stockholders (“Factor 4”).

 

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A proposal for the Merger was first presented to the Boards for discussion at simultaneous in-person meetings on May 9 and 10, 2018 (the “Informational Meeting”). Prior to the Informational Meeting, LMPFA provided the Board with information and analyses regarding the Merger. Following the Informational Meeting, the Board submitted requests to LMPFA for additional information relevant (the “Merger Evaluation Information”), in its judgment, to making the findings required by Rule 17a-8, including information regarding cost savings or other potential benefits to LMPFA and its affiliates resulting from the Merger; responsibility for costs of the Merger in light of, among other things, any such cost savings or other potential benefits; and investment advisory fees to be paid to LMPFA and its affiliates by the combined Fund following the Merger, particularly in light of any such cost savings or other potential benefits. The Merger was approved by both Boards at a meeting (the “Approval Meeting”) held by conference telephone call on May 22, 2018. At the Approval Meeting, the Boards considered and approved the Merger in light of the Merger Evaluation Information received at the Informational Meeting together with additional Merger Evaluation Information received subsequent to the Informational Meeting. The discussion below reflects all of the discussions and reviews at both Informational and Approval Meetings. The Boards considered LMPFA’s recommendation of the Merger and its belief that the Merger would be in the best interest of each Fund. With respect to each of the above Factors, the Boards considered:

Factor 1

 

   

LMPFA, ClearBridge and their affiliates do not expect to realize significant cost savings or other benefits as a result of the Merger. Nevertheless, all of the expenses associated with the Merger will be paid by LMPFA, or an affiliate thereof.

 

   

EMO Common Shares may experience near term price volatility as a result of the Merger.

Factor 2

 

   

It is anticipated that CBA’s stockholders’ total expense ratio will be reduced by 9 basis points (0.09%) and EMO’s stockholders’ total expense ratio will be reduced by 7 basis points (0.07%) as a result of the Merger.

 

   

The stockholders of each Fund may benefit from economies of scale, as one set of fixed expenses would be spread over a larger asset base. The larger asset base of the combined Fund may have a greater ability to utilize net operating loss and/or capital loss carryovers.

 

   

A larger asset base may increase access by the combined Fund to more attractive leverage terms (i.e., lower borrowing costs on debt and preferred stock) and a wider range of alternatives for raising capital to grow a combined fund.

 

   

The stockholders of each Fund may benefit from enhanced market liquidity and improved market price trading relative to NAV for the combined Fund.

 

   

The combined Fund may benefit from potential cost savings from better trade executions as a result of increased trading liquidity and tighter spreads.

 

   

The stockholders of each Fund may benefit from a more streamlined product offering, allowing for more focused marketing and stockholder servicing efforts in support of the combined Fund.

 

   

A larger fund size and additional trading liquidity following the Merger can make EMO more attractive to traditional and institutional investors and reduce the risk of activism and associated costs.

 

   

CBA and EMO have identical investment management fees of 1.00% of average daily managed assets and the combined Fund will have the same investment management fee as CBA and EMO – 1.00%. In addition, over the one, three and five-year periods ended June 30, 2018, CBA returned -8.08%, -11.79 and -8.69%, respectively, and EMO returned -2.52%, -10.72% and -5.91%, respectively.

Factor 3

 

   

LMPFA and ClearBridge are expected to continue to manage EMO, and stockholders of CBA and EMO may benefit from the continuing experience and expertise of LMPFA and ClearBridge and their commitment to the substantially similar investment style and strategies to be used in managing the assets of EMO.

 

   

There are, and following the Merger will be, no material differences between CBA’s and EMO’s investment objectives and investment policies.

 

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The stockholders of each Fund may benefit from additional diversification from a larger pool of assets and a broader investment mandate for the combined Fund.

Factor 4

 

   

The Merger is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Assuming the Merger qualifies for such treatment, CBA stockholders generally will not recognize a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Merger. CBA stockholders may, however, recognize gain or loss with respect to any cash those stockholders receive pursuant to the Merger in lieu of fractional shares.

 

   

EMO’s pre-Merger tax losses will be subject to an annual limitation under Code Section 382 of approximately $8.5 million. Approximately 64.6% of EMO’s $73.0 million capital loss carryover may be forfeited as a result of the Merger. No forfeitures are anticipated for EMO’s net operating loss carryover. The annual limitation and potential loss forfeitures are based on information currently available and could change significantly by the time of the Merger.

 

   

Net operating loss and capital loss carryovers are favorable tax assets that can be used by a Fund to offset income and gains in future taxable periods. $332.2 million of CBA’s net operating loss and capital loss carryovers will transfer to the combined Fund. However, CBA’s pre-Merger losses will not be available to use against EMO’s pre-Merger built-in gains (net tax unrealized gains) for a five-year period following the Merger. Gains realized attributable to post-Merger appreciation are available to use against CBA’s loss carryovers.

 

   

CBA’s pre-Merger tax loss carryovers will lose a year of expiration as a result of the Merger, which may increase the likelihood that its capital loss carryover of $168.8 million expiring November 30, 2021 will expire unused. However, there is no assurance that these losses would be utilized prior to expiration in the absence of the Merger.

In light of the forgoing and other relevant factors, the Board of each Fund determined, under the circumstances, that the Merger (1) would be in the best interests of the shareholders of such Fund and (2) the Merger would not result in the dilution of the interests of such Fund or its shareholders. The principal factor considered by the Board of each Fund in determining that the Merger would not result in a dilution of the interests of such Fund or its shareholders was that the Merger would be effected on the basis of the relative net asset values of the Fund. Otherwise, no single factor was identified by the Board as the principal factor in making the findings required by Rule 17a-8. The Independent Directors of each Board were represented throughout their evaluation of the Merger by independent counsel. Prior to the Informational Meeting, each Board received a memorandum from LMPFA discussing its responsibilities in connection with the Merger as part of the Merger Evaluation Information and, prior to the Approval Meeting, the Independent Directors of each Board separately received a memorandum discussing such responsibilities from their independent counsel.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a summary of the material federal income tax consequences of the Merger applicable to a holder of CBA Common Shares or CBA Preferred Shares that receives EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares in the Merger. This discussion is based upon the Code, Treasury regulations, judicial authorities, published positions of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and other applicable authorities, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations (possibly with retroactive effect). This discussion is limited to U.S. holders (as defined below) that hold their CBA Common Shares or CBA Preferred Shares as capital assets for federal income tax purposes (generally, assets held for investment). This discussion does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular CBA stockholder or to CBA stockholders that are subject to special treatment under federal income tax laws.

This discussion does not address the tax consequences of the Merger under state, local or foreign tax laws. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences set forth below.

Holders of CBA Common Shares or CBA Preferred Shares are urged to consult with their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of the Merger in their particular circumstances, including the applicability and effect of the alternative minimum tax and any state, local or foreign and other tax laws and of changes in those laws.

 

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For purposes of this section, the term “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of CBA Common Shares or CBA Preferred Shares, as applicable, that for federal income tax purposes is:

 

   

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any State or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate that is subject to federal income tax on its income regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust, the substantial decisions of which are controlled by one or more U.S. persons and which is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States, or a trust that validly has elected under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person for federal income tax purposes.

Tax Consequences of the Merger Generally

CBA and EMO intend the Merger to qualify as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of the Code. The Merger is conditioned upon the receipt by both CBA and EMO of an opinion from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP to the effect that, based upon certain facts, assumptions and representations of the parties, for federal income tax purposes:

(i) the Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of the Code and that CBA and EMO will each be a “party to a reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;

(ii) except for consequences regularly attributable to a termination of CBA’s taxable year, no gain or loss will be recognized by CBA as a result of the Merger or upon the conversion of (a) CBA Common Shares into EMO Common Shares and (b) CBA Preferred Shares into EMO Preferred Shares;

(iii) no gain or loss will be recognized by EMO as a result of the Merger or upon the conversion of (a)CBA Common Shares into EMO Common Shares and (b) CBA Preferred Shares into EMO Preferred Shares;

(iv) no gain or loss will be recognized by the holders of CBA Common Shares upon the conversion of their CBA Common Shares into EMO Common Shares, except to the extent such holders are paid cash in lieu of fractional EMO Common Shares in the Merger;

(v) no gain or loss will be recognized by the holders of CBA Preferred Shares upon the conversion of their CBA Preferred Shares into EMO Preferred Shares;

(vi) the tax basis of CBA assets in the hands of EMO will be the same as the tax basis of such assets in the hands of CBA immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger;

(vii) immediately after the Merger, (a) the aggregate tax basis of the EMO Common Shares received by each holder of CBA Common Shares in the Merger (including that of fractional share interests purchased by EMO) will be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the CBA Common Shares owned by such holder immediately prior to the Merger and (b) the aggregate tax basis of the EMO Preferred Shares received by each holder of CBA Preferred Shares in the Merger will be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the CBA Preferred Shares owned by such holder immediately prior to the Merger;

(viii) a stockholder’s holding period for EMO Common Shares (including that of fractional share interests purchased by EMO) will be determined by including the period for which such stockholder held CBA Common Shares converted pursuant to the Merger, provided that such CBA Common Shares were held by such stockholder as capital assets;

(ix) a stockholder’s holding period for EMO Preferred Shares will be determined by including the period for which such stockholder held CBA Preferred Shares converted pursuant to the Merger, provided that such CBA Preferred Shares were held by such stockholder as capital assets;

(x) EMO’s holding period with respect to the CBA assets transferred pursuant to the Merger will include the period for which such assets were held by CBA; and

(xi) the payment of cash to the holders of CBA Common Shares in lieu of fractional EMO Common Shares will be treated as though such fractional shares were distributed as part of the Merger and then redeemed by EMO with the

 

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result that the holder of CBA Common Shares will generally have a capital gain or loss to the extent the cash distribution differs from such stockholder’s basis allocable to the fractional EMO Common Shares (assuming such CBA Common Shares were held by such stockholder as capital assets).

Assuming that, in accordance with the opinion referred to above, the Merger qualifies as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of the Code, the Merger will result in the tax consequences described above in clauses (i) through (xi).

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Cash payments received in lieu of fractional EMO Common Shares by a U.S. holder will generally be subject to information reporting unless the holder is an exempt recipient. In addition, backup withholding at a rate of 24% may apply to the cash payable to a U.S. holder, unless the holder furnishes its taxpayer identification number (in the case of individuals, their social security number) and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules, or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Any amounts withheld from payments to a holder under the backup withholding rules are not additional tax and will be allowed as a refund or credit against the holder’s federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Reporting Requirements

A holder of CBA Common Shares or CBA Preferred Shares who receives EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares, as applicable, as a result of the Merger will be required to retain records pertaining to the Merger. Each holder of CBA Common Shares or CBA Preferred Shares who is required to file a U.S. tax return and who is a “significant holder” that receives EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares in the Merger will be required to file a statement with the holder’s federal income tax return setting forth certain information, including such holder’s basis in and the fair market value of such holder’s CBA Common Shares or CBA Preferred Shares surrendered in the Merger. Holders of CBA Common Shares or CBA Preferred Shares should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the application of these reporting requirements.

Other Tax Considerations

While neither EMO nor CBA is aware of any adverse state or local tax consequences of the Merger, they have not requested any ruling or opinion with respect to such consequences, and stockholders should consult their own tax advisor with respect to such matters.

Information Regarding Net Operating Loss and Capital Loss Carryovers

As of November 30, 2017, the Funds are entitled to net operating loss and capital loss carryovers for federal income tax purposes in the amounts set forth below:

 

CBA (as of November 30, 2017)

 

EMO (as of November 30, 2017)

     

Amount of
Carryover

 

Fiscal
Year of
Expiration
Prior to
Merger

     

Amount of Carryover

 

Fiscal
Year of
Expiration
Prior to
Merger

Net Operating Loss Carryover:

  $59,995,060   11/30/2034   Net Operating Loss Carryover:   $12,540,554   11/30/2037
  $103,447,182   11/30/2035      

Capital Loss Carryover:

  $168,805,903   11/30/2021   Capital Loss Carryover:   $72,953,415   11/30/2021
 

 

     

 

 

Total

  $332,248,145       $85,493,969  
 

 

     

 

 

The Merger will cause the taxable year of CBA to close, which will accelerate by one year the schedule for expiration of its net operating loss and capital loss carryovers. In addition, for a five-year period following the Merger, pursuant to Section 384 of the Code, EMO will be limited in its ability to use loss carryovers of CBA that existed at the time of the Merger to offset the recognition of “built-in gains” in assets that were held by EMO at the time of the Merger.

 

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In addition, the Merger is expected to result in a limitation on EMO’s ability to use its existing net operating loss and capital loss carryovers. This limitation, imposed by Section 382 of the Code, will apply if, as expected, the stockholders of EMO own less than 50% of EMO immediately after the Merger, and will be imposed on an annual basis. The annual Section 382 limitation for periods following the Merger generally will equal the product of the value of EMO’s equity immediately prior to the Merger and the “long-term tax-exempt rate,” published by the IRS, in effect at the time of the Merger. It is currently expected that the stockholders of CBA will own more than 50% of EMO immediately after the Merger, in which case there will be no limitation imposed by Section 382 of the Code on the use of CBA’s loss carryovers. If, however, the stockholders of CBA own less than 50% of EMO immediately after the Merger, the limitation imposed by Section 382 of the Code (described above) would apply with respect to the use of CBA’s loss carryovers (and such limitation would be based on the value of CBA’s equity immediately prior to the Merger). The following discussion assumes that the limitation imposed by Section 382 of the Code will apply to the loss carryovers of EMO (and not those of CBA).

CBA

CBA’s net operating loss and capital loss carryovers will transfer to the combined Fund, and thus will benefit the stockholders of the combined Fund, rather than only the stockholders of CBA. However, because of the acceleration of the expiration of CBA’s loss carryovers and the Section 384 limitation described above, there may be an increased likelihood that some portion of CBA’s loss carryovers (in particular its capital loss carryover) will expire unused. It should be noted, however, that there would be no assurances that CBA would be able to use such loss carryovers in the absence of the Merger. Additionally, CBA stockholders may benefit from the use of EMO’s loss carryovers by the combined Fund after the Merger.

EMO

After the Merger, EMO’s net operating loss and capital loss carryovers will benefit the stockholders of the combined Fund, rather than only the stockholders of EMO. However, pursuant to the limitation imposed by Section 382 of the Code, the aggregate amount of the carryovers that could be utilized in any taxable year would be limited to the product of the long-term tax-exempt rate at the time of the Merger and the value of EMO’s equity at that time (approximately $8.5 million per year based on data as of a recent date). As a result, it is currently expected that approximately 64.6% of EMO’s capital loss carryover may be forfeited as a result of the Merger. No forfeitures are anticipated for EMO’s net operating loss carryover. The annual limitation and potential loss forfeitures are based on information currently available and could change significantly by the time of the Merger.

Information Applicable to Both Funds

The net operating loss and capital loss carryovers and limitations described above may change significantly between now and the Closing Date. Further, the ability of each Fund to use loss carryovers (even in the absence of the Merger) depends on factors other than loss limitations, such as the future realization of income, gains or losses.

Board Recommendation and Required Vote

Because the Merger in the Proposal has been approved by at least 75% of CBA’s “Continuing Directors,” as that term is defined in CBA’s Charter, that Proposal must be approved by (i) the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding CBA common and preferred stock (voting as a class) and (ii) the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding CBA preferred stock (voting as a separate class). Similarly, because the Merger in the Proposal has been approved by at least 75% of EMO’s “Continuing Directors,” as that term is defined in EMO’s Bylaws, the Proposal must be approved by (i) the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding EMO common and preferred stock (voting as a class) and (ii) the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding EMO preferred stock (voting as a separate class). Approval of the Proposal will occur only if a sufficient number of votes at the Meeting are cast “FOR” the Proposal. Abstentions effectively result in a vote AGAINST the Proposal. Any broker non-votes would effectively be treated as a vote “AGAINST” the Proposal.

Each Fund’s Board of Directors, including the Independent Directors, unanimously recommends that stockholders of each Fund vote FOR the approval of the merger of CBA with and into EMO in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law.

 

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PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

The securities in which CBA may invest are permissible for investment under EMO’s investment objective and strategies. Based on current market conditions which may change, LMPFA estimates that the Funds will not experience any significant portfolio turnover in connection with the Merger.

No securities of EMO need to be sold in order for EMO to comply with its investment restrictions or policies. The Funds may buy and sell securities in the normal course of their operations.

INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

Information About Directors and Officers

The overall management of the business and affairs is vested in the Board of Directors of each Fund. In accordance with each Fund’s charter, each Board of Directors is divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. Each Board approves all significant agreements between such Fund and persons or companies furnishing services to the Fund. The day-to-day operation of the Fund is delegated to the officers of each Fund, LMPFA and ClearBridge, subject always to the investment objectives, restrictions and policies of each Fund and to the general supervision of the Board. The following table provides information concerning the Directors of each Fund.

 

Name, Address
and Age

 

Position(s)
Held with
the Funds

 

Length of
Term
Served

 

Principal
Occupation(s) During
Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex (1)
Overseen by
Nominee
(Including
the Fund)
   

Other
Directorships
Held by
Nominee

Robert D. Agdern

c/o Chairman of the Fund

Legg Mason & Co., LLC (“Legg Mason & Co.”)

620 Eighth Avenue,

49th Floor

New York, NY 10018

Birth year: 1950

  Director and Member of Audit, Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation Committees; Class III (EMO), Class III (CBA)   Since 2015 (EMO), Since 2015 (CBA)   Member of the Advisory Committee of the Dispute Resolution Research Center at the Kellogg Graduate School of Business, Northwestern University (2002-2016); Deputy General Counsel responsible for western hemisphere matters for BP PLC from 1999 to 2001; Associate General Counsel at Amoco Corporation responsible for corporate, chemical, and refining and marketing matters and special assignments from 1993 to 1998 (Amoco merged with British Petroleum in 1998 forming BP PLC).     25     None

 

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Name, Address
and Age

 

Position(s)
Held with
the Funds

 

Length of
Term
Served

 

Principal
Occupation(s) During
Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex (1)
Overseen by
Nominee
(Including
the Fund)
   

Other
Directorships
Held by
Nominee

Carol L. Colman

c/o Chairman of the Fund

Legg Mason & Co.

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10018

Birth Year: 1946

  Director and Member of Audit, Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation Committees; Class I (EMO), Class I (CBA)   Since 2011 (EMO), Since 2013 (CBA)   President, Coleman Consulting Company.     25     None

Daniel P. Cronin

c/o Chairman of the Fund

Legg Mason & Co., LLC

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10018

Birth Year: 1946

  Director and Member of Audit, Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation Committees; Class I (EMO), Class I (CBA)   Since 2011 (EMO), Since 2013 (CBA)   Retired; formerly, Associate General Counsel, Pfizer, Inc.     25     None

Paolo M. Cucchi

c/o Chairman of the Fund

Legg Mason & Co.

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10018

Birth Year: 1941

  Director and Member of Audit, Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation Committees; Class I (EMO), Class I (CBA)   Since 2011 (EMO), Since 2013 (CBA)   Emeritus Professor of French and Italian at Drew University (since 2014); formerly, Professor of French and Italian at Drew University (2009 to 2014); Vice President and Dean of College of Liberal Arts at Drew University (1984 to 2009).     25     None

Leslie H. Gelb

c/o Chairman of the Fund

Legg Mason & Co.

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10018

Birth Year: 1937

  Director and Member of Audit, Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation Committees; Class II (EMO), Class II (CBA)   Since 2011 (EMO), Since 2013 (CBA)   President Emeritus (since 2003), formerly Senior Board Fellow (2003-2015) and President (prior to 2003) of The Council on Foreign Relations; formerly, Columnist, Deputy Editorial Page Editor and Editor, Op-Ed Page, The New York Times     25     Director of one registered investment company advised by Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited (since 1994); Director, Encyclopedia Brittanica; Director, Centre Partners IV and V, LP and Affiliates

 

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Name, Address
and Age

 

Position(s)
Held with
the Funds

 

Length of
Term
Served

 

Principal
Occupation(s) During
Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex (1)
Overseen by
Nominee
(Including
the Fund)
   

Other
Directorships
Held by
Nominee

William R. Hutchinson

c/o Chairman of the Fund

Legg Mason & Co.

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10018

Birth year: 1942

  Director and Member of Audit, Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation Committees; Class II (EMO), Class II (CBA)   Since 2011 (EMO), Since 2013 (EMO)   President, W.R. Hutchinson & Associates Inc. (consulting)     25     Director (Non-Executive Chairman of the Board (since December 1, 2009)), Associated Banc-Corp. (since 1994)

Eileen Kamerick

c/o Chairman of the Fund

Legg Mason & Co.

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10018

Birth Year: 1958

  Director and Member of Audit, Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation Committees; Class III (EMO), Class III (CBA)   Since 2013 (EMO), Since 2013 (CBA)   National Association of Corporate Directors Board Leadership Fellow and financial expert; Adjunct Professor, The University of Chicago Law School (since 2018); Adjunct Professor, Washington University in St. Louis and University of Iowa law schools (since 2007); formerly, Senior Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ConnectWise, Inc. (software and services company) (2015 to 2016); Chief Financial Officer, Press Ganey Associates (health care informatics company) (2012 to 2014); Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, Houlihan Lokey (international investment bank) and President, Houlihan Lokey Foundation (2010 to 2012)     25     Trustee of AIG Funds and Anchor Series Trust (since 2018); Hochschild Mining plc (precious metals company) (since 2016); Director of Associated Banc-Corp (financial services company) (since 2007); Westell Technologies, Inc. (technology company) (2003 to 2016)

 

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Name, Address
and Age

 

Position(s)
Held with
the Funds

 

Length of
Term
Served

 

Principal
Occupation(s) During
Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex (1)
Overseen by
Nominee
(Including
the Fund)
   

Other
Directorships
Held by
Nominee

Dr. Riordan Roett

c/o Chairman of the Fund

Legg Mason & Co.

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10018

Birth Year: 1938

  Director and Member of Audit, Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation Committees; Class III (EMO), Class III (CBA)   Since 2011 (EMO), Since 2013 (EMO)   The Sarita and Don Johnston Professor of Political Science and Director of Latin American Studies, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University (since 1973)     25     None

Jane Trust, CFA 2

Legg Mason & Co.

100 International Drive

Baltimore, MD 21202

Birth year: 1962

  Chairman, CEO, President and Director Class II (EMO), Class II (CBA)   Since 2015 (EMO), Since 2015 (CBA)   Senior Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2018); formerly, Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (2016 to 2018); Officer and/or Trustee/Director of 149 funds associated with LMPFA or its affiliates (since 2015); President and Chief Executive Officer of LMPFA (since 2015); formerly, Senior Vice President of LMPFA (2015). Formerly, Director of ClearBridge, LLC (formerly, Legg Mason Capital Management, LLC) (2007 to 2014); Managing Director of Legg Mason Investment Counsel & Trust Co. (2000 to 2007).     140     None

 

(1)

The term “Fund Complex” means two or more registered investment companies that:

 

  (a)

hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services; or

 

  (b)

have a common investment adviser or that have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of any of the other registered investment companies.

 

(2)

Ms. Trust is an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act because she is an officer of LMPFA and certain of its affiliates.

The Directors were selected to join each Board based upon the following as to each Director: his or her character and integrity; such person’s service as a board member of other funds in the Legg Mason, Inc. fund complex; such person’s willingness to serve and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Director; as to each

 

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Director other than Ms. Trust, his or her status as not being an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act; and, as to Ms. Trust, her role with Legg Mason, Inc. No factor, by itself, was controlling.

In addition to the information provided in the table included above, each Director possesses the following attributes: Mr. Agdern, experience in business and as a legal professional; Ms. Colman, experience as a consultant and investment professional; Mr. Cronin, legal and managerial experience; Mr. Cucchi, experience as a college professor and leadership experience as an academic dean; Mr. Gelb, academic and world affairs and foreign relations experience and service as a board member of other registered investment companies; Mr. Hutchinson, experience in accounting and working with auditors, consulting, business and finance and service as a board member of another highly regulated financial services company; Ms. Kamerick, experience in business and finance, including financial reporting, and service as a board member of another highly regulated financial services company; Dr. Roett, expertise in Latin and South American societies and economies and academic leadership experience; and Ms. Trust, investment management and risk oversight experience as an executive and portfolio manager and leadership roles within Legg Mason and affiliated entities. References to the qualifications, attributes and skills of the Directors are pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Director as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.

Security Ownership of Management

The following table provides information concerning the dollar range of equity securities owned beneficially by each Director and nominee for election as Director as of December 31, 2017:

 

Name of Director

   Dollar Range of
Equity Securities
in CBA
   Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in EMO
   Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in all
Funds Overseen  by
Director in Family of
Investment
Companies (1)

NON-INTERESTED DIRECTORS

        

Robert D. Agdern

   None    None    Over $100,000

Carol L. Colman

   None    None    Over $100,000

Daniel P. Cronin

   $10,001-$50,000    $10,001-$50,000    Over $100,000

Paolo M. Cucchi

   None    None    $50,001-$100,000

Leslie H. Gelb

   None    None    None

William R. Hutchinson

   None    None    Over $100,000

Eileen Kamerick

   None    $10,001-$50,000    Over $100,000

Riordan Roett

   None    None    $1-$10,000

INTERESTED DIRECTOR

        

Jane Trust

   None    None    Over $100,000

 

(1)

“Family of Investment Companies” means any two or more registered investment companies that share the same investment adviser or principal underwriter or hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services.

At July 31, 2018, the Directors and officers of the Funds as a group beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each Fund’s common stock.

No Director or nominee for election as Director who is not an “interested person” of the Funds as defined in the 1940 Act, nor any immediate family members, to the best of the Funds’ knowledge, had any interest in the Funds’ investment adviser, or any person or entity (other than the Funds) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with Legg Mason as of December 31, 2017.

Director Compensation

Under the federal securities laws, and in connection with the Meeting, the Funds are required to provide to stockholders in connection with the Meeting information regarding compensation paid to the Directors by the Funds, as well as by the various other investment companies advised by LMPFA. The following table provides information concerning the

 

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compensation paid to each Director by the Funds and the Fund Complex during the calendar year ended December 31, 2017 and the total compensation paid to each Director during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2017. Certain of the Directors listed below are members of the Funds’ Audit and Nominating Committees, as well as other committees of the boards of certain other investment companies advised by LMPFA. Accordingly, the amounts provided in the table include compensation for service on all such committees. The Funds do not provide any pension or retirement benefits to Directors. In addition, no remuneration was paid during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017 to Ms. Trust who is an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act.

 

Name of Directors

   Aggregate
Compensation
from CBA for
Fiscal Year  Ended
11/30/17
     Aggregate
Compensation
from EMO for
Fiscal Year  Ended
11/30/17
     Total Pension or
Retirement
Benefits Paid as
Part of  Fund
Expenses
     Total
Compensation
from the Funds
and Fund
Complex (1)  for
Calendar Year
Ended
12/31/17
     Directorships (2)  

Robert D. Agdern

   $ 16,103      $ 11,743      $ 0      $ 264,000        25  

Carol L. Colman

   $ 17,980      $ 13,111      $ 0      $ 294,000        25  

Daniel P. Cronin

   $ 17,849      $ 13,015      $ 0      $ 292,000        25  

Paolo M. Cucchi

   $ 16,907      $ 12,329      $ 0      $ 277,000        25  

Leslie H. Gelb

   $ 17,038      $ 12,425      $ 0      $ 279,000        25  

William R Hutchinson

   $ 20,163      $ 14,701      $ 0      $ 329,000        25  

Eileen A. Kamerick

   $ 18,915      $ 13,792      $ 0      $ 309,000        25  

Riordan Roett

   $ 17,038      $ 12,425      $ 0      $ 279,000        25  

 

(1)

“Fund Complex” means two or more Funds (a registrant or, where the registrant is a series company, a separate portfolio of the registrant) that hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services or have a common investment adviser or have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of any of the other Funds.

 

(2)

The numbers indicate the applicable number of investment companies in the Fund Complex overseen by that Director as of November 30, 2017.

As of January 1, 2016, the Funds paid each of the Independent Directors an annual fee of $150,000, plus $22,500 for each regularly scheduled Board meeting attended in person and $2,000 for each telephonic meeting of the Board. In addition to the payments described above, (a) the Lead Independent Director of the Board receives $50,000; (b) the chairperson of the Audit Committee receives $30,000; (c) the chairperson of the Nominating Committee receives $15,000; (d) the chairperson of the Pricing and Valuation Committee receives $15,000; (e) the chairperson of the Compensation Committee receives $15,000; and (f) each member of the Audit Sub-Committee receives $15,000.

Responsibilities of the Board of CBA and EMO

The Board of Directors is responsible under applicable state law for overseeing generally the management and operations of each Fund. The Directors oversee each Fund’s operations by, among other things, meeting at its regularly scheduled meetings and as otherwise needed with each Fund’s management and evaluating the performance of each Fund’s service providers including LMPFA, ClearBridge, the custodian and the transfer agent. As part of this process, the Directors consult with each Fund’s independent auditors and with their own separate independent counsel.

The Directors review each Fund’s financial statements, performance, net asset value and market price and the relationship between them, as well as the quality of the services being provided to each Fund. As part of this process, the Directors review the Fund’s fees and expenses in light of the nature, quality and scope of the services being received while also seeking to ensure that each Fund continues to have access to high quality services in the future.

The Board of Directors has four regularly scheduled meetings each year, and additional meetings may be scheduled as needed. In addition, the Board has a standing Audit Committee, Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (the “Nominating Committee”), Compensation Committee and Pricing and Valuation Committee that meet periodically and whose responsibilities are described below.

 

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With respect to CBA, during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, the Board of Directors held four regular meetings and three special meetings. Each Director attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and the committees for which he or she was eligible. With respect to EMO, during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, the Board of Directors held four regular meetings and three special meetings. Each Director attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and the committees for which he or she was eligible. The Funds do not have a formal policy regarding attendance by Directors at annual meetings of stockholders.

Each of the Audit Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Pricing and Valuation Committee is composed of all Directors who have been determined not to be “interested persons” of each Fund, LMPFA, ClearBridge or their affiliates within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and who are “independent” as defined in the New York Stock Exchange listing standards (“Independent Directors”), and is chaired by an Independent Director. The Board in its discretion from time to time may establish ad hoc committees.

The Board of Directors is currently comprised of nine directors, eight of whom are Independent Directors. Jane Trust serves as Chairman of the Board. Ms. Trust is an “interested person” of each Fund. The appointment of Ms. Trust as Chairman reflects the Board’s belief that her experience, familiarity with each Fund’s day-to-day operations and access to individuals with responsibility for each Fund’s management and operations provides the Board with insight into each Fund’s business and activities and, with her access to appropriate administrative support, facilitates the efficient development of meeting agendas that address each Fund’s business, legal and other needs and the orderly conduct of board meetings. Mr. Hutchinson serves as Lead Independent Director. The Chairman develops agendas for Board meetings in consultation with the Lead Independent Director and presides at all meetings of the Board. The Lead Independent Director, among other things, chairs executive sessions of the Independent Directors, serves as a spokesperson for the Independent Directors and serves as a liaison between the Independent Directors and each Fund’s management between Board meetings. The Independent Directors regularly meet outside the presence of management and are advised by independent legal counsel. The Board also has determined that its leadership structure, as described above, is appropriate in light of the size and complexity of each Fund, the number of Independent Directors (who constitute a super-majority of the Board’s membership) and the Board’s general oversight responsibility. The Board also believes that its leadership structure not only facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Directors from management, including ClearBridge, each Fund’s subadviser, but also enhances the independent and orderly exercise of its responsibilities.

Audit Committee

Each Fund’s Audit Committee is composed entirely of all of the Independent Directors: Mses. Colman and Kamerick and Messrs. Agdern, Cronin, Cucchi, Gelb, Hutchinson and Roett. Ms. Kamerick serves as the Chair of the Audit Committee and has been determined by the Board to be an “audit committee financial expert.” The principal functions of the Audit Committee are: to (a) oversee the scope of each Fund’s audit, each Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and its internal controls and enhance the quality and objectivity of the audit function; (b) approve, and recommend to the Independent Board Members (as such term is defined in the Audit Committee Charter) for their ratification, the selection, appointment, retention or termination of each Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, as well as approving the compensation thereof; and (c) approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided to each Fund and certain other persons by each Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. Each Fund’s Audit Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017. Each Fund’s Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board, a copy of which is available on the Funds’ website at www.lmcef.com and by clicking on the name of the Fund.

Nominating Committee

Each Fund’s Nominating Committee, the principal function of which is to select and nominate candidates for election as Directors of each Fund, is composed of all of the Independent Directors: Mses. Colman and Kamerick and Messrs. Agdern, Cronin, Cucchi, Gelb, Hutchinson and Roett. Mr. Cronin serves as the Chair of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee may consider nominees recommended by the stockholder as it deems appropriate. Stockholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send recommendations to the Fund’s Secretary that include all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of Directors. A recommendation must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board of Directors and to serve if elected by the stockholders. Each Fund’s Nominating Committee met once during the fiscal year ended November 30,

 

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2017. Each Fund’s Nominating Committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board, a copy of which is available on the Funds’ website at www.lmcef.com and by clicking on the name of the Fund.

The Nominating Committee identifies potential nominees through its network of contacts, and in its discretion may also engage a professional search firm. The Nominating Committee meets to discuss and consider such candidates’ qualifications and then chooses a candidate by majority vote. The Nominating Committee does not have specific, minimum qualifications for nominees and has not established specific qualities or skills that it regards as necessary for one or more of each Fund’s Directors to possess (other than any qualities or skills that may be required by applicable law, regulation or listing standard). However, as set forth in the Nominating Committee Charter, in evaluating a person as a potential nominee to serve as a Director of the Fund, the Nominee Committee may consider the following factors, among any others it may deem relevant:

 

   

whether or not the person is an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act and whether the person is otherwise qualified under applicable laws and regulations to serve as a Director of the Fund;

 

   

whether or not the person has any relationships that might impair his or her independence, such as any business, financial or family relationships with Fund management, the investment manager of the Fund, Fund service providers or their affiliates;

 

   

whether or not the person serves on boards of, or is otherwise affiliated with, competing financial service organizations or their related mutual fund complexes;

 

   

whether or not the person is willing to serve, and willing and able to commit the time necessary for the performance of the duties of a Director of the Fund;

 

   

the contribution which the person can make to the Board and the Fund (or, if the person has previously served as a Director of the Fund, the contribution which the person made to the Board during his or her previous term of service), with consideration being given to the person’s business and professional experience, education and such other factors as the Committee may consider relevant;

 

   

the character and integrity of the person; and

 

   

whether or not the selection and nomination of the person would be consistent with the requirements of the Fund’s retirement policies.

The Nominating Committee does not have a formal diversity policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying potential director nominees but may consider diversity of professional experience, education and skills when evaluating potential nominees for Board membership.

Pricing and Valuation Committee

Each Fund’s Pricing and Valuation Committee is composed of all of the Independent Directors. The members of the Pricing and Valuation Committee are Mses. Colman and Kamerick and Messrs. Agdern, Cronin, Cucchi, Gelb, Hutchinson and Roett. Ms. Colman serves as Chair of each Fund’s Pricing and Valuation Committee. The principal function of the Pricing and Valuation Committee is to assist the Board with its oversight of the process for valuing portfolio securities in light of applicable law, regulatory guidance and applicable policies and procedures adopted by each Fund. Each Fund’s Pricing and Valuation Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017.

Compensation Committee

Each Fund’s Compensation Committee is composed of all of the Independent Directors. The members of the Compensation Committee are Mses. Colman and Kamerick and Messrs. Agdern, Cronin, Cucchi, Gelb, Hutchinson and Roett. Mr. Cucchi serves as Chair of each Fund’s Compensation Committee. The principal function of the Compensation Committee is to recommend the appropriate compensation of the Independent Directors for their service on the Board and the committees of the Board. Each Fund’s Compensation Committee met once during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017. Each Fund’s Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board, a copy of which is available on the Funds’ website at www.lmcef.com and by clicking on the name of the Fund.

 

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Officers

Each Fund’s executive officers are chosen each year at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Fund, to hold office until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. The same individuals serve as officers of both CBA and EMO. In addition to Ms. Trust, each Fund’s Chairman, CEO and President, the executive officers of the Funds currently are:

 

Name, Address and Age

   Position(s) Held with
Fund
   Length of Time Served  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Richard F. Sennett

Legg Mason & Co.

100 International Drive,

Baltimore, MD 21202

Birth year: 1970

   Principal
Financial Officer
   Since 2011
(EMO);
Since 2013
(CBA)
  Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2011 and 2013); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. and Senior Manager of the Treasury Policy group for Legg Mason & Co.’s Global Fiduciary Platform (since 2011); formerly, Chief Accountant within the SEC’s Division of Investment Management (2007 to 2011); formerly, Assistant Chief Accountant within the SEC’s Division of Investment Management (2002 to 2007)

Todd F. Kuehl

Legg Mason & Co.

100 International Drive,

Baltimore, MD 21202

Birth year: 1969

   Chief Compliance
Officer
   Since 2017
(EMO);
Since 2017
(CBA)
  Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2011); Chief Compliance Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group (prior to 2010); formerly, Branch Chief, Division of Investment Management, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (2002 to 2006)

Jenna Bailey

Legg Mason & Co.

100 First Stamford Place,

Stamford, CT 06902

Birth Year: 1978

   Identity Theft
Prevention Officer
   Since 2015
(EMO);
Since 2015
(CBA)
  Identity Theft Prevention Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2015); Compliance Officer of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2013); Assistant Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2011); formerly, Associate Compliance Officer of Legg Mason & Co. (2011 to 2013)

Robert I. Frenkel

Legg Mason & Co.

100 First Stamford Place

Stamford, CT 06902

Birth year: 1954

   Secretary and
Chief Legal Officer
   Since 2011
(EMO);

Since 2013
(CBA)

  Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason (since 2006); Managing Director and General Counsel of Global Mutual Funds for Legg Mason & Co. (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (since 1994); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006)

Jennifer S. Berg 1

Legg Mason & Co.

100 International Drive,

Baltimore, MD 21202

Birth year: 1973

   Treasurer    Since 2018
(EMO);
Since 2018
(CBA)
  Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2014); Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2018); formerly, Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (2011 to 2014)

 

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Name, Address and Age

   Position(s) Held with
Fund
   Length of Time Served  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Thomas C. Mandia

Legg Mason & Co.

100 First Stamford Place

Stamford, CT 06902

Birth year: 1962

   Assistant
Secretary
   Since 2011
(EMO);
Since 2013
(CBA)
  Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005); Secretary of LMPFA (since 2006); Assistant Secretary of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006); Secretary of LM Asset Services, LLC (“LMAS”) (since 2002) and Legg Mason Fund Asset Management, Inc. (“LMFAM”) (since 2013) (formerly registered investment advisers)

Jeanne M. Kelly

Legg Mason & Co.

620 Eighth Ave, 49 th Floor

New York, NY 10018

   Senior
Vice President
   Since 2011
(EMO);
Since 2013
(CBA)
  Senior Vice President of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2007); Senior Vice President of LMPFA (since 2006); President and Chief Executive Officer of LMAS and LMFAM (since 2015); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005); formerly, Senior Vice President of LMFAM (2013 to 2015)

 

1

Effective January 1, 2018, Ms. Berg became Treasurer.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act and Section 30(h) of the 1940 Act in combination require each Fund’s Directors and principal officers, persons who own more than 10% of the Funds’ common stock, LMPFA and certain of its affiliates, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and the NYSE. Such persons and entities are required by SEC regulations to furnish each of the Funds with copies of all such filings. Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it, or written representations from certain reporting persons, CBA believes that, during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, all such filing requirements were met with respect to CBA. In addition, with respect to EMO and based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it, or written representations from certain reporting persons, EMO believes that, during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, all such filing requirements were met with respect to EMO, with the exception of an amendment to an initial statement of beneficial interest on Form 3 for Scott Glasser, which was filed late due to an administrative oversight.

Investment Manager and Sub-Advisers

LMPFA has served as each Fund’s investment manager since EMO and CBA were created in 2011 and 2013, respectively. LMPFA, located at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018, is a registered investment adviser that provides administrative and compliance oversight services to each Fund.

Under each Fund’s management agreement with LMPFA (the “Management Agreements”), subject to the supervision and direction of each Fund’s Board, LMPFA is delegated the responsibility of managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s stated investment objective and policies, making investment decisions for the Fund and placing orders to purchase and sell securities. LMPFA performs administrative and management services necessary for the operation of each Fund, such as (i) supervising the overall administration of the Fund, including negotiation of contracts and fees with and the monitoring of performance and billings of the Fund’s transfer agent, stockholder servicing agents, custodian and other independent contractors or agents; (ii) providing certain compliance, Fund accounting, regulatory reporting, and tax reporting services; (iii) preparing or participating in the preparation of Board materials, registration statements, proxy statements and reports and other communications to stockholders; (iv) maintaining the Fund’s existence, and (v) maintaining the registration and qualification of the Fund’s shares under federal and state laws.

 

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Each Fund’s Management Agreement will continue in effect from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the Fund’s Board or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), and (b) in either event, by a majority of the Independent Directors with such Independent Directors casting votes in person at a meeting called for such purpose. Each Fund’s Management Agreement provides that LMPFA may render services to others. Each Fund’s Management Agreement is terminable without penalty on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice by the Fund when authorized either by a vote of holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) or by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s Directors, or by LMPFA on not less than 90 days’ written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. Each Fund’s Management Agreement provides that neither LMPFA nor its personnel shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution of security transactions for the Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of its or their obligations and duties.

LMPFA does not provide day-to-day portfolio management services. Rather, portfolio management for each Fund is provided by ClearBridge, located at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018.

ClearBridge provides services to each Fund pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge (the “ClearBridge Sub-Advisory Agreements”). Under each ClearBridge Asset Sub-Advisory Agreement, subject to the supervision and direction of each Fund’s Board and LMPFA, ClearBridge will manage the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s stated investment objective and policies, assist in supervising all aspects of the Fund’s operations, make investment decisions for the Fund, place orders to purchase and sell securities, and employ professional portfolio managers and securities analysts who provide research services to the Fund.

The ClearBridge Sub-Advisory Agreements will continue in effect from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the Board or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), and (b) in either event, by a majority of the Independent Directors with such Independent Directors casting votes in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The Board or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) may terminate that ClearBridge Sub-Advisory Agreement without penalty, in each case on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice to ClearBridge. ClearBridge may terminate each ClearBridge Sub-Advisory Agreement on 90 days’ written notice to each Fund and LMPFA. LMPFA and ClearBridge may terminate each ClearBridge Sub-Advisory Agreement upon their mutual written consent. Each ClearBridge Sub-Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of assignment by ClearBridge and shall not be assignable by LMPFA without the consent of ClearBridge.

EMO currently pays LMPFA an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 1.00% of EMO’s average daily managed assets. CBA currently pays LMPFA an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 1.00% of CBA’s average daily managed assets. The total dollar amounts paid to LMPFA under the Management Agreements with each Fund for the last three fiscal years are as follows:

 

     CBA      EMO  

2015

   $ 12,874,400      $ 9,643,295  

2016

     7,276,109        5,710,916  

2017

     8,019,646        6,008,681  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 28,170,155      $ 21,362,892  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

With respect to each Fund, LMPFA pays sub-advisory fees to ClearBridge at the rate of 70% of the management fee paid to LMPFA.

LMPFA and ClearBridge are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason. Legg Mason, whose principal executive offices are at 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, is a global asset management company.

Additional information about the factors considered by the Board of EMO in approving its Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements is set forth in EMO’s Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders for the Annual Period ending

 

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November 30, 2017. Additional information about the factors considered by the Board of CBA in approving its Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements is set forth in CBA’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the Fiscal Year ended November  30, 2017.

Codes of Ethics

Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, each of the Funds, LMPFA and ClearBridge have adopted codes of ethics that permit their respective personnel to invest in securities for their own accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds (the “Codes of Ethics”). All personnel must place the interests of clients first and avoid activities, interests and relationships that might interfere with the duty to make decisions in the best interests of the clients. All personal securities transactions by employees must adhere to the requirements of the applicable Codes of Ethics and must be conducted in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest, the appearance of such a conflict, or the abuse of an employee’s position of trust and responsibility.

When personnel covered by either Fund’s Code of Ethics are employed by more than one of the managers affiliated with Legg Mason, those employees may be subject to such affiliate’s Code of Ethics adopted pursuant to Rule 17j-1, rather than the Codes of Ethics of the Funds.

The Codes of Ethics of the Funds, LMPFA, and ClearBridge can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, that information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090, that these codes of ethics are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov , and that copies of these codes of ethics may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC, 20549-0102.

Proxy Voting Policies

Although individual Directors may not agree with particular policies or votes by LMPFA or ClearBridge each Fund’s Board has delegated proxy voting discretion to LMPFA and/or ClearBridge, believing that LMPFA and/or ClearBridge should be responsible for voting because it is a matter relating to the investment decision making process.

LMPFA delegates the responsibility for voting proxies for each Fund to ClearBridge through its contracts with ClearBridge. ClearBridge will use its own proxy voting policies and procedures to vote proxies. Accordingly, LMPFA does not expect to have proxy-voting responsibility for the Funds. Should LMPFA become responsible for voting proxies for any reason, such as the inability of ClearBridge to provide investment advisory services, LMPFA shall utilize the proxy voting guidelines established by the most recent subadviser to vote proxies until a new subadviser is retained. In the case of a material conflict between the interests of LMPFA (or its affiliates if such conflict is known to persons responsible for voting at LMPFA) and either Fund, the Board of Directors of LMPFA shall consider how to address the conflict and/or how to vote the proxies. LMPFA shall maintain records of all proxy votes in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations, to the extent that LMPFA votes proxies. LMPFA shall be responsible for gathering relevant documents and records related to proxy voting from ClearBridge and providing them to the relevant Fund as required for the Fund to comply with applicable rules under the 1940 Act.

LMPFA’s and ClearBridge’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures govern in determining how proxies relating to each Fund’s portfolio securities are voted and are attached as Appendix C and D, respectively, to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Information regarding how each Fund voted proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge (1) by calling 888-777-0102, (2) on the Fund’s website at http://www.lmcef.com and (3) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov .

Investment Professionals of the Funds

Below is summary information for the Funds’ investment professionals. Certain employees of ClearBridge listed below are members of the management teams of both CBA and EMO; others are involved in the management of only one of the Funds.

 

54


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Name and Address

  

Length of Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Last Five Years

Michael Clarfeld, CFA

ClearBridge Investments, LLC

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10018

  

Since 2011 (EMO);

Since 2013 (CBA)

   Co-portfolio manager of the fund; Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of ClearBridge; he has been with ClearBridge since 2006 and has 17 years of investment industry experience. Prior to joining ClearBridge, Mr. Clarfeld was an equity analyst with Hygrove Partners, LLC and a financial analyst with Goldman Sachs.

Chris Eades

ClearBridge Investments, LLC

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10018

  

Since 2011 (EMO);

Since 2013 (CBA)

   Co-portfolio manager of the fund; Managing Director, Co-Director of Research, Senior Research Analyst for Energy joined ClearBridge in 2006 as a senior research analyst for energy and was named co-director of research in 2009. He has 25 years of investment industry experience. Prior to joining ClearBridge, Mr. Eades served as an energy analyst and portfolio manager at Saranac Capital from 2002 to 2006.

Richard Freeman

ClearBridge Investments, LLC

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10018

  

Since 2011 (EMO);

Since 2013 (CBA)

   Co-portfolio manager of the fund; Mr. Freeman is a Senior Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of ClearBridge and has 41 years of investment industry experience. Mr. Freeman joined the subadviser or its predecessor in 1983.

Peter Vanderlee, CFA

ClearBridge Investments, LLC

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, NY 10018

   Since 2011 (EMO); Since 2013 (CBA)    Co-portfolio manager of the fund; Managing Director and Portfolio Manager with ClearBridge. Mr. Vanderlee has 18 years of investment industry experience.

Other Accounts Managed by Investment Professionals

The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the Funds) for which the each Fund’s investment professionals have day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts. Data for registered investment companies is based on the specific investment professionals that are named in the applicable disclosure documents. Data for other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts is based on ClearBridge’s practice of naming a particular individual to maintain oversight responsibility for each vehicle/account. Where the named individual has been assigned primary responsibility for oversight of another pooled investment vehicle or other account, that vehicle/account has been allocated exclusively to that individual for disclosure purposes. For each category, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts where fees are based on performance is also indicated as of November 30, 2017.

CBA:

 

Name of PM

 

Type of

Account

  Number of
Accounts
Managed
  Total Assets
Managed
    Number of Accounts Managed for
which Advisory Fee  is
Performance-Based
  Assets
Managed for
which Advisory
Fee is
Performance-
Based

Michael Clarfeld

  Other Registered Investment Companies   8   $ 10.3 billion     None   None
  Other Pooled Vehicles   2   $ 490 million     None   None
  Other Accounts   32,864   $ 10.4 billion     None   None

Chris Eades

  Other Registered Investment Companies   4   $ 1.9 billion     None   None
  Other Pooled Vehicles   1   $ 400 million     None   None
  Other Accounts   2   $ 7 million     None   None

Richard Freeman

  Other Registered Investment Companies   9   $ 17.6 billion     None   None
  Other Pooled Vehicles   3   $ 2.3 billion     None   None
  Other Accounts   76,394   $ 24.9 billion     None   None

 

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Table of Contents

Name of PM

 

Type of

Account

  Number of
Accounts
Managed
  Total Assets
Managed
    Number of Accounts Managed for
which Advisory Fee is
Performance-  Based
  Assets
Managed for
which Advisory
Fee is
Performance-
Based

Peter Vanderlee

  Other Registered Investment Companies   9   $ 11.1 billion     None   None
  Other Pooled Vehicles   6   $ 1.7 billion     None   None
  Other Accounts   34,823   $ 10.9 billion     None   None

EMO:

 

Name of PM

 

Type of

Account

  Number of
Accounts
Managed
  Total Assets
Managed
    Number of Accounts Managed for
which Advisory Fee  is
Performance-Based
  Assets
Managed for
which Advisory
Fee is
Performance-
Based

Michael Clarfeld

  Other Registered Investment Companies   8   $ 10.3 billion     None   None
  Other Pooled Vehicles   2   $ 490 million     None   None
  Other Accounts   32,864   $ 10.4 billion     None   None

Chris Eades

  Other Registered Investment Companies   4   $ 1.9 billion     None   None
  Other Pooled Vehicles   1   $ 400 million     None   None
  Other Accounts   2   $ 7 million     None   None

Richard Freeman

  Other Registered Investment Companies   9   $ 17.6 billion     None   None
  Other Pooled Vehicles   3   $ 2.3 billion     None   None
  Other Accounts   76,394   $ 24.9 billion     None   None

Peter Vanderlee

  Other Registered Investment Companies   9   $ 11.1 billion     None   None
  Other Pooled Vehicles   6   $ 1.7 billion     None   None
  Other Accounts   34,823   $ 10.9 billion     None   None

Investment Professional Compensation

ClearBridge’s portfolio managers participate in a competitive compensation program that is designed to attract and retain outstanding investment professionals and closely align the interests of its investment professionals with those of its clients and overall firm results. The total compensation program includes a significant incentive component that rewards high performance standards, integrity, and collaboration consistent with the firm’s values. Portfolio manager compensation is reviewed and modified each year as appropriate to reflect changes in the market and to ensure the continued alignment with the goals stated above. ClearBridges’s portfolio managers and other investment professionals receive a combination of base compensation and discretionary compensation, comprising a cash incentive award and deferred incentive plans described below.

 

   

Base salary compensation. Base salary is fixed and primarily determined based on market factors and the experience and responsibilities of the investment professional within the firm.

 

   

Discretionary compensation. In addition to base compensation managers may receive discretionary compensation.

 

   

Discretionary compensation can include:

 

   

Cash Incentive Award

ClearBridge’s Deferred Incentive Plan (“CDIP”)—a mandatory program that typically defers 15% of discretionary year-end compensation into ClearBridge managed products. For portfolio managers, one-third of this deferral tracks the performance of their primary managed product, one-third tracks the performance of a composite portfolio of the firm’s new

 

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products and one-third can be elected to track the performance of one or more of ClearBridge managed funds. Consequently, portfolio managers can have two-thirds of their CDIP award tracking the performance of their primary managed product.

For centralized research analysts, two-thirds of their deferral is elected to track the performance of one of more of ClearBridge managed funds, while one-third tracks the performance of the new product composite.

ClearBridge then makes a company investment in the proprietary managed funds equal to the deferral amounts by fund. This investment is a company asset held on the balance sheet and paid out to the employees in shares subject to vesting requirements.

Legg Mason Restricted Stock Deferral—a mandatory program that typically defers 5% of discretionary year-end compensation into Legg Mason restricted stock. The award is paid out to employees in shares subject to vesting requirements.

Legg Mason Restricted Stock and Stock Option Grants—a discretionary program that may be utilized as part of the total compensation program. These special grants reward and recognize significant contributions to our clients, shareholders and the firm and aid in retaining key talent.

 

   

Several factors are considered by ClearBridge Senior Management when determining discretionary compensation for portfolio managers. These include but are not limited to:

 

   

Investment performance. A portfolio manager’s compensation is linked to the pre-tax investment performance of the fund/accounts managed by the portfolio manager. Investment performance is calculated for 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods measured against the applicable product benchmark (e.g., a securities index and, with respect to a fund, the benchmark set forth in the fund’s Prospectus) and relative to applicable industry peer groups. The greatest weight is generally placed on 3- and 5-year performance;

 

   

Appropriate risk positioning that is consistent with ClearBridge’s investment philosophy and the Investment Committee/CIO approach to generation of alpha;

 

   

Overall firm profitability and performance;

 

   

Amount and nature of assets managed by the portfolio manager;

 

   

Contributions for asset retention, gathering and client satisfaction;

 

   

Contribution to mentoring, coaching and/or supervising;

 

   

Contribution and communication of investment ideas in ClearBridge’s Investment Committee meetings and on a day to day basis;

 

   

Market compensation survey research by independent third parties.

Potential Conflicts of Interest

Potential conflicts of interest may arise when the fund’s portfolio managers also have day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to one or more other funds or other accounts, as is the case for the fund’s portfolio managers.

The subadviser and the fund have adopted compliance policies and procedures that are designed to address various conflicts of interest that may arise for the subadviser and the individuals that each employs. For example, the manager and the subadviser each seek to minimize the effects of competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by assigning portfolio managers to manage funds and accounts that share a similar investment style. The subadviser has also adopted trade allocation procedures that are designed to facilitate the fair allocation of limited investment opportunities among multiple funds and accounts. There is no guarantee, however, that the policies and procedures adopted by the subadviser and the fund will be able to detect and/or prevent every situation in which an actual or potential conflict may appear. These potential conflicts include:

Allocation of Limited Time and Attention. A portfolio manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those funds and/or accounts. As a result, the portfolio manager may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each

 

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of those accounts as might be the case if he or she were to devote substantially more attention to the management of a single fund. The effects of this potential conflict may be more pronounced where funds and/or accounts overseen by a particular portfolio manager have different investment strategies.

Allocation of Investment Opportunities. If a portfolio manager identifies an investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and/or accounts, the opportunity may be allocated among these several funds or accounts, which may limit a fund’s ability to take full advantage of the investment opportunity.

Pursuit of Differing Strategies. At times, a portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the funds and/or accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds and/or accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio manager may place separate transactions for one or more funds or accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment or benefit of one or more other funds and/or accounts.

Selection of Broker/Dealers. In addition to executing trades, some broker/dealers provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act), which may result in the payment of higher brokerage fees than might have otherwise been available. These services may be more beneficial to certain funds or accounts than to others. For this reason, the subadviser has formed a brokerage committee that reviews, among other things, the allocation of brokerage to broker/dealers, best execution and soft dollar usage.

Variation in Compensation. A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available to the portfolio manager differ among the funds and/or accounts that he or she manages. If the structure of the manager’s management fee (and the percentage paid to the subadviser) and/or the portfolio manager’s compensation differs among funds and/or accounts (such as where certain funds or accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the portfolio manager might be motivated to help certain funds and/or accounts over others. The portfolio manager might be motivated to favor funds and/or accounts in which he or she has an interest or in which the manager and/or its affiliates have interests. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management or to enhance the portfolio manager’s performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the portfolio manager in affording preferential treatment to those funds and/or accounts that could most significantly benefit the portfolio manager.

Investment Professional Securities Ownership

The table below identifies the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by the investment professionals of each Fund as of November 30, 2017.

 

Investment Professional

   Dollar Range   of
EMO Securities
Beneficially Owned
     Dollar Range of
CBA Securities
Beneficially Owned
     Aggregate dollar
Range of Fund
Securities
Beneficially Owned
 

Michael Clarfeld

     C        B        C  

Chris Eades

     D        D        E  

Richard Freeman

     E        C        E  

Peter Vanderlee

     C        A        C  

Dollar Range ownership is as follows:

A: none; B: $1 - $10,000; C: 10,001 - $50,000; D: $50,001 - $100,000; E: $100,001 - $500,000; F: $500,001 - $1 million; G: over $1 million

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS

Further information about EMO is included in EMO’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2017, filed with the SEC on January 31, 2018 (accession no. 0001193125-18-027278), EMO’s Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders for the Period Ended May 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on July 26, 2018 (accession no. 0001193125-18-227257), CBA’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2017, filed with the SEC on January 31, 2018 (accession no. 0001193125-18-027288) and CBA’s Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders for the Period Ended May 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on July 26, 2018 (accession no. 0001193125-18-227280). Copies of these documents, the SAI related to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and any subsequently released stockholder reports are available upon request and without charge, by writing to the Funds at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10041, by visiting the Funds’ website at www.lmcef.com or by calling the Funds at 888-777-0102.

The Funds are subject to the informational requirements of the 1934 Act and in accordance therewith, file reports and other information including proxy material, reports and charter documents with the SEC. These reports and other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Reports and other information about each Fund are available on the Edgar Database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of such material can also be obtained from the Public Reference Branch, Office of Consumer Affairs and Information Services, SEC, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 at prescribed rates. You may obtain information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 202-551-8090.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand the performance of each Fund for the past five years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share. Total return represents the rate that a stockholder would have earned (or lost) on a Fund share assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The information in the following tables has been derived from the Funds’ financial statements for the fiscal year ended 2017, which have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), an independent registered public accounting firm, whose reports, along with the Funds’ financial statements, are included in the Funds’ annual reports (available upon request). The information for the years or periods prior to the fiscal year ended 2017 was audited by KPMG LLP, the Funds’ prior independent registered public accounting firm. The information for the six months ended May 31, 2018 has not been audited.

Financial Highlights for EMO (Acquiring Fund)

 

For a common share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended November 30, unless otherwise noted:

 
     2018 1,2     2017 1     2016 1     2015 1     2014 1     2013 1  

Net asset value, beginning of year/period

   $ 11.37     $ 13.84     $ 15.25     $ 25.80     $ 23.53     $ 20.04  

Income (loss) from operations:

            

Net investment income (loss)

     0.19       (0.20     (0.40     (0.18     (0.29     (0.31

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.75       (0.99     0.27       (8.86     3.96       5.17  

Total income (loss) from operations

     0.94       (1.19     (0.13     (9.04     3.67       4.86  

Less distributions to common shareholders from:

            

Dividends

                                   (0.78

Return of capital

     (0.64 ) 3       (1.28     (1.28     (1.51     (1.40     (0.59

Total distributions to common shareholders

     (0.64     (1.28     (1.28     (1.51     (1.40     (1.37

Net asset value, end of year/period

   $ 11.67     $ 11.37     $ 13.84     $ 15.25     $ 25.80     $ 23.53  

Market price, end of year/period

   $ 11.05     $ 10.47     $ 12.83     $ 14.71     $ 23.55     $ 23.02  

Total return, based on NAV 4,5

     8.24     (9.34 )%      0.68     (36.35 )%      15.64     24.56

Total return, based on Market Price 6

     11.78     (9.54 )%      (2.83 )%      (32.14 )%      8.38     19.98

Net assets applicable to common shareholders, end of period (millions)

   $ 364     $ 355     $ 432     $ 473     $ 798     $ 728  

 

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(continued from prior page)

     2018 1,2     2017 1     2016 1     2015 1     2014 1     2013 1  

Ratios to average net assets:

            

Management fees

     1.49 % 7     1.43 %     1.43 %     1.44 %     1.27 %     1.29 %

Other expenses

     2.04 7         1.72       2.65 8         1.49       0.93       0.99  

Subtotal

     3.53 7         3.15       4.08 8         2.93       2.20       2.28  

Income tax expense

     9         9         0.10       9         8.20       12.59  

Total expenses

     3.53 7         3.15       4.18 8         2.93       10.40       14.87  

Net investment income (loss),
net of income taxes

     3.29 7         (1.45     (3.12 ) 8       (0.84     (1.15     (1.38

Portfolio turnover rate

     4     16     23     8     10     25

Supplemental data:

            

Loan and Debt Issuance Outstanding,
End of Year/Period (000s)

   $ 159,000     $ 158,000     $ 147,000     $ 235,000     $ 250,000     $ 210,000  

Asset Coverage Ratio for Loan and Debt Issuance Outstanding 10

     343 %     339 %     409 %     331 %     419 %     446 %

Asset Coverage, per $1,000 Principal Amount of Loan and Debt Issuance Outstanding 10

   $ 3,435     $ 3,390     $ 4,093     $ 3,312     $ 4,191 11       $ 4,465 11    

Weighted Average Loan and Debt Issuance (000s)

   $ 155,181     $ 157,819     $ 137,883     $ 247,384     $ 217,260     $ 202,800  

Weighted Average Interest Rate on Loan and Debt Issuance

     3.47 %     3.32 %     4.38 % 12       2.76 %     2.90 %     2.65 %

Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock at Liquidation Value, End of Year/Period (000s)

   $ 23,000     $ 23,000     $ 23,000     $ 70,000              

Asset Coverage Ratio for Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock 13

     300 %     296 %     354 %     255 %            

Asset Coverage, per $100,000 Liquidation Value per Share of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock 13

   $ 300,075     $ 295,913     $ 353,918     $ 255,188              

 

1

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

 

2

For the six months ended May 31, 2018 (unaudited).

 

3

The Fund’s current fiscal year distributions may consist of dividends, return of capital or a combination of both. Shareholders will be informed of the tax characteristics of the distributions after the close of the fiscal year.

 

4

Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

5

The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

6

The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

7

Annualized.

 

8

Includes non-recurring prepayment penalties, the write off of debt issuance and offering costs and the write off of preferred stock offering costs recognized during the period totaling 0.66% of average assets.

 

9

For the six months ended May 31, 2018 and years ended November 30, 2017 and 2015, the net income tax benefit was 0.18% (not annualized), 5.27% and 24.57%, respectively. The net income tax benefit is not reflected in the Fund’s expense ratios.

 

10

Represents value of net assets plus the loan outstanding, debt issuance outstanding and mandatory redeemable preferred stock at the end of the period divided by the loan and debt issuance outstanding at the end of the period.

 

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11

Added to conform to current period presentation.

 

12

Includes prepayment penalties recognized during the period.

 

13

Represents value of net assets plus the loan outstanding, debt issuance outstanding and mandatory redeemable preferred stock at the end of the period divided by the loan, debt issuance and mandatory redeemable preferred stock outstanding at the end of the period.

Financial Highlights for CBA (Target Fund)

 

For a common share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended November 30, unless otherwise noted:

 
    2018 1,2     2017 1     2016 1     2015 1     2014 1     2013 1,3  

Net asset value, beginning of year/period

  $ 8.21     $ 9.98     $ 10.34     $ 18.80     $ 18.62     $ 19.06 4    

Income (loss) from operations:

           

Net investment loss

    (0.12     (0.21     (0.39     (0.15     (0.29     (0.09

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.50       (0.76     0.83       (7.09     1.68       0.25  

Total income (loss) from operations

    0.38       (0.97     0.44       (7.24     1.39       0.16  

Less distributions to common shareholders from:

           

Dividends

          (0.80                        

Return of capital

    (0.40 ) 5             (0.80     (1.22     (1.21     (0.60

Total distributions to common shareholders

    (0.40     (0.80     (0.80     (1.22     (1.21     (0.60

Net asset value, end of year/period

  $ 8.19     $ 8.21     $ 9.98     $ 10.34     $ 18.80     $ 18.62  

Market price, end of year/period

  $ 7.73     $ 7.40     $ 8.79     $ 9.93     $ 17.66     $ 18.35  

Total return, based on NAV 6,7

    4.57     (10.47 )%      6.29     (40.22 )%      7.50     0.92

Total return, based on Market Price 8

    9.96     (7.81 )%      (1.99 )%      (38.21 )%      2.95     (5.20 )% 

Net assets applicable to common shareholders, end of period (millions)

  $ 480     $ 481     $ 585     $ 603     $ 1,096     $ 1,085  

Ratios to average net assets:

           

Management fees

    1.47 % 9       1.39 %     1.43 %     1.42 %     1.34 %     1.23 % 9  

Other expenses

    2.08 9         1.61       3.30 10         1.69       1.31       0.66 9    

Subtotal

    3.55 9         3.00       4.73 10         3.11       2.65       1.89 9    

Income tax expense

    11         0.09             11         4.23       1.20 9    

Total expenses

    3.55 9         3.09       4.73 10         3.11       6.88       3.09 9,12    

Net investment loss, net of income taxes

    (2.92 ) 9       (2.16     (4.49 ) 10       (0.98     (1.52     (1.12 ) 9  

Portfolio turnover rate

    4     69     25     14     21     3

Supplemental data:

           

Loan and Debt Issuance Outstanding, End of Year/Period (000s)

  $ 211,000     $ 200,000     $ 186,000     $ 275,000     $ 377,000     $ 375,000  

Asset Coverage Ratio for Loan and Debt Issuance Outstanding 13

    339     353 %     428 %     365 %     391 %     389 %

Asset Coverage, per $1,000 Principal Amount of Loan and Debt Issuance Outstanding 13

  $ 3,393     $ 3,529     $ 4,278     $ 3,649     $ 3,906 14       $ 3,894 14    

Weighted Average Loan and Debt Issuance (000s)

  $ 202,484     $ 199,770     $ 177,148     $ 340,104     $ 376,633     $ 283,942  

Weighted Average Interest Rate on Loan and Debt Issuance

    3.80     3.51 %     5.50 % 15       3.56 %     3.30 %     2.03 %

Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock at Liquidation Value, End of Year/Period (000s)

  $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 125,000              

Asset Coverage Ratio for Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock 16

    303     314 %     377 %     251 %            

Asset Coverage, per $100,000 Liquidation Value per Share of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock 16

  $ 303,343     $ 313,685     $ 377,097     $ 250,859              

 

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1

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

 

2

For the six months ended May 31, 2018 (unaudited).

 

3

For the period June 26, 2013 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2013.

 

4

Initial public offering price of $20.00 per share less offering costs and sales load totaling $0.94 per share.

 

5

The Fund’s current fiscal year distributions may consist of dividends, return of capital or a combination of both. Shareholders will be informed of the tax characteristics of the distributions after the close of the fiscal year.

 

6

Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

7

The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

8

The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

9

Annualized.

 

10

Includes non-recurring prepayment penalties, the write off of debt issuance and offering costs and the write off of preferred stock offering costs recognized during the period totaling 1.15% of average assets.

 

11

For the six months ended May 31, 2018 and year ended November 30, 2015, the net income tax benefit was 0.11% (not annualized) and 5.77%, respectively. The net income tax benefit is not reflected in the Fund’s expense ratios.

 

12

Excludes the impact of reimbursement for organization fees in the amount of 0.01%. Inclusive of the reimbursement the ratio is 3.08%. The investment manager has agreed to reimburse all organization expenses.

 

13

Represents value of net assets plus the loan outstanding, debt issuance outstanding and mandatory redeemable preferred stock at the end of the period divided by the loan and debt issuance outstanding at the end of the period.

 

14

Added to conform to current period presentation.

 

15

Includes prepayment penalties recognized during the period.

 

16

Represents value of net assets plus the loan outstanding, debt issuance outstanding and mandatory redeemable preferred stock at the end of the period divided by the loan, debt issuance and mandatory redeemable preferred stock outstanding at the end of the period.

NET ASSET VALUE, MARKET PRICE AND PREMIUM/DISCOUNT

Common shares of closed-end investment companies, such as the Funds, have frequently traded at a discount from net asset value, but in some cases trade at a premium. Shares of closed-end investment companies investing primarily in fixed income securities tend to trade on the basis of income yield relative to the market price of the shares and the market price may also be affected by trading volume, general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the fund. As a result, the market price of each Fund’s Common Shares may be greater or less than the NAV per share. Since the commencement of each Fund’s operations, each Fund’s Common Shares have traded in the market at prices that were generally below NAV per share.

The following tables set forth the high and low sales prices for EMO Common Shares and CBA Common Shares on the NYSE, the NAV per share and the discount or premium to NAV per share represented by the quotation for each quarterly period during the last two calendar years.

 

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EMO (Acquiring Fund) Fiscal Year End is November 30

 

     Quarterly High Price     Quarterly Low Price  

Quarter Ended

   Net Asset
Value Per
Share
     NYSE
Price
     Premium/
(Discount)
    Net Asset
Value Per
Share
     NYSE
Price
     Premium/
(Discount)
 

February 29, 2016

   $ 14.98      $ 14.47        (3.40 )%    $ 7.20      $ 6.93        (3.75 )% 

May 31, 2016

     13.80        12.84        (6.96 )%      10.36        10.06        (2.90 )% 

August 31, 2016

     14.18        13.33        (5.99 )%      13.29        12.21        (8.13 )% 

November 30, 2016

     14.22        13.54        (4.78 )%      13.24        12.36        (6.65 )% 

February 28, 2017

     15.32        14.20        (7.31 )%      13.61        12.69        (6.76 )% 

May 31, 2017

     14.81        13.84        (6.55 )%      13.31        12.73        (4.36 )% 

August 31, 2017

     13.39        13.10        (2.17 )%      12.08        11.39        (5.71 )% 

November 30, 2017

     12.71        12.18        (4.17 )%      11.01        10.00        (9.17 )% 

February 28, 2018

     13.64        13.22        (3.08 )%      11.24        10.29        (8.45 )% 

May 31, 2018

     11.95        11.80        (1.26 )%      10.12        9.66        (4.55 )% 

CBA (Target Fund) Fiscal Year End is November 30

 

     Quarterly High Price     Quarterly Low Price  

Quarter Ended

   Net Asset
Value Per
Share
     NYSE
Price
     Premium/
(Discount)
    Net Asset
Value Per
Share
     NYSE
Price
     Premium/
(Discount)
 

February 29, 2016

   $ 10.04      $ 9.75        (2.89 )%    $ 4.91      $ 4.77        (2.85 )% 

May 31, 2016

     9.37        8.50        (9.28 )%      6.58        6.27        (4.71 )% 

August 31, 2016

     10.01        9.17        (8.39 )%      8.98        8.10        (9.80 )% 

November 30, 2016

     10.17        9.04        (11.11 )%      9.26        8.06        (12.96 )% 

February 28, 2017

     11.46        10.52        (8.20 )%      9.75        8.58        (12.00 )% 

May 31, 2017

     11.06        10.06        (9.04 )%      9.77        9.07        (7.16 )% 

August 31, 2017

     9.87        9.31        (5.67 )%      8.66        7.96        (8.08 )% 

November 30, 2017

     9.37        8.75        (6.62 )%      7.81        7.08        (9.35 )% 

February 28, 2018

     9.81        9.53        (2.85 )%      8.06        7.37        (8.56 )% 

May 31, 2018

     8.33        7.97        (4.32 )%      6.94        6.64        (4.32 )% 

As of May 31, 2018, the NAV per share of EMO was $11.67 and the closing price of EMO Common Shares on the NYSE was $11.05, meaning EMO Common Shares were trading at a 5.31% discount to EMO’s NAV per share. Also as of May 31, 2018, the NAV per share of CBA was $8.19 and the closing price of CBA Common Shares on the NYSE was $7.73, meaning that CBA Common Shares were trading at a 5.62% discount to CBA’s NAV per share. The trading premium/discount for EMO Common Shares may change after the issuance of additional EMO Common Shares in the Merger and the resulting increase in supply of EMO Common Shares in the market.

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth the unaudited capitalization of each Fund as of the date set out below, and on a pro forma basis as of that date, giving effect to the proposed acquisition of assets at net asset value. The pro forma capitalization information is for informational purposes only. No assurance can be given as to how many shares of EMO will be received by stockholders of CBA on the Closing Date, and the information should not be relied upon to reflect the number of shares of EMO that actually will be received.

 

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The following table sets out the effect of the proposed acquisition of assets at net asset value on a pro forma basis:

Pro Forma Combined Capitalization Table As of November 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

     CBA
(Target Fund)
     EMO
(Acquiring
Fund)
     Pro Forma
Adjustments
    EMO (Pro Forma
Combined Fund)
 

Total Net Assets

   $ 480,792,395      $ 354,601,814        $ 835,394,209  

Common Shares Outstanding

     58,592,799        31,196,056        (16,295,272 ) (a)       73,493,583  

MRPS Outstanding

     250        230          480  

Net Asset Value

   $ 8.21      $ 11.37        $ 11.37  

 

(a)

Reflects adjustments to the number of common shares outstanding due to the Merger.

For more information about the Funds’ capital stock, see “Description of the Funds’ Securities—Capital Stock.”

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

As of May 31, 2018, 98.41% of the market value of EMO’s portfolio was invested in equity securities and 1.59% was invested in short-term money market instruments.

As of May 31, 2018, 97.65% of the market value of CBA’s portfolio was invested in equity securities and 2.35% was invested in short-term money market instruments.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Neither Fund has an obligation to deal with any brokers or dealers in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities. Subject to policy established by the Boards of the Funds, the Managers are responsible for each Fund’s portfolio decisions and the placing of the Fund’s portfolio transactions.

Portfolio securities normally will be purchased or sold from or to dealers serving as market makers for the securities at a net price, which may include dealer spreads and underwriting commissions. In placing orders, it is the policy of each Fund to obtain the best results, taking into account the general execution and operational facilities of the broker or dealer, the type of transaction involved and other factors, such as the risk of the broker or dealer in positioning the securities involved. While the Managers generally seek the best price in placing its orders, neither Fund may necessarily be paying the lowest price available. Subject to seeking the best price and execution, securities firms which provide supplemental research to the Managers may receive orders for transactions by the Fund. Information so received will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Manager under each Fund’s Management Agreement, and the expenses of the Managers will not necessarily be reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental information.

The aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid during the three most recent fiscal years was $361,408 in 2015, $589,211 in 2016 and $217,644 in 2017 for CBA and $208,930 in 2015, $486,693 in 2016 and $150,397 in 2017 for EMO. To the extent a Fund does effect brokerage transactions, affiliated persons (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or affiliated persons of such persons, may from time to time be selected to perform brokerage services for the Fund, subject to the considerations discussed above, but are prohibited by the 1940 Act from dealing with the Fund as a principal in the purchase or sale of securities. In order for such an affiliated person to be permitted to effect any portfolio transactions for a Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by such affiliated person must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold during a comparable period of time. This standard would allow such an affiliated person to receive no more than the remuneration which would be expected to be received by an unaffiliated broker in a commensurate arm’s-length transaction.

 

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Investment decisions for each Fund are made independently from those for other funds and accounts advised or managed by the Manager. Such other funds and accounts may also invest in the same securities as the Funds. When a purchase or sale of the same security is made at substantially the same time on behalf of a Fund and another fund or account, the transaction will be averaged as to price, and available investments allocated as to amount, in a manner which the Manager believes to be equitable to the Fund and such other fund or account. In some instances, this investment procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the size of the position obtained or sold by the Fund. To the extent permitted by law, the Managers may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other funds and accounts in order to obtain best execution.

Although neither Fund has any restrictions on portfolio turnover, it is neither Fund’s policy to engage in transactions with the objective of seeking profits from short-term trading. It is expected that the annual portfolio turnover rate of the Funds will not exceed 200%. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of a Fund’s portfolio securities. For purposes of this calculation, portfolio securities exclude all securities having a maturity when purchased of one year or less. A high rate of portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater transaction costs than a lower rate, which costs are borne by the Funds and their stockholders.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Distributions

Under normal market conditions, the Fund intends to distribute substantially all of the Fund’s distributable cash flow received as cash distributions from MLPs, interest payments received on debt securities owned by the Fund and other payments on securities owned by the Fund, less Fund expenses.

The Fund intends to make distributions quarterly. Your initial distribution is expected to be declared approximately 45 days, and paid approximately 60 days, from the completion of this offering, depending upon market conditions.

EMO Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt-out), all dividends, including any capital gain dividends and return of capital distributions, on your Common Stock will be automatically reinvested by Computershare Inc., as agent for the stockholders (the “EMO Plan Agent”), in additional shares of Common Stock under EMO’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “EMO Plan”). You may elect not to participate in the EMO Plan by contacting the EMO Plan Agent. If you do not participate, you will receive all cash distributions paid by check mailed directly to you by Computershare Inc., as dividend paying agent.

If you participate in the EMO Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock you will receive will be determined as follows:

(1) If the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) on the payment date (or, if the payment date is not a NYSE trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) is equal to or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Fund will issue new Common Stock at a price equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date or (b) 95% of the market price per share of the Common Stock on the payment date.

(2) If the net asset value per share of the Common Stock exceeds the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the EMO Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will buy Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for your account as soon as practicable commencing on the trading day following the payment date and terminating no later than the earlier of (a) 30 days after the dividend or distribution payment date, or (b) the payment date for the next succeeding dividend or distribution to be made to the stockholders; except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. If during this period: (i) the market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) rises so that it equals or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date before the EMO Plan Agent has completed the open market purchases or (ii) the EMO Plan Agent is

 

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unable to invest the full amount eligible to be reinvested in open market purchases, the EMO Plan Agent will cease purchasing Common Stock in the open market and the Fund shall issue the remaining Common Stock at a price per share equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the day prior to the issuance of shares for reinvestment or (b) 95% of the then current market price per share.

Common Stock in your account will be held by the EMO Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all shares of Common Stock you have received under the EMO Plan. You may withdraw from the EMO Plan (i.e., opt-out) by notifying the EMO Plan Agent in writing at 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the EMO Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the EMO Plan Agent not less than ten business days prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise such withdrawal will be effective as soon as practicable after the EMO Plan Agent’s investment of the most recently declared dividend or distribution on the Common Stock.

EMO Plan participants who sell their shares will be charged a service charge (currently $5.00 per transaction) and the EMO Plan Agent is authorized to deduct brokerage charges actually incurred from the proceeds (currently $0.05 per share commission). There is no service charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Stock. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the EMO Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases. Because all dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, this allows you to add to your investment through dollar cost averaging, which may lower the average cost of your Common Stock over time. Dollar cost averaging is a technique for lowering the average cost per share over time if the Fund’s net asset value declines. While dollar cost averaging has definite advantages, it cannot assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions. Investors will be subject to income tax on amounts reinvested under the EMO Plan.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the EMO Plan if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, the change is warranted. The EMO Plan may be terminated, amended or supplemented by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to stockholders at least 30 days prior to the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund for which the termination or amendment is to be effective. Upon any termination, you will be sent cash for any fractional share of Common Stock in your account. You may elect to notify the EMO Plan Agent in advance of such termination to have the EMO Plan Agent sell part or all of your Common Stock on your behalf. Additional information about the EMO Plan and your account may be obtained from the EMO Plan Agent at 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the EMO Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151.

CBA Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt-out), all dividends, including any capital gain dividends and return of capital distributions, on your Common Stock will be automatically reinvested by Computershare Inc., as agent for the stockholders (the “CBA Plan Agent”), in additional shares of Common Stock under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “CBA Plan”). You may elect not to participate in the CBA Plan by contacting the CBA Plan Agent. If you do not participate, you will receive all cash distributions paid by check mailed directly to you by Computershare Inc., as dividend paying agent.

If you participate in the CBA Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock you will receive will be determined as follows:

(1) If the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) on the payment date (or, if the payment date is not a NYSE trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) is equal to or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Fund will issue new Common Stock at a price equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date or (b) 95% of the market price per share of the Common Stock on the payment date.

(2) If the net asset value per share of the Common Stock exceeds the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the CBA Plan Agent will receive the

 

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dividend or distribution in cash and will buy Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for your account as soon as practicable commencing on the trading day following the payment date and terminating no later than the earlier of (a) 30 days after the dividend or distribution payment date, or (b) the payment date for the next succeeding dividend or distribution to be made to the stockholders; except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. If during this period: (i) the market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) rises so that it equals or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date before the CBA Plan Agent has completed the open market purchases or (ii) the CBA Plan Agent is unable to invest the full amount eligible to be reinvested in open market purchases, the CBA Plan Agent will cease purchasing Common Stock in the open market and the Fund shall issue the remaining Common Stock at a price per share equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the day prior to the issuance of shares for reinvestment or (b) 95% of the then current market price per share.

Common Stock in your account will be held by the CBA Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all shares of Common Stock you have received under the CBA Plan. You may withdraw from the CBA Plan (i.e., opt-out) by notifying the CBA Plan Agent in writing at 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the CBA Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the CBA Plan Agent not less than ten business days prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise such withdrawal will be effective as soon as practicable after the CBA Plan Agent’s investment of the most recently declared dividend or distribution on the Common Stock.

CBA Plan participants who sell their shares will be charged a service charge (currently $5.00 per transaction) and the CBA Plan Agent is authorized to deduct brokerage charges actually incurred from the proceeds (currently $0.05 per share commission). There is no service charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Stock. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the CBA Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases. Because all dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, this allows you to add to your investment through dollar cost averaging, which may lower the average cost of your Common Stock over time. Dollar cost averaging is a technique for lowering the average cost per share over time if the Fund’s net asset value declines. While dollar cost averaging has definite advantages, it cannot assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions. Investors will be subject to income tax on amounts reinvested under the CBA Plan.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the CBA Plan if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, the change is warranted. The CBA Plan may be terminated, amended or supplemented by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to stockholders at least 30 days prior to the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund for which the termination or amendment is to be effective. Upon any termination, you will be sent cash for any fractional share of Common Stock in your account. You may elect to notify the CBA Plan Agent in advance of such termination to have the CBA Plan Agent sell part or all of your Common Stock on your behalf. Additional information about the CBA Plan and your account may be obtained from the CBA Plan Agent at 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the CBA Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151.

TAXATION

The discussion below is a summary of certain United States federal income tax considerations relating to EMO and the ownership and disposition of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares as of the date hereof. Except where noted, this summary deals only with EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares held as capital assets. This summary does not represent a detailed description of the United States federal income tax consequences applicable to a holder of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares if such holder is subject to special treatment under the United States federal income tax laws, including if the holder is:

 

   

a dealer in securities or currencies;

 

   

a financial institution;

 

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a regulated investment company;

 

   

a real estate investment trust;

 

   

an insurance company;

 

   

a tax-exempt organization;

 

   

a person holding EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares as part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction, a constructive sale or a straddle;

 

   

a trader in securities that has elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for its securities;

 

   

a person liable for alternative minimum tax;

 

   

a partnership or other pass-through entity for United States federal income tax purposes;

 

   

a controlled foreign corporation;

 

   

a passive foreign investment company;

 

   

a person required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement;

 

   

a U.S. expatriate; or

 

   

a U.S. Holder (as defined below) whose “functional currency” is not the United States dollar.

As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares that is for United States federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

As used herein, the term “non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes).

The discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code, and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be replaced, revoked or modified, possibly with retroactive effect, so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. If a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Investors that are partners in a partnership holding EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares should consult their tax advisors.

This summary does not contain a detailed description of all the United States federal income tax consequences applicable to EMO or to investors in light of their particular circumstances, and does not address the effects of any state, local or non-United States tax laws. Investors considering the purchase, ownership or disposition of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares should consult their own tax advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences to them in light of their particular situations as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

 

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Taxation of EMO

EMO is treated as a regular corporation, or a “C” corporation, for United States federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, EMO generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on its taxable income at the rate applicable to corporations. Such taxable income would generally include, among other items, all of EMO’s net income from its investments in the equity securities of MLPs, other types of equity securities, derivatives, debt securities, royalty trusts and foreign securities less Fund expenses. EMO’s payment of corporate income tax could materially reduce the amount of cash available for EMO to make distributions on its stock. In addition, distributions to stockholders of EMO will be taxed under United States federal income tax laws applicable to corporate distributions, and thus EMO’s taxable income will be subject to a double layer of taxation. As a regular corporation, EMO may also be subject to state income tax or foreign tax by reason of its investments in equity securities of MLPs.

MLP Equity Securities

MLPs are generally characterized as “publicly traded partnerships” for United States federal income tax purposes because MLPs are typically organized as limited partnerships or limited liability companies that are publicly traded. The Code generally requires all publicly traded partnerships to be treated as corporations for United States federal income tax purposes. If, however, a publicly traded partnership derives at least 90% of its gross income from qualifying sources as described in Section 7704 of the Code, the publicly traded partnership will be treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes. These qualifying sources include interest, dividends, real estate rents, gain from the sale or disposition of real property, income and gain from mineral or natural resources activities, income and gain from the transportation or storage of certain fuels, and, in certain circumstances, income and gain from commodities or futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities. Mineral or natural resources activities include exploration, development, production, processing, mining, refining, marketing and transportation (including pipelines) of oil and gas, minerals, geothermal energy, fertilizer, timber or industrial source carbon dioxide. EMO intends to invest primarily in MLPs that are taxed as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes, and references in this discussion to MLPs include only MLPs that are so taxed.

When EMO invests in the equity securities of an MLP, EMO will be a partner in such MLP. Accordingly, EMO will be required to include in its taxable income EMO’s allocable share of the income, gains, losses and deductions recognized by each such MLP, whether or not the MLP distributes cash to EMO. A distribution from an MLP is treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of EMO’s tax basis in its MLP interest and as gain from the sale or exchange of the MLP interest to the extent the distribution exceeds EMO’s tax basis in its MLP interest. Based upon a review of the historic results of the type of MLPs in which EMO intends to invest, it is possible that the cash distributions it will receive with respect to its investments in equity securities of MLPs will exceed the taxable income allocated to EMO from such MLPs. No assurance, however, can be given in this regard. If this is not the case, EMO will have a larger corporate income tax expense, which would result in less cash available to distribute to stockholders of EMO.

U.S. Holders

The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax consequences that will apply to holders of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares that are U.S. Holders.

Taxation of Dividends

The gross amount of distributions by EMO in respect of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as dividend income to the extent the distributions are paid out of EMO’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Such income will be included in a U.S. Holder’s gross income on the day actually or constructively received by such holder. Subject to certain holding period and other requirements, such dividend income will generally be eligible for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate U.S. Holders and will generally be treated as “qualified dividend income” eligible for reduced rates of taxation for non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals). Corporate U.S. Holders should also consider the effect of Section 1059 of the Code, which, under certain circumstances, requires a U.S. Holder to reduce the basis of stock for purposes of calculating gain or loss in a subsequent disposition by the portion of any “extraordinary dividend” that is eligible for the dividends received deduction.

 

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To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds EMO’s current and accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year, as determined under United States federal income tax principles, the distribution will first be treated as a tax-free return of capital, causing a reduction in the adjusted basis of the EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares (thereby increasing the amount of gain, or decreasing the amount of loss, to be recognized by a U.S. Holder on a subsequent disposition of the EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares), and the balance in excess of adjusted basis will be taxed as capital gain. Any such capital gain will be long-term capital gain if such U.S. Holder has held the applicable EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares for more than one year. Since EMO’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will first be used to pay dividends on EMO Preferred Shares, distributions in excess of such earnings and profits, if any, will generally be made disproportionately to holders of EMO Common Shares.

A corporation’s earnings and profits are generally calculated by making certain adjustments to the corporation’s reported taxable income. However, because of the Fund’s investment in equity securities of MLPs, it is possible that the distributed cash from the MLPs in its portfolio during certain years will exceed EMO’s earnings and profits. Thus, it is possible that only a portion of EMO’s distributions will be treated as dividends to its stockholders for United States federal income tax purposes, although no assurance can be given in this regard.

Because of EMO’s status as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes and its investments in equity securities of MLPs, EMO’s earnings and profits may be calculated using accounting methods that are different from those used for calculating taxable income. For instance, EMO may use a less accelerated method of depreciation and depletion for purposes of computing its earnings and profits than the method used for purposes of calculating the taxable income of the MLP. In that case, EMO’s earnings and profits would not be increased solely by its allocable share of the MLP’s taxable income, but would also have to be increased for the amount by which the more accelerated depreciation and depletion methods used for purposes of computing taxable income exceed the less accelerated methods used for purposes of computing earnings and profits. Because of these differences, EMO may make distributions out of its current or accumulated earnings and profits, which will be treated as dividends, in years in which EMO’s distributions exceed its taxable income.

Taxation of Capital Gains

A U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized for the EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares and the holder’s adjusted tax basis in such EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares. Generally, a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares will be equal to the cost of the holder’s EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares, reduced by adjustments for distributions paid by EMO in excess of its earnings and profits (i.e., returns of capital). Such gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss and will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares have been held for more than one year, although if a non-corporate U.S. Holder has received an “extraordinary dividend” on the EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares (as described above), such U.S. Holder will be required to treat any loss on the sale or other disposition of the EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the extraordinary dividends received that qualified for treatment as qualified dividend income. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) derived with respect to capital assets held for more than one year are eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

In general, information reporting will apply to distributions in respect of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares and the proceeds from the sale, exchange or other disposition of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares that are paid to a U.S. Holder within the United States (and in certain cases, outside the United States), unless the holder is an exempt recipient. A backup withholding tax (currently at a maximum rate of 24%) may apply to such payments if the holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number (generally on an IRS Form W-9) or certification of exempt status or fails to report in full dividend and interest income. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

 

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Non-U.S. Holders

The following discussion is a summary of certain United States federal income tax consequences that will apply to holders of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares that are non-U.S. Holders.

Taxation of Dividends

The gross amount of distributions by EMO in respect of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares will be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of EMO’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Dividends paid to a non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to withholding of United States federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by a non-U.S. Holder within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a United States permanent establishment) are not subject to the withholding tax, provided certain certification and disclosure requirements (generally on an IRS Form W-8ECI) are satisfied. Instead, such dividends are subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if the non-U.S. Holder were a United States person as defined under the Code. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

A non-U.S. Holder who wishes to claim the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty (and avoid backup withholding, as discussed below) for dividends will be required (a) to complete IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form) and certify under penalty of perjury that such holder is not a United States person as defined under the Code and is eligible for treaty benefits or (b) if EMO Common Shares or Preferred Shares are held through certain foreign intermediaries, to satisfy the relevant certification requirements of applicable United States Treasury regulations. Special certification and other requirements apply to certain non-U.S. Holders that are pass-through entities rather than corporations or individuals.

A non-U.S. Holder eligible for a reduced rate of United States withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the Internal Revenue Service.

If the amount of a distribution to a non-U.S. Holder exceeds EMO’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the non-U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares, and then as capital gain. As discussed above under the caption “—U.S. Holders—Taxation of Dividends,” it is possible that only a portion of EMO’s distributions to its stockholders will be treated as dividends for United States federal income tax purposes, although no assurance can be given in this regard. Capital gain recognized by a non-U.S. Holder as a consequence of a distribution by EMO in excess of its current and accumulated earnings and profits will generally not be subject to United States federal income tax, except as described below under the caption “—Taxation of Capital Gains.”

Taxation of Capital Gains

A non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax on any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares unless:

 

   

the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the non-U.S. Holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment of the non-U.S. Holder);

 

   

the non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or

 

   

EMO is or has been a “United States real property holding corporation” for United States federal income tax purposes and certain other conditions are met.

A non-U.S. Holder described in the first bullet point immediately above will be subject to tax on the gain derived from the sale or other disposition in the same manner as if the non-U.S. Holder were a United States person as defined under the

 

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Code. In addition, if any non-U.S. Holder described in the first bullet point immediately above is a foreign corporation, the gain realized by such non-U.S. Holder may be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. An individual non-U.S. Holder described in the second bullet point immediately above will be subject to a 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) tax on the gain derived from the sale or other disposition, which gain may be offset by United States source capital losses, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States.

Generally, a corporation is a “United States real property holding corporation” if the fair market value of its United States real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business (all as determined for United States federal income tax purposes). EMO may be a “United States real property holding corporation” for United States federal income tax purposes. However, with respect to the third bullet point above, if EMO is or becomes a “United States real property holding corporation,” so long as the EMO Common Shares are regularly traded on an established securities market (such as the NYSE) during the calendar year in which the sale or other disposition occurs, only a non-U.S. Holder who holds or held (at any time during the shorter of the five year period preceding the date of disposition or the holder’s holding period) more than 5% (directly or indirectly, as determined under applicable attribution rules of the Code) of the EMO Common Shares will be subject to United States federal income tax on the sale or other disposition of such EMO Common Shares.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payors must report annually to the Internal Revenue Service and to each non-U.S. Holder the amount of distributions paid to such holder (whether treated as dividends or a return of capital) and the tax withheld with respect to such distributions. Copies of the information returns reporting such distributions and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.

A non-U.S. Holder will be subject to backup withholding for dividends paid to such holder unless such holder certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. Holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Dividends subject to withholding of United States federal income tax as described under the caption “—Taxation of Dividends” above will not be subject to backup withholding.

Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a sale of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares within the United States or conducted through certain United States-related financial intermediaries, unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. Holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such owner otherwise establishes an exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or as a credit against a non-U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisor regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules to them.

Additional Withholding Requirements

Under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as “FATCA”), a 30% United States federal withholding tax may apply to any dividends paid on EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares and, for a disposition of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares occurring after December 31, 2018, the gross proceeds from such disposition, in each case paid to (i) a “foreign financial institution” (as specifically defined in the Code and whether such foreign financial institution is the beneficial owner or an intermediary) which does not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS Form W-8BEN-E, evidencing either (x) an exemption from FATCA, or (y) its compliance (or deemed compliance) with FATCA (which may alternatively be in the form of compliance with an intergovernmental

 

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agreement with the United States) in a manner which avoids withholding, or (ii) a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specifically defined in the Code and whether such non-financial foreign entity is the beneficial owner or an intermediary) which does not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS Form W-8BEN-E, evidencing either (x) an exemption from FATCA, or (y) adequate information regarding certain substantial United States beneficial owners of such entity (if any). If a dividend payment is both subject to withholding under FATCA and subject to the withholding tax discussed above under “—Non-U.S. Holders—Taxation of Dividends,” the withholding under FATCA may be credited against, and therefore reduce, such other withholding tax. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisor regarding this legislation and whether it may be relevant to their ownership and disposition of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares.

Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income

The Code generally imposes a Medicare tax on the net investment income of certain individuals and on the undistributed net investment income of certain estates and trusts. For these purposes, “net investment income” will generally include interest, dividends (including dividends paid with respect to EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares), annuities, royalties, rent, net gain attributable to the disposition of property not held in a trade or business (including net gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares) and certain other income, but will be reduced by any deductions properly allocable to such income or net gain. Stockholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding additional taxation of net investment income.

Investment by Tax-Exempt Investors

Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from United States federal income tax, including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to United States federal income tax on UBTI. Because EMO is a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, an owner of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares will not report on its federal income tax return any of EMO’s items of income, gain, loss and deduction. Therefore, a tax-exempt investor generally will not have UBTI attributable to its ownership or sale of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares unless its ownership of EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares is debt-financed. In general, a tax-exempt investor’s EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares would be debt-financed if the tax-exempt investor incurs debt to acquire EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares or otherwise incurs or maintains a debt that would not have been incurred or maintained if its EMO Common Shares or EMO Preferred Shares had not been acquired.

Other Taxation

EMO’s stockholders may be subject to alternative minimum tax, state, local and foreign taxes on distributions they receive. EMO’s stockholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in EMO.

EMO’s stockholders may be subject to alternative minimum tax, state, local and foreign taxes on distributions they receive. Stockholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in EMO.

NET ASSET VALUE

Each Fund determines the NAV of its Common Shares on each day the NYSE is open for business, as of the close of the customary trading session (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time), or any earlier closing time that day. Each Fund determines the NAV per Common Share by dividing the value of the Fund’s securities, cash and other assets (including interest accrued but not collected) less all its liabilities (including accrued expenses, the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock and dividends payable) by the total number of Common Shares outstanding. Each Fund values portfolio securities for which market quotations are readily available at market value. Each Fund’s short-term investments are valued at amortized cost when the security has 60 days or less to maturity. Determination of the Common Shares’ NAV is made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Each Fund values all other securities and assets at their fair value. If events occur that materially affect the value of a security between the time trading ends on the security and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE, a Fund

 

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may value the security at its fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Board of Directors of the Fund. The effect of using fair value pricing is that the Common Shares’ NAV will be subject to the judgment of the Board of Directors or its designee instead of being determined by the market.

Any swap transaction that a Fund enters into may, depending on the applicable interest rate environment, have a positive or negative value for purposes of calculating NAV. Any cap transaction that a Fund enters into may, depending on the applicable interest rate environment, have no value or a positive value. In addition, accrued payments to a Fund under such transactions will be assets of the Fund and accrued payments by the Fund will be liabilities of the Fund.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS’ SECURITIES

Capital Stock

Each Fund has two classes of shares: Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, and fixed rate MRPS, with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share.

The authorized capital stock of EMO is 100,000,000 shares, classified and designated as 99,999,300 shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, 150 shares of Series A Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, 125 shares of Series B Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, and 425 shares of Series C Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share.

The authorized capital stock of CBA is 100,000,000 shares, classified and designated as 99,998,750 shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, 100 shares of Series A Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, 400 shares of Series B Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, 380 shares of Series C Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, and 370 shares of Series D Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share.

The table below presents the number of shares of stock authorized by each Fund, and the number of shares outstanding for each class of stock authorized by each Fund as of May 31, 2018:

 

Fund

   Amount Authorized      Amount Outstanding

as of May 31,
2018
 

EMO

     100,000,000        31,196,286  

Common Shares

     99,999,300        31,196,056  

Series A Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock

     150        49  

Series B Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock

     125        41  

Series C Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock

     425        140  

CBA

     100,000,000        58,593,049  

Common Shares

     99,998,750        58,592,799  

Series A Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock

     100        30  

Series B Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock

     400        70  

Series C Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock

     380        41  

Series D Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock

     370        109  

The table below sets forth the key terms of each series of EMO’s outstanding MRPS as of May 31, 2018:

 

Series

   Shares Outstanding    Liquidation Value      Dividend Rate    Mandatory
Redemption  Date
 

A

   49    $ 4,900,000      3.69%      3/26/20  

B

   41    $ 4,100,000      4.07%      3/28/22  

C

   140    $ 14,000,000      4.26%      3/26/24  

 

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The table below sets forth the key terms of each series of CBA’s outstanding MRPS as of May 31, 2018:

 

Series

   Shares Outstanding    Liquidation Value      Dividend Rate   Mandatory
Redemption  Date
 

A

   30    $ 3,000,000      4.37%     7/23/24  

B

   70    $ 7,000,000      4.55%     7/23/26  

C

   41    $ 4,100,000      4.01%     8/7/22  

D

   109    $ 10,900,000      4.30%     8/7/24  

There are no material differences between the rights of holders of EMO Common Shares and the holders of CBA Common Shares and the rights of holders of EMO MRPS and holders of CBA MRPS.

EMO’s Common Shares. The outstanding EMO Common Shares are, and the EMO Common Shares to be issued in the Merger will be, when issued, fully paid and nonassessable. All CBA Common Shares are equal as to dividends, distributions and voting privileges. There are no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights. In the event of liquidation, each EMO Common Share is entitled to its proportion of EMO’s assets after the payment of debts and expenses. There are no cumulative voting rights for the election of Directors.

EMO’s MRPS. EMO’s Board of Directors may classify and issue MRPS with rights as determined by the Board of Directors, by action of the Board of Directors without the approval of the Common Stockholders. Common Stockholders have no preemptive right to purchase any MRPS that might be issued. The Fund may elect to issue Preferred Stock as part of its leveraging strategy. EMO currently has the ability to issue leverage through the issuance of Preferred Stock, representing up to 50% of its total assets less liabilities and indebtedness of EMO (other than leverage consisting of MRPS and other senior securities) immediately after the leverage is issued. The liquidation preference, voting rights and redemption provisions of the MRPS are summarized below. These summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Articles Supplementary.

Liquidation Preference . In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the holders of MRPS will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution, equal to $100,000 per share of MRPS plus accrued and unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, before any distribution of assets is made to Common Stockholders. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of MRPS will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund.

Voting Rights . The 1940 Act requires that the holders of any MRPS, voting separately as a single class, have the right to elect at least two Directors at all times. The remaining Directors will be elected by holders of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class. Effective March 26, 2015, Eileen Kamerick and Daniel Cronin were designated by the Board of Directors as the Preferred Directors of the Fund with respect to the MRPS. Holders of the MRPS, and not Common Stockholders, will be entitled to vote on the election of each Preferred Director at the scheduled stockholder meeting at which such Preferred Director’s term expires. In addition, subject to the prior rights, if any, of the holders of any other class of senior securities outstanding, the holders of any Preferred Stock have the right to elect a majority of the directors of the Fund at any time that two years of dividends on any Preferred Stock are unpaid. The 1940 Act also requires that, in addition to any approval by the stockholders that might otherwise be required, the approval of the holders of a majority of any outstanding Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class, would be required to: (i) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the Preferred Stock and (ii) take any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including, among other things, changes in the Fund’s subclassification as a closed-end investment company or changes in its fundamental investment restrictions. As a result of these voting rights, the Fund’s ability to take any such actions may be impeded. Except as otherwise indicated in this Prospectus and except as otherwise required by applicable law or the Articles of Incorporation, holders of MRPS will have equal voting rights with Common Stockholders (one vote per share, unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act) and will vote together with Common Stockholders as a single class.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding MRPS, voting as a separate class, will be required to amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences, rights or powers of holders of MRPS so as to affect materially and adversely such preferences, rights or powers, or to issue Preferred Stock that ranks equally or senior to the MRPS. The class vote of holders of MRPS described above will in each case be in addition to any other vote required to authorize the action in question.

 

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Redemption, Purchase and Sale of Preferred Stock by the Fund . The terms of the MRPS provide that: (i) the Fund may redeem the MRPS at its option at the liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends and plus a make-whole premium; (ii) the Fund is required to redeem the MRPS upon failure to maintain certain asset coverage tests; and (iii) the Fund is required to redeem the MRPS on the term redemption date (2020 for the Series A, 2022 for the Series B and 2024 for the Series C). Any redemption or purchase of Preferred Stock by the Fund will reduce any leverage applicable to the Common Stock, while any issuance of additional Preferred Stock by the Fund will increase that leverage.

CBA’s Common Shares. The outstanding CBA Common Shares are fully paid and nonassessable. All CBA Common Shares are equal as to dividends, distribution and voting privileges. There are no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights. In the event of liquidation, each CBA Common Share is entitled to its proportion of CBA’s assets after debts and expenses are paid. There are no cumulative voting rights for the election of Directors.

CBA’s MRPS. The Articles provide that the Board of Directors may classify and issue Preferred Stock with rights as determined by the Board of Directors, by action of the Board of Directors without the approval of the Common Stockholders. Common Stockholders have no preemptive right to purchase any Preferred Stock that might be issued.

The Fund may elect to issue Preferred Stock as part of its leveraging strategy. The Fund currently has the ability to issue leverage through the issuance of Preferred Stock, representing up to 50% of the Fund’s total assets less liabilities and indebtedness of the Fund (other than leverage consisting of Preferred Stock and other senior securities) immediately after the leverage is issued. However, under current conditions it is unlikely that the Fund will issue Preferred Stock. Although the terms of any Preferred Stock, including dividend rate, liquidation preference and redemption provisions, will be set forth in the certificate of designation, the Fund believes that it is likely that the liquidation preference, voting rights and redemption provisions of the Preferred Stock may be similar to those stated below. Currently the Fund has no intention to issue Preferred Stock.

Liquidation Preference . In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the holders of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution, which is expected to equal the original purchase price per share of Preferred Stock plus accrued and unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, before any distribution of assets is made to Common Stockholders. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of any remaining assets by the Fund.

Voting Rights . The 1940 Act requires that the holders of any Preferred Stock, voting separately as a single class, have the right to elect at least two Directors at all times. The remaining Directors will be elected by Common Stockholders and Preferred Stockholders, voting together as a single class. In addition, subject to the prior rights, if any, of the holders of any other class of senior securities outstanding, the holders of any Preferred Stock have the right to elect a majority of the directors of the Fund at any time that two years of dividends on any Preferred Stock are unpaid. The 1940 Act also requires that, in addition to any approval by the stockholders that might otherwise be required, the approval of the holders of a majority of any outstanding Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class, would be required to: (i) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the Preferred Stock and (ii) take any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including, among other things, changes in the Fund’s subclassification as a closed-end investment company or changes in its fundamental investment restrictions. As a result of these voting rights, the Fund’s ability to take any such actions may be impeded to the extent that there are any shares of Preferred Stock outstanding. The Board of Directors presently intends that, except as otherwise indicated in this Prospectus and except as otherwise required by applicable law or the Articles of Incorporation, holders of Preferred Stock will have equal voting rights with Common Stockholders (one vote per share, unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act) and will vote together with Common Stockholders as a single class.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will be required to amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences, rights or powers of holders of Preferred Stock so as to affect materially and adversely such preferences, rights or powers, or to increase or decrease the authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock. The class vote of holders of Preferred Stock described above will in each case be in addition to any other vote required to authorize the action in question.

 

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Redemption, Purchase and Sale of Preferred Stock by CBA . The terms of any Preferred Stock issued are expected to provide that: (i) shares are redeemable by the Fund in whole or in part at the original purchase price per share plus accrued dividends per share; (ii) the Fund may tender for or purchase Preferred Stock; and (iii) the Fund may subsequently resell any shares so tendered for or purchased. Any redemption or purchase of Preferred Stock by the Fund will reduce any leverage applicable to the Common Stock, while any resale of shares by the Fund will increase that leverage.

Neither Fund has a present intention of offering additional Common Shares or MRPS to the public except to the extent that EMO intends to issue new EMO Common Shares and MRPS to holders of CBA Common Shares and MRPS in the Merger. Other offerings of a Fund’s Common Shares and MRPS, if made, will require approval of that Fund’s Board. Any additional offering will be subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act that shares of common stock may not be sold at a price below the then current net asset value (exclusive of underwriting discounts and commissions) except in connection with an offering to existing stockholders or with the consent of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock.

Special Voting Provisions

Each Fund has provisions in its charter and Bylaws that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund, to cause it to engage in certain transactions or to modify its structure. Each Fund’s Board is divided into three classes, each having terms of three years. At each Fund’s annual meeting of stockholders in each year, the term of one class expires and Directors are elected to serve in that class for terms of three years. This provision could delay for up to two years the replacement of a majority of the Board. An EMO Director may be removed from office only for cause and only by a vote of the holders of at least 75% of the shares of the Fund entitled to be cast for the election of Directors. Similarly, a CBA Director may be removed only for cause with the same vote.

The affirmative vote of at least 75% of the entire Board of EMO is required to authorize the conversion of EMO from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. Such conversion also requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the stockholders of EMO, unless it is approved by a vote of at least 75% of the Continuing Directors (as defined below), in which event such conversion requires the approval of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the stockholders of EMO. A “Continuing Director” is any member of the Board of Directors of EMO who (i) is not a person or affiliate of a person, other than an investment company advised by LMPFA or any of its affiliates, who enters or proposes to enter into a Business Combination (as defined below) with EMO (an “Interested Party”) and (ii) who has been a member of the Board of Directors of EMO for a period of at least 12 months, or has been a member of the Board of Directors since May 1, 2011, or is a successor of a Continuing Director who is unaffiliated with an Interested Party and is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on the Board of Directors of EMO. To amend the Articles of Incorporation to change any of the provisions of the first paragraph under this heading, or this paragraph, the Articles of Incorporation require either (i) the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the entire Board of Directors and at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast by stockholders or (ii) the affirmative vote of 75% of the Continuing Directors and the approval of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by stockholders.

The affirmative votes of at least 75% of the entire Board of Directors and the holders of at least (i) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the stockholders of EMO and (ii) in the case of a Business Combination (as defined below), 66   2 / 3 % of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the stockholders of EMO other than votes entitled to be cast by an Interested Party who is (or whose affiliate is) a party to a Business Combination (as defined below) or an affiliate or associate of the Interested Party, are required to authorize any of the following transactions:

(1) merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange of the Fund with or into any other person;

(2) issuance or transfer by the Fund (in one or a series of transactions in any 12 month period) of any securities of the Fund to any person or entity for cash, securities or other property (or combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, excluding issuances or transfers of debt securities of the Fund, sales of securities of the Fund in connection with a public offering, issuances of securities of the Fund pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan adopted by the Fund, issuances of securities of the Fund upon the exercise of any stock subscription rights distributed by the Fund and portfolio transactions effected by the Fund in the ordinary course of its business;

(3) sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition by the Fund (in one or a series of transactions in any 12 month period) to or with any person or entity of any assets of the Fund having an aggregate fair

 

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market value of $1,000,000 or more except for portfolio transactions (including pledges of portfolio securities in connection with borrowings) effected by the Fund in the ordinary course of its business;

(4) any proposal as to the voluntary liquidation or dissolution of the Fund or any amendment to the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation to terminate its existence; or

(5) unless the 1940 Act or federal law requires a lesser vote, any stockholder proposal as to specific investment decisions made or to be made with respect to the Fund’s assets as to which stockholder approval is required under federal or Maryland law.

However, the stockholder vote described above will not be required with respect to the foregoing transactions (other than those set forth in (5) above) if they are approved by a vote of 75% of the Continuing Directors. In that case, if Maryland law requires stockholder approval, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast shall be required.

Similarly, the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the entire Board of CBA is required to authorize the conversion of CBA from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. Such conversion also requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the stockholders of CBA, unless it is approved by a vote of at least 75% of the Continuing Directors (as defined below), in which event such conversion requires the approval of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the stockholders of CBA. A “Continuing Director” is any member of the Board of Directors of CBA who (i) is not a person or affiliate of a person, other than an investment company advised by LMPFA or any of its affiliates, who enters or proposes to enter into a Business Combination (as defined below) with CBA (an “Interested Party”) and (ii) who has been a member of the Board of Directors of CBA for a period of at least 12 months, or has been a member of the Board of Directors since March 1, 2013, or is a successor of a Continuing Director who is unaffiliated with an Interested Party and is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on the Board of Directors of CBA. To amend the Articles of Incorporation to change any of the provisions of the first paragraph under this heading, or this paragraph, the Articles of Incorporation require either (i) the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the entire Board of Directors and at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast by stockholders or (ii) the affirmative vote of 75% of the Continuing Directors and the approval of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by stockholders.

The affirmative votes of at least 75% of the entire Board of Directors and the holders of at least (i) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the stockholders of CBA and (ii) in the case of a Business Combination (as defined below), 66   2 / 3 % of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the stockholders of CBA other than votes entitled to be cast by an Interested Party who is (or whose affiliate is) a party to a Business Combination (as defined below) or an affiliate or associate of the Interested Party, are required to authorize any of the following transactions:

(1) merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange of the Fund with or into any other person;

(2) issuance or transfer by the Fund (in one or a series of transactions in any 12 month period) of any securities of the Fund to any person or entity for cash, securities or other property (or combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, excluding issuances or transfers of debt securities of the Fund, sales of securities of the Fund in connection with a public offering, issuances of securities of the Fund pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan adopted by the Fund, issuances of securities of the Fund upon the exercise of any stock subscription rights distributed by the Fund and portfolio transactions effected by the Fund in the ordinary course of its business;

(3) sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition by the Fund (in one or a series of transactions in any 12 month period) to or with any person or entity of any assets of the Fund having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more except for portfolio transactions (including pledges of portfolio securities in connection with borrowings) effected by the Fund in the ordinary course of its business;

(4) any proposal as to the voluntary liquidation or dissolution of the Fund or any amendment to the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation to terminate its existence; or

(5) unless the 1940 Act or federal law requires a lesser vote, any stockholder proposal as to specific investment decisions made or to be made with respect to the Fund’s assets as to which stockholder approval is required under federal or Maryland law.

 

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However, the stockholder vote described above will not be required with respect to the foregoing transactions (other than those set forth in (5) above) if they are approved by a vote of 75% of the Continuing Directors. In that case, if Maryland law requires stockholder approval, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast shall be required.

The Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of each Fund contain provisions the effect of which is to prevent matters, including nominations of Directors, from being considered at a stockholders’ meeting where the Fund has not received notice of the matters generally at least 60 but no more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting.

Each Fund has provisions in its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws that authorize the Fund, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify any present or former Director or officer from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her status as a present or former Director or officer of the Fund and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. Pursuant to the By-Laws, absent a court determination that an officer or Director seeking indemnification was not liable on the merits or guilty of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office, the decision by a Fund to indemnify such person will be based upon the reasonable determination of independent counsel or nonparty Independent Directors, after review of the facts, that such officer or Director is not guilty of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

Reference is made to the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of each Fund, on file with the SEC, for the full text of these provisions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving stockholders of an opportunity to sell their Common Stock at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction. These provisions, however, offer several possible advantages. They may require persons seeking control of a Fund to negotiate with its management regarding the price to be paid for the Common Stock required to obtain such control, they promote continuity and stability and they enhance a Fund’s ability to pursue long-term strategies that are consistent with its investment objective.

Maryland Business Combination Act

The Maryland Business Combination Act will not be applicable to EMO or CBA as a closed-end investment company unless and until its respective Board of Directors adopts a resolution to be subject to the statute, provided that the resolution will not be effective with respect to a “business combination” with any person who has become an interested stockholder before the time that the resolution is adopted. Under the Maryland Business Combination Act, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:

 

   

any person who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power of the corporation’s shares; or

 

   

an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of ten percent or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which he otherwise would have become an interested stockholder.

After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:

 

   

80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and

 

   

66   2 / 3 % of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.

 

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These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s Common Stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares. The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder.

The Maryland Business Combination Act may discourage others from trying to acquire control of a Fund and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act

The Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act will not be applicable to EMO or CBA as a closed-end investment company unless and until its respective Board of Directors adopts a resolution to be subject to the statute, provided that the resolution will not be effective with respect to any person who has become a holder of control shares before the time that the resolution is adopted. The Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquiror, by officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:

 

   

one-tenth or more but less than one-third,

 

   

one-third or more but less than a majority, or

 

   

a majority or more of all voting power.

Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act provides that “every share of stock . . . issued by a registered management company . . . shall be a voting stock and have equal voting rights with every other outstanding voting stock.” Therefore, each Fund is prevented by the 1940 Act from issuing a class of shares with voting rights that vary within that class. There are currently different views on whether or not the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act conflicts with Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act. One view is that implementation of the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act would conflict with the 1940 Act because it would deprive certain shares of their voting rights. Another view is that implementation of the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act would not conflict with the 1940 Act because it would limit the voting rights of stockholders who choose to acquire shares of stock that put them within the specified percentages of ownership rather than limiting the voting rights of

 

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the shares themselves. In a November 15, 2010 letter, the staff of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management expressed the view that, based on the wording of, and purposes underlying, the 1940 Act generally, and Section 18(i) specifically, a closed-end fund, by opting in to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, would be acting in a manner inconsistent with Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act. In light of the foregoing, neither Fund will elect to be subject to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act in the absence of a judgment of a federal court of competent jurisdiction or the issuance of a rule or regulation of the SEC or a published interpretation by the SEC or its staff that the provisions of the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act are not inconsistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act, or a change to the provisions of the 1940 Act having the same effect.

Additionally, if a Fund elected to be subject to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, it would not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction, or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or by-laws of the corporation.

The Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act may discourage others from trying to acquire control of EMO and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

Use of Leverage

Each Fund may seek to enhance the level of its cash distributions to Common Stockholders through the use of leverage. Each Fund currently uses leverage through Borrowings and may in the future continue to use leverage through Borrowings in an aggregate amount of up to 33   1 / 3 % of the Fund’s total assets immediately after such Borrowings. In addition, each Fund may enter into investment management techniques that have similar effects as leverage, but which are not subject to the foregoing 33   1 / 3 % limitation so long as the Fund has covered its commitment with respect to such techniques by segregating liquid assets, entering into offsetting transactions or owning positions covering its obligations. Furthermore, each Fund currently uses leverage through the issuance of Preferred Stock and may in the future use leverage through the issuance of Preferred Stock in an aggregate amount of up to 50% of the Fund’s total assets immediately after such issuance. Each Fund may not use leverage at all times and the amount of leverage may vary depending upon a number of factors, including LMPFA’s and ClearBridge’s outlook for the market and the costs that the Fund would incur as a result of such leverage. As of May 31, 2018, EMO had outstanding senior secured notes and a revolving credit facility with a financial institution in place under which EMO had Borrowings representing approximately 29% of its Managed Assets. As of May 31, 2018, CBA had outstanding senior secured notes and a revolving credit facility with a financial institution in place under which CBA had Borrowings representing approximately 29% of its Managed Assets. Any Borrowings and Preferred Stock have seniority over the Common Stock. There is no assurance that each Fund’s leveraging strategy will be successful.

Borrowings and Preferred Stock leverage an investment in Common Stock. Common Stockholders bear the costs associated with any Borrowings and Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors of each Fund may authorize the use of leverage through Borrowings and Preferred Stock without the approval of the Common Stockholders.

Each Fund has and is permitted in the future to negotiate with financial institutions to arrange a floating rate credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) pursuant to which the Fund would be entitled to borrow an amount equal to approximately 33   1 / 3 % of the Fund’s Managed Assets less any amounts of existing leverage, including Debt Securities (as defined below). Any such Borrowings would constitute financial leverage. Each Fund currently has one Credit Facility outstanding. Each Fund has and is in the future permitted to issue senior secured notes or other debt securities (“Debt Securities”) pursuant to which the Fund would be entitled to borrow an amount equal to approximately 33   1 / 3 % of the Fund’s Managed Assets less any amounts of existing leverage, including any Credit Facility. As of May 31, 2018, EMO has Debt Securities outstanding consisting of $123 million of senior secured notes and CBA has Debt Securities outstanding consisting of $155 million of senior secured notes.

Under the 1940 Act, each Fund is not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately thereafter the total asset value of the Fund’s portfolio is at least 300% of the aggregate amount of outstanding indebtedness (i.e., the aggregate amount of outstanding debt may not exceed 33   1 / 3 % of the Fund’s Managed Assets). In addition, each Fund is not permitted to declare any cash distribution on its Common Stock unless, at the time of such declaration, the net asset value of the Fund’s portfolio (determined by deducting the amount of such distribution) is at least 300% of the aggregate amount of such outstanding indebtedness. If each Fund borrows money, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to retire outstanding debt from time to

 

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time to maintain coverage of any outstanding indebtedness of at least 300%. Under the 1940 Act, each Fund may only issue one class of senior securities representing indebtedness.

Each Fund may be required to prepay outstanding amounts or incur a penalty rate of interest upon the occurrence of certain events of default. Each Fund’s current Credit Facility and Debt Securities contain customary covenants that, among other things, limit the Fund’s ability to pay distributions in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change its fundamental investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations, and require asset coverage ratios in addition to those required by the 1940 Act. Each Fund expects any future Credit Facility or Debt Securities to contain similar covenants. In connection with each Fund’s current Credit Facility and Debt Securities, the Fund is required to pledge its assets and any future Credit Facility or Debt Securities may require the same. Each Fund’s custodian will retain all assets of the pledge, including those that are pledged. Each Fund’s custodian is not an affiliate of the Fund, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act. Each Fund expects that any such Credit Facility or Debt Securities would have customary covenant, negative covenant and default provisions. There can be no assurance that each Fund will enter into an agreement for any new Credit Facility or issue new Debt Securities on terms and conditions representative of the foregoing, or that additional material terms will not apply. In addition, if entered into or issued, the Credit Facility or Debt Securities may in the future be replaced or refinanced by one or more credit facilities having substantially different terms or by the issuance of Preferred Stock or debt securities.

Each Fund may be required to redeem the MRPS for failure to meet certain asset coverage requirements. In addition, the Fund is required to redeem each series of the MRPS at their applicable term redemption date. The purchase agreement related to each Fund’s MRPS contains certain covenants customary for these types of securities. In addition, our failure to pay dividends under the MRPS results in an increase in the MRPS’ applicable dividend rate.

Changes in the value of each Fund’s portfolio securities, including costs attributable to Borrowings or Preferred Stock, are borne entirely by the holders of the Common Stock. If there is a net decrease (or increase) in the value of each Fund’s investment portfolio, the leverage decreases (or increases) the net asset value per share of Common Stock to a greater extent than if the Fund were not leveraged. During periods when each Fund is using leverage through Borrowings or the issuance of Preferred Stock, the fees paid to LMPFA and ClearBridge for advisory services are higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets, which includes the principal amount of the Borrowings and any assets attributable to Preferred Stock. This means that LMPFA and ClearBridge have a financial incentive to increase each Fund’s use of leverage.

Utilization of leverage is a speculative investment technique and involves certain risks to the Common Stockholders. These include the possibility of higher volatility of the net asset value of the Common Stock and potentially more volatility in the market value of the Common Stock. So long as the Fund is able to realize a higher net return on its investment portfolio than the then-current cost of any leverage together with other related expenses, the effect of the leverage is to cause Common Stockholders to realize a higher rate of return than if the Fund were not so leveraged. On the other hand, to the extent that the then-current cost of any leverage, together with other related expenses, approaches the net return on the Fund’s investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to Common Stockholders is reduced, and if the then-current cost of any leverage together with related expenses were to exceed the net return on the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund’s leveraged capital structure would result in a lower rate of return to Common Stockholders than if the Fund were not so leveraged.

Each Fund’s current Borrowings and Preferred Stock subject it to certain restrictions imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies. These guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on each Fund by the 1940 Act. It is not anticipated that these covenants or guidelines will impede LMPFA and ClearBridge from managing each Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies.

Under the 1940 Act, each Fund is not permitted to issue Preferred Stock unless immediately after such issuance the value of the Fund’s asset coverage is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding Preferred Stock (i.e., such liquidation value may not exceed 50% of the Fund’s assets less all liabilities other than Borrowings and outstanding Preferred Stock). Under the 1940 Act, each Fund may only issue one class of Preferred Stock.

In addition, each Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Stock unless, at the time of such declaration, the value of the Fund’s assets less liabilities other than Borrowings and outstanding Preferred

 

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Stock satisfies the above-referenced 200% coverage requirement. If Preferred Stock is issued, each Fund intends, to the extent possible, to purchase or redeem Preferred Stock from time to time to the extent necessary in order to maintain coverage of at least 200%.

If Preferred Stock is outstanding, two of each Fund’s Directors will be elected by the holders of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class. The remaining Directors of each Fund will be elected by holders of Common Stock and Preferred Stock voting together as a single class. In the event that each Fund fails to pay dividends on the Preferred Stock for two years, holders of Preferred Stock would be entitled to elect a majority of the Directors of the Fund.

Effects of Leverage

EMO may borrow up to an aggregate amount of $75,000,000 under its revolving credit facility. At May 31, 2018, EMO had $36,000,000 of Borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility. CBA may borrow up to an aggregate amount of $100,000,000 under its revolving credit facility. At May 31, 2018, CBA had $56,000,000 of Borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility. The credit agreement governing the revolving facility renews daily for a 179-day term.

At May 31, 2018, EMO had $123 million aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate secured notes outstanding. These senior secured notes consist of five series: $40,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.27% Series A Senior Secured Notes due February 7, 2020, of which $27,420,382 is outstanding; $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.87% Series B Senior Secured Notes due February 7, 2023, of which $34,471,338 is outstanding; $60,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.02% Series C Senior Secured Notes due February 7, 2025, of which $41,522,293 is outstanding; $20,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.33% Series D Senior Secured Notes due August 26, 2022 of which $15,668,790 is outstanding; and $5,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.76% Series E Senior Secured Notes due August 26, 2026, of which 3,917,197 is currently outstanding.

At May 31, 2018, CBA had $155 million aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate secured notes outstanding. These senior secured notes consist of four series: $55,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.25% Series A Senior Secured Notes due October 15, 2018, of which $31,000,000 is outstanding; $60,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.89% Series B Senior Secured Notes due October 15, 2020, of which $33,695,652 is outstanding; $85,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.51% Series C Senior Secured Notes due October 15, 2023, of which $47,847,826 is outstanding; and $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.66% Series D Senior Secured Notes due October 15, 2025, of which $42,456,522 is outstanding.

As of May 31, 2018, the interest rate payable by the Funds on their Borrowings made under our revolving credit facility was LIBOR plus 0.70% and the commitment fee payable for unborrowed funds is 0.25%.

As of May 31, 2018, the total leverage (including Borrowings and Preferred Stock) of EMO represented 33% of its Managed Assets. Assuming that its leverage levels are as described above, EMO’s average annual cost of leverage would be 1.80% of net assets attributable to common shares. As of May 31, 2018, the blended interest on EMO’s senior secured notes was 3.71%. As of May 31, 2018, the blended dividend rate on EMO’s MRPS was 4.10%. Income generated by EMO’s portfolio as of May 31, 2018 must exceed 1.16% in order to cover such leverage costs. As of May 31, 2018, the total leverage (including Borrowings and Preferred Stock) of CBA represented 33% of its Managed Assets. Assuming that its leverage levels are as described above, CBA’s average annual cost of leverage would be 1.90% of net assets attributable to common shares. As of May 31, 2018, the blended interest on CBA’s senior secured notes was 4.16%. As of May 31, 2018, the blended dividend rate on CBA’s MRPS was 4.33%. Income generated by CBA’s portfolio as of May 31, 2018 must exceed 1.28% in order to cover such leverage costs. These numbers are merely estimates used for illustration; actual dividend or interest rates on the leverage instruments will vary frequently and may be significantly higher or lower than the rate estimated above.

The following table is furnished in response to requirements of the SEC. It is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage on Common Stock total return of each Fund, assuming investment portfolio total returns (comprised of income and changes in the value of securities held in the Fund’s portfolio) of -10%, -5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of the investment portfolio returns experienced or expected to be experienced by each Fund.

 

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The table further reflects the issuance of leverage representing 33% of EMO’s Managed Assets and 33% of CBA’s Managed Assets, both net of expenses, and EMO’s currently projected annual interest and dividends on its leverage of 3.61% and CBA’s currently projected annual interest and dividends on its leverage of 3.87%.

EMO:

 

Assumed Portfolio Total Return (Net of Expenses)

       -10%        -5%        0      5%        10%  

Common Stock Total Return

       -16.70%        -9.24%        -1.78      5.68%        13.15%  

CBA:

 

Assumed Portfolio Total Return (Net of Expenses)

       -10%        -5%        0      5%        10%  

Common Stock Total Return

       -16.83%        -9.37%        -1.91      5.56%        13.02%  

Common Stock Total Return is composed of two elements: the Common Stock dividends paid by each Fund (the amount of which is largely determined by the net investment income of the Fund after paying interest on its leverage) and gains or losses on the value of the securities the Fund owns. As required by SEC rules, the table above assumes that each Fund is more likely to suffer capital losses than to enjoy capital appreciation. For example, to assume a total return of 0% each Fund must assume that the return it receives on its investments is entirely offset by losses in the value of those investments.

FEES PAID TO INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 1 (EMO)

Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017 for professional services rendered by the auditor for the audit of EMO’s annual financial statements, or services that are normally provided in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements (the “EMO Audit Fees”) in those fiscal years, were $122,400 and $391,443, respectively.

Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed by the Auditor in connection with assurance and related services related to the annual audit of EMO and for review of EMO’s financial statements, other than the EMO Audit Fees described above (the “EMO Audit-Related Fees”), for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017 were $0 and $0, respectively.

In addition, there were no EMO Audit-Related Fees billed in the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017 for assurance and related services by the Auditor to LMPFA and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with LMPFA that provides ongoing services to EMO (LMPFA and such other entities together, the “EMO Service Affiliates”), that were related to the operations and financial reporting of CBA.

Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services, which include the filing and amendment of CBA’s federal, state and local income tax returns (the “EMO Tax Fees”) for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017 were $0 and $53,000, respectively.

There were no fees billed by the Auditor to the EMO Service Affiliates for tax services for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017 that were required to be approved by EMO’s Audit Committee.

 

1  

On August 14, 2017, KPMG LLP resigned as the independent registered public accounting firm for EMO at the request of EMO. On August 10, 2017, upon the recommendation of its Audit Committee, EMO’s Board of Directors approved the engagement of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) (each of the former auditor and PwC, the “Auditor”) as the independent registered public accounting firm for EMO for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2017, effective August 14, 2017. The selection of PwC did not reflect any disagreements with or dissatisfaction by EMO or the Board of Directors with the performance of EMO’s former independent registered public accounting firm.

 

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All Other Fees. There were no aggregate fees billed for other non-audit services rendered by the Auditor to EMO (“Other EMO Fees”) for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017.

There were no other non-audit services rendered by the Auditor to the EMO Service Affiliates in the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017.

Generally, the Audit Committee of EMO must approve (a) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided to EMO and (b) all permissible non-audit services to be provided to the EMO Service Affiliates that relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of EMO. The EMO Audit Committee may implement policies and procedures by which such services are approved other than by the full EMO Audit Committee but has not yet done so.

The EMO Audit Committee approved 100% of the EMO Audit Related Fees, EMO Tax Fees and Other EMO Fees, if any, for each of the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017.

The EMO Audit Committee shall not approve non-audit services that the EMO Audit Committee believes may impair the independence of the registered public accounting firm. As of the date of the approval of the EMO Audit Committee Charter, permissible non-audit services include any professional services (including tax services), that are not prohibited services as described below, provided to EMO by the independent registered public accounting firm, other than those provided to EMO in connection with an audit or a review of the financial statements of EMO. Permissible non-audit services may not include: (i) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of EMO; (ii) financial information systems design and implementation; (iii) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports; (iv) actuarial services; (v) internal audit outsourcing services; (vi) management functions or human resources; (vii) broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; (viii) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and (ix) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.

Pre-approval by the EMO Audit Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit services provided to EMO, LMPFA and any service providers controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund (each, a “Covered Service Provider”) constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid to the independent registered public accounting firm during the fiscal year in which the permissible non-audit services are provided to (a) EMO, (b) LMPFA and (c) any entity partially controlled by or under common control with LMPFA that provides ongoing services to CBA during the fiscal year in which the services are provided that would not have to be approved by the EMO Audit Committee; (ii) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by EMO at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the EMO Audit Committee and approved by the EMO Audit Committee (or its delegate(s)) prior to the completion of the audit.

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by PwC for non-audit services rendered to EMO and EMO Service Affiliates for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017 were $0 and $0, respectively.

The EMO Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services to the EMO Service Affiliates that were not pre-approved by the EMO Audit Committee (because they did not require pre-approval) is compatible with maintaining the Auditor’s independence. All services provided by the Auditor to EMO or to the EMO Service Affiliates that were required to be pre-approved by the Audit Committee were pre-approved.

A representative of PwC, if requested by any stockholder, will be present via telephone at the Meeting to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she chooses to do so.

 

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5% BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (EMO)

At August 29, 2018, to the knowledge of management, the registered stockholders who owned of record or owned beneficially more than 5% of EMO’s capital stock outstanding is noted in the table below. As of the close of business on August 29, 2018, Cede & Co., a nominee for participants in the Depository Trust Company, held of record 31,192,666 shares, equal to approximately 99% of EMO’s outstanding shares including the shares shown below.

 

Class

   Percent     

Name

  

Address

Common Stock

     7.41 % (1)      First Trust Portfolios L.P. and its affiliates   

120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400

Wheaton, Illinois 60187

Preferred Shares

     34.3 % (2)     

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company

 

Babson Capital

Management LLC

  

1295 State Street

Springfield, MA 01111

 

1500 Main Street,

PO Box 15189

Springfield, MA 01115

Preferred Shares

     8.57 % (3)      The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America   

7 Hanover Square

New York, NY 10004

Preferred Shares

     35.71 % (4)      Voya Financial, Inc.   

230 Park Ave,

14th Floor

New York NY 10169

Preferred Shares

     7.1 % (5)      United of Omaha Life Insurance Company   

Mutual of Omaha Plaza

Omaha, NE 68175

Preferred Shares

     14.3 % (6)      Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company   

Mutual of Omaha Plaza

Omaha, NE 68175

 

(1)

Based upon information obtained from Schedule 13G filed with SEC on January 23, 2018.

 

(2)

Based upon information obtained from Schedule 13D filed with SEC on March 26, 2015.

 

(3)

Based upon information obtained from Schedule 13G filed with SEC on April 10, 2015.

 

(4)

Based upon information obtained from Schedule 13G filed with SEC on April 10, 2015.

 

(5)

Based upon information obtained from Schedule 13G filed with SEC on July 20, 2015.

 

(6)

Based upon information obtained from Schedule 13G filed with SEC on July 30, 2015.

FEES PAID TO INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 2 (CBA)

Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017 for professional services rendered by the auditor for the audit of CBA’s annual financial statements, or services that are normally provided in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements (the “CBA Audit Fees”) in those fiscal years, were $122,400 and $391,443, respectively.

Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed by the Auditor in connection with assurance and related services related to the annual audit of CBA and for review of CBA’s financial statements, other than the CBA Audit Fees described above (the “CBA Audit-Related Fees”), for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017 were $0 and $0, respectively.

 

2  

On August 14, 2017, KPMG LLP resigned as the independent registered public accounting firm for CBA at the request of CBA. On August 10, 2017, upon the recommendation of its Audit Committee, CBA’s Board of Directors approved the engagement of PwC as the independent registered public accounting firm for CBA for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2017, effective August 14, 2017. The selection of PwC did not reflect any disagreements with or dissatisfaction by CBA or the Board of Directors with the performance of CBA’s former independent registered public accounting firm.

 

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In addition, there were no CBA Audit-Related Fees billed in the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017 for assurance and related services by the Auditor to LMPFA and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with LMPFA that provides ongoing services to CBA (LMPFA and such other entities together, the “CBA Service Affiliates”), that were related to the operations and financial reporting of CBA.

Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services, which include the filing and amendment of CBA’s federal, state and local income tax returns (the “CBA Tax Fees”) for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017 were $0 and $53,000, respectively.

There were no fees billed by the Auditor to the CBA Service Affiliates for tax services for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017 that were required to be approved by CBA’s Audit Committee.

All Other Fees. There were no other fees billed for other non-audit services rendered by the Auditor to CBA (“Other CBA Fees”) for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017.

There were no other non-audit services rendered by the Auditor to the CBA Service Affiliates in the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017.

Generally, the CBA Audit Committee must approve (a) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided to CBA and (b) all permissible non-audit services to be provided to the CBA Service Affiliates that relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of CBA. The CBA Audit Committee may implement policies and procedures by which such services are approved other than by the full CBA Audit Committee but has not yet done so.

The CBA Audit Committee approved 100% of the CBA Audit Related Fees, CBA Tax Fees and Other CBA Fees, if any, for each of the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017.

The CBA Audit Committee shall not approve non-audit services that the CBA Audit Committee believes may impair the independence of the registered public accounting firm. As of the date of the approval of the CBA Audit Committee Charter, permissible non-audit services include any professional services (including tax services), that are not prohibited services as described below, provided to CBA by the independent registered public accounting firm, other than those provided to CBA in connection with an audit or a review of the financial statements of CBA, Permissible non-audit services may not include: (i) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of CBA; (ii) financial information systems design and implementation; (iii) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports; (iv) actuarial services; (v) internal audit outsourcing services; (vi) management functions or human resources; (vii) broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; (viii) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and (ix) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.

Pre-approval by the CBA Audit Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit services provided to CBA EMO, LMPFA and any Covered Service Provider constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid to the independent registered public accounting firm during the fiscal year in which the permissible non-audit services are provided to (a) CBA EMO, (b) LMPFA and (c) any entity partially controlled by or under common control with LMPFA that provides ongoing services to CBA during the fiscal year in which the services are provided that would not have to be approved by the CBA EMO Audit Committee; (ii) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by CBA at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the CBA Audit Committee and approved by the Audit Committee (or its delegate(s)) prior to the completion of the audit.

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for non-audit services rendered to CBA and Service Affiliates for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017 were $0 and $0, respectively.

The CBA Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services to the CBA Service Affiliates that were not pre-approved by the CBA Audit Committee (because they did not require pre-approval) is compatible with maintaining the Auditor’s independence. All services provided by PwC to CBA or to the CBA Service Affiliates that were required to be pre-approved by the CBA Audit Committee were pre-approved.

 

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A representative of PwC, if requested by any stockholder, will be present via telephone at the Meeting to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she chooses to do so.

5% BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (CBA)

At August 29, 2018, to the knowledge of management, the registered stockholders who owned of record or owned beneficially more than 5% of CBA’s capital stock outstanding is noted in the table below. As of the close of business on August 29, 2018, Cede & Co., a nominee for participants in the Depository Trust Company, held of record 58,590,897 shares, equal to approximately 99% of CBA’s outstanding shares, including the shares shown below.

 

Class

   Percent     

Name

  

Address

Common Stock

     8.29 % (1)      First Trust Portfolios L.P. and its affiliates   

120 East Liberty Drive

Suite 400

Wheaton, IL 60187

Common Stock

     7.9 % (2)      Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley   

1585 Broadway

New York, NY 10036

Preferred Shares

     40.00 % (3)      American International Group, Inc.   

175 Water Street

New York, NY 10038

Preferred Shares

     60.00 % (4)      Prudential Financial, Inc.   

751 Broad Street

Newark, New Jersey 07102

 

(1)

Based upon information obtained from Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 19, 2018.

 

(2)

Based upon information obtained from Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 13, 2018.

 

(3)

Based upon information obtained from Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on April 28, 2017.

 

(4)

Based upon information obtained from Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 11, 2016.

OTHER BUSINESS

The Funds’ Board of Directors does not know of any other matter that may come before the Meeting. If any other matter properly comes before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote the proxies in accordance with their judgment on that matter.

VOTING INFORMATION

This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is furnished in connection with a solicitation of proxies by the Funds’ Board of Directors to be used at the Meeting. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus, along with the Notice of Meeting and a proxy card, are first being mailed to CBA and EMO stockholders on or about                 , 2018 or as soon as practicable thereafter.

Only stockholders of record of CBA and EMO at the close of business on September 5, 2018 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and at any postponement or adjournment thereof. On September 5, 2018, there were      outstanding CBA Common Shares,      outstanding CBA MRPS,      outstanding EMO Common Shares and      outstanding EMO MRPS.

A quorum of CBA stockholders is required to take action at the Meeting. A majority of the outstanding CBA shares entitled to vote at the Meeting, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum of stockholders at the Meeting. Similarly, a quorum of EMO stockholders is required to take action at the Meeting. A majority of the outstanding EMO share entitled to vote at the Meeting, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum of stockholders at the Meeting.

Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Meeting will be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed for the Meeting. The inspector of election, who is an employee of the proxy solicitor engaged by the Funds, will determine whether or not a quorum is present at the Meeting. The inspector of election will treat abstentions and “broker non-votes” (i.e., shares held by brokers or nominees, typically in “street name,” as to which proxies have been returned but (a) instructions have not been

 

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received from the beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote and (b) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power on a particular matter) as present for purposes of determining a quorum.

If you hold shares directly (not through a broker-dealer, bank or other financial intermediary) and if you return a signed proxy card that does not specify how you wish to vote on a proposal, your shares will be voted “FOR” the Proposal.

Broker-dealer firms holding CBA shares or EMO shares in “street name” for the benefit of their customers and clients will request the instructions of such customers and clients on how to vote their shares on the proposed Merger before the Meeting. The NYSE has taken the position that a broker-dealer that is a member of the NYSE and that has not received instructions from a customer or client prior to the date specified in the broker-dealer firm’s request for voting instructions may not vote such customer or client’s shares with respect to a proposal. If a service agent is not a member of the NYSE, it may be permissible for the service agent to vote shares with respect to which it has not received specific voting instructions from its customers on a proposal. A signed proxy card or other authorization by a beneficial owner of CBA shares or EMO shares that does not specify how the beneficial owner’s shares should be voted on the proposed Merger will be deemed an instruction to vote such shares in favor of the proposed Merger.

If you hold CBA shares or EMO shares through a service agent that has entered into a service agreement with either Fund, the service agent may be the record holder of your CBA shares or EMO shares. At the Meeting, a service agent will vote shares for which it receives instructions from its customers in accordance with those instructions. A signed proxy card or other authorization by a stockholder that does not specify how the stockholder’s shares should be voted on a proposal may be deemed to authorize a service agent to vote such shares in favor of the applicable proposal. Depending on its policies, applicable law or contractual or other restrictions, a service agent may be permitted to vote shares with respect to which it has not received specific voting instructions from its customers. In those cases, the service agent may, but may not be required to, vote such shares in the same proportion as those shares for which the service agent has received voting instructions. This practice is commonly referred to as “echo voting.”

If you beneficially own shares that are held in “street name” through a broker-dealer or that are held of record by a service agent and if you do not give specific voting instructions for your shares, they may not be voted at all or, as described above, they may be voted in a manner that you may not intend. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to give your broker-dealer or service agent specific instructions as to how you want your shares to be voted.

A stockholder may revoke a proxy at any time on or before the Meeting by either (1) submitting to the applicable Fund a subsequently dated proxy, (2) delivering to the applicable Fund a written notice of revocation (addressed to the Secretary at the principal executive office of CBA at the address shown at the beginning of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus) or (3) otherwise giving notice of revocation at the Meeting, at all times prior to the exercise of the authority granted in the proxy card. Merely attending the Meeting, however, will not revoke any previously executed proxy. Unless revoked, all valid and executed proxies will be voted in accordance with the specifications thereon or, in the absence of such specifications, for approval of the proposed Merger.

Even if you plan to attend the Meeting, we ask that you return the enclosed proxy card or vote by telephone or through the internet. This will help us ensure that an adequate number of shares are present for the Meeting to be held.

Photographic identification will be required for admission to the Meeting.

Proposal:

Because the Merger in the Proposal has been approved by at least 75% of CBA’s “Continuing Directors,” as that term is defined in CBA’s Charter, that Proposal must be approved by (i) the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding CBA common and preferred stock (voting as a class) and (ii) the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding CBA preferred stock (voting as a separate class). Similarly, because the Merger in the Proposal has been approved by at least 75% of EMO’s “Continuing Directors,” as that term is defined in EMO’s Bylaws, that Proposal must be approved by (i) the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding EMO common and preferred stock (voting as a class) and (ii) the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding EMO preferred stock (voting as a separate class).

 

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Approval of the Proposal will occur only if a sufficient number of votes at the Meeting are cast “FOR” that Proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered “votes cast” and, therefore, do not constitute a vote “FOR” the Proposal. Abstentions effectively result in a vote AGAINST the Proposal. Any broker non-votes would effectively be treated as a vote “AGAINST” the Proposal.

Adjournments and Postponements

If the necessary quorum to transact business or the vote required to approve the proposals is not obtained at the Meeting, the chairman of the Meeting or the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments or postponements of the Meeting in accordance with applicable law to permit further solicitation of proxies. If in the judgment of the chairman of the Meeting, it is advisable to defer action on the Proposals, the chairman of the Meeting may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting with respect to the Proposals for a reasonable period or periods. The Meeting may be adjourned up to 120 days after the original record date for the Meeting without further notice other than announcement at the Meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS

The Board of each Fund does not intend to present any other business at the Meeting. If, however, any other matters are properly brought before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the persons named as proxies will vote thereon in accordance with their judgment.

Appraisal Rights

Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, holders of CBA shares are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the Merger.

EXPENSES OF PROXY SOLICITATION

The costs of preparing, printing, assembling and mailing material and proxy solicitation and tabulation costs in connection with this solicitation of proxies are estimated to be approximately $978,775, and will be borne by LMPFA, or an affiliate thereof. Any additional costs of the Meeting will be borne by LMPFA, or an affiliate thereof. Proxies may also be solicited in-person, by telephone or by use of the mails by officers of the Funds, by regular employees of LMPFA, ClearBridge or their affiliates or by other representatives of the Funds. Brokerage houses, banks and other fiduciaries may be requested to forward proxy solicitation material to their principals to obtain authorization for the execution of proxies and will be reimbursed by the Funds for such out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, the Funds have retained Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), a proxy solicitation firm, to assist in the solicitation of proxies. It is anticipated that Broadridge will be paid approximately $220,000 for such solicitation services (not including reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses), which costs are to be borne by LMPFA, or an affiliate thereof. Broadridge may solicit proxies personally and by telephone.

SERVICE PROVIDERS

The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”), 225 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10286, serves as the custodian of each Fund.

Computershare, Inc., 462 South 4 th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 serves as each Fund’s transfer, stockholder services and dividend paying agent.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 100 East Pratt Street, Suite 2600, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-1096, has been selected as each Fund’s independent registered public accountants. KPMG LLP, 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154, served as each Fund’s prior independent registered public accountants.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, 425 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, serves as counsel to the Funds.

 

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Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, 2005 Market Street, Suite 2600, Philadelphia, PA 19103, serves as counsel to each Fund’s Independent Directors.

Certain legal matters concerning the issuance of EMO Common Shares will be passed upon by Morrison & Foerster LLP, 250 West 55 th Street, New York, NY 10019.

 

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I NDEX OF APPENDICES

 

Appendix A Form of Agreement and Plan Of Merger

   A-1      

Appendix B  Description of Moody’s and S&P Ratings

   B-1      

Appendix C  Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC Proxy Voting Policy

   C-1      

Appendix D ClearBridge Investments, LLC Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures

   D-1      


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A PPENDIX A

FORM OF AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (“Agreement”) is made as of this [    ] day of [    ], 2018 between ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc. (the “Acquired Fund”), a Maryland corporation with its principal place of business at 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York 10018, and ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. (the “Acquiring Fund”), a Maryland corporation with its principal place of business at 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York 10018.

WHEREAS, each of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund is a closed-end management investment company registered pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);

WHEREAS, it is intended that, for United States federal income tax purposes (i) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and (ii) that the Agreement shall constitute a “plan of reorganization” for purposes of the Code;

WHEREAS, the reorganization will consist of the merger of the Acquired Fund with and into the Acquiring Fund pursuant to the Maryland General Corporation Law as provided herein, and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth in this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Acquired Fund currently owns securities that are generally assets of the character in which the Acquiring Fund is permitted to invest;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Acquiring Fund (the “Acquiring Fund Board”) has determined, with respect to the Acquiring Fund, that the Merger (as hereinafter defined) is in the best interests of the Acquiring Fund and its stockholders and that the interests of the existing stockholders of the Acquiring Fund will not be diluted as a result of this transaction;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Acquired Fund (the “Acquired Fund Board”) has determined, with respect to the Acquired Fund, that the Merger (as hereinafter defined) is in the best interests of the Acquired Fund and its stockholders and that the interests of the existing stockholders of the Acquired Fund will not be diluted as a result of this transaction;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1. BASIC TRANSACTION

1.1 The Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and on the basis of the representations and warranties contained herein:

(a) On and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Acquired Fund will merge with and into the Acquiring Fund (the “Merger”) at the Closing Date (as defined in Section 1.2 below) in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law. The Acquiring Fund shall be the surviving corporation and an investment company registered pursuant to the 1940 Act. From and after the Closing Date, the Acquiring Fund shall (i) possess all of the properties, assets, rights, privileges and powers and shall be subject to all of the restrictions, liabilities, obligations, disabilities and duties of the Acquired Fund (other than the investment objectives, policies, strategies or limitations of the Acquired Fund, whether fundamental or non-fundamental), all as provided under Maryland law and (ii) assume all of the Acquired Fund’s liabilities, which assumed liabilities shall include all of the Acquired Fund’s liabilities, debts, obligations, and duties of whatever kind or nature, whether absolute, accrued, contingent, or otherwise.


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(b) The Acquiring Fund shall, on the Closing Date, issue the number of shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock (as defined in Section 2.1(o)) having the same aggregate net asset value as the Acquired Fund’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Acquired Fund Common Stock”), issued and outstanding immediately before the Closing Date, based on the net asset value per share of each of the parties at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the Business Day (as hereinafter defined) immediately before the Closing Date (the “Valuation Time”). The Closing Date and the Valuation Time must each be on a day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open for trading (a “Business Day”).

(c) The Acquiring Fund shall, on the Closing Date, issue the same number of shares of newly issued shares of Series D, E, F and G Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock (as defined in Section 2.1(o)) having identical terms as the Acquired Fund’s Series A, B, C and D preferred stock (“Acquired Fund Preferred Stock”) as the number of shares of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock issued and outstanding immediately before the Closing Date. The aggregate liquidation preference of the Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock to be distributed to the holders of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock will equal the aggregate liquidation preference of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock held immediately before the Closing Date. The Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock will have equal priority with any other outstanding preferred shares of the Acquiring Fund as to the payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Acquiring Fund. The accrual for the Acquired Fund Preferred Stock with respect to any accrued and unpaid dividends as of the Closing Date will be assumed by the Acquiring Fund and will apply, and be payable on an equivalent share-for-share basis, with respect to the Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock on the same dividend payment schedule as applied to the Acquired Fund Preferred Stock.

1.2 Actions at Closing. At the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) on the date thereof (the “Closing Date”), (i) the Acquired Fund will deliver to the Acquiring Fund the various certificates and documents referred to in Article 6 below, (ii) the Acquiring Fund will deliver to the Acquired Fund the various certificates and documents referred to in Article 5 below, (iii) the Acquired Fund will file with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “Department”) articles of merger (the “Articles of Merger”) and make all other filings or recordings required by Maryland law in connection with the Merger.

1.3 Effect of Merger. Subject to the requisite approvals of the stockholders of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund, and to the other terms and conditions described herein, the Merger shall become effective at such time as the Articles of Merger are accepted for record by the Department and the separate corporate existence of the Acquired Fund shall cease. As promptly as practicable after the Merger, the Target Fund shall delist the Target Fund Common Stock from the New York Stock Exchange and its registration under the 1940 Act shall be terminated. Any reporting responsibility of the Acquired Fund is, and shall remain, the responsibility of the Acquired Fund up to and including the Closing Date.

2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

2.1 Representations and Warranties of the Acquiring Fund. The Acquiring Fund represents and warrants to the Acquired Fund that the statements contained in this Section 2.1 are correct and complete in all material respects as of the execution of this Agreement on the date hereof. The Acquiring Fund represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Acquired Fund that:

(a) The Acquiring Fund is a corporation duly organized, validly existing under the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the Department, and has the power to own all of its assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to carry out this Agreement.

(b) The Acquiring Fund is duly registered under the 1940 Act as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company (File No. 811-22546) and such registration has not been revoked or rescinded and is in full force and effect. The Acquiring Fund is qualified as a foreign corporation in every jurisdiction where required, except to the extent that failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the Acquiring Fund.

 

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(c) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Acquiring Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except (i) such as have been obtained or applied for under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and the 1940 Act, (ii) such as may be required by state securities laws and (iii) such as may be required under Maryland law for the acceptance for record of the Articles of Merger by the Department.

(d) The Acquiring Fund is not, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Acquiring Fund will not result, in violation of the laws of the State of Maryland or of the charter of the Acquiring Fund (the “Acquiring Fund Charter”) or the Bylaws, as amended (the “Acquiring Fund Bylaws”), of the Acquiring Fund, or of any material agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which the Acquiring Fund is a party or by which it is bound, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Acquiring Fund will not result in the acceleration of any obligation, or the imposition of any penalty, under any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, judgment or decree to which the Acquiring Fund is a party or by which it is bound.

(e) The Acquiring Fund has been furnished with the Acquired Fund’s (i) Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended November 30, 2017 and (ii) Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders for the six-month period ended May 31, 2018.

(f) The Acquired Fund has been furnished with the Acquiring Fund’s (i) Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended November 30, 2017 and (ii) Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders for the six-month period ended May 31, 2018.

(g) The Acquiring Fund has full power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action of the Acquiring Fund Board, and, subject to stockholder approval, this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding contract enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and court decisions with respect thereto.

(h) No material litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is presently pending (in which service of process has been received) or to its knowledge threatened against the Acquiring Fund or any properties or assets held by it. The Acquiring Fund knows of no facts that might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings which would materially and adversely affect its business and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body which materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the transactions herein contemplated.

(i) There are no material contracts outstanding to which the Acquiring Fund is a party that have not been disclosed in the Registration Statement (as defined in Section 2.1(m) below) or will not be otherwise disclosed to the Acquired Fund prior to the Closing Date.

(j) Since May 31, 2018, there has not been any material adverse change in the Acquiring Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities or business and the Acquiring Fund has no known liabilities of a material amount, contingent or otherwise, required to be disclosed in a balance sheet with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) other than those shown on the Acquiring Fund’s statements of assets, liabilities and capital referred to above, those incurred in the ordinary course of its business as an investment company since May 31, 2018, and those incurred in connection with the Merger. Prior to the Closing Date, the Acquiring Fund will advise the Acquired Fund in writing of all known liabilities, contingent or otherwise, whether or not incurred in the ordinary course of business, existing or accrued. For purposes of this Section 2.1(j), a decline in net asset value per share of the Acquiring Fund due to declines in market values of securities in the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio or the discharge of the Acquiring Fund liabilities will not constitute a material adverse change.

 

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(k) All material federal and other tax returns and information reports of the Acquiring Fund required by law to have been filed shall have been timely filed (including any extensions) and are or will be correct in all material respects, and all federal and other taxes shown as due or required to be shown as due on said returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof, and, to the best of the Acquiring Fund’s knowledge, no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such returns. All tax liabilities of the Acquiring Fund have been adequately provided for on its books, and no tax deficiency or liability of the Acquiring Fund has been asserted and no question with respect thereto has been raised by the Internal Revenue Service or by any state or local tax authority for taxes in excess of those already paid, up to and including the taxable year in which the Closing Date occurs.

(l) The Acquiring Fund has not taken any action and does not know of any fact or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

(m) The registration statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by the Acquiring Fund on Form N-14 relating to the Acquiring Fund Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement, and any supplement or amendment thereto or to the documents therein (as amended, the “Registration Statement”), on the effective date of the Registration Statement, at the time of the stockholders’ meeting referred to in Section 4.2 of this Agreement and at the Closing Date, insofar as it relates to the Acquiring Fund (i) shall have complied or will comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and (ii) did not or will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and the prospectus included therein did not or will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the representations and warranties in this Section 2.1(m) shall not apply to statements in, or omissions from, the Registration Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished by the Acquired Fund for use in the Registration Statement.

(n) All issued and outstanding shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock and Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock (i) have been offered and sold in compliance in all material respects with applicable registration requirements of the 1933 Act and state securities laws, or applicable exemptions therefrom, (ii) are, and on the Closing Date will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, and (iii) will be held at the time of the Closing by the persons and in the amounts set forth in the records of the transfer agent. The Acquiring Fund does not have outstanding any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into, or exchangeable for, any shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock.

(o) The Acquiring Fund is authorized to issue [    ] shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Acquiring Fund Common Stock”) and [    ] shares of preferred stock (the “Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock”) The Acquiring Fund has filed Articles Supplementary with respect to the Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock before the Closing; each outstanding share of which is fully paid, non-assessable and has full voting rights.

(p) The offer and sale of the shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock and Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement will be in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws or applicable exemptions therefrom.

(q) At or prior to the Closing Date, the Acquiring Fund will have obtained any and all regulatory, board and stockholder approvals necessary to issue the shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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(r) The books and records of the Acquiring Fund made available to the Acquired Fund are substantially true and correct and contain no material misstatements or omissions with respect to the operations of the Acquiring Fund.

(s) The Acquiring Fund Board has not adopted a resolution electing to be subject to the Maryland Business Combination Act or the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act.

2.2 Representations and Warranties of the Acquired Fund. The Acquired Fund represents and warrants to the Acquiring Fund that the statements contained in this Section 2.2 are correct and complete in all material respects as of the execution of this Agreement on the date hereof. The Acquired Fund represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Acquiring Fund that:

(a) The Acquired Fund is a corporation duly organized, validly existing under the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the Department, and has the power to own all of its assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to carry out this Agreement.

(b) The Acquired Fund is duly registered under the 1940 Act as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company (File No. 811-22805), and such registration has not been revoked or rescinded and is in full force and effect. The Acquired Fund is qualified as a foreign corporation in every jurisdiction where required, except to the extent that failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the Acquired Fund.

(c) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Acquired Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except (i) such as have been obtained or applied for under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act, (ii) such as may be required by state securities laws and (iii) such as may be required under Maryland law for the acceptance for record of the Articles of Merger by the Department.

(d) The Acquired Fund is not, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Acquired Fund will not result, in violation of the laws of the State of Maryland or of the charter of the Acquired Fund (the “Acquired Fund Charter”) or the Bylaws, as amended (the “Acquired Fund Bylaws”), of the Acquired Fund, or of any material agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which the Acquired Fund is a party or by which it is bound, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Acquired Fund will not result in the acceleration of any obligation, or the imposition of any penalty, under any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, judgment or decree to which the Acquired Fund is a party or by which it is bound.

(e) The Acquired Fund has been furnished with the Acquiring Fund’s (i) Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended November 30, 2017 and (ii) Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders for the six-month period ended May 31, 2018.

(f) The Acquiring Fund has been furnished with the Acquired Fund’s (i) Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended November 30, 2017 and (ii) Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders for the six-month period ended May 31, 2018.

(g) The Acquired Fund has full power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action of the Acquired Fund Board, and, subject to stockholder approval, this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding contract enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and court decisions with respect thereto.

(h) At the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund will have good and marketable title to its assets held immediately before the Closing Date, which are free and clear of any material liens, pledges or encumbrances except those previously disclosed to the Acquiring Fund.

 

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(i) No material litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is presently pending (in which service of process has been received) or to its knowledge threatened against the Acquired Fund or any properties or assets held by it. The Acquired Fund knows of no facts that might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings which would materially and adversely affect its business and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body which materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the transactions herein contemplated.

(j) The Acquiring Fund Common Stock and the Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock to be issued to the Acquired Fund pursuant to the terms of this Agreement will not be acquired for the purpose of making any distribution thereof other than to Acquired Fund stockholders as provided in Section 1.1(c).

(k) There are no material contracts outstanding to which the Acquired Fund is a party that have not been disclosed in the Registration Statement or will not be otherwise disclosed to the Acquiring Fund prior to the Closing Date.

(l) Since May 31, 2018, there has not been any material adverse change in the Acquired Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities or business and the Acquired Fund has no known liabilities of a material amount, contingent or otherwise, required to be disclosed in a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP other than those shown on the Acquired Fund’s statements of assets, liabilities and capital referred to above, those incurred in the ordinary course of its business as an investment company since May 31, 2018, and those incurred in connection with the Merger. Prior to the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund will advise the Acquiring Fund in writing of all known liabilities, contingent or otherwise, whether or not incurred in the ordinary course of business, existing or accrued. For purposes of this Section 2.2(l), a decline in net asset value per share of the Acquired Fund due to declines in market values of securities in the Acquired Fund’s portfolio or the discharge of the Acquired Fund liabilities will not constitute a material adverse change.

(m) All material federal and other tax returns and information reports of the Acquired Fund required by law to have been filed shall have been timely filed (including any extensions) and are or will be correct in all material respects, and all federal and other taxes shown as due or required to be shown as due on said returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof, and, to the best of the Acquired Fund’s knowledge, no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such returns. All tax liabilities of the Acquired Fund have been adequately provided for on its books, and no tax deficiency or liability of the Acquired Fund has been asserted and no question with respect thereto has been raised by the Internal Revenue Service or by any state or local tax authority for taxes in excess of those already paid, up to and including the taxable year in which the Closing Date occurs.

(n) The Acquired Fund has not taken any action and does not know of any fact or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

(o) The Registration Statement, on the effective date of the Registration Statement, at the time of the stockholders’ meetings referred to in Section 4.2 of this Agreement and at the Closing Date, insofar as it relates to the Acquired Fund (i) shall have complied or will comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and (ii) did not or will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and the prospectus included therein did not or will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the representations and warranties in this Section 2.2(o) shall only apply to statements in, or omissions from, the Registration Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished by the Acquiring Fund for use in the Registration Statement.

 

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(p) All issued and outstanding shares of Acquired Fund Common Stock and Acquired Fund Preferred Stock (i) have been offered and sold in compliance in all material respects with applicable registration requirements of the 1933 Act and state securities laws, or applicable exemptions therefrom, (ii) are, and on the Closing Date will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, and (iii) will be held at the time of the Closing by the persons and in the amounts set forth in the records of the transfer agent as provided in Section 4.7. The Acquired Fund does not have outstanding any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any shares of Acquired Fund Common Stock, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into, or exchangeable for, any shares of Acquired Fund Common Stock.

(q) The books and records of the Acquired Fund made available to the Acquiring Fund are substantially true and correct and contain no material misstatements or omissions with respect to the operations of the Acquired Fund.

(r) The Acquired Fund Board has not adopted a resolution electing to be subject to the Maryland Business Combination Act or the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act.

(s) At or prior to the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund will have obtained any and all regulatory, board and stockholder approvals necessary to enter into and consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

3. EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE ACQUIRED FUND

3.1 Merger Mechanics.

(a) Merger Consideration . Subject to the requisite approval of the stockholders of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund, and the other terms and conditions contained herein, on the Closing Date, each share of Acquired Fund Common Stock will be converted into an equivalent dollar amount (to the nearest one one-hundredth of one cent) of full shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock, computed based on the net asset value per share of each of the parties at the Valuation Time. No fractional shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock will be issued to the holders of Acquired Fund Common Stock. In lieu thereof, the Acquiring Fund will purchase all fractional shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock for cash at the current net asset value per share of Acquiring Fund Common Stock for the account of all holders of fractional interests, and each such holder will receive such holder’s pro rata share of the proceeds of such purchase. In addition, each holder of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive that number of shares of Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock equal to the number of shares of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock on such date.

(b) Computation of Net Asset Value . The net asset value per share of the Acquired Fund Common Stock and the Acquiring Fund Common Stock shall be determined as of the Valuation Time, and no formula will be used to adjust the net asset value per share so determined of either of the parties’ common stock to take into account differences in realized and unrealized gains and losses. The value of the assets of the Acquired Fund to be transferred to the Acquiring Fund shall be determined by the Acquiring Fund pursuant to the principles and procedures consistently utilized by the Acquiring Fund in valuing its own assets and determining its own liabilities for purposes of the Merger, which principles and procedures are substantially similar to those employed by the Acquired Fund when valuing its own assets and determining its own liabilities. Such valuation and determination shall be made by the Acquiring Fund in cooperation with the Acquired Fund and shall be confirmed in writing by the Acquiring Fund to the Acquired Fund. The net asset value per share of Acquiring Fund Common Stock shall be determined in accordance with such procedures, and the Acquiring Fund shall certify the computations involved.

3.2 Stock Certificates.

(a) As of the Closing Date, all outstanding certificates representing shares of the Acquired Fund Common Stock and Acquired Fund Preferred Stock will be deemed cancelled and shall no longer evidence ownership thereof.

 

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(b) In lieu of delivering certificates for Acquiring Fund Common Stock or Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock, the Acquiring Fund shall credit the Acquiring Fund Common Stock and Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock, as applicable, to the Acquired Fund’s account on the books of the Acquiring Fund. The Acquired Fund’s transfer agent shall deliver at Closing a certificate of an authorized officer stating that its records contain the names and addresses of the holders of Acquired Fund Common Stock and Acquired Fund Preferred Stock and the number and percentage ownership of outstanding shares owned by each such stockholder immediately before the Closing. The Acquiring Fund’s transfer agent shall issue and deliver to the Acquired Fund’s Secretary a confirmation evidencing the Acquiring Fund Common Stock and Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock to be credited on the Closing Date, or provide evidence satisfactory to the Acquired Fund that such Acquiring Fund Common Stock and Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock has been credited to the Acquired Fund’s account on the books of the Acquiring Fund. Certificates for the Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock will be sent to receiving stockholders as soon as practicable after the Closing.

(c) With respect to any holder of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock holding certificates representing shares of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock as of the Closing Date, and subject to the Acquiring Fund being informed thereof in writing by the Acquired Fund, the Acquiring Fund will not permit such stockholder to receive shares of Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock (or to vote as a stockholder of the Acquiring Fund) until such stockholder has surrendered his or her outstanding certificates evidencing ownership of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock, or, in the event of lost certificates, posted adequate bond or an affidavit of lost or destroyed certificate. The Acquired Fund will request its stockholders to surrender their outstanding certificates representing shares of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock or post adequate bond therefor. Dividends or other distributions payable to holders of record of shares of Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock as of any date after the Closing Date and before the exchange of certificates by any holder of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock shall be credited to such stockholder, without interest; however, such dividends or other distributions shall not be paid unless and until such stockholder surrenders his or her certificates representing shares of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock for exchange.

(d) After the Closing Date, the stock transfer books of the Acquired Fund shall be closed and thereafter there shall be no further registration of transfers of Acquired Fund Common Stock that were outstanding prior to the Closing Date. After the Closing Date, certificates or book-entry shares presented for transfer shall be canceled and exchanged for the merger consideration described in Section 3.1(a) above, as applicable, provided for, and in accordance with the procedures set forth in, this Article 3.

3.3 Withholding Taxes. The Acquiring Fund or its designee will be entitled to deduct and withhold from amounts otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of shares of Acquired Fund Common Stock and Acquired Fund Preferred Stock such amounts as the Acquiring Fund shall determine in good faith are required to be deducted and withheld with respect to such payments under the Code and the rules and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law. Any amounts so deducted and withheld will be timely paid to the applicable tax authority and will be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of the shares of Acquired Fund Common Stock and Acquired Fund Preferred Stock in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.

4. COVENANTS

4.1 Operations in the Normal Course. Each party covenants to operate its business in the ordinary course between the date hereof and the Closing Date, it being understood that such ordinary course of business will include (i) the declaration and payment of customary dividends and other distributions and (ii) in the case of the Acquired Fund, preparing for its deregistration, except that the distribution of dividends pursuant to Section 6.5 of this Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute a breach of the provisions of this Section 4.1.

4.2 Stockholders’ Meetings.

(a) The Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund each shall have held a meeting of its respective stockholders for the purpose of considering the Merger as described herein by the Closing Date.

 

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(b) The Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund mailed to each of its respective stockholders of record entitled to vote at the meeting of stockholders at which action is to be considered regarding the Merger, in sufficient time to comply with requirements as to notice thereof, a combined proxy statement (“Proxy Statement”) and prospectus (“Prospectus”) which complies in all material respects with the applicable provisions of Section 14(a) of the 1934 Act and Section 20(a) of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations, respectively, thereunder.

4.3 Articles of Merger. The parties agree that, as soon as practicable after satisfaction of all conditions to the Merger, they will jointly file executed Articles of Merger with the Department and make all other filings or recordings required by Maryland law in connection with the Merger.

4.4 Regulatory Filings.

(a) The Acquired Fund undertakes that, if the Merger is consummated, it will file, or cause its agents to file, an application pursuant to Section 8(f) of the 1940 Act for an order declaring that the Acquired Fund has ceased to be a registered investment company.

(b) The Acquiring Fund has filed the Registration Statement with the SEC, which has become effective. The Acquired Fund agrees to cooperate fully with the Acquiring Fund, and has furnished to the Acquiring Fund the information relating to itself to be set forth in the Registration Statement as required by the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder and the state securities or blue sky laws.

4.5 Preservation of Assets. The Acquiring Fund agrees that it has no plan or intention to sell or otherwise dispose of the assets of the Acquired Fund to be acquired in the Merger, except for dispositions made in the ordinary course of business.

4.6 Tax Matters. Each of the parties agrees that by the Closing Date all of its federal and other tax returns and reports required to be filed on or before such date shall have been filed and all taxes shown as due on said returns either have been paid or adequate liability reserves have been provided for the payment of such taxes. In connection with this covenant, the parties agree to cooperate with each other in filing any tax return, amended return or claim for refund, determining a liability for taxes or a right to a refund of taxes or participating in or conducting any audit or other proceeding in respect of taxes. The Acquiring Fund agrees to retain for a period of ten (10) years following the Closing Date all returns, schedules and work papers and all material records or other documents relating to tax matters of the Acquired Fund for its final taxable year and for all prior taxable periods. Any information obtained under this Section 4.6 shall be kept confidential except as otherwise may be necessary in connection with the filing of returns or claims for refund or in conducting an audit or other proceeding. After the Closing Date, the Acquiring Fund shall prepare, or cause its agents to prepare, any federal, state or local tax returns, including any Forms 1099, required to be filed and provided to required persons by the Acquired Fund with respect to its final taxable year ending with the Closing Date and for any prior periods or taxable years for which the due date for such return has not passed as of the Closing Date and further shall cause such tax returns and Forms 1099 to be duly filed with the appropriate taxing authorities and provided to required persons. Notwithstanding the aforementioned provisions of this Section 4.6, any expenses incurred by the Acquiring Fund (other than for payment of taxes) in excess of any accrual for such expenses by the Acquired Fund in connection with the preparation and filing of said tax returns and Forms 1099 after the Closing Date shall be borne by the Acquiring Fund.

4.7 Stockholder List. Prior to the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund shall have made arrangements with its transfer agent to deliver to the Acquiring Fund a list of the names and addresses of all of the holders of record of Acquired Fund Common Stock on the Closing Date and the respective number of shares of Acquired Fund Common Stock owned by each such stockholder, certified by the Acquired Fund’s transfer agent or President to the best of their knowledge and belief. The Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund will (i) use all reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger to constitute a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code and (ii) shall execute

 

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and deliver officer’s certificates containing appropriate representations at such time or times as may be reasonably requested by counsel, including the effective date of the Registration Statement and the Closing Date, for purposes of rendering opinions with respect to the tax treatment of the Merger.

4.8 Delisting, Termination of Registration as an Investment Company. The Acquired Fund agrees that the (i) delisting of the shares of the Acquired Fund with the NYSE and (ii) termination of its registration as an investment company will be effected in accordance with applicable law as soon as practicable following the Closing Date.

4.9 Preferred Stock. The Acquiring Fund will comply with the terms and provisions of Articles Supplementary for the Series [    ] Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock, which Articles Supplementary will provide for such Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock to have identical terms as the Acquired Fund Preferred Stock for which it is being exchanged.

5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRED FUND

The obligations of the Acquired Fund to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at the Acquired Fund’s election, to the following conditions:

5.1 Certificates and Statements by the Acquiring Fund.

(a) The Acquiring Fund shall have furnished a statement of assets, liabilities and capital, together with a schedule of investments with their respective dates of acquisition and tax costs, certified on its behalf by its President (or any Vice President) and its Principal Financial Officer (or Treasurer), and a certificate executed by both such officers, dated the Closing Date, certifying that there has been no material adverse change in its financial position since May 31, other than changes in its portfolio securities since that date or changes in the market value of its portfolio securities.

(b) The Acquiring Fund shall have furnished to the Acquired Fund a certificate signed by its President (or any Vice President), dated the Closing Date, certifying that as of the Closing Date, all representations and warranties made by the Acquiring Fund in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects as if made at and as of such date and the Acquiring Fund has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to such dates.

5.2 Absence of Litigation. There shall be no material litigation pending with respect to the matters contemplated by this Agreement.

5.3 Legal Opinion. The Acquired Fund shall have received an opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, as counsel to the Acquiring Fund, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Acquired Fund and dated the Closing Date, to the effect that:

(i) the Acquiring Fund is a corporation duly organized, validly existing under the law of the State of Maryland and in good standing with the Department;

(ii) the Acquiring Fund has the corporate power to carry on its business as a closed-end investment company registered under the 1940 Act;

(iii) the Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Acquiring Fund, and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of the Agreement by the Acquired Fund, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Acquiring Fund enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar laws pertaining to the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by equitable principles;

 

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(iv) to such counsel’s knowledge, no consent, approval, authorization or order of any United States federal or Maryland or New York state court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Acquiring Fund of the Merger, except that it is understood that no opinion is expressed in this Section (iv) with respect to federal or state securities laws or any rule or regulation promulgated under federal or state securities laws;

(v) the Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act and the Proxy Statement and Prospectus was filed on [    ] pursuant to Rule 497(c) of the rules and regulations of the SEC under the 1933 Act and, to such counsel’s knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued or proceeding for that purpose has been instituted or threatened by the SEC; and

(vi) the execution and delivery of this Agreement does not, and the consummation of the Merger will not, violate any material provision of the Acquiring Fund Charter, the Acquiring Fund Bylaws, as amended, or any agreement set forth in a schedule to the opinion, which the Acquiring Fund has advised such counsel are all material contracts to which the Acquiring Fund is a party or by which the Acquiring Fund is bound, except insofar as the parties have agreed to amend such provision as a condition precedent to the Merger.

In giving the opinion set forth above, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP may state that it is relying on certificates of officers of the Acquiring Fund with regard to matters of fact and certain certificates and written statements of governmental officials with respect to the good standing of the Acquiring Fund and on the opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP as to matters of Maryland law.

5.4 Regulatory Orders. The Acquiring Fund shall have received from any relevant state securities administrator such order or orders as are reasonably necessary or desirable under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, and any applicable state securities or blue sky laws in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that all such orders shall be in full force and effect.

5.5 Satisfaction of the Acquired Fund. All proceedings taken by the Acquiring Fund and its counsel in connection with the Merger and all documents incidental thereto shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Acquired Fund.

6. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND

The obligations of the Acquiring Fund to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at the Acquiring Fund’s election, to the following conditions:

6.1 Certificates and Statements by the Acquired Fund.

(a) The Acquired Fund shall have furnished a statement of assets, liabilities and capital, together with a schedule of investments with their respective dates of acquisition and tax costs, certified on its behalf by its President (or any Vice President) and its Principal Financial Officer (or Treasurer), and a certificate executed by both such officers, dated the Closing Date, certifying that there has been no material adverse change in its financial position since May 31, 2018, other than changes in its portfolio securities since that date or changes in the market value of its portfolio securities.

(b) The Acquired Fund shall have furnished to the Acquiring Fund a certificate signed by its President (or any Vice President), dated the Closing Date, certifying that as of the Closing Date, all representations and warranties made by the Acquired Fund in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects as if made at and as of such date and that the Acquired Fund has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to such date.

 

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6.2 Absence of Litigation. There shall be no material litigation pending with respect to the matters contemplated by this Agreement.

6.3 Legal Opinion. The Acquiring Fund shall have received an opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, as counsel to the Acquired Fund, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund and dated the Closing Date, to the effect that:

(i) the Acquired Fund is a corporation duly organized, validly existing under the law of the State of Maryland and in good standing with the Department;

(ii) the Acquired Fund has the corporate power to carry on its business as a closed-end investment company registered under the 1940 Act;

(iii) the Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Acquired Fund, and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of the Agreement by the Acquiring Fund, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Acquired Fund enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar laws pertaining to the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by equitable principles;

(iv) to such counsel’s knowledge, no consent, approval, authorization or order of any United States federal or Maryland or New York state court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Acquired Fund of the Merger, except that it is understood that no opinion is expressed in this Section (iv) with respect to federal or state securities laws or any rule or regulation promulgated under federal or state securities laws; and

(v) the execution and delivery of this Agreement does not, and the consummation of the Merger will not, violate any material provision of the Acquired Fund Charter, the Acquired Fund Bylaws, as amended, or any agreement set forth in a schedule to the opinion, which the Acquired Fund has advised such counsel are all material contracts to which the Acquired Fund is a party or by which it is bound, except insofar as the parties have agreed to amend such provision as a condition precedent to the Merger

In giving the opinion set forth above, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP may state that it is relying on certificates of officers of the Acquired Fund with regard to matters of fact and certain certificates and written statements of governmental officials with respect to the good standing of the Acquired Fund and on the opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP, as to matters of Maryland law.

6.4 Satisfaction of the Acquiring Fund. All proceedings taken by the Acquired Fund and its counsel in connection with the Merger and all documents incidental thereto shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Acquiring Fund.

6.5 Custodian’s Certificate. The Acquired Fund’s custodian shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund a certificate identifying all of the assets of the Acquired Fund held or maintained by such custodian as of the Valuation Time.

6.6 Books and Records. The Acquired Fund’s transfer agent shall have provided to the Acquiring Fund (i) the originals or true copies of all of the records of the Acquired Fund in the possession of such transfer agent as of the Closing Date, (ii) a certificate setting forth the number of shares of Acquired Fund Common Stock outstanding as of the Valuation Time, and (iii) the name and address of each holder of record of any shares and the number of shares held of record by each such stockholder.

 

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7. FURTHER CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIRING FUND AND ACQUIRED FUND

If any of the conditions set forth below have not been satisfied on or before the Closing Date with respect to the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund, the other party to this Agreement shall be entitled, at its option, to refuse to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement:

7.1 Approval of Merger. The Merger shall have been approved by (i) the affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Acquired Fund Common Stock and Acquired Fund Preferred Stock (voting together), (ii) the affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock (voting as a separate class), (iii) the affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock and Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock (voting together) and (iv) the affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock (voting as a separate class); the Acquiring Fund shall have delivered to the Acquired Fund a copy of the resolutions approving this Agreement pursuant to this Agreement adopted by the Acquiring Fund Board, certified by its secretary; and the Acquired Fund shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund a copy of the resolutions approving this Agreement adopted by the Acquired Fund Board and the Acquired Fund’s stockholders, certified by its secretary.

7.2 Regulatory Filings.

(a) The SEC shall not have issued an unfavorable advisory report under Section 25(b) of the 1940 Act, nor instituted or threatened to institute any proceeding seeking to enjoin consummation of the Merger under Section 25(c) of the 1940 Act; no other legal, administrative or other proceeding shall be instituted or threatened which would materially affect the financial condition of the Acquired Fund or would prohibit the Merger.

(b) On the Closing Date, no court or governmental agency of competent jurisdiction shall have issued any order that remains in effect and that restrains or enjoins the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund from completing the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

7.3 Consents. All consents of other parties and all other consents, orders and permits of federal, state and local regulatory authorities deemed necessary by the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund to permit consummation, in all material respects, of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained, except where failure to obtain any such consent, order or permit would not involve a risk of a material adverse effect on the assets or properties of the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund, provided that either party hereto may for itself waive any of such conditions.

7.4 Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop orders suspending the effectiveness thereof shall have been issued and, to the best knowledge of the parties hereto, no investigation or proceeding for that purpose shall have been instituted or be pending.

7.5 Tax Opinion. The parties shall have received the opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, dated the Closing Date, substantially to the effect that, based upon certain facts, assumptions and representations made by the Acquired Fund, the Acquiring Fund and their respective authorized officers:

(i) the Merger as provided in this Agreement will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of the Code and that the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund will each be a “party to a reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;

(ii) except for consequences regularly attributable to a termination of the Acquired Fund’s taxable year, no gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquired Fund as a result of the Merger or upon the conversion of shares of (i) Acquired Fund Common Stock into shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock and (ii) Acquired Fund Preferred Stock into shares of Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock;

 

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(iii) no gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund as a result of the Merger or upon the conversion of shares of (i) Acquired Fund Common Stock into shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock and (ii) Acquired Fund Preferred Stock into shares of Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock;

(iv) no gain or loss will be recognized by the holders of the Acquired Fund Common Stock upon the conversion of their shares of Acquired Fund Common Stock into shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock, except to the extent such holders are paid cash in lieu of fractional shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock in the Merger;

(v) no gain or loss will be recognized by the holders of the Acquired Fund Preferred Stock upon the conversion of their shares of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock into shares of Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock;

(vi) the tax basis of the Acquired Fund assets in the hands of the Acquiring Fund will be the same as the tax basis of such assets in the hands of the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger;

(vii) immediately after the Merger, (i) the aggregate tax basis of the Acquiring Fund Common Stock received by each holder of Acquired Fund Common Stock in the Merger (including that of fractional share interests purchased by the Acquiring Fund) will be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the shares of Acquired Fund Common Stock owned by such stockholder immediately prior to the Merger and (ii) the aggregate tax basis of the Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock received by each holder of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock in the Merger will be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the shares of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock owned by such stockholder immediately prior to the Merger;

(viii) a stockholder’s holding period for Acquiring Fund Common Stock (including that of fractional share interests purchased by the Acquiring Fund) will be determined by including the period for which he or she held shares of Acquired Fund Common Stock converted pursuant to the Merger, provided that such shares of Acquired Fund Common Stock were held as capital assets;

(ix) a stockholder’s holding period for Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock will be determined by including the period for which he or she held shares of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock converted pursuant to the Merger, provided that such shares of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock were held as capital assets;

(x) the Acquiring Fund’s holding period with respect to the Acquired Fund’s assets transferred pursuant to the Merger will include the period for which such assets were held by the Acquired Fund; and

(xi) the payment of cash to the holders of Acquired Fund Common Stock in lieu of fractional shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock will be treated as though such fractional shares were distributed as part of the Merger and then redeemed by the Acquiring Fund, with the result that the holder of Acquired Fund Common Stock will generally have a capital gain or loss to the extent the cash distribution differs from such stockholder’s basis allocable to the fractional shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock (assuming such Acquired Fund Common Stock was held as a capital asset).

The delivery of such opinion is conditioned upon the receipt by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP of representations it shall request of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Acquiring Fund nor the Acquired Fund may waive the condition set forth in this Section 7.5.

7.6 Assets and Liabilities. The assets and liabilities of the Acquired Fund to be transferred to the Acquiring Fund shall not include any assets or liabilities which the Acquiring Fund, by reason of limitations in its Registration Statement or the Acquiring Fund Charter, may not properly acquire or assume. The Acquiring Fund

 

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does not anticipate that there will be any such assets or liabilities but the Acquiring Fund will notify the Acquired Fund if any do exist and will reimburse the Acquired Fund for any reasonable transaction costs incurred by the Acquired Fund for the liquidation of such assets and liabilities.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

8.1 The Acquiring Fund. The Acquiring Fund, out of its assets and property, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Acquired Fund and the members of the Acquired Fund Board and its officers from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including, without limitation, the payment of reasonable legal fees and reasonable costs of investigation) to which the Acquired Fund and those board members and officers may become subject, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based on (a) any breach by the Acquiring Fund of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement or (b) any act, error, omission, neglect, misstatement, materially misleading statement, breach of duty or other act wrongfully done or attempted to be committed by the Acquiring Fund or the members of the Acquiring Fund Board or its officers prior to the Closing Date, provided that such indemnification by the Acquiring Fund is not (i) in violation of any applicable law or (ii) otherwise prohibited as a result of any applicable order or decree issued by any governing regulatory authority or court of competent jurisdiction.

8.2 The Acquired Fund. The Acquired Fund, out of its assets and property, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Acquiring Fund and the members of the Acquiring Fund Board and its officers from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including, without limitation, the payment of reasonable legal fees and reasonable costs of investigation) to which the Acquiring Fund and those board members and officers may become subject, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based on (a) any breach by the Acquired Fund of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement or (b) any act, error, omission, neglect, misstatement, materially misleading statement, breach of duty or other act wrongfully done or attempted to be committed by the Acquired Fund or the members of the Acquired Fund Board or its officers prior to the Closing Date, provided that such indemnification by the Acquired Fund is not (i) in violation of any applicable law or (ii) otherwise prohibited as a result of any applicable order or decree issued by any governing regulatory authority or court of competent jurisdiction.

9. BROKER FEES AND EXPENSES

9.1 No Broker Fees. The Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund represent and warrant to each other that there are no brokers or finders entitled to receive any payments in connection with the transactions provided for herein.

9.2 Payment of Expenses. The costs of the Merger, including the costs of preparing, printing, assembling and mailing material in connection with this solicitation of proxies are estimated to be approximately $403,000 for the Acquired Fund and $575,775 for the Acquiring Fund. Legg Mason Partners Fund Adviser, LLC, or an affiliate thereof, will bear 100% of these costs whether or not the Mergers are consummated. Such expenses shall include, but not be limited to, all costs related to the preparation and distribution of the Registration Statement, proxy solicitation expenses, SEC registration fees, and NYSE listing fees. Neither of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund owes any broker’s or finder’s fees in connection with the transactions provided for herein.

10. COOPERATION FOLLOWING CLOSING DATE

In case at any time after the Closing Date any further action is necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, each of the parties will take such further action (including the execution and delivery of such further instruments and documents) as the other party may reasonably request, all at the sole cost and expense of the requesting party (unless the requesting party is entitled to indemnification as described below). The Acquired

 

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Fund acknowledges and agrees that from and after the Closing Date, the Acquiring Fund shall be entitled to possession of all documents, books, records, agreements and financial data of any sort pertaining to the Acquired Fund.

11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES

11.1 Entire Agreement. The Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund agree that neither party has made any representation, warranty or covenant not set forth herein and that this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.

11.2 Survival of Warranties. The covenants to be performed after the Closing by both the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund, and the obligations of the Acquiring Fund in Article 6, shall survive the Closing. All other representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall not survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder and shall terminate on the Closing.

12. TERMINATION AND WAIVERS

12.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing Date by resolution of either the Acquiring Fund Board or the Acquired Fund Board, if circumstances should develop that, in the opinion of that board, make proceeding with the Agreement inadvisable with respect to the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund, respectively. Any such termination resolution to be effective shall be promptly communicated to the other party and, in any event, prior to the Closing Date. In the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to the provisions hereof, the Agreement shall become void and have no further effect, and there shall not be any liability hereunder on the part of either of the parties or their respective board members or officers, except for any such material breach or intentional misrepresentation, as to each of which all remedies at law or in equity of the party adversely affected shall survive.

12.2 Waiver. At any time prior to the Closing Date, any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement may be waived by either the Acquired Fund Board or the Acquiring Fund Board (whichever is entitled to the benefit thereof), if, in the judgment of such board after consultation with its counsel, such action or waiver will not have a material adverse effect on the benefits intended in this Agreement to the stockholders of their respective fund, on behalf of which such action is taken.

13. TRANSFER RESTRICTION

Pursuant to Rule 145 under the 1933 Act, and in connection with the issuance of any shares to any person who at the time of the Merger is, to its knowledge, an affiliate of a party to the Merger pursuant to Rule 145(c), the Acquiring Fund will cause to be affixed upon the certificate(s) issued to such person (if any) a legend as follows:

THESE SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT TO [ ] (OR ITS STATUTORY SUCCESSOR) UNLESS (I) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT THERETO IS EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR (II) IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE FUND, SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

and, further, that stop transfer instructions will be issued to the Acquiring Fund’s transfer agent with respect to such shares. The Acquired Fund will provide the Acquiring Fund on the Closing Date with the name of any Acquired Fund Stockholder who is to the knowledge of the Acquired Fund an affiliate of it on such date.

 

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14. MATERIAL PROVISIONS

All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made under this Agreement and any certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to have been material and relied upon by each of the parties, notwithstanding any investigation made by them or on their behalf.

15. AMENDMENTS

This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented in such manner as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the authorized officers of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund; provided, however, that following the meeting of the Acquired Fund stockholders called by the Acquired Fund pursuant to Section 4.2 of this Agreement, no such amendment may have the effect of changing the provisions for determining the number of shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock to be issued to the holders of Acquired Fund Common Stock under this Agreement to the detriment of such stockholders without their further approval.

16. NOTICES

Any notice, report, statement or demand required or permitted by any provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by facsimile, electronic delivery (i.e., e-mail), personal service or prepaid or certified mail addressed to the Acquiring Entity or the Acquired Entity, at its address set forth in the preamble to this Agreement, in each case to the attention of its President.

17. ENFORCEABILITY; HEADINGS; COUNTERPARTS; GOVERNING LAW; SEVERABILITY; ASSIGNMENT; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

17.1 Enforceability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction.

17.2 Headings. The Article headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

17.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

17.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

17.5 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but no assignment or transfer hereof or of any rights or obligations hereunder shall be made by any party without the written consent of the other party. Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer.

 

CLEARBRIDGE AMERICAN ENERGY MLP FUND INC.
By:  

 

Name:   Jane Trust
Title:   President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.
By:  

 

Name:   Jane Trust
Title:   President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

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A PPENDIX B

DESCRIPTION OF MOODY’S AND S&P RATINGS

S&P Global Ratings —A brief description of the applicable S&P Global Ratings and its affiliates (collectively, “S&P”) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by S&P) follows:

ISSUE CREDIT RATING DEFINITIONS

An S&P issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P Global Ratings’ view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days—including commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings*

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P’s analysis of the following considerations:

 

   

The likelihood of payment—the capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on a financial obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

 

   

The nature and provisions of the financial obligation, and the promise we impute; and

 

   

The protection afforded by, and relative position of, the financial obligation in the event of a bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

 

“AAA”    An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
“AA”    An obligation rated “AA” differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
“A”    An obligation rated “A” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

 

1  

The ratings indicated herein are believed to be the most recent ratings available at the date of this Statement of Additional Information for the securities listed. Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of issuance. While the rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings, they undertake no obligation to do so, and the ratings indicated do not necessarily represent ratings which would be given to these securities on the date of the Fund’s fiscal year end.

 

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“BBB”    An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
“BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC,” and “C”    Obligations rated “BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC,” and “C” are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. “BB” indicates the least degree of speculation and “C” the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
“BB”    An obligation rated “BB” is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
“B”    An obligation rated “B” is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated “BB”, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
“CCC”    An obligation rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
“CC”    An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The “CC” rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but S&P expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.
“C”    An obligation rated “C” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared to obligations that are rated higher.
“D”    An obligation rated “D” is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-)

   The ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

“N.R.”

   This indicates that no rating has been requested, or that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

 

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Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings

 

“A-1”    A short-term obligation rated “A-1” is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
“A-2”    A short-term obligation rated “A-2” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
“A-3”    A short-term obligation rated “A-3” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
“B”    A short-term obligation rated “B” is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
“C”    A short-term obligation rated “C” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
“D”    A short-term obligation rated “D” is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

Active Qualifiers (Currently applied and/or outstanding)

S&P uses the following qualifiers that limit the scope of a rating. The structure of the transaction can require the use of a qualifier such as a “p” qualifier, which indicates the rating addressed the principal portion of the obligation only. A qualifier appears as a suffix and is part of the rating.

 

Federal deposit insurance limit: “L” qualifier    Ratings qualified with “L” apply only to amounts invested up to federal deposit insurance limits.
Principal: “p” qualifier    This suffix is used for issues in which the credit factors, the terms, or both, that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of principal are different from the credit factors, terms or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of interest on the obligation. The “p” suffix indicates that the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only and that the interest is not rated.
Preliminary Ratings: “prelim” qualifier    Preliminary ratings, with the “prelim” suffix, may be assigned to obligors or obligations, including financial programs, in the circumstances described below. Assignment of a final rating is conditional on the receipt by S&P of appropriate documentation. S&P reserves the right not to issue a final rating. Moreover, if a final rating is issued, it may differ from the preliminary rating.
  

•  Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations, most commonly structured and project finance issues, pending receipt of final documentation and legal opinions.

 

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•  Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations that will likely be issued upon the obligor’s emergence from bankruptcy or similar reorganization, based on late-stage reorganization plans, documentation and discussions with the obligor. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligors. These ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the reorganized or post-bankruptcy issuer as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s).

  

•  Preliminary ratings may be assigned to entities that are being formed or that are in the process of being independently established when, in S&P’s opinion, documentation is close to final. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligations of these entities.

  

•  Preliminary ratings may be assigned when a previously unrated entity is undergoing a well-formulated restructuring, recapitalization, significant financing or other transformative event, generally at the point that investor or lender commitments are invited. The preliminary rating may be assigned to the entity and to its proposed obligation(s). These preliminary ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the obligor, as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s), assuming successful completion of the transformative event. Should the transformative event not occur, S&P would likely withdraw these preliminary ratings.

  

•  A preliminary recovery rating may be assigned to an obligation that has a preliminary issue credit rating.

Termination Structures: “t” qualifier    This symbol indicates termination structures that are designed to honor their contracts to full maturity or, should certain events occur, to terminate and cash settle all their contracts before their final maturity date.
Counterparty Instrument Rating: “cir” qualifier    This symbol indicates a Counterparty Instrument Rating (CIR), which is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an issuer in a securitization structure with respect to a specific financial obligation to a counterparty (including interest rate swaps, currency swaps, and liquidity facilities). The CIR is determined on an ultimate payment basis; these opinions do not take into account timeliness of payment.

Inactive Qualifiers (No longer applied or outstanding)

 

Contingent upon final documentation: “*” inactive qualifier    This symbol that indicated that the rating was contingent upon S&P’s receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing documentation confirming investments and cash flows. Discontinued use in August 1998.
Termination of obligation to tender: “c” inactive qualifier    This qualifier was used to provide additional information to investors that the bank may terminate its obligation to purchase tendered bonds if the long-term credit rating of the issuer was lowered to below an investment-grade level and/or the issuer’s bonds were deemed taxable. Discontinued use in January 2001.
U.S. direct government securities: “G” inactive qualifier    The letter “G” followed the rating symbol when a fund’s portfolio consisted primarily of direct U.S. government securities.

 

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Public Information Ratings: “pi” inactive qualifier    This qualifier was used to indicate ratings that were based on an analysis of an issuer’s published financial information, as well as additional information in the public domain. Such ratings did not, however, reflect in-depth meetings with an issuer’s management and therefore, could have been based on less comprehensive information than ratings without a “pi” suffix. Discontinued use as of December 2014 and as of August 2015 for Lloyd’s Syndicate Assessments.
Provisional Ratings: “pr” inactive qualifier    The letters “pr” indicate that the rating was provisional. A provisional rating assumed the successful completion of a project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements was largely or entirely dependent upon the successful, timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to completion of the project, made no comment on the likelihood of or the risk of default upon failure of such completion.

Quantitative Analysis of public information “q” inactive qualifier

   A “q” subscript indicates that the rating is based solely on quantitative analysis of publicly available information. Discontinued use in April 2001.

Extraordinary risks “r” inactive qualifier

   The “r” modifier was assigned to securities containing extraordinary risks, particularly market risks, that are not covered in the credit rating. The absence of an “r” modifier should not be taken as an indication that an obligation will not exhibit extraordinary non-credit related risks. S&P discontinued the use of the “r” modifier for most obligations in June 2000 and for the balance of obligations (mainly structured finance transactions) in November 2002.

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. —A brief description of the applicable Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Moody’s) follows:

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS RATINGS

Ratings assigned on Moody’s global long-term and short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities. Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default. 1 2

Moody’s differentiates structured finance ratings from fundamental ratings (i.e., ratings on nonfinancial corporate, financial institution, and public sector entities) on the global long-term scale by adding (sf ) to all structured finance ratings. 3

 

1  

For certain structured finance, preferred stock and hybrid securities in which payment default events are either not defined or do not match investors’ expectations for timely payment, the ratings reflect the likelihood of impairment (as defined below in this publication) and the expected financial loss in the event of impairment.

2  

Supranational institutions and central banks that hold sovereign debt or extend sovereign loans, such as the IMF or the European Central Bank, may not always be treated similarly to other investors and lenders with similar credit exposures. Long-term and short-term ratings assigned to obligations held by both supranational institutions and central banks, as well as other investors, reflect only the credit risks faced by other investors unless specifically noted otherwise.

3  

Like other global scale ratings, (sf) ratings reflect both the likelihood of a default and the expected loss suffered in the event of default. Ratings are assigned based on a rating committee’s assessment of a security’s expected loss rate (default probability multiplied by expected loss severity), and may be subject to the constraint that the final expected loss rating assigned would not be more than a certain number of notches, typically three to five notches, above the rating that would be assigned based on an assessment of default probability alone. The magnitude of this constraint may vary with the level of the rating, the seasoning of the transaction, and the uncertainty around the assessments of expected loss and probability of default.

 

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The addition of (sf ) to structured finance ratings should eliminate any presumption that such ratings and fundamental ratings at the same letter grade level will behave the same. The (sf ) indicator for structured finance security ratings indicates that otherwise similarly rated structured finance and fundamental securities may have different risk characteristics. Through its current methodologies, however, Moody’s aspires to achieve broad expected equivalence in structured finance and fundamental rating performance when measured over a long period of time.

Long-Term Rating Definitions:

 

“Aaa”

   Obligations rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

“Aa”

   Obligations rated “Aa” are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

“A”

   Obligations rated “A” are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

“Baa”

   Obligations rated “Baa” are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

“Ba”

   Obligations rated “Ba” are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

“B”

   Obligations rated “B” are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

“Caa”

   Obligations rated “Caa” are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

“Ca”

   Obligations rated “Ca” are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

“C”

   Obligations rated “C” are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms. *

MEDIUM-TERM NOTE PROGRAM RATINGS

Moody’s assigns provisional ratings to medium-term note (MTN) programs and definitive ratings to the individual debt securities issued from them (referred to as drawdowns or notes).

MTN program ratings are intended to reflect the ratings likely to be assigned to drawdowns issued from the program with the specified priority of claim ( e.g. senior or subordinated). To capture the contingent nature of a program rating, Moody’s assigns provisional ratings to MTN programs. A provisional rating is denoted by a (P) in front of the rating and is defined elsewhere in this document.

The rating assigned to a drawdown from a rated MTN or bank/deposit note program is definitive in nature, and may differ from the program rating if the drawdown is exposed to additional credit risks besides the issuer’s default, such as links to the defaults of other issuers, or has other structural features that warrant a different rating. In some circumstances, no rating may be assigned to a drawdown.

 

*  

By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.

 

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Moody’s encourages market participants to contact Moody’s Ratings Desks or visit www.moodys.com directly if they have questions regarding ratings for specific notes issued under a medium-term note program. Unrated notes issued under an MTN program may be assigned an NR (not rated) symbol.

Short-Term Rating Definitions:

Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default. 4 , 5

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

 

“P-1”

   Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

“P-2”

   Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

“P-3”

   Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

“NP”

   Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

Fitch IBCA, Inc. —A brief description of the applicable Fitch IBCA, Inc. (“Fitch”) ratings symbols and meanings (as published by Fitch) follows:

INTERNATIONAL ISSUER AND CREDIT RATING SCALES

The Primary Credit Rating Scales (those featuring the symbols “AAA”-“D” and “Fi”-“D”) are used for debt and financial strength ratings. The below section describes their use for issuers and obligations in corporate, public and structured finance debt markets.

Long-Term Ratings Scales—Issuer Credit Ratings Scales

Rated entities in a number of sectors, including financial and non-financial corporations, sovereigns and insurance companies, are generally assigned Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs). IDRs opine on an entity’s relative vulnerability to default on financial obligations. The “threshold” default risk addressed by the IDR is generally that of the financial obligations whose non-payment would best reflect the uncured failure of that entity. As such, IDRs also address relative vulnerability to bankruptcy, administrative receivership or similar concepts, although the agency recognizes that issuers may also make pre-emptive and therefore voluntary use of such mechanisms.

In aggregate, IDRs provide an ordinal ranking of issuers based on the agency’s view of their relative vulnerability to default, rather than a prediction of a specific percentage likelihood of default. For historical information on the default experience of Fitch-rated issuers, please consult the transition and default performance studies available from the Fitch Ratings website.

 

“AAA”

   Highest credit quality. “AAA” ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

“AA”

   Very high credit quality. “AA” ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

 

4  

For certain structured finance, preferred stock and hybrid securities in which payment default events are either not defined or do not match investors’ expectations for timely payment, the ratings reflect the likelihood of impairment (as defined below in this publication).

5  

Supranational institutions and central banks that hold sovereign debt or extend sovereign loans, such as the IMF or the European Central Bank, may not always be treated similarly to other investors and lenders with similar credit exposures. Long-term and short-term ratings assigned to obligations held by both supranational institutions and central banks, as well as other investors, reflect only the credit risks faced by other investors unless specifically noted otherwise.

 

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“A”

   High credit quality. “A” ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

“BBB”

   Good credit quality. “BBB” ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

“BB”

   Speculative. “BB” ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.

“B”

   Highly speculative. “B” ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

“CCC”

   Substantial credit risk. Default is a real possibility.

“CC”

   Very high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable.

“C”

   Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill. Conditions that are indicative of a ‘C’ category rating for an issuer include:
   a. the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation;
   b. the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; or
   c. Fitch Ratings otherwise believes a condition of “RD” or “D” to be imminent or inevitable, including through the formal announcement of a distressed debt exchange.

“RD”

   Restricted default. “RD” ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include:
   a. the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt;
   b. the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation;
   c. the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; or
   d. execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.

“D”

   Default. “D” ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business.
   Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.

 

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   “Imminent” default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.
   In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice.

Note: The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA’ Long-Term IDR category, or to Long-Term IDR categories below “B”.

Limitations of the Issuer Credit Rating Scale:

Specific limitations relevant to the issuer credit rating scale include:

 

   

The ratings do not predict a specific percentage of default likelihood over any given time period.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the market value of any issuer’s securities or stock, or the likelihood that this value may change.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the liquidity of the issuer’s securities or stock.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the possible loss severity on an obligation should an issuer default.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the suitability of an issuer as a counterparty to trade credit.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on any quality related to an issuer’s business, operational or financial profile other than the agency’s opinion on its relative vulnerability to default.

Ratings assigned by Fitch Ratings articulate an opinion on discrete and specific areas of risk. The above list is not exhaustive, and is provided for the reader’s convenience.

Short-Term Ratings—Short-Term Ratings Assigned to

Obligations in Corporate, Public and Structured Finance

A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

 

“F1”

   Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

“F2”

   Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

“F3”

   Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

“B”

   Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

“C”

   High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.

“RD”

   Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.

“D”

   Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a specific short-term obligation.

 

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Limitations of the Short-Term Ratings Scale:

Specific limitations relevant to the Short-Term Ratings scale include:

 

   

The ratings do not predict a specific percentage of default likelihood over any given time period.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the market value of any issuer’s securities or stock, or the likelihood that this value may change.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the liquidity of the issuer’s securities or stock.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on the possible loss severity on an obligation should an obligation default.

 

   

The ratings do not opine on any quality related to an issuer or transaction’s profile other than the agency’s opinion on the relative vulnerability to default of the rated issuer or obligation.

Ratings assigned by Fitch Ratings articulate an opinion on discrete and specific areas of risk. The above list is not exhaustive, and is provided for the reader’s convenience.

 

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A PPENDIX C

LEGG MASON PARTNERS FUND ADVISOR, LLC

PROXY VOTING POLICY

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) delegates the responsibility for voting proxies for the fund to the subadviser through its contracts with the subadviser. The subadviser will use its own proxy voting policies and procedures to vote proxies. Accordingly, LMPFA does not expect to have proxy-voting responsibility for the fund. Should LMPFA become responsible for voting proxies for any reason, such as the inability of the subadviser to provide investment advisory services, LMPFA shall utilize the proxy voting guidelines established by the most recent subadviser to vote proxies until a new subadviser is retained.

The subadviser’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures govern in determining how proxies relating to the fund’s portfolio securities are voted and are provided below. Information regarding how each fund voted proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge (1) by calling 888-777-0102, (2) on the fund’s website at http://www.lmcef.com and (3) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

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A PPENDIX D

CLEARBRIDGE INVESTMENTS, LLC

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

I.

Types of Accounts for Which ClearBridge Votes Proxies

 

II.

General Guidelines

 

III.

How ClearBridge Votes

 

IV.

Conflicts of Interest

 

  A.

Procedures for Identifying Conflicts of Interest

 

  B.

Procedures for Assessing Materiality of Conflicts of Interest and for Addressing Material Conflicts of Interest

 

  C.

Third Party Proxy Voting Firm—Conflicts of Interest

 

V.

Voting Policy

 

  A.

Election of Directors

 

  B.

Proxy Contests

 

  C.

Auditors

 

  D.

Proxy Contest Defenses

 

  E.

Tender Offer Defenses

 

  F.

Miscellaneous Governance Provisions

 

  G.

Capital Structure

 

  H.

Executive and Director Compensation

 

  I.

State of Incorporation

 

  J.

Mergers and Corporate Restructuring

 

  K.

Social and Environmental Issues

 

  L.

Miscellaneous

 

VI.

Other Considerations

 

  A.

Share Blocking

 

  B.

Securities on Loan

 

VII.

Disclosure of Proxy Voting

 

VIII.

Recordkeeping and Oversight

 

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CLEARBRIDGE INVESTMENTS, LLC

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

I.

TYPES OF ACCOUNTS FOR WHICH CLEARBRIDGE VOTES PROXIES

ClearBridge votes proxies for each client that has specifically authorized us to vote them in the investment management contract or otherwise and votes proxies for each ERISA account unless the plan document or investment advisory agreement specifically reserves the responsibility to vote proxies to the plan trustees or other named fiduciary. These policies and procedures are intended to fulfill applicable requirements imposed on ClearBridge by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations adopted under these laws.

 

II.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

In voting proxies, we are guided by general fiduciary principles. Our goal is to act prudently, solely in the best interest of the beneficial owners of the accounts we manage and, in the case of ERISA accounts, for the exclusive purpose of providing economic benefits to such persons. We attempt to provide for the consideration of all factors that could affect the value of the investment and will vote proxies in the manner that we believe will be consistent with efforts to maximize shareholder values.

 

III.

HOW CLEARBRIDGE VOTES

Section V of these policies and procedures sets forth certain stated positions. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is a stated position, we generally vote in accordance with the stated position. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is a list of factors set forth in Section V that we consider in voting on such issue, we consider those factors and vote on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the general principles set forth above. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is no stated position or list of factors that we consider in voting on such issue, we vote on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the general principles set forth above. We may utilize an external service provider to provide us with information and/or a recommendation with regard to proxy votes but we are not required to follow any such recommendations. The use of an external service provider does not relieve us of our responsibility for the proxy vote.

For routine matters, we usually vote according to our policy or the external service provider’s recommendation, although we are not obligated to do so and an individual portfolio manager may vote contrary to our policy or the recommendation of the external service provider. If a matter is non-routine, e.g. , management’s recommendation is different than that of the external service provider and ClearBridge is a significant holder or it is a significant holding for ClearBridge, the issues will be highlighted to the appropriate investment teams and their views solicited by members of the Proxy Committee. Different investment teams may vote differently on the same issue, depending upon their assessment of clients’ best interests.

ClearBridge’s proxy voting process is overseen and coordinated by its Proxy Committee.

 

IV.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

In furtherance of ClearBridge’s goal to vote proxies in the best interests of clients, ClearBridge follows procedures designed to identify and address material conflicts that may arise between ClearBridge’s interests and those of its clients before voting proxies on behalf of such clients.

 

  A.

Procedures for Identifying Conflicts of Interest

ClearBridge relies on the following to seek to identify conflicts of interest with respect to proxy voting:

 

  1.

ClearBridge’s employees are periodically reminded of their obligation (i) to be aware of the potential for conflicts of interest on the part of ClearBridge with respect to voting proxies on behalf of client accounts both as a result of their personal relationships or personal or business relationships relating to another Legg Mason business unit, and (ii) to bring conflicts of interest of which they become aware to the attention of ClearBridge’s General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer.

 

 

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  2.

ClearBridge’s finance area maintains and provides to ClearBridge Compliance and proxy voting personnel an up- to-date list of all client relationships that have historically accounted for or are projected to account for greater than 1% of ClearBridge’s net revenues.

 

  3.

As a general matter, ClearBridge takes the position that relationships between a non-ClearBridge Legg Mason unit and an issuer ( e.g. , investment management relationship between an issuer and a non-ClearBridge Legg Mason affiliate) do not present a conflict of interest for ClearBridge in voting proxies with respect to such issuer because ClearBridge operates as an independent business unit from other Legg Mason business units and because of the existence of informational barriers between ClearBridge and certain other Legg Mason business units. As noted above, ClearBridge employees are under an obligation to bring such conflicts of interest, including conflicts of interest which may arise because of an attempt by another Legg Mason business unit or non-ClearBridge Legg Mason officer or employee to influence proxy voting by ClearBridge to the attention of ClearBridge Compliance.

 

  4.

A list of issuers with respect to which ClearBridge has a potential conflict of interest in voting proxies on behalf of client accounts will be maintained by ClearBridge proxy voting personnel. ClearBridge will not vote proxies relating to such issuers until it has been determined that the conflict of interest is not material or a method for resolving the conflict of interest has been agreed upon and implemented, as described in Section B below.

 

  B.

Procedures for Assessing Materiality of Conflicts of Interest and for Addressing Material Conflicts of Interest

 

  1.

ClearBridge maintains a Proxy Committee which, among other things, reviews and addresses conflicts of interest brought to its attention. The Proxy Committee is comprised of such ClearBridge personnel (and others, at ClearBridge’s request), as are designated from time to time. The current members of the Proxy Committee are set forth in the Proxy Committee’s Terms of Reference.

 

  2.

All conflicts of interest identified pursuant to the procedures outlined in Section IV. A. must be brought to the attention of the Proxy Committee for resolution. A proxy issue that will be voted in accordance with a stated ClearBridge position on such issue or in accordance with the recommendation of an independent third party generally is not brought to the attention of the Proxy Committee for a conflict of interest review because ClearBridge’s position is that any conflict of interest issues are resolved by voting in accordance with a pre-determined policy or in accordance with the recommendation of an independent third party.

 

  3.

The Proxy Committee will determine whether a conflict of interest is material. A conflict of interest will be considered material to the extent that it is determined that such conflict is likely to influence, or appear to influence, ClearBridge’s decision-making in voting the proxy. All materiality determinations will be based on an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. A written record of all materiality determinations made by the Proxy Committee will be maintained.

 

  4.

If it is determined by the Proxy Committee that a conflict of interest is not material, ClearBridge may vote proxies notwithstanding the existence of the conflict.

 

  5.

If it is determined by the Proxy Committee that a conflict of interest is material, the Proxy Committee will determine an appropriate method to resolve such conflict of interest before the proxy affected by the conflict of interest is voted. Such determination shall be based on the particular facts and circumstances, including the importance of the proxy issue, the nature of the conflict of interest, etc. Such methods may include:

 

   

disclosing the conflict to clients and obtaining their consent before voting;

 

   

suggesting to clients that they engage another party to vote the proxy on their behalf;

 

   

in the case of a conflict of interest resulting from a particular employee’s personal relationships, removing such employee from the decision-making process with respect to such proxy vote; or

 

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such other method as is deemed appropriate given the particular facts and circumstances, including the importance of the proxy issue, the nature of the conflict of interest, etc. *

A written record of the method used to resolve a material conflict of interest shall be maintained.

 

  C.

Third Party Proxy Voting Firm—Conflicts of Interest

With respect to a third party proxy voting firm described herein, the Proxy Committee will periodically review and assess such firm’s policies, procedures and practices with respect to the disclosure and handling of conflicts of interest.

 

V.

VOTING POLICY

These are policy guidelines that can always be superseded, subject to the duty to act solely in the best interest of the beneficial owners of accounts, by the investment management professionals responsible for the account holding the shares being voted. There may be occasions when different investment teams vote differently on the same issue. A ClearBridge investment team ( e.g. , ClearBridge’s Social Awareness Investment team) may adopt proxy voting policies that supplement these policies and procedures. In addition, in the case of Taft-Hartley clients, ClearBridge will comply with a client direction to vote proxies in accordance with Institutional Shareholder Services’ (ISS) PVS Proxy Voting Guidelines, which ISS represents to be fully consistent with AFL-CIO guidelines.

 

  A.

Election of Directors

 

  1.

Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections.

 

  a.

We withhold our vote from a director nominee who:

 

   

attended less than 75 percent of the company’s board and committee meetings without a valid excuse (illness, service to the nation/local government, work on behalf of the company);

 

   

were members of the company’s board when such board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received approval of a majority of shares cast for the previous two consecutive years;

 

   

received more than 50 percent withheld votes of the shares cast at the previous board election, and the company has failed to address the issue as to why;

 

   

is an insider where: (1) such person serves on any of the audit, compensation or nominating committees of the company’s board, (2) the company’s board performs the functions typically performed by a company’s audit, compensation and nominating committees, or (3) the full board is less than a majority independent (unless the director nominee is also the company CEO, in which case we will vote FOR);

 

   

is a member of the company’s audit committee, when excessive non-audit fees were paid to the auditor, or there are chronic control issues and an absence of established effective control mechanisms.

 

  b.

We vote for all other director nominees.

 

  2.

Chairman and CEO is the Same Person.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals that would require the positions of the Chairman and CEO to be held by different persons. We would generally vote FOR such a proposal unless there are compelling reasons to vote against the proposal, including:

 

   

designation of a lead director

 

   

majority of independent directors (supermajority)

 

*  

Especially in the case of an apparent, as opposed to actual, conflict of interest, the Proxy Committee may resolve such conflict of interest by satisfying itself that ClearBridge’s proposed vote on a proxy issue is in the best interest of client accounts and is not being influenced by the conflict of interest.

 

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all independent key committees

 

   

size of the company (based on market capitalization)

 

   

established governance guidelines

 

   

company performance

 

  3.

Majority of Independent Directors

 

  a.

We vote for shareholder proposals that request that the board be comprised of a majority of independent directors. Generally that would require that the director have no connection to the company other than the board seat. In determining whether an independent director is truly independent ( e.g. when voting on a slate of director candidates), we consider certain factors including, but not necessarily limited to, the following: whether the director or his/her company provided professional services to the company or its affiliates either currently or in the past year; whether the director has any transactional relationship with the company; whether the director is a significant customer or supplier of the company; whether the director is employed by a foundation or university that received significant grants or endowments from the company or its affiliates; and whether there are interlocking directorships.

 

  b.

We vote for shareholder proposals that request that the board audit, compensation and/or nominating committees include independent directors exclusively.

 

  4.

Stock Ownership Requirements

We vote against shareholder proposals requiring directors to own a minimum amount of company stock in order to qualify as a director, or to remain on the board.

 

  5.

Term of Office

We vote against shareholder proposals to limit the tenure of independent directors.

 

  6.

Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection

 

  a.

Subject to subparagraphs b, c, and d below, we vote for proposals concerning director and officer indemnification and liability protection.

 

  b.

We vote for proposals to limit and against proposals to eliminate entirely director and officer liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of care.

 

  c.

We vote against indemnification proposals that would expand coverage beyond just legal expenses to acts, such as negligence, that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligations than mere carelessness.

 

  d.

We vote for only those proposals that provide such expanded coverage noted in subparagraph 3 above in cases when a director’s or officer’s legal defense was unsuccessful if: (1) the director was found to have acted in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed was in the best interests of the company, and (2) if only the director’s legal expenses would be covered.

 

  7.

Director Qualifications

 

  a.

We vote case-by-case on proposals that establish or amend director qualifications. Considerations include how reasonable the criteria are and to what degree they may preclude dissident nominees from joining the board.

 

  b.

We vote against shareholder proposals requiring two candidates per board seat.

 

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  B.

Proxy Contests

 

  1.

Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections

We vote on a case-by-case basis in contested elections of directors. Considerations include: chronology of events leading up to the proxy contest; qualifications of director nominees (incumbents and dissidents); for incumbents, whether the board is comprised of a majority of outside directors; whether key committees (i.e., nominating, audit, compensation) comprise solely of independent outsiders; discussion with the respective portfolio manager(s).

 

  2.

Reimburse Proxy Solicitation Expenses

We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to provide full reimbursement for dissidents waging a proxy contest. Considerations include: identity of persons who will pay solicitation expenses; cost of solicitation; percentage that will be paid to proxy solicitation firms.

 

  C.

Auditors

 

  1.

Ratifying Auditors

We vote for proposals to ratify auditors, unless an auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent; or there is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion that is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position or there is reason to believe the independent auditor has not followed the highest level of ethical conduct. Specifically, we will vote to ratify auditors if the auditors only provide the company audit services and such other audit-related and non-audit services the provision of which will not cause such auditors to lose their independence under applicable laws, rules and regulations.

 

  2.

Financial Statements and Director and Auditor Reports

We generally vote for management proposals seeking approval of financial accounts and reports and the discharge of management and supervisory board members, unless there is concern about the past actions of the company’s auditors or directors.

 

  3.

Remuneration of Auditors

We vote for proposals to authorize the board or an audit committee of the board to determine the remuneration of auditors, unless there is evidence of excessive compensation relative to the size and nature of the company.

 

  4.

Indemnification of Auditors

We vote against proposals to indemnify auditors.

 

  D.

Proxy Contest Defenses

 

  1.

Board Structure: Staggered vs. Annual Elections

 

  a.

We vote against proposals to classify the board.

 

  b.

We vote for proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.

 

  2.

Shareholder Ability to Remove Directors

 

  a.

We vote against proposals that provide that directors may be removed only for cause.

 

  b.

We vote for proposals to restore shareholder ability to remove directors with or without cause.

 

  c.

We vote against proposals that provide that only continuing directors may elect replacements to fill board vacancies.

 

  d.

We vote for proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies.

 

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  3.

Cumulative Voting

 

  a.

If plurality voting is in place for uncontested director elections, we vote for proposals to permit or restore cumulative voting.

 

  b.

If majority voting is in place for uncontested director elections, we vote against cumulative voting.

 

  c.

If plurality voting is in place for uncontested director elections, and proposals to adopt both cumulative voting and majority voting are on the same slate, we vote for majority voting and against cumulative voting.

 

  4.

Majority Voting

We vote for non-binding and/or binding resolutions requesting that the board amend a company’s by-laws to stipulate that directors need to be elected with an affirmative majority of the votes cast, provided that it does not conflict with the state law where the company is incorporated. In addition, all resolutions need to provide for a carve-out for a plurality vote standard when there are more nominees than board seats (i.e., contested election). In addition, ClearBridge strongly encourages companies to adopt a post-election director resignation policy setting guidelines for the company to follow to promptly address situations involving holdover directors.

 

  5.

Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

 

  a.

We vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to call special meetings.

 

  b.

We vote for proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special meetings, taking into account a minimum ownership threshold of 10 percent (and investor ownership structure, depending on bylaws).

 

  6.

Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

 

  a.

We vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take action by written consent.

 

  b.

We vote for proposals to allow or make easier shareholder action by written consent.

 

  7.

Shareholder Ability to Alter the Size of the Board

 

  a.

We vote for proposals that seek to fix the size of the board.

 

  b.

We vote against proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board without shareholder approval.

 

  8.

Advance Notice Proposals

We vote on advance notice proposals on a case-by-case basis, giving support to those proposals which allow shareholders to submit proposals as close to the meeting date as reasonably possible and within the broadest window possible.

 

  9.

Amendment of By-Laws

 

  a.

We vote against proposals giving the board exclusive authority to amend the by-laws.

 

  b.

We vote for proposals giving the board the ability to amend the by-laws in addition to shareholders.

 

  10.

Article Amendments (not otherwise covered by ClearBridge Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures).

We review on a case-by-case basis all proposals seeking amendments to the articles of association.

We vote for article amendments if:

 

   

shareholder rights are protected;

 

   

there is negligible or positive impact on shareholder value;

 

   

management provides adequate reasons for the amendments; and

 

   

the company is required to do so by law (if applicable).

 

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  E.

Tender Offer Defenses

 

  1.

Poison Pills

 

  a.

We vote for shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill for shareholder ratification.

 

  b.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals to redeem a company’s poison pill. Considerations include: when the plan was originally adopted; financial condition of the company; terms of the poison pill.

 

  c.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on management proposals to ratify a poison pill. Considerations include: sunset provision—poison pill is submitted to shareholders for ratification or rejection every 2 to 3 years; shareholder redemption feature —10% of the shares may call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the rights plan.

 

  2.

Fair Price Provisions

 

  a.

We vote for fair price proposals, as long as the shareholder vote requirement embedded in the provision is no more than a majority of disinterested shares.

 

  b.

We vote for shareholder proposals to lower the shareholder vote requirement in existing fair price provisions.

 

  3.

Greenmail

 

  a.

We vote for proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restrict a company’s ability to make greenmail payments.

 

  b.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on anti-greenmail proposals when they are bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments.

 

  4.

Unequal Voting Rights

 

  a.

We vote against dual class exchange offers.

 

  b.

We vote against dual class re-capitalization.

 

  5.

Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement to Amend the Charter or Bylaws

 

  a.

We vote against management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve charter and bylaw amendments.

 

  b.

We vote for shareholder proposals to lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements for charter and bylaw amendments.

 

  6.

Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement to Approve Mergers

 

  a.

We vote against management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve mergers and other significant business combinations.

 

  b.

We vote for shareholder proposals to lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements for mergers and other significant business combinations.

 

  7.

White Squire Placements

We vote for shareholder proposals to require approval of blank check preferred stock issues.

 

  F.

Miscellaneous Governance Provisions

 

  1.

Confidential Voting

 

  a.

We vote for shareholder proposals that request corporations to adopt confidential voting, use independent tabulators and use independent inspectors of election as long as the proposals include clauses for proxy contests as follows: in the case of a contested election, management is permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents do not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived.

 

 

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  b.

We vote for management proposals to adopt confidential voting subject to the proviso for contested elections set forth in sub-paragraph A.1 above.

 

  2.

Equal Access

We vote for shareholder proposals that would allow significant company shareholders equal access to management’s proxy material in order to evaluate and propose voting recommendations on proxy proposals and director nominees, and in order to nominate their own candidates to the board.

 

  3.

Bundled Proposals

We vote on a case-by-case basis on bundled or “conditioned” proxy proposals. In the case of items that are conditioned upon each other, we examine the benefits and costs of the packaged items. In instances when the joint effect of the conditioned items is not in shareholders’ best interests and therefore not in the best interests of the beneficial owners of accounts, we vote against the proposals. If the combined effect is positive, we support such proposals.

 

  4.

Shareholder Advisory Committees

We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to establish a shareholder advisory committee. Considerations include: rationale and cost to the firm to form such a committee. We generally vote against such proposals if the board and key nominating committees are comprised solely of independent/outside directors.

 

  5.

Other Business

We vote for proposals that seek to bring forth other business matters.

 

  6.

Adjourn Meeting

We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals that seek to adjourn a shareholder meeting in order to solicit additional votes.

 

  7.

Lack of Information

We vote against proposals if a company fails to provide shareholders with adequate information upon which to base their voting decision.

 

  G.

Capital Structure

 

  1.

Common Stock Authorization

 

  a.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issue, except as described in paragraph 2 below.

 

  b.

Subject to paragraph 3, below we vote for the approval requesting increases in authorized shares if the company meets certain criteria:

 

   

Company has already issued a certain percentage (i.e. greater than 50%) of the company’s allotment.

 

   

The proposed increase is reasonable (i.e. less than 150% of current inventory) based on an analysis of the company’s historical stock management or future growth outlook of the company.

 

  c.

We vote on a case-by-case basis, based on the input of affected portfolio managers, if holding is greater than 1% of an account.

 

  2.

Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends

We vote on a case-by-case basis on management proposals to increase common share authorization for a stock split, provided that the split does not result in an increase of authorized but unissued shares of more than 100% after giving effect to the shares needed for the split.

 

  3.

Reverse Stock Splits

We vote for management proposals to implement a reverse stock split, provided that the reverse split does not result in an increase of authorized but unissued shares of more than 100% after giving effect to the shares needed for the reverse split.

 

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  4.

Blank Check Preferred Stock

 

  a.

We vote against proposals to create, authorize or increase the number of shares with regard to blank check preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution and other rights.

 

  b.

We vote for proposals to create “declawed” blank check preferred stock (stock that cannot be used as a takeover defense).

 

  c.

We vote for proposals to authorize preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable.

 

  d.

We vote for proposals requiring a shareholder vote for blank check preferred stock issues.

 

  5.

Adjust Par Value of Common Stock

We vote for management proposals to reduce the par value of common stock.

 

  6.

Preemptive Rights

 

  a.

We vote on a case-by-case basis for shareholder proposals seeking to establish them and consider the following factors:

 

   

size of the Company;

 

   

characteristics of the size of the holding (holder owning more than 1% of the outstanding shares);

 

   

percentage of the rights offering (rule of thumb less than 5%).

 

  b.

We vote on a case-by-case basis for shareholder proposals seeking the elimination of pre-emptive rights.

 

  7.

Debt Restructuring

We vote on a case-by-case basis for proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt-restructuring plan. Generally, we approve proposals that facilitate debt restructuring.

 

  8.

Share Repurchase Programs

We vote for management proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms.

 

  9.

Dual-Class Stock

We vote for proposals to create a new class of nonvoting or sub voting common stock if:

 

   

It is intended for financing purposes with minimal or no dilution to current shareholders;

 

   

It is not designed to preserve the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder.

 

  10.

Issue Stock for Use with Rights Plan

We vote against proposals that increase authorized common stock for the explicit purpose of implementing a shareholder rights plan (poison pill).

 

  11.

Debt Issuance Requests

When evaluating a debt issuance request, the issuing company’s present financial situation is examined. The main factor for analysis is the company’s current debt-to- equity ratio, or gearing level. A high gearing level may incline markets and financial analysts to downgrade the company’s bond rating, increasing its investment risk factor in the process. A gearing level up to 100 percent is considered acceptable.

We vote for debt issuances for companies when the gearing level is between zero and 100 percent.

We view on a case-by-case basis proposals where the issuance of debt will result in the gearing level being greater than 100 percent. Any proposed debt issuance is compared to industry and market standards.

 

  12.

Financing Plans

We generally vote for the adopting of financing plans if we believe they are in the best economic interests of shareholders.

 

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  H.

Executive and Director Compensation

In general, we vote for executive and director compensation plans, with the view that viable compensation programs reward the creation of stockholder wealth by having high payout sensitivity to increases in shareholder value. Certain factors, however, such as repricing underwater stock options without shareholder approval, would cause us to vote against a plan. Additionally, in some cases we would vote against a plan deemed unnecessary.

 

  1.

OBRA-Related Compensation Proposals

 

  a.

Amendments that Place a Cap on Annual Grant or Amend Administrative Features

We vote for plans that simply amend shareholder-approved plans to include administrative features or place a cap on the annual grants any one participant may receive to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

  b.

Amendments to Added Performance-Based Goals

We vote for amendments to add performance goals to existing compensation plans to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

  c.

Amendments to Increase Shares and Retain Tax Deductions Under OBRA

We vote for amendments to existing plans to increase shares reserved and to qualify the plan for favorable tax treatment under the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

  d.

Approval of Cash or Cash-and-Stock Bonus Plans

We vote for cash or cash-and-stock bonus plans to exempt the compensation from taxes under the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

  2.

Expensing of Options

We vote for proposals to expense stock options on financial statements.

 

  3.

Index Stock Options

We vote on a case by case basis with respect to proposals seeking to index stock options. Considerations include whether the issuer expenses stock options on its financial statements and whether the issuer’s compensation committee is comprised solely of independent directors.

 

  4.

Shareholder Proposals to Limit Executive and Director Pay

 

  a.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on all shareholder proposals that seek additional disclosure of executive and director pay information. Considerations include: cost and form of disclosure. We vote for such proposals if additional disclosure is relevant to shareholder’s needs and would not put the company at a competitive disadvantage relative to its industry.

 

  b.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on all other shareholder proposals that seek to limit executive and director pay.

We have a policy of voting to reasonably limit the level of options and other equity- based compensation arrangements available to management to reasonably limit shareholder dilution and management compensation. For options and equity-based compensation arrangements, we vote FOR proposals or amendments that would result in the available awards being less than 10% of fully diluted outstanding shares (i.e. if the combined total of shares, common share equivalents and options available to be awarded under all current and proposed compensation plans is less than 10% of fully diluted shares). In the event the available awards exceed the 10% threshold, we would also consider the % relative to the common practice of its specific industry ( e.g. technology firms). Other considerations would include, without limitation, the following:

 

   

compensation committee comprised of independent outside directors;

 

   

maximum award limits;

 

   

repricing without shareholder approval prohibited;

 

 

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3-year average burn rate for company;

 

   

plan administrator has authority to accelerate the vesting of awards;

 

   

shares under the plan subject to performance criteria.

 

  5.

Golden Parachutes

 

  a.

We vote for shareholder proposals to have golden parachutes submitted for shareholder ratification.

 

  b.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on all proposals to ratify or cancel golden parachutes. Considerations include: the amount should not exceed 3 times average base salary plus guaranteed benefits; golden parachute should be less attractive than an ongoing employment opportunity with the firm.

 

  6.

Golden Coffins

 

  a.

We vote for shareholder proposals that request a company not to make any death benefit payments to senior executives’ estates or beneficiaries, or pay premiums in respect to any life insurance policy covering a senior executive’s life (“golden coffin”). We carve out benefits provided under a plan, policy or arrangement applicable to a broader group of employees, such as offering group universal life insurance.

 

  b.

We vote for shareholder proposals that request shareholder approval of survivor benefits for future agreements that, following the death of a senior executive, would obligate the company to make payments or awards not earned.

 

  7.

Anti Tax Gross-up Policy

 

  a.

We vote for proposals that ask a company to adopt a policy whereby it will not make, or promise to make, any tax gross-up payment to its senior executives, except for tax gross-ups provided pursuant to a plan, policy, or arrangement applicable to management employees of the company generally, such as relocation or expatriate tax equalization policy; we also vote for proposals that ask management to put gross-up payments to a shareholder vote.

 

  b.

We vote against proposals where a company will make, or promise to make, any tax gross-up payment to its senior executives without a shareholder vote, except for tax gross-ups provided pursuant to a plan, policy, or arrangement applicable to management employees of the company generally, such as relocation or expatriate tax equalization policy.

 

  8.

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (“ESOPs”)

We vote for proposals that request shareholder approval in order to implement an ESOP or to increase authorized shares for existing ESOPs, except in cases when the number of shares allocated to the ESOP is “excessive” (i.e., generally greater than five percent of outstanding shares).

 

  9.

Employee Stock Purchase Plans

 

  a.

We vote for qualified plans where all of the following apply:

 

   

the purchase price is at least 85 percent of fair market value;

 

   

the offering period is 27 months or less;

 

   

the number of shares allocated to the plan is five percent or less of outstanding shares.

If the above do not apply, we vote on a case-by-case basis.

 

  b.

We vote for non-qualified plans where all of the following apply:

 

   

all employees of the company are eligible to participate (excluding 5 percent or more beneficial owners);

 

   

there are limits on employee contribution (e.g., fixed dollar amount);

 

   

there is a company matching contribution with a maximum of 25 percent of an employee’s contribution;

 

   

there is no discount on the stock price on purchase date (since there is a company match).

If the above do not apply, we vote against the non-qualified employee stock purchase plan.

 

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  10.

401(k) Employee Benefit Plans

We vote for proposals to implement a 401(k) savings plan for employees.

 

  11.

Stock Compensation Plans

 

  a.

We vote for stock compensation plans which provide a dollar-for-dollar cash for stock exchange.

 

  b.

We vote on a case-by-case basis for stock compensation plans which do not provide a dollar-for-dollar cash for stock exchange using a quantitative model.

 

  12.

Directors Retirement Plans

 

  a.

We vote against retirement plans for non-employee directors.

 

  b.

We vote for shareholder proposals to eliminate retirement plans for non-employee directors.

 

  13.

Management Proposals to Reprice Options

We vote on a case-by-case basis on management proposals seeking approval to reprice options. Considerations include the following:

 

   

historic trading patterns;

 

   

rationale for the repricing;

 

   

value-for-value exchange;

 

   

option vesting;

 

   

term of the option;

 

   

exercise price;

 

   

participation.

 

  14.

Shareholder Proposals Recording Executive and Director Pay

 

  a.

We vote against shareholder proposals seeking to set absolute levels on compensation or otherwise dictate the amount or form of compensation.

 

  b.

We vote against shareholder proposals requiring director fees be paid in stock only.

 

  c.

We vote for shareholder proposals to put option repricing to a shareholder vote.

 

  d.

We vote for shareholder proposals that call for a non-binding advisory vote on executive pay (“say-on-pay”). Company boards would adopt a policy giving shareholders the opportunity at each annual meeting to vote on an advisory resolution to ratify the compensation of the named executive officers set forth in the proxy statement’s summary compensation table.

 

  e.

We vote “annual” for the frequency of say-on-pay proposals rather than once every two or three years.

 

  f.

We vote on a case-by-case basis for all other shareholder proposals regarding executive and director pay, taking into account company performance, pay level versus peers, pay level versus industry, and long term corporate outlook.

 

  15.

Management Proposals On Executive Compensation

 

  a.

For non-binding advisory votes on executive officer compensation, when management and the external service provider agree, we vote for the proposal. When management and the external service provider disagree, the proposal becomes a refer item. In the case of a Refer item, the factors under consideration will include the following:

 

   

company performance over the last 1-, 3- and 5-year periods on a total shareholder return basis;

 

   

performance metrics for short- and long-term incentive programs;

 

   

CEO pay relative to company performance (is there a misalignment);

 

 

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tax gross-ups to senior executives;

 

   

change-in-control arrangements;

 

   

presence of a clawback provision, ownership guidelines, or stock holding requirements for senior executives

 

  b.

We vote “annual” for the frequency of say-on-pay proposals rather than once every two or three years.

 

  16.

Stock Retention / Holding Period of Equity Awards

We vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals asking companies to adopt policies requiring senior executives to retain all or a significant (>50 percent) portion of their shares acquired through equity compensation plans, either:

 

   

while employed and/or for one to two years following the termination of their employment; or

 

   

for a substantial period following the lapse of all other vesting requirements for the award, with ratable release of a portion of the shares annually during the lock-up period.

The following factors will be taken into consideration:

 

   

whether the company has any holding period, retention ratio, or named executive officer ownership requirements currently in place;

 

   

actual stock ownership of the company’s named executive officers;

 

   

policies aimed at mitigating risk taking by senior executives;

 

   

pay practices at the company that we deem problematic.

 

  I.

State/Country of Incorporation

 

  1.

Voting on State Takeover Statutes

 

  a.

We vote for proposals to opt out of state freeze-out provisions

 

  b.

We vote for proposals to opt out of state disgorgement provisions.

 

  2.

Voting on Re-incorporation Proposals

We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to change a company’s state or country of incorporation. Considerations include: reasons for re-incorporation (i.e., financial, restructuring, etc.); advantages/benefits for change (i.e. lower taxes); compare the differences in state/country laws governing the corporation.

 

  3.

Control Share Acquisition Provisions

 

  a.

We vote against proposals to amend the charter to include control share acquisition provisions.

 

  b.

We vote for proposals to opt out of control share acquisition statutes unless doing so would enable the completion of a takeover that would be detrimental to shareholders.

 

  c.

We vote for proposals to restore voting rights to the control shares.

 

  d.

We vote for proposals to opt out of control share cashout statutes.

 

  J.

Mergers and Corporate Restructuring

 

  1.

Mergers and Acquisitions

We vote on a case-by-case basis on mergers and acquisitions. Considerations include: benefits/advantages of the combined companies (i.e. economies of scale, operating synergies, increase in market power/share, etc.); offer price (premium or discount); change in the capital structure; impact on shareholder rights.

 

 

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  2.

Corporate Restructuring

We vote on a case-by-case basis on corporate restructuring proposals involving minority squeeze outs and leveraged buyouts. Considerations include: offer price, other alternatives/offers considered and review of fairness opinions.

 

  3.

Spin-offs

We vote on a case-by-case basis on spin-offs. Considerations include the tax and regulatory advantages, planned use of sale proceeds, market focus, and managerial incentives.

 

  4.

Asset Sales

We vote on a case-by-case basis on asset sales. Considerations include the impact on the balance sheet/working capital, value received for the asset, and potential elimination of diseconomies.

 

  5.

Liquidations

We vote on a case-by-case basis on liquidations after reviewing management’s efforts to pursue other alternatives, appraisal value of assets, and the compensation plan for executives managing the liquidation.

 

  6.

Appraisal Rights

We vote for proposals to restore, or provide shareholders with, rights of appraisal.

 

  7.

Changing Corporate Name

We vote for proposals to change the “corporate name”, unless the proposed name change bears a negative connotation.

 

  8.

Conversion of Securities

We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals regarding conversion of securities. Considerations include the dilution to existing shareholders, the conversion price relative to market value, financial issues, control issues, termination penalties, and conflicts of interest.

 

  9.

Stakeholder Provisions

We vote against proposals that ask the board to consider non-shareholder constituencies or other non-financial effects when evaluating a merger or business combination.

 

  K.

Social and Environmental Issues

 

  1.

In general we vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder social and environmental proposals, on the basis that their impact on share value may be difficult to quantify. In most cases, however, we vote for disclosure reports that seek additional information, particularly when it appears the company has not adequately addressed shareholders’ social and environmental concerns. In determining our vote on shareholder social and environmental proposals, we also analyze the following factors:

 

  a.

whether adoption of the proposal would have either a positive or negative impact on the company’s short-term or long-term share value;

 

  b.

the percentage of sales, assets and earnings affected;

 

  c.

the degree to which the company’s stated position on the issues could affect its reputation or sales, or leave it vulnerable to boycott or selective purchasing;

 

  d.

whether the issues presented should be dealt with through government or company-specific action;

 

  e.

whether the company has already responded in some appropriate manner to the request embodied in a proposal;

 

  f.

whether the company’s analysis and voting recommendation to shareholders is persuasive;

 

  g.

what other companies have done in response to the issue;

 

 

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  h.

whether the proposal itself is well framed and reasonable;

 

  i.

whether implementation of the proposal would achieve the objectives sought in the proposal; and

 

  j.

whether the subject of the proposal is best left to the discretion of the board.

 

  2.

Among the social and environmental issues to which we apply this analysis are the following:

 

  a.

Energy Efficiency and Resource Utilization

 

  b.

Environmental Impact and Climate Change

 

  c.

Human Rights and Impact on Communities of Corporate Activities

 

  d.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non Discrimination

 

  e.

ILO Standards and Child/Slave Labor

 

  f.

Product Integrity and Marketing

 

  g.

Sustainability Reporting

 

  h.

Board Representation

 

  i.

Animal Welfare

 

  L.

Miscellaneous

 

  1.

Charitable Contributions

We vote against proposals to eliminate, direct or otherwise restrict charitable contributions.

 

  2.

Political Contributions

In general, we vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals pertaining to political contributions. In determining our vote on political contribution proposals we consider, among other things, the following:

 

   

Does the company have a political contributions policy publicly available

 

   

How extensive is the disclosure on these documents

 

   

What oversight mechanisms the company has in place for approving/reviewing political contributions and expenditures

 

   

Does the company provide information on its trade association expenditures

 

   

Total amount of political expenditure by the company in recent history

 

  3.

Operational Items

 

  a.

We vote against proposals to provide management with the authority to adjourn an annual or special meeting absent compelling reasons to support the proposal.

 

  b.

We vote against proposals to reduce quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding unless there are compelling reasons to support the proposal.

 

  c.

We vote for by-law or charter changes that are of a housekeeping nature (updates or corrections).

 

  d.

We vote for management proposals to change the date/time/location of the annual meeting unless the proposed change is unreasonable.

 

  e.

We vote against shareholder proposals to change the date/time/location of the annual meeting unless the current scheduling or location is unreasonable.

 

  f.

We vote against proposals to approve other business when it appears as voting item.

 

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  4.

Routine Agenda Items

In some markets, shareholders are routinely asked to approve:

 

   

the opening of the shareholder meeting;

 

   

that the meeting has been convened under local regulatory requirements;

 

   

the presence of a quorum;

 

   

the agenda for the shareholder meeting;

 

   

the election of the chair of the meeting;

 

   

regulatory filings;

 

   

the allowance of questions;

 

   

the publication of minutes;

 

   

the closing of the shareholder meeting.

We generally vote for these and similar routine management proposals.

 

  5.

Allocation of Income and Dividends

We generally vote for management proposals concerning allocation of income and the distribution of dividends, unless the amount of the distribution is consistently and unusually small or large.

 

  6.

Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternatives

 

  a.

We vote for most stock (scrip) dividend proposals.

 

  b.

We vote against proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the cash option is harmful to shareholder value.

ClearBridge has determined that registered investment companies, particularly closed end investment companies, raise special policy issues making specific voting guidelines frequently inapplicable. To the extent that ClearBridge has proxy voting authority with respect to shares of registered investment companies, ClearBridge shall vote such shares in the best interest of client accounts and subject to the general fiduciary principles set forth herein without regard to the specific voting guidelines set forth in Section V. A. through L.

The voting policy guidelines set forth in Section V may be changed from time to time by ClearBridge in its sole discretion.

 

VI.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

In certain situations, ClearBridge may determine not to vote proxies on behalf of a client because ClearBridge believes that the expected benefit to the client of voting shares is outweighed by countervailing considerations. Examples of situations in which ClearBridge may determine not to vote proxies on behalf of a client include:

 

  A.

Share Blocking

Proxy voting in certain countries requires “share blocking.” This means that shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting ( e.g. one week) with a designated depositary. During the blocking period, shares that will be voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares have been returned to client accounts by the designated depositary. In deciding whether to vote shares subject to share blocking, ClearBridge will consider and weigh, based on the particular facts and circumstances, the expected benefit to clients of voting in relation to the detriment to clients of not being able to sell such shares during the applicable period.

 

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  B.

Securities on Loan

Certain clients of ClearBridge, such as an institutional client or a mutual fund for which ClearBridge acts as a subadviser, may engage in securities lending with respect to the securities in their accounts. ClearBridge typically does not direct or oversee such securities lending activities. To the extent feasible and practical under the circumstances, ClearBridge will request that the client recall shares that are on loan so that such shares can be voted if ClearBridge believes that the expected benefit to the client of voting such shares outweighs the detriment to the client of recalling such shares ( e.g. , foregone income). The ability to timely recall shares for proxy voting purposes typically is not entirely within the control of ClearBridge and requires the cooperation of the client and its other service providers. Under certain circumstances, the recall of shares in time for such shares to be voted may not be possible due to applicable proxy voting record dates and administrative considerations.

 

VII.

DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING

ClearBridge employees may not disclose to others outside of ClearBridge (including employees of other Legg Mason business units) how ClearBridge intends to vote a proxy absent prior approval from ClearBridge’s General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer, except that a ClearBridge investment professional may disclose to a third party (other than an employee of another Legg Mason business unit) how s/he intends to vote without obtaining prior approval from ClearBridge’s General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer if (1) the disclosure is intended to facilitate a discussion of publicly available information by ClearBridge personnel with a representative of a company whose securities are the subject of the proxy, (2) the company’s market capitalization exceeds $1 billion and (3) ClearBridge has voting power with respect to less than 5% of the outstanding common stock of the company.

If a ClearBridge employee receives a request to disclose ClearBridge’s proxy voting intentions to, or is otherwise contacted by, another person outside of ClearBridge (including an employee of another Legg Mason business unit) in connection with an upcoming proxy voting matter, he/she should immediately notify ClearBridge’s General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer.

If a portfolio manager wants to take a public stance with regards to a proxy, s/he must consult with ClearBridge’s General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer before making or issuing a public statement.

 

VIII.

RECORDKEEPING AND OVERSIGHT

ClearBridge shall maintain the following records relating to proxy voting:

 

   

a copy of these policies and procedures;

 

   

a copy of each proxy form (as voted);

 

   

a copy of each proxy solicitation (including proxy statements) and related materials with regard to each vote;

 

   

documentation relating to the identification and resolution of conflicts of interest;

 

   

any documents created by ClearBridge that were material to a proxy voting decision or that memorialized the basis for that decision; and

 

   

a copy of each written client request for information on how ClearBridge voted proxies on behalf of the client, and a copy of any written response by ClearBridge to any (written or oral) client request for information on how ClearBridge voted proxies on behalf of the requesting client.

Such records shall be maintained and preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than six years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, the first two years in an appropriate office of the ClearBridge adviser.

To the extent that ClearBridge is authorized to vote proxies for a United States Registered Investment Company, ClearBridge shall maintain such records as are necessary to allow such fund to comply with its recordkeeping, reporting and disclosure obligations under applicable laws, rules and regulations.

In lieu of keeping copies of proxy statements, ClearBridge may rely on proxy statements filed on the EDGAR system as well as on third party records of proxy statements and votes cast if the third party provides an undertaking to provide the documents promptly upon request.

 

 

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The information contained in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 30, 2018

CLEARBRIDGE AMERICAN ENERGY MLP FUND INC.

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus, supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Proxy Statement/Prospectus dated     , 2018, relating specifically to the proposed merger of ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc. (“CBA”) with and into ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. (“EMO,” and together with CBA, the “Funds”) in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “Merger”). You may obtain a copy of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to by contacting each Fund at (888) 777-0102, by writing each Fund at the address listed above or by visiting our website at www.lmcef.com . The Merger is to occur pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the same meanings as are given to them in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1.  General Information

     S-2  

2.  Financial Statements and Other Incorporated Documents

     S-2  

3.  Pro Forma Financial Statements

     S-2  

 

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GENERAL INFORMATION

A Joint Special Meeting of Stockholders of CBA and EMO, at which stockholders of CBA and EMO will consider the Merger, will be held at 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York, on November 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. For further information about the Merger, see the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Statement of Additional Information related to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus dated     , 2018 consists of this cover page, the accompanying pro forma financial statements and the following documents, each of which was filed electronically with the SEC and is incorporated by reference herein:

The financial statements of each Fund as included in the Funds’ Reports filed for the last-completed fiscal year, and semi-annual period, if applicable, for each Fund:

 

   

ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc., Annual Report to Stockholders for the Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2017, filed on January 31, 2018 (accession no. 0001193125-18-027288).

 

   

ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., Annual Report to Stockholders for the Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2017, filed on January 31, 2018 (accession no. 0001193125-18-027278).

 

   

ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc. Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders for the Period Ended May 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on July 26, 2018 (accession no. 0001193125-18-227280).

 

   

ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders for the Period Ended May 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on July 26, 2018 (accession no. 0001193125-18-227257).

PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc. (“Target Fund”) and ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. (“Acquiring Fund”)

The unaudited pro forma information provided herein should be read in conjunction with the annual reports to stockholders of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017 and the semi-annual reports to stockholders of the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund for the period ended May 31, 2018.

At a meeting held on May 22, 2018, the Boards of Directors of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund approved an Agreement and Plan of Merger, subject to approval by common and preferred stockholders of both the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund. If the proposed merger (“Merger”) is approved, the Acquiring Fund will acquire all the assets of the Target Fund and assume all of the Target Fund’s liabilities, and common stockholders of the Target Fund will receive shares of common stock of the Acquiring Fund based on each Fund’s respective net asset value per share. In addition, as a result of the Merger, preferred stockholders of the Target Fund will receive the same number of shares of the newly issued shares of Series D, E, F and G mandatory redeemable preferred stock of the Acquiring Fund.

The unaudited pro forma information set forth below for the year ended November 30, 2017 is intended to present ratios and supplemental data as if the acquisition of the Target Fund by the Acquiring Fund had been consummated at December 1, 2016.

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the investment manager of each of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund. ClearBridge Investments, LLC (“ClearBridge”) is the investment subadviser of each of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund.

Both the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund pay a management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 1.00% of each Fund’s average daily managed assets. The LMPFA pays ClearBridge monthly 70% of the net management fee it receives from each of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund.

 

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The Target Fund and Acquiring Fund have the same transfer agent and custodian as one another. Each of these service providers has entered into an agreement with the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, which governs the provisions of services to such funds. Such agreements have the same terms with respect to each Fund.

The Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund were both incorporated in Maryland and are both registered as non-diversified, closed-end management investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

As of November 30, 2017, the net assets of the Target Fund were $480,792,395 and the net assets of the Acquiring Fund were $354,601,814. The net assets of the combined fund as of November 30, 2017 would have been $835,394,209.

As of November 30, 2017, the shares of common stock outstanding of the Target Fund were 58,592,799 and the shares of common stock outstanding of the Acquiring Fund were 31,196,056. The adjustment to the shares outstanding of the combined fund as of November 30, 2017 would have been 16,295,272 and total shares outstanding would have been $73,493,583.

As of November 30, 2017, the Target Fund had 250 shares of fixed rate mandatory redeemable preferred stock (“MRPS”) outstanding with the aggregate liquidation value of $25,000,000, and the Acquiring Fund had 230 shares of fixed rate MRPS outstanding with the aggregate liquidation value of $23,000,000. As of November 30, 2017, the combined fund would have 480 shares of fixed rate MRPS outstanding with the aggregate liquidation value of $48,000,000.

On a pro forma basis for the year ended November 30, 2017, the proposed Merger would have resulted in the following approximate increases/(decreases) to expenses charged:

 

       Dollar Amount      Increase/(Decrease)  

Audit and tax fees

   $ (259,072      (0.03 )% 

Legal fees

     (158,586      (0.02

Transfer agent fees

     (59,962      (0.01

Shareholder reports

     (23,459      (0.00

Stock exchange listing fees

     (5,765      (0.00

Fund accounting fees

     (5,141      (0.00

Miscellaneous expenses

     (16,843      (0.00

On a pro forma basis for the year ended November 30, 2017, the proposed Merger will have a total decrease of $528,828 on the operating expenses. This reduction is due to expected synergies of the Merger.

No significant accounting policies (including valuation of portfolio securities) will change as a result of the proposed Merger. The Acquiring Fund will be the accounting survivor in connection with the Merger.

Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ.

Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of November 30, 2017, no provision for income tax is required in each of the Target Fund’s and the Acquiring Fund’s financial statements. Each of the Fund’s federal and state income tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

No material portfolio turnover is expected as a result of the proposed Merger.

The Merger will be accounted for as a tax-free reorganization of investment companies. In a tax-free reorganization:

 

  1.

No gain or loss is generally recognized by the Target Fund upon the transfer of its assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the liabilities of the Target Fund, or upon the distribution of the shares of the Acquiring Fund by the Target Fund to its stockholders in liquidation of the Target Fund.

 

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  2.

No gain or loss is recognized by the Target Fund stockholders upon the exchange of their shares of the Target Fund solely for shares of the Acquiring Fund pursuant to the reorganization. Target Fund stockholders may, however, recognize gain or loss with respect to any cash those stockholders receive pursuant to the reorganization in lieu of fractional shares.

 

  3.

The historical cost of investment securities generally is carried forward to the Acquiring Fund.

The results of operations of the Acquiring Fund for pre-combination periods will not be restated.

Net operating loss and capital loss carryovers are favorable tax assets that can be used by a Fund to offset income and gains in future taxable periods. As of November 30, 2017, the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund had the following estimated net operating loss and capital loss carryovers for federal income tax purposes:

 

Target Fund

    

Acquiring Fund

 
     Amount of
Carryover
     Fiscal Year of
Expiration Prior
to Merger
          Amount of
Carryover
     Fiscal Year of
Expiration Prior
to Merger
 

Net Operating Loss

Carryover:

   $ 59,995,060        11/30/2034      Net Operating Loss Carryover    $ 12,540,554        11/30/2037  
     103,447,182        11/30/2035           

Capital Loss

Carryover

     168,805,903        11/30/2021      Capital Loss Carryover      72,953,415        11/30/2021  
  

 

 

          

 

 

    

Total

   $ 332,248,145            $ 85,493,969     
  

 

 

          

 

 

    

LMPFA, or an affiliate, will bear the Merger costs. LMPFA, or an affiliate, will pay 100% of the Target Fund’s and the Acquiring Fund’s Merger costs whether or not the Merger is consummated. The costs of the Merger are anticipated to be $978,775 in total, including approximately $403,000 for CBA and $575,775 for EMO.

 

S-4


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PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 15.

Indemnification

The Registrant has entered into an Indemnification Agreement with each director whereby the Registrant has agreed to indemnify each director against expenses and costs actually and reasonably incurred by such director in connection with any claims, suits or proceedings; provided that no indemnification shall be provided to the extent that the director engaged in conduct for which indemnification may not lawfully be provided to the such director.

Sections 1, 2 and 3 of Article VII of the Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference as Exhibit 1(a) to this Registration Statement, provide that:

To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland statutory or decisional law, as amended or interpreted, no current or former director or officer of the Registrant shall have any liability to the Registrant or its stockholders for money damages. This limitation on liability applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a director or officer of the Registrant whether or not such person is a director or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted.

The Registrant shall indemnify and advance expenses to its currently acting and its former directors to the fullest extent that indemnification of directors is permitted by Maryland statutory or decisional law. The Registrant shall indemnify and advance expenses to its officers to the same extent as its directors and may do so to such further extent as is consistent with law. The Board of Directors may by By-Law, resolution or agreement make further provision for indemnification of directors, officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the Maryland statutory or decisional law. The foregoing rights of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled. The Board of Directors may take such action as is necessary to carry out these indemnification provisions and is expressly empowered to adopt, approve and amend from time to time such by-laws, resolutions or contracts implementing such provisions or such further indemnification arrangements as may be permitted by law. This indemnification applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a director or officer of the Registrant whether or not such person is a director or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted.

No provision of the Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation shall be effective to protect or purport to protect any director or officer of the Registrant against any liability to the Registrant or its security holders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

Item 16.

Exhibits

 

Exhibit

No.

 

Exhibit

1(a)   Articles of Incorporation, dated April 5, 2011.(1)
1(b)   Articles Supplementary, dated March 26, 2015.(2)


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Exhibit

No.

 

Exhibit

2   Bylaws.(1)
3   Not applicable.
4   Form of Agreement and Plan of Merger is included in Appendix A of the Registration Statement on Form N-14.
5   Not applicable.
6(a)   Management Agreement, dated June 8, 2011, between Registrant and Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC with respect to Registrant.*
6(b)   Subadvisory Agreement, dated June 8, 2011, between Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC and ClearBridge Investments, LLC with respect to Registrant.*
7   Not applicable.
8   Not applicable.
9   Custodian Services Agreement with The Bank of New York Mellon, dated January 1, 2018.*
10   Not applicable.
11   Opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP as to the legality of the securities being registered.*
12   Form of Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP supporting tax matters and consequences to stockholders discussed in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.*
13   Not applicable.
14   Consents of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms with respect to ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc. (“CBA”) and ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. (“EMO”).*
15   Not applicable.
16   Power of Attorney.(5)
17(a)   Forms of Proxy Card.*
17(b)   Code of Ethics of the Registrant and Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC.(3)
17(c)   Code of Ethics of ClearBridge Investments, LLC.(3)
17(d)   Transfer Agency and Services Agreement with Computershare Inc.*
17(e)   Note Purchase Agreement, dated February 7, 2013, with the certain note purchasers named therein.(4)
17(f)   Second Amendment Agreement, dated May 29, 2018, to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated February 7, 2013.*
17(g)   Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 26, 2015, with the certain note purchasers named therein.*
17(h)   First Amendment Agreement, dated May 29, 2018, to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 26, 2015.*
17(i)   Form of Credit Services Agreement with The Bank of Nova Scotia.*

 

(1)  

Filed on April 6, 2011 with the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-173338 and 811-22546) and incorporated by reference herein.

(2)  

Filed on March 27, 2015 with the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-186748 and 811-22546) and incorporated by reference herein.

(3)  

Filed on June 8, 2011 with the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-173338 and 811-22546) and incorporated by reference herein.

(4)  

Filed on February 19, 2013 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-186748 and 811-22546) and incorporated by reference herein.

(5)  

Filed on July 12, 2018 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-226149 and 811-22546) and incorporated by reference herein.

*

Filed herewith.


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Item 17.

Undertakings.

(1) The undersigned registrant agrees that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered through the use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c) of the Securities Act [17 CFR 230.145c], the reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form for reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other terms of the applicable form.

(2) The undersigned registrant agrees that every prospectus that is filed under paragraph (1) above will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until the amendment is effective, and that, in determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement for the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering of them.

(3) The undersigned registrant agrees to file concurrently with the closing of the merger of CBA with and into EMO a post-effective amendment to this registration statement including a signed opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP supporting tax matters and consequences to stockholders discussed in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.


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SIGNATURES

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this amendment to the registration statement has been signed on behalf of the Registrant, in the City of New York and State of New York, on the 30 th day of August, 2018.

 

C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .
By:  

/s/ Jane Trust

  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment to the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Jane Trust

Jane Trust

  

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,

President and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

  August 30, 2018

/s/ Richard F. Sennett

Richard F. Sennett

  

Principal Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  August 30, 2018

/s/ Robert D. Agdern*

Robert D. Agdern

  

Director

 

August 30, 2018

/s/ Carol L. Colman*

Carol L. Colman

  

Director

 

August 30, 2018

/s/ Daniel P. Cronin*

Daniel P. Cronin

  

Director

 

August 30, 2018

/s/ Paolo M. Cucchi*

Paolo M. Cucchi

  

Director

  August 30, 2018

/s/ Leslie H. Gelb*

Leslie H. Gelb

  

Director

  August 30, 2018

/s/ William R. Hutchinson*

William R. Hutchinson

  

Director

  August 30, 2018

/s/ Eileen Kamerick*

Eileen Kamerick

  

Director

  August 30, 2018

/s/ Dr. Riordan Roett*

Dr. Riordan Roett

  

Director

  August 30, 2018
*BY:   /s/ Jane Trust
  Jane Trust
  Attorney-in-Fact, August 30, 2018

The original powers of attorney authorizing Jane Trust to execute this Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, for the Directors of the Registrant on whose behalf this Registration Statement is filed, have been executed and are filed as an exhibit.


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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

No.

 

Exhibit

6(a)   Management Agreement, dated June 8, 2011, between Registrant and Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC with respect to Registrant.
6(b)   Subadvisory Agreement, dated June 8, 2011, between Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC and ClearBridge Investments, LLC with respect to Registrant.
9   Custodian Services Agreement with The Bank of New York Mellon, dated January 1, 2018.
11   Opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP as to the legality of the securities being registered.
12   Form of Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP supporting tax matters and consequences to stockholders discussed in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
14   Consents of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms with respect to CBA and EMO.
17(a)   Forms of Proxy Card.
17(d)   Transfer Agency and Services Agreement with Computershare Inc.
17(f)   Second Amendment Agreement, dated May 29, 2018, to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated February 7, 2013.
17(g)   Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 26, 2015, with the certain note purchasers named therein.
17(h)   First Amendment Agreement, dated May 29, 2018, to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 26, 2015.
17(i)   Form of Credit Services Agreement with The Bank of Nova Scotia.

Exhibit (6)(a)

MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

This MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made this 8th day of June 2011, by and between ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) and Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Manager”).

WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as a management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);

WHEREAS, the Manager is engaged primarily in rendering investment advisory, management and administrative services and is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended;

WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to retain the Manager to provide investment advisory, management, and administrative services to the Fund; and

WHEREAS, the Manager is willing to furnish such services on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed as follows:

1. The Fund hereby appoints the Manager to act as investment adviser and administrator of the Fund for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Manager accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.

2. The Fund shall at all times keep the Manager fully informed with regard to the securities owned by it, its funds available, or to become available, for investment, and generally as to the condition of its affairs. It shall furnish the Manager with such other documents and information with regard to its affairs as the Manager may from time to time reasonably request.

3. (a) Subject to the supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), the Manager shall regularly provide the Fund with investment research, advice, management and supervision and shall furnish a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio of securities and other investments consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions, as stated in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. The Manager shall determine from time to time what securities and other investments will be purchased, retained, sold or exchanged by the Fund and what portion of the assets of the Fund’s portfolio will be held in the various securities and other investments in which the Fund invests, and shall implement those decisions, all subject to the provisions of the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws (collectively, the “Governing Documents”), the 1940 Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and interpretive guidance issued thereunder by the SEC staff and any other applicable federal and state law, as well as the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund referred to above, and any other specific policies adopted by the Board and disclosed to the Manager. The Manager is authorized as the agent of the Fund to give instructions to the custodian of the Fund as to deliveries of securities and other investments and payments of cash for the account of the Fund. Subject to applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and direction from the Board, the investment program to be provided hereunder may entail the investment of all or substantially all of the assets of the Fund in one or more investment companies. The Manager will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the Fund either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer, foreign currency dealer, futures commission merchant or others selected by it. In connection with the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, subject to applicable law, brokers or dealers may be selected who also provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which the Manager or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. The Manager is authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for the Fund

 


which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Manager determines in good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer. This determination may be viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities which the Manager and its affiliates have with respect to accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. The Board may adopt policies and procedures that modify and restrict the Manager’s authority regarding the execution of the Fund’s portfolio transactions provided herein. The Manager shall also provide advice and recommendations with respect to other aspects of the business and affairs of the Fund, shall exercise voting rights, rights to consent to corporate action and any other rights pertaining to the Fund’s portfolio securities subject to such direction as the Board may provide, and shall perform such other functions of investment management and supervision as may be directed by the Board.

(b) Subject to the direction and control of the Board, the Manager shall perform such administrative and management services as may from time to time be reasonably requested by the Fund as necessary for the operation of the Fund, such as (i) supervising the overall administration of the Fund, including negotiation of contracts and fees with and the monitoring of performance and billings of the Fund’s transfer agent, shareholder servicing agents, custodian and other independent contractors or agents, (ii) providing certain compliance, fund accounting, regulatory reporting, and tax reporting services, (iii) preparing or participating in the preparation of Board materials, registration statements, proxy statements and reports and other communications to shareholders, (iv) maintaining the Fund’s existence, and (v) during such times as shares are publicly offered, maintaining the registration and qualification of the Fund’s shares under federal and state laws. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Manager shall not be deemed to have assumed any duties with respect to, and shall not be responsible for, the distribution of the shares of the Fund, nor shall the Manager be deemed to have assumed or have any responsibility with respect to functions specifically assumed by any transfer agent, fund accounting agent, custodian, shareholder servicing agent or other agent, in each case employed by the Fund to perform such functions.

(c) The Fund hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Manager which is a member of a national securities exchange to effect any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Fund which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Fund hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Manager agrees that it will not deal with itself, or with members of the Board or any principal underwriter of the Fund, as principals or agents in making purchases or sales of securities or other property for the account of the Fund, nor will it purchase any securities from an underwriting or selling group in which the Manager or its affiliates is participating, or arrange for purchases and sales of securities between the Fund and another account advised by the Manager or its affiliates, except in each case as permitted by the 1940 Act and in accordance with such policies and procedures as may be adopted by the Fund from time to time, and will comply with all other provisions of the Governing Documents and the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information relative to the Manager and its directors and officers.

4. Subject to the Board’s approval, the Manager or the Fund may enter into contracts with one or more investment subadvisers or subadministrators, including without limitation, affiliates of the Manager, in which the Manager delegates to such investment subadvisers or subadministrators any or all its duties specified hereunder, on such terms as the Manager will determine to be necessary, desirable or appropriate, provided that in each case the Manager shall supervise the activities of each such subadviser or subadministrator and further provided that such contracts impose on any investment subadviser or subadministrator bound thereby all the conditions to which the Manager is subject hereunder and that such contracts are entered into in accordance with and meet all applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.

5. (a) The Manager, at its expense, shall supply the Board and officers of the Fund with all information and reports reasonably required by them and reasonably available to the Manager and shall furnish the Fund with office facilities, including space, furniture and equipment and all personnel reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund. The Manager shall oversee the maintenance of all books and records with respect to the Fund’s securities transactions and the keeping of the Fund’s books of account in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Manager hereby agrees that any records that it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Fund, and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund’s request. The Manager further agrees to arrange for the preservation of the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. The Manager shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees, who may be elected as Board members or officers of the Fund, to serve in the capacities in which they are elected.

 

2


(b) The Manager shall bear all expenses, and shall furnish all necessary services, facilities and personnel, in connection with its responsibilities under this Agreement. Other than as herein specifically indicated, the Manager shall not be responsible for the Fund’s expenses, including, without limitation, advisory fees; distribution fees; interest; taxes; governmental fees; voluntary assessments and other expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; organization costs of the Fund; the cost (including brokerage commissions, transaction fees or charges, if any) in connection with the purchase or sale of the Fund’s securities and other investments and any losses in connection therewith; fees and expenses of custodians, transfer agents, registrars, independent pricing vendors or other agents; legal expenses; loan commitment fees; expenses relating to share certificates; expenses relating to the issuing and redemption or repurchase of the Fund’s shares and servicing shareholder accounts; expenses of registering and qualifying the Fund’s shares for sale under applicable federal and state law; expenses of preparing, setting in print, printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information and any supplements thereto, reports, proxy statements, notices and dividends to the Fund’s shareholders; costs of stationery; website costs; costs of meetings of the Board or any committee thereof, meetings of shareholders and other meetings of the Fund; Board fees; audit fees; travel expenses of officers, members of the Board and employees of the Fund, if any; and the Fund’s pro rata portion of premiums on any fidelity bond and other insurance covering the Fund and its officers, Board members and employees; litigation expenses and any non-recurring or extraordinary expenses as may arise, including, without limitation, those relating to actions, suits or proceedings to which the Fund is a party and the legal obligation which the Fund may have to indemnify the Fund’s Board members and officers with respect thereto.

6. No member of the Board, officer or employee of the Fund shall receive from the Fund any salary or other compensation as such member of the Board, officer or employee while he is at the same time a director, officer, or employee of the Manager or any affiliated company of the Manager, except as the Board may decide. This paragraph shall not apply to Board members, executive committee members, consultants and other persons who are not regular members of the Manager’s or any affiliated company’s staff.

7. As compensation for the services performed and the facilities furnished and expenses assumed by the Manager, including the services of any consultants retained by the Manager, the Fund shall pay the Manager, as promptly as possible after the last day of each month, a fee, computed daily at an annual rate set forth on Schedule A annexed hereto, provided however, that if the Fund invests all or substantially all of its assets in another registered investment company for which the Manager or an affiliate of the Manager serves as investment adviser or investment manager, the annual fee computed as set forth on such Schedule A shall be reduced by the aggregate management fees allocated to that Fund for the Fund’s then-current fiscal year from such other registered investment company. The first payment of the fee shall be made as promptly as possible at the end of the month succeeding the effective date of this Agreement, and shall constitute a full payment of the fee due the Manager for all services prior to that date. If this Agreement is terminated as of any date not the last day of a month, such fee shall be paid as promptly as possible after such date of termination, shall be based on the managed assets of the Fund in that period from the beginning of such month to such date of termination, and shall be that proportion of such managed assets as the number of business days in such period bears to the number of business days in such month. The managed assets of the Fund shall in all cases be based only on business days and be computed as of the time of the regular close of business of the New York Stock Exchange, or such other time as may be determined by the Board.

8. The Manager assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services called for hereunder, in good faith, and shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law, or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution of securities transactions for the Fund, provided that nothing in this Agreement shall protect the Manager against any liability to the Fund to which the Manager would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder. As used in this Section 8, the term “Manager” shall include any affiliates of the Manager performing services for the Fund contemplated hereby and the partners, shareholders, directors, officers and employees of the Manager and such affiliates.

 

3


9. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any director, officer, or employee of the Manager who may also be a Board member, officer, or employee of the Fund, to engage in any other business or to devote his time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar nature or a dissimilar nature, nor to limit or restrict the right of the Manager to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind, including investment advisory and management services, to any other fund, firm, individual or association. If the purchase or sale of securities consistent with the investment policies of the Fund or one or more other accounts of the Manager is considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities will be allocated among the accounts in a manner deemed equitable by the Manager. Such transactions may be combined, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and consistent with the Manager’s policies and procedures as presented to the Board from time to time.

10. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Fund’s “managed assets” shall be determined as provided in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and the terms “assignment,” “interested person,” and “majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the meanings given to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act, subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the SEC by any rule, regulation or order.

11. This Agreement will become effective with respect to the Fund on the date set forth on Schedule A annexed hereto, provided that it shall have been approved by the Fund’s Board and by the shareholders of the Fund in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, will continue in effect until June 7, 2013. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the Fund, so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the Board or (ii) by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, provided that in either event the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Board members who are not interested persons of any party to this Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

12. This Agreement is terminable with respect to the Fund without penalty by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, in each case on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice to the Manager, or by the Manager upon not less than 90 days’ written notice to the Fund, and will be terminated upon the mutual written consent of the Manager and the Fund. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

13. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought, and no material amendment of the Agreement shall be effective until approved, if so required by the 1940 Act, by vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities.

14. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. Should any part of this Agreement be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

15. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

[signature page to follow]

 

4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their officers thereunto duly authorized.

 

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.
By:  

/s/ Jeanne M. Kelly

Name:   Jeanne M. Kelly
Title:   Sr. Vice President

 

LEGG MASON PARTNERS FUND ADVISOR, LLC
By:  

/s/ R. Jay Gerken

Name:   R. Jay Gerken
Title:   President and CEO

 

5


Schedule A

ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.

Date:

June 8, 2011

Fee:

The following percentage of the Fund’s managed assets: 1.00%

For the purpose of the foregoing, “managed assets” means net assets plus the amount of any borrowings and assets attributable to any preferred stock that may be outstanding.

 

6

Exhibit (6)(b)

SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT

This SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made this 8 th day of June, 2011, by and between Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Manager”), and ClearBridge Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Subadviser”).

WHEREAS, the Manager has been retained by ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. (the “Fund”), a registered management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) to provide investment advisory, management, and administrative services to the Fund; and

WHEREAS, the Manager wishes to engage the Subadviser to provide certain investment advisory services to the Fund, and the Subadviser is willing to furnish such services on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed as follows:

1. In accordance with and subject to the Management Agreement between the Fund and the Manager (the “Management Agreement”), the Manager hereby appoints the Subadviser to act as Subadviser with respect to the Fund for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Subadviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.

2. The Manager shall cause the Subadviser to be kept fully informed at all times with regard to the securities owned by the Fund, its funds available, or to become available, for investment, and generally as to the condition of the Fund’s affairs. Manager shall furnish the Subadviser with such other documents and information with regard to the Fund’s affairs as the Subadviser may from time to time reasonably request.

3. (a) Subject to the supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and the Manager, Subadviser shall regularly provide the Fund with respect to such portion of the Fund’s assets as shall be allocated to the Subadviser by the Manager from time to time (the “Allocated Assets”) with investment research, advice, management and supervision and shall furnish a continuous investment program for the Allocated Assets consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions, as stated in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. The Subadviser shall, with respect to the Allocated Assets, determine from time to time what securities and other investments will be purchased (including, as permitted in accordance with this paragraph, swap agreements, options and futures), retained, sold or exchanged by the Fund and what portion of the Allocated Assets will be held in the various securities and other investments in which the Fund invests, and shall implement those decisions (including the execution of investment documentation), all subject to the provisions of the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws (collectively, the “Governing Documents”), the 1940 Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and interpretive guidance issued thereunder by the SEC staff and any other applicable federal and state law, as well as the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund referred to above, and any other specific policies adopted by the Board and disclosed to the Subadviser. The Subadviser is authorized as the agent of the Fund to give instructions with respect to the Allocated Assets to the custodian of the Fund as to deliveries of securities and other investments and payments of cash for the account of the Fund. Subject to applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the investment program to be provided hereunder may entail the investment of all or substantially all of the assets of the Fund in one or more investment companies. The Subadviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the Fund either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer, foreign currency dealer, futures commission merchant or others selected by it. In connection with the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, subject to applicable law, brokers or dealers may be selected who also provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which the Subadviser or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. The Subadviser is authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for the Fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Subadviser determines in good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer. This determination may be viewed in terms of either that


particular transaction or the overall responsibilities which the Subadviser and its affiliates have with respect to accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. The Board may adopt policies and procedures that modify and restrict the Subadviser’s authority regarding the execution of the Fund’s portfolio transactions provided herein. The Subadviser shall exercise voting rights, rights to consent to corporate action and any other rights pertaining to the Allocated Assets subject to such direction as the Board may provide, and shall perform such other functions of investment management and supervision as may be directed by the Board.

(b) The Fund hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Subadviser which is a member of a national securities exchange to effect any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Fund which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Fund hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Subadviser agrees that it will not deal with itself, or with members of the Board or any principal underwriter of the Fund, as principals or agents in making purchases or sales of securities or other property for the account of the Fund, nor will it purchase any securities from an underwriting or selling group in which the Subadviser or its affiliates is participating, or arrange for purchases and sales of securities between the Fund and another account advised by the Subadviser or its affiliates, except in each case as permitted by the 1940 Act and in accordance with such policies and procedures as may be adopted by the Fund from time to time, and will comply with all other provisions of the Governing Documents and the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information relative to the Subadviser and its directors and officers.

4. The Subadviser may delegate to any other one or more companies that the Subadviser controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, or to specified employees of any such companies, certain of the Subadviser’s duties under this Agreement, provided in each case the Subadviser will supervise the activities of each such entity or employees thereof, that such delegation will not relieve the Subadviser of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement and provided further that any such arrangements are entered into in accordance with all applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.

5. The Subadviser agrees that it will keep records relating to its services hereunder in accordance with all applicable laws, and in compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Subadviser hereby agrees that any records that it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Fund, and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund’s request. The Subadviser further agrees to arrange for the preservation of the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act.

6. (a) The Subadviser, at its expense, shall supply the Board, the officers of the Fund, and the Manager with all information and reports reasonably required by them and reasonably available to the Subadviser relating to the services provided by the Subadviser hereunder.

(b) The Subadviser shall bear all expenses, and shall furnish all necessary services, facilities and personnel, in connection with its responsibilities under this Agreement. Other than as herein specifically indicated, the Subadviser shall not be responsible for the Fund’s expenses, including, without limitation, advisory fees; distribution fees; interest; taxes; governmental fees; voluntary assessments and other expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; organization costs of the Fund; the cost (including brokerage commissions, transaction fees or charges, if any) in connection with the purchase or sale of the Fund’s securities and other investments and any losses in connection therewith; fees and expenses of custodians, transfer agents, registrars, independent pricing vendors or other agents; legal expenses; loan commitment fees; expenses relating to share certificates; expenses relating to the issuing and redemption or repurchase of the Fund’s shares and servicing shareholder accounts; expenses of registering and qualifying the Fund’s shares for sale under applicable federal and state law; expenses of preparing, setting in print, printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information and any supplements thereto, reports, proxy statements, notices and dividends to the Fund’s shareholders; costs of stationery; website costs; costs of meetings of the Board or any committee thereof, meetings of shareholders and other meetings of the Fund; Board fees; audit fees; travel expenses of officers, members of the Board and employees of the Fund, if any; and the Fund’s pro rata portion of premiums on any fidelity bond and other insurance covering the Fund and its officers, Board members and employees; litigation expenses and any non-recurring or extraordinary expenses as may arise, including, without limitation, those relating to actions, suits or proceedings to which the Fund is a party and the legal obligation which the Fund may have to indemnify the Fund’s Board members and officers with respect thereto.

 

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7. No member of the Board, officer or employee of the Fund shall receive from the Fund any salary or other compensation as such member of the Board, officer or employee while he is at the same time a director, officer, or employee of the Subadviser or any affiliated company of the Subadviser, except as the Board may decide. This paragraph shall not apply to Board members, executive committee members, consultants and other persons who are not regular members of the Subadviser’s or any affiliated company’s staff.

8. As compensation for the services performed by the Subadviser, including the services of any consultants retained by the Subadviser, the Manager shall pay the Subadviser out of the management fee it receives with respect to the Fund, and only to the extent thereof, as promptly as possible after the last day of each month, a fee, computed daily at an annual rate set forth on Schedule A annexed hereto. The first payment of the fee shall be made as promptly as possible at the end of the month succeeding the effective date of this Agreement, and shall constitute a full payment of the fee due the Subadviser for all services prior to that date. If this Agreement is terminated as of any date not the last day of a month, such fee shall be paid as promptly as possible after such date of termination, shall be based on the managed assets of the Fund or, if less, the portion thereof comprising the Allocated Assets in that period from the beginning of such month to such date of termination, and shall be that proportion of such managed as the number of business days in such period bears to the number of business days in such month. The managed assets of the Fund or the portion thereof comprising the Allocated Assets shall in all cases be based only on business days and be computed as of the time of the regular close of business of the New York Stock Exchange, or such other time as may be determined by the Board.

9. The Subadviser assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services called for hereunder, in good faith, and shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law, or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution of securities transactions for the Fund, provided that nothing in this Agreement shall protect the Subadviser against any liability to the Manager or the Fund to which the Subadviser would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder. As used in this Section 9, the term “Subadviser” shall include any affiliates of the Subadviser performing services for the Fund contemplated hereby and the partners, shareholders, directors, officers and employees of the Subadviser and such affiliates.

10. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any director, officer, or employee of the Subadviser who may also be a Board member, officer, or employee of the Fund, to engage in any other business or to devote his time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar nature or a dissimilar nature, nor to limit or restrict the right of the Subadviser to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind, including investment advisory and management services, to any other fund, firm, individual or association. If the purchase or sale of securities consistent with the investment policies of the Fund or one or more other accounts of the Subadviser is considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities will be allocated among the accounts in a manner deemed equitable by the Subadviser. Such transactions may be combined, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and consistent with the Subadviser’s policies and procedures as presented to the Board from time to time.

11. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Fund’s “managed assets” shall be determined as provided in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and the terms “assignment,” “interested person,” and “majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the meanings given to them by Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act, subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the SEC by any rule, regulation or order.

12. This Agreement will become effective with respect to the Fund on the date set forth opposite the Fund’s name on Schedule A annexed hereto, provided that it shall have been approved by the Fund’s Board and, if so required by the 1940 Act, by the shareholders of the Fund in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, will continue in effect through June 7, 2013. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the Fund, so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the Board or (ii) by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, provided that in either event the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Board members who are not interested persons of any party to this Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

 

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13. This Agreement is terminable with respect to the Fund without penalty by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, in each case on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice to the Subadviser, or by the Subadviser upon not less than 90 days’ written notice to the Fund and the Manager, and will be terminated upon the mutual written consent of the Manager and the Subadviser. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

14. The Subadviser agrees that for any claim by it against the Fund in connection with this Agreement or the services rendered under this Agreement, it shall look only to assets of the Fund for satisfaction and that it shall have no claim against the assets of any other portfolios of the Fund.

15. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought, and no material amendment of the Agreement shall be effective until approved, if so required by the 1940 Act, by vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities.

16. This Agreement, and any supplemental terms contained on Annex I hereto, if applicable, embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. Should any part of this Agreement be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

17. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

[signature page to follow]

 

4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their officers thereunto duly authorized.

 

LEGG MASON PARTNERS FUND ADVISOR, LLC
By:  

/s/ R. Jay Gerken

  Name: R. Jay Gerken
  Title: President and CEO
CLEARBRIDGE ADVISORS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Terrence Murphy

  Name: Terrence Murphy
  Title: Chief Operating Officer

The foregoing is acknowledged:

The undersigned officer of the Fund has executed this Agreement not individually but in his/her capacity as an officer of the Fund. The Fund does not hereby undertake, on behalf of the Fund or otherwise, any obligation to the Subadviser.

 

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.
By:  

/s/ Jeanne M. Kelly

  Name: Jeanne M. Kelly
  Title: Senior Vice President

 

5


ANNEX I

Not applicable.

 

6


SCHEDULE A

ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.

Date:

June 8, 2011

Fee:

The sub-advisory fee will be 70% of the management fee paid to Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC, net of expense waivers and reimbursements.

 

7

Exhibit 9

CUSTODIAN SERVICES AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made as of January 1, 2018 by and among each Fund (as defined below) on behalf of each of its Portfolios (as defined below) and The Bank of New York Mellon (the “ Custodian ”).

WHEREAS , the Custodian is a bank having at least the minimum qualifications required by Section 17(f)(1) of the 1940 Act to act as custodian of the portfolio securities and other assets of investment companies; and

WHEREAS , each of the Funds on behalf of each of its Portfolios wishes to retain the Custodian to act as custodian of its portfolio securities and other assets, and the Custodian has indicated its willingness to so act;

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.

DEFINITIONS . As used in this Agreement:

Authorized Person ” means any of the persons duly authorized by the applicable Fund’s Board of Trustees or Directors to give Proper Instructions or any other notice, request, direction, instruction, certificate or instrument on behalf of the Fund or one or more of its Portfolios as set forth in a certificate (which shall also set forth any limitations on such persons’ scope of authority), such certificate to be executed by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the applicable Fund, as the same may be revised from time to time.

Board ” means the Board of Trustees or Directors of the applicable Fund.

CEA ” means the Commodities Exchange Act, as amended, and “ CFTC ” means the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Domestic Securities ” means securities and other Financial Assets or instruments and other investments of a Portfolio to be held in places within the United States.

Domestic Sub-Custodian ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b).

Federal Securities Laws ” means the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and the CEA.

Financial Assets ” has the meaning set forth in the Uniform Commercial Code.

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Foreign Assets ” means any of the Portfolios’ investments (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Portfolios’ transactions in such investments.


Foreign Custody Manager ” has the meaning set forth in Section (a)(3) of Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

Foreign Securities ” means securities and other Financial Assets of a Portfolio for which the primary market is outside the United States.

Foreign Securities Depository ” means a foreign securities clearing system qualifying as an Eligible Securities Depository (as defined in Section (b)(1) of Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act) that is listed on Schedule B annexed hereto, as amended from time to time pursuant to Section 4.5 hereof.

Foreign Sub-Custodian ” means a foreign banking institution qualifying as an Eligible Foreign Custodian (as defined in Section (a)(1) of Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act) that has been selected by the Custodian and is listed on Schedule A annexed hereto, as amended from time to time pursuant to Section 4.3 hereof.

Funds” means the investment companies, or wholly owned subsidiaries thereof, identified on Exhibit A annexed hereto, and such additional Funds made subject to this Agreement pursuant to Section 13(e) hereof.

Governing Documents ” means, with respect to each of the Portfolios, (i) the declaration of trust, charter or other constituting document of the Fund of which the Portfolio is a series or portfolio, (ii) in the case of a Portfolio identified to the Custodian in writing as being an open-end fund, the currently effective prospectus and statement of additional information under the 1933 Act and the most recent statement of additional information or, as applicable, the most recent offering circular, offering circular or other comparable document, and (iii) a certified copy of the applicable Fund Board’s resolution approving the engagement of the Custodian to act as custodian of the securities and other assets of its Portfolio(s).

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

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

1940 Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Portfolios ” means the separate series or portfolios of the Funds identified on Exhibit A hereto, and such additional Portfolios made subject to this Agreement pursuant to Section 13(e) hereof, and, in the case of any closed-end investment company or other Fund for which no separate series or portfolio is so identified, the Fund itself.

Proper Instructions ” means (1) written instructions given by an Authorized Person (or a person reasonably believed by the Custodian to be an Authorized Person) to the Custodian in such form and manner as the Custodian and the Funds shall agree upon from time to time, including communications effected directly between protected electromechanical or electronic devices, in each case in accordance with such testing and authentication procedures as may be agreed to from time to time by the Custodian and the Funds (“ Written Instructions ”) and (2) subject to any limitations in scope of authority, oral instructions (“ Oral Instructions ”) received by the Custodian in such manner and in accordance with such testing and authentication procedures


as the Custodian and the Funds shall agree upon from time to time, from a person reasonably believed by the Custodian to be an Authorized Person. It is understood that the Funds must follow such security procedures as the Custodian and the Funds shall agree upon from time to time. “ Special Instructions ” shall be Written Instructions accompanied by a copy of a resolution by the appropriate Board authorizing the action, or, if so approved by the Board, Written Instructions given by two Authorized Persons (or persons reasonably believed by the Custodian to be Authorized Persons) with authority (as specified in a certificate executed by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the applicable Fund) to give such Special Instructions.

Repo Custodian ” means a custodian appointed by a Fund for the purpose of engaging in tri-party repurchase agreement transactions.

Rule 17f-5 ” means Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act.

Rule 17f-7 ” means Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities System ” means a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or a book-entry system authorized by the United States Department of the Treasury or another federal agency.

Shares ” mean the shares of beneficial interest of any Portfolio.

Transfer Agent ” means, with respect to each Fund, any transfer agent appointed by its Board.

Underlying Fund Shares ” means uncertificated shares of registered “investment companies” (as defined in Section 3(a)(1) of the 1940 Act) that are held by, or under the control of, the Custodian, the ownership of which is evidenced through entries in the books and records of the transfer agent of the applicable registered “investment company.”

Underlying Transfer Agent ” means the transfer agent with respect to Underlying Fund Shares.

U.S. Clearing System ” means a clearing agency located in the United States which is registered with the SEC as a clearing agency under Section 17A of the 1934 Act or a book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

 

2.

APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN; GENERAL DUTIES.

 

  2.1.

Appointment .

(a) Each of the Funds hereby appoints the Custodian as the custodian of the cash, securities and other assets of each of its Portfolios, including Domestic Securities and Foreign Securities.


(b) Upon becoming a party to this Agreement, each of the Funds shall provide the Custodian with a copy of its Governing Documents (unless the same has previously been provided to the Custodian), and will provide the Custodian with a copy of amendments, supplements and modifications thereof from time to time.

(c) The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as custodian of the securities and assets of the Portfolios of the Funds, agrees to keep safely all cash, securities and other assets of each Portfolio delivered to the Custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and applicable statutes, laws, rules and regulations, and agrees to perform the duties of such custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and all statutes, laws, rules and regulations with which the Custodian or the Funds are required to comply in the performance of the services set forth in this Agreement. The duties of the Custodian shall only be those specifically undertaken pursuant to this Agreement.

 

  2.2.

Delivery of Portfolio Assets .

(a) Each Fund, on behalf of its Portfolio(s), shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Custodian all securities, cash and other assets of such Portfolio(s), and from time to time all payments of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to Portfolio securities and other assets, and the cash consideration received by it for such new or treasury Shares representing interests in its Portfolio(s) as may be issued or sold from time to time. Securities may be delivered to the Custodian in physical form or by means of book-entry.

(b) The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of a Portfolio which is not delivered to the Custodian or which has been delivered out by the Custodian in accordance with Proper Instructions, including without limitation Portfolio property (i) held by brokers, private bankers or other entities on behalf of the Portfolio, (ii) held by a sub-custodian or Repo Custodian authorized pursuant to Section 2.6(b) hereof, (iii) held by entities which have advanced monies to or on behalf of the Portfolio and which have received Portfolio property as security for such advance(s), or (iv) delivered or otherwise removed from the custody of the Custodian in advance of payment therefor pursuant to Section 2.5(vii) hereof. With respect to Underlying Fund Shares, the holding of confirmation statements that identify the shares as being recorded in the Custodian’s name on behalf of the Portfolios will be deemed custody for purposes hereof.

 

  2.3.

Reliance on Instructions and Authority .

(a) Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and from time to time thereafter, as appropriate, each Fund shall deliver to the Custodian, duly certified by such Fund’s Secretary or Assistant Secretary, a certificate setting forth: (i) the names, titles, signatures and scope of authority of all Authorized Persons, (ii) the names, titles and signatures of those Authorized Persons, if any, who are authorized to give Special Instructions, and (iii) a copy of resolutions of the Boards of the applicable Funds effecting the authorizations referred to in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii). Such certificate may be accepted and relied upon by the Custodian as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth therein and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of a similar certificate to the contrary.


(b) The Custodian will be protected in acting upon any Proper or Special Instructions which are transmitted with testing or authentication pursuant to terms and conditions agreed to by the Custodian and the Fund from time to time, provided that such instructions comply with the other provisions of this Agreement. The Funds shall promptly confirm any Oral Instructions with Written Instructions, provided that failure of such confirming Written Instructions to be received by the Custodian or to conform to the Oral Instructions shall in no way invalidate the transactions or enforceability of the transactions authorized by the Oral Instructions and effected prior to receipt by the Custodian of non-conforming Written Instructions, and provided further that if Written Instructions confirming Oral Instructions are inconsistent with such Oral Instructions the only obligation of the Custodian in connection therewith shall be to promptly notify the Fund of such inconsistency.

(c) The Custodian may receive and accept a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of any Fund as conclusive evidence (i) of the authority of any person to act in accordance with such resolution or (ii) of any determination or of any action by the applicable Board as described in such resolution, and such resolution may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.

(d) Third party providers of information to the Custodian may impose terms and conditions on a Fund’s use of that information, which can be found at http://www.bnymellon.com/products/assetservicing/vendoragreement.pdf (or any successor website the address of which is provided by Custodian to the Funds) (the “Data Terms Website”), and the Funds agree to those terms as they are posted in the Data Terms Website from time to time. The Custodian shall promptly notify the Funds in writing of any new postings or changes to the terms of any conditions previously posted in the Data Terms Website.

2.4 Bank Accounts . The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of each Portfolio of each Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio in a bank account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the 1940 Act. Funds held by the Custodian for a Portfolio may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the banking department of the Custodian or with sub-custodians appointed pursuant to Sections 2.6(b) or (c) hereof. Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity. The Custodian shall take reasonable steps to ensure that, to the extent reasonably possible, such funds are covered by federal deposit insurance.

2.5 Payment of Fund Moneys . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only (other than as set forth in Section 4.7(b) hereof; the provisions of Section 4.7(b) govern with respect to the transactions referenced therein):

(i) Upon the purchase of Domestic Securities for the account of the Portfolio but only (A) against the delivery of such securities or evidence of title thereto to the


Custodian or its agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.6(a) hereof registered in the name of the Portfolio or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in Section 3.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (B) in the case of a purchase effected through a U.S. Clearing System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 3.5 hereof; (C) in the case of a purchase of Underlying Fund Shares, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 3.7 hereof; (D) in the case of repurchase agreements entered into between the applicable Fund on behalf of a Portfolio and the Custodian or another bank, or a broker-dealer, (i) against delivery of the securities either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian’s account at the U.S. Clearing System with such securities or (ii) where the counterparty is the Custodian, against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Portfolio of securities owned by the Custodian along with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities from the Portfolio; or (E) for transfer to a time deposit account of the Fund in any bank; such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined herein.

(ii) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned by the Portfolio as set forth in Section 3.2(viii) hereof;

(iii) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued as set forth in Section 5 hereof;

(iv) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments for the account of the Portfolio: interest, taxes, management, accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;

(v) For the payment of any declared dividends on Shares;

(vi) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of securities sold short;

(vii) Upon the purchase of domestic investments that cannot, in accordance with domestic market practice, be delivered versus payment for such security, including without limitation repurchase agreement transactions involving delivery of Portfolio monies to a Repo Custodian in advance of delivery of the purchased securities, in accordance with Written Instructions, which (except in the case of a repurchase agreement transaction) have been signed by two Authorized Persons (or persons reasonably believed by the Custodian to be Authorized Persons), that set forth (A) that such payment is to be made as a “free delivery,” (B) the amount of such payment and (C) the person(s) to whom such payment is to be made;

(viii) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker-dealer, relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation or of any registered national securities exchange, or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio;


(ix) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio, the Custodian and a futures commission merchant, relating to compliance with the rules of the CFTC and/or any contract market, or any similar organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio; and

(x) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Special Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio setting forth (A) the amount of such payment and (B) the person(s) to whom such payment is to be made.

 

  2.6.

Appointment of Agents and Sub-Custodians .

(a) Agents. The Custodian may at any time or times in its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust company which is itself qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a custodian (as such term is defined in Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act), as its agent, as the Custodian may from time to time direct; provided, however, that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities hereunder. (The Underlying Transfer Agent and any securities depository or clearing system shall not be deemed an agent or subcustodian of the Custodian for purposes of this Section 2.6 or any other provision of this Agreement.)

(b) Domestic Sub-Custodians . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall with respect to the applicable Portfolio(s) from time to time employ one or more subcustodians located in the United States that qualify to serve as custodians for registered management companies under the 1940 Act (“ Domestic Sub-Custodians ”), including without limitation any Repo Custodian or other sub-custodian appointed by a Fund for special purposes, provided that the Custodian shall have no more or less responsibility or liability to any Fund on account of any actions or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any such subcustodian has to the Custodian; provided further, however, that the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund, in accordance with Section 8 hereof, for the Custodian’s own actions in transmitting any instructions received by it from the Fund and for the Custodian’s own actions in connection with the delivery of any securities, cash or other assets held by it to any sub-custodian. In addition, if, at any time, a Portfolio suffers or incurs any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim as a result of any action or omission on the part of any such sub-custodian, then, to the extent that the Custodian has a claim in connection therewith against such sub-custodian, the Custodian shall use commercially reasonable efforts to pursue such claim on behalf of the applicable Portfolio and shall promptly remit to the account of such Portfolio the amount of any recovery by the Custodian in connection therewith (less reasonable expenses incurred by the Custodian). Notwithstanding the immediately foregoing sentence, at a Fund’s election, the applicable Portfolio shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against any such sub-custodian as a consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent that the Portfolio has not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.


(c) Foreign Sub-Custodians. The Custodian may employ as sub-custodian for each Fund’s Foreign Securities on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) the foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in Schedules A and B hereto, but only in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 4 hereof.

2.7.      Actions Permitted Without Express Authority . The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the applicable Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio:

(i) Surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive form;

(ii) Endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments; and

(iii) In general, attend to all non-discretionary details and mandatory actions in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with the securities and property of the Portfolio except as otherwise directed by Proper Instructions.

 

  2.8.

     Records and Reports .

(a) The Custodian shall, with respect to each Portfolio, create and maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will, to the extent applicable, meet the obligations of each Fund under (i) the 1940 Act, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder, and (ii) the CEA for any Portfolio identified to the Custodian in writing as being a commodity pool operated by a registered commodity pool operator.

(b) All records created for or on behalf of any Fund, including those maintained by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.8(a) above, shall be the property of the applicable Fund and shall at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees, agents or independent auditors of such Fund and employees and agents of the SEC.

(c) The Custodian shall promptly provide or otherwise make available to the Funds on a daily or less frequent basis, such notifications, reports, statements, summaries, schedule, balances and trial balances, rollforwards, reconciliations and other information as may be mutually acceptable to the Funds and the Custodian, which may be included on a schedule to this Agreement.

(d) If a Fund elects to receive communications via the internet, the Fund acknowledges that there are risks inherent in receiving communications via such method (including but not limited to virus contamination, disruptions in service and the fact that such communications may not be secure) and that by electing to receive communications via the internet the Fund is assuming the risks of such communication method. For purposes of clarification, nothing in this Section 2.8(d) shall be deemed to reduce the standard of care or any obligation of the Custodian set forth elsewhere in this Agreement.


  2.9.    

Accountants; Compliance Matters .

(a) The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as a Fund with respect to a Portfolio may from time to time request, in order for the Funds to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund’s independent accountants with respect to the Custodian’s activities hereunder and/or in connection with the preparation of the Fund’s Form N-lA or Form N-2, as applicable, and Form N-CSR, Form N-SAR (or any comparable successor thereto, including Form N-PORT and Form N-CEN), or other reports to the SEC and with respect to any other requirements thereof.

(b) The Custodian shall provide the applicable Fund, on behalf of each of the Portfolios, as such Fund may reasonably request, with a SOC 1 report under SSAE 18 (or any comparable successor report thereto) by independent public accountants on the Custodian’s system, relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement; such reports shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination. The Custodian shall reasonably promptly (but, in any event, in not greater than sixty (60) days) notify each Fund of each determination of a significant deficiency, material weakness or inadequacy in the accounting controls of the Custodian which notification may be accomplished, among other means, by delivery of such SOC 1 report under SSAE 18.

(c) The Custodian further agrees to provide such information and assistance from time to time as may be reasonably requested by any of the Funds in connection with the Custodian’s compliance procedures as applicable to the Funds and/or in connection with the Funds’ periodic compliance audits of the Custodian. Without limiting the preceding sentence, the Custodian agrees to provide: (i) in connection with the Funds’ compliance programs pursuant to Rule 38a-l promulgated under the 1940 Act, such periodic reports, documentation and certifications as any Fund or its compliance officers may reasonably request, and reasonably prompt notification of any Material Compliance Matter (as such term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) that comes to the attention of the Custodian related to the performance of the services under this Agreement; (ii) reasonably prompt notification of any event that could materially adversely impact the services provided by the Custodian to the Funds under this Agreement; (iii) summary information about each business continuity plan, disaster recovery plan and similar plan enacted by the Custodian and applicable to the services provided under this Agreement and such amendments thereto as may be adopted from time to time, in order for the Fund to meet its regulatory obligations; (iv) sub-certificates in connection with the certification requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 applicable to services for the Funds and (v) a copy of each SSAE 18 (SOC 1) audit report (or any comparable successor report thereto) prepared in accordance with all applicable industry standards by an independent third party with respect to services hereunder.

 

  2.10.

     Advances by the Custodian .

(a) The Custodian may, in its sole discretion, advance funds on behalf of any of the Portfolios to make any payment permitted by this Agreement.


(b) Upon mutual agreement between a Fund, on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio make federal funds available to such Portfolio as of specified times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian in the amount of checks received and/or wire transfers initiated in payment for Shares of such Portfolio which are deposited into the Portfolio’s account.

(c) Should a payment or payments pursuant to Section 2.10(a) or (b) above, with advanced funds, result in an overdraft (due to insufficiencies of the Portfolio’s account with the Custodian, or for any other reason), any such overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed for purposes of this Agreement a loan made by the Custodian to the Fund for the account of the Portfolio payable on demand. Such overdraft or indebtedness shall bear interest, on any day, at the rate per annum set forth in the then-current written agreement between the Parties under Section 6 hereof. Each of the Funds agrees that the Custodian has and grants to the Custodian a continuing first lien and security interest (i) to the extent of any overdraft or indebtedness (prior to any rights of any other entity except as granted by statute, law, rule or regulation), and (ii) to the extent of any unpaid fees and expenses owing hereunder, after giving effect to applicable notice and cure periods, if any (or, in the absence of any notice and cure period stated herein, after giving written notice of any past due fees and expenses and providing a cure period of 30 days), in and to any property at any time held by the Custodian for the benefit of the applicable Portfolio or in which the applicable Portfolio has an interest and which is then in the Custodian’s possession or control (or in the possession or control of any third party acting on the Custodian’s behalf). Each of the Funds authorizes the Custodian, in the Custodian’s sole discretion, at any time to charge any overdraft or indebtedness, together with interest due thereon, against any balance of account standing to the credit of the applicable Portfolio on the Custodian’s books. In addition, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of such Portfolio’s Financial Assets and other assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement, provided, however, the Custodian shall have provided the Fund three (3) days’ notice with respect thereto. In this regard, the Custodian shall be entitled to all the rights and remedies of a pledgee and secured creditor under applicable laws, rules and regulations as then in effect.

2.11.     Disruption of Services; Contingency Facilities . In order to minimize the disruption of the services to be provided under this Agreement or any exhibit, schedule or annex hereto, the Custodian shall implement and maintain directly or through third parties contingency facilities and procedures reasonably designed to provide for periodic back-up of the computer files and data with respect to the Portfolios and emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to provide services under this Agreement or any exhibit, schedule or annex hereto. The Custodian shall, upon reasonable request, discuss with senior management of the Funds such disaster recovery plan and shall, upon reasonable request, provide a high-level presentation summarizing such plan. In the event of equipment failure, work stoppage, governmental action, communication disruption or other impossibility of performance beyond the Custodian’s control, the Custodian shall, at no additional expense to the Funds, take reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions.

2.12      Not Payor . In making payments to service providers pursuant to Proper Instructions, each Fund acknowledges that the Custodian is acting in an administrative or in a ministerial capacity, and not as the payor, for tax information reporting and withholding purposes.


2.13. Float . Each Fund acknowledges that, as part of the Custodian’s compensation, the Custodian, to the extent permissible under applicable statutes, laws, rules and regulations, will earn interest on cash balances held by the Custodian as provided in the Custodian’s indirect compensation disclosures.

2.14. Contractual Settlement and Income . The Custodian may, as a matter of bookkeeping convenience, credit a Portfolio with the proceeds from the sale, redemption or other disposition of securities or interest, dividends or other distributions payable on securities prior to its actual receipt of final payment therefor. All such credits shall be conditional until the Custodian’s actual receipt of final payment and may be reversed by the Custodian to the extent that final payment is not received. Payment with respect to a transaction will not be “final” until the Custodian shall have received immediately available funds that under applicable local law, rule and practice are irreversible and not subject to any security interest, levy or other encumbrance, and that are specifically applicable to such transaction.

 

3.

CUSTODY WITH RESPECT TO DOMESTIC SECURITIES

3.1. Holding Domestic Securities . The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, to be held by it in the United States, including all Domestic Securities owned by such Portfolio other than (i) securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 3.5 in a U.S. Clearing System and (ii) Underlying Fund Shares owned by each Fund which are maintained pursuant to Section 3.7 hereof in an account with the Underlying Transfer Agent.

3.2. Delivery of Securities . The Custodian shall release and deliver Domestic Securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian, or in a U.S. Clearing System account of the Custodian or in an account at the Underlying Transfer Agent, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions (other than those actions which are expressly permitted to be taken without Proper Instructions under Section 2.7 hereof) on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:

(i) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio and receipt of payment therefor as provided in this Agreement;

(ii) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase agreement related to such securities entered into by the Portfolio;

(iii) In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Clearing System, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.5 hereof;

(iv) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for securities of the Portfolio;

(v) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;


(vi) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent or any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 2.6; or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;

(vii) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio, to the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for examination in accordance with “street delivery” custom;

(viii) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

(ix) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

(x) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the Portfolio under a securities lending agreement to the lending agent, or the lending agent’s custodian, in accordance with Written Instructions (provided that the applicable Fund executes such agreement as the Custodian may reasonably require in connection with such arrangement, in such form as shall be reasonably negotiated by the Custodian, the lending agent and the applicable Fund);

(xi) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio, but only against receipt of amounts borrowed;

(xii) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker-dealer, relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation or of any registered national securities exchange, or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio;

(xiii) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio, the Custodian, and a futures commission merchant, relating to compliance with the rules of the CFTC and/or any contract market, or any similar organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio;

(xiv) Upon the sale or other delivery of such investments (including, without limitation, to one or more sub-custodians authorized pursuant to Section 2.6(b)), as set forth in Written Instructions, provided that such Written Instructions shall set forth (x) the securities of the Portfolio to be delivered and (y) the person(s) to whom delivery of such securities shall be made;


(xv) For delivery to the Portfolio’s Transfer Agent or to the holders of Shares in connection with distributions or redemptions in kind in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or redemption;

(xvi) In the case of a sale processed through the Underlying Transfer Agent for Underlying Fund Shares, in accordance with Section 3.7 hereof; and

(xvii) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Special Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio specifying (A) the Domestic Securities of the Portfolio to be delivered and (B) the person(s) to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.

3.3. Registration of Securities . All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement shall be in “street name” or other good delivery form. Domestic Securities held by the Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of a Fund on behalf of the Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian, or in the name or nominee name of any agent or any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 2.6. If, however, a Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities in “street name”, the Custodian shall utilize commercially reasonable efforts only to timely collect income due the Fund on such securities and to notify the Fund on a commercially reasonable efforts basis only of relevant corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.

3.4. Collection of Income . Except with respect to Portfolio property released and delivered pursuant to Section 3.2(xiv) or purchased pursuant to Section 2.5(vii), and subject to the last sentence of Section 3.3, the Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to registered Domestic Securities held hereunder to which each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to bearer Domestic Securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to such Portfolio’s custodian account maintained hereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held hereunder. Income due each Portfolio on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.2(x) shall be the responsibility of the applicable Fund. The Custodian, in its capacity as custodian hereunder, will have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to which the Portfolio is properly entitled. The Custodian shall as soon as reasonably practicable notify the Fund in such manner as the Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing if any amount payable to the Fund or other asset of the Fund is not received by the Custodian when due.


3.5. Deposit of Fund Assets in U.S. Clearing Systems . The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities or other Financial Assets owned by a Portfolio in a U.S. Clearing System in compliance with the conditions of Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

3.6. Segregated Account . The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions, establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of each such Portfolio, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 3.5 hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker-dealer (or any futures commission merchant), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation or of any registered national securities exchange (or the CFTC or any registered contract market), or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Portfolio, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or securities in connection with options purchased, sold or written by the Portfolio or commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Portfolio, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by the Portfolio with the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent rule or release of the SEC, or interpretative opinion of the staff of the SEC, relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies, and (iv) for any other purpose in accordance with Proper Instructions and as required or permitted by applicable statutes, laws, rules and regulations and agreed between the Custodian and the applicable Fund.

3.7. Deposit of Fund Assets with the Underlying Transfer Agent . Underlying Fund Shares shall be deposited and/or maintained in an account or accounts maintained with the Underlying Transfer Agent, provided that such securities are maintained in an account or accounts on the books and records of the Underlying Transfer Agent in the name of the Custodian as custodian for the Portfolio. The records of the Custodian with respect to Underlying Fund Shares which are maintained with the Underlying Transfer Agent shall identify by book-entry those Underlying Fund Shares belonging to each Portfolio.

3.8. Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes . The Custodian shall execute as soon as reasonably practicable, and shall require any Domestic Sub-Custodian to execute as soon as reasonably practicable, ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect to Domestic Securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection with transfers of securities.

3.9. Voting Domestic Shares . The Custodian shall, with respect to the Domestic Securities held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of the Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to such securities.


  3.10.

   Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities .

(a) The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund for each Portfolio all written information and notices received by the Custodian in its capacity as custodian from issuers with regard to the Domestic Securities being held for the Portfolio and/or any corporate action by such issuer affecting such securities (including without limitation stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, pendency of calls and maturities of Domestic Securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith, notices of exercise of call and put options written by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio). For clarity, matters relating to bankruptcy cases are the responsibility of the applicable Fund; provided that the Custodian shall continue to be responsible for transmission of initial notice of the bankruptcy case received by the Custodian in its capacity as custodian and transmission of any required action relating to the bankruptcy case.

(b) With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund all written information received by the Custodian in its capacity as custodian from issuers of the Domestic Securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If a Fund desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian prior to the deadline established by the Custodian in its reasonable discretion as will give the Custodian sufficient time to take such action, which deadline shall in no event be longer than three (3) business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action. If the Fund provides the Custodian with such notification after such deadline, the Custodian shall continue to use commercially reasonable efforts to take such action but will not be responsible if such efforts are unsuccessful. The Custodian shall inform the Fund or its appointed investment adviser a reasonable time in advance, to the extent reasonably possible, of pertinent deadlines in each case.

 

4.

CUSTODY WITH RESPECT TO FOREIGN SECURITIES

 

  4.1.

Foreign Custody Manager .

(a) Each Fund, by resolution adopted by its Board, hereby delegates to the Custodian, subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, the responsibilities set forth in Sections 4.1 through 4.4 with respect to Foreign Assets of the Portfolios held outside the United States, and the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to the Portfolios.

(b) The Foreign Custody Manager shall be responsible for performing the delegated responsibilities defined below only with respect to the countries and custody arrangements for each such country listed on Schedule A to this Agreement, which list of countries may be amended from time to time by any Fund with the consent of the Foreign Custody Manager, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, or as set forth in Section 4.1(d) hereof. Schedule A further lists the Foreign Sub-Custodians selected by the Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the assets of the Portfolios.

(c) Upon the receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to open an account or to place or maintain Foreign Assets in a country listed on Schedule A , and the fulfillment by each Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s), of the applicable account


opening requirements for such country, the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to have been delegated by such Fund’s Board on behalf of such Portfolio(s) responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to that country and to have accepted such delegation. Execution of this Agreement by the Fund shall, to the extent any particular Fund has or will have Foreign Assets, be deemed to be a Proper Instruction to open an account or to place or maintain Foreign Assets in each country listed on Schedule A in which the Custodian has previously placed or currently maintains such Fund’s Foreign Assets pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. Following the receipt of Proper Instructions directing the Foreign Custody Manager to close the account of a Portfolio with the Foreign Sub-Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in a designated country, the delegation by the Board on behalf of such Portfolio to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager for that country shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and the Custodian shall immediately cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager with respect to such Portfolio with respect to that country and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effect the closing of such account.

(d) The Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon at least 60 days (or such longer period which the parties may agree) prior written notice to the Fund.

 

  4.2.

Foreign Sub-Custodians .

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 4, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and maintain the Foreign Assets in the care of a Foreign Sub-Custodian in each country listed on Schedule A, as amended from time to time. In performing its delegated responsibilities as Foreign Custody Manager to place or maintain Foreign Assets with a Foreign Sub-Custodian, the Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the Foreign Assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the country in which the Foreign Assets will be held by that Foreign Sub-Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f- 5(c)(1) under the 1940 Act.

(b) The Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the contract governing the foreign custody arrangements with each Foreign Sub-Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).

(c) In each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager maintains Foreign Assets with a Foreign Sub-Custodian, the Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such Foreign Sub-Custodian and (ii) the performance of the contract governing the custody arrangements established by the Foreign Custody Manager with the Foreign Sub-Custodian. In the event the Foreign Custody Manager determines that the custody arrangements with any Foreign Sub-Custodian it has selected are no longer appropriate pursuant to the requirements of Rule 17f-5, the Foreign Custody Manager shall notify the Board in accordance with Section 4.3 hereunder.

(d) The applicable Board shall, or in the event such Board shall have delegated to the applicable Adviser such duty in accordance with Rule 17f-5, such Adviser shall consider the Country Risk incurred by placing and maintaining the Foreign Assets in each country listed on


Schedule A (for which the Custodian is serving as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios). For these purposes, “ Country Risk ” means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of holding Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to, such country’s political environment, economic and financial infrastructure (including any securities depositories or clearing systems operating in that country), prevailing or developing custody and settlement practices, governmental actions, market conditions which affect the orderly execution of transactions or affect the value of assets, and laws and regulations applicable to the safekeeping or recovery of Foreign Assets held in custody in that country; provided, however, that “Country Risk” shall not include the custody or settlement practices and procedures of a Foreign Sub-Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager that are not substantially consistent with prevailing practices in the country in which the Foreign Assets are held or to be held by such Foreign Sub-Custodian. The Custodian’s responsibilities with respect to selection of Foreign Sub-Custodians do not include consideration of Country Risk, except to the extent necessary for the Custodian to perform its duties under Section 4.2.

(e) Upon reasonable request of a Fund, and subject to restrictions under applicable law, the Custodian will use reasonable efforts to arrange for the independent accountants of the Fund to be afforded reasonable access to the books and records of any foreign banking institution employed as a Foreign Sub-Custodian as may be required in connection with the examination of the Fund’s books and records.

4.3. Reporting Requirements . The Foreign Custody Manager shall report the withdrawal of the Foreign Assets from any Foreign Sub-Custodian and the placement of such Foreign Assets with another Foreign Sub-Custodian by providing the Board an amended Schedule A at the end of the calendar quarter in which an amendment to such schedule has occurred. The Foreign Custody Manager shall make reasonably prompt written reports to the Board of any other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Portfolios described in this Section 4 after the occurrence of the material change.

4.4. Representations with respect to Rule 17f-5 . The Foreign Custody Manager represents to each Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in Section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. Each Fund represents to the Custodian that its Board has determined that it is reasonable for such Board to rely on the Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.

4.5. Foreign Securities Depositories . The Custodian shall provide the Fund with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Foreign Securities Depositories set forth on Schedule B hereto, in accordance with Section (a)(l)(i)(A) of Rule 17f- 7. The Custodian shall monitor such risks on a continuing basis and shall promptly notify the Fund of any material change in such risks, in accordance with Section (a)( 1 )(i)(B) of Rule 17f-7, and the Funds shall, as soon as reasonably practicable and via Proper Instructions to the Custodian, withdraw the Fund’s assets from a Foreign Securities Depository if the custody arrangements with such Foreign Securities Depository no longer meet the requirements of Rule 17f-7. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 8 of this Agreement, for the avoidance of doubt the Custodian shall have no obligation to withdraw assets from a Foreign Securities Depository other than upon receipt of such Proper Instructions from the Funds. Schedule B shall be updated from time to time by the Custodian’s provision to the Fund of an updated Schedule B at the end of the calendar quarter in which an amendment to such schedule has occurred.


  4.6.

Holding Foreign Securities .

(a) The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Portfolios the Foreign Securities held by each Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities Depository. The Custodian may hold Foreign Securities for all of its customers, including the Portfolios, with any Foreign Sub-Custodian in an account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers; provided, however, that (i) the records of the Custodian with respect to Foreign Securities of the Portfolios which are maintained in such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the Portfolios and (ii) to the extent permitted and customary in the market in which the account is maintained, the Custodian shall require that securities so held by the Foreign Sub-Custodian be held separately from any assets of such Foreign Sub-Custodian or of other customers of such Foreign Sub-Custodian.

(b) Foreign securities shall be maintained in a Foreign Securities Depository in a designated country through arrangements implemented by the Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian, as applicable, in such country.

 

  4.7.

Transactions in Foreign Custody Account .

(a) The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall release and deliver Foreign Securities of the Portfolios held by the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities Depository account, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions (other than those actions which are expressly permitted to be taken without Proper Instructions under Section 2.7 hereof), which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:

(i) Upon the sale of such Foreign Securities for the Portfolio in accordance with market practice for institutional customers in the country where such Foreign Securities are held or traded, including, without limitation: (A) delivery against expectation of receiving later payment, provided the Custodian has advised the Fund or its duly appointed investment adviser of such practice in accordance with Section 4.7A(b) below; or (B) in the case of a sale effected through a Foreign Securities Depository, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of the Foreign Securities Depository;

(ii) In connection with any repurchase agreement related to Foreign Securities;

(iii) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for Foreign Securities of the Portfolios;

(iv) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such Foreign Securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;

(v) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Custodian (or the name of the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or of any nominee of the


Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian) or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units;

(vi) To brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination or trade execution in accordance with market custom;

(vii) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement;

(viii) In the case of warrants, rights or similar Foreign Securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities;

(ix) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio, but only against receipt of amounts borrowed;

(x) In connection with trading in options and futures contracts, including delivery as original margin and variation margin;

(xi) Subject to Section 4.7(a)(i) hereof, upon the sale or other delivery of such Foreign Securities (including, without limitation, to one or more Repo Custodians) in advance of payment therefor, provided that applicable Proper Instructions shall set forth (A) the Foreign Securities to be delivered and (B) the person(s) to whom delivery shall be made;

(xii) In connection with the lending of Foreign Securities (provided that the applicable Fund executes such agreement as the Custodian may reasonably require in connection with such arrangement, in such form as shall be reasonably negotiated by the Custodian, the applicable Fund, the lending agent and/or such other party or parties as may be applicable);

(xiii) For delivery to the Portfolio’s Transfer Agent or to the holders of Shares in connection with distributions or redemptions in kind (or, with respect to a closed-end investment company, as may otherwise be described in writing in the Proper Instructions), in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or redemption; and

(xiv) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Special Instructions specifying (A) the Foreign Securities to be delivered and (B) the person(s) to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.

(b) Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out, or direct the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or the respective Foreign Securities Depository to pay out, monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only:


(i) Upon the purchase of Foreign Securities for the Portfolio in accordance with market practices for institutional customers in the country where such Foreign Securities are held or traded, unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, by (A) delivering money to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving later delivery of such Foreign Securities provided the Custodian has advised the Fund or its duly appointed investment adviser of such practice in accordance with Section 4.7A(b) below; or (B) in the case of a purchase effected through a Foreign Securities Depository, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of such Foreign Securities Depository;

(ii) In connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of Foreign Securities of the Portfolio as set forth in Section 4.7(a)(vii) hereof;

(iii) For the payment of any expense or liability of the Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments: interest, taxes, investment advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees under this Agreement, legal fees, accounting fees, and other operating expenses of the related Portfolio;

(iv) For the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange contracts for the Portfolio, including transactions executed with or through the Custodian or its Foreign Sub-Custodians;

(v) In connection with trading in options and futures contracts, including delivery as original margin and variation margin;

(vi) Subject to Section 4.7(a)(i) hereof, upon the purchase of foreign investments including, without limitation, repurchase agreement transactions involving delivery of Portfolio monies to Repo Custodian(s), in advance of delivery of the purchased securities, provided that applicable Proper Instructions shall set forth (A) the amount of such payment and (B) the person(s) to whom payment shall be made;

(vii) For payment of part or all of the dividends received in respect of securities sold short;

(viii) In connection with the borrowing or lending of Foreign Securities; and

(ix) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Special Instructions specifying (A) the amount of such payment and (B) the person(s) to whom such payment is to be made.

4.7A. Market Conditions .

(c) Except as more particularly set forth in Sections 4.7(a)(i) and 4.7(b)(i), settlement and payment for Foreign Assets received for the account of the Portfolios and delivery of Foreign Assets maintained for the account of the Portfolios may be effected in accordance with the customary established securities trading or processing practices and procedures in the country or market in which the transaction occurs.


(d) The Custodian shall provide to each Board or its duly authorized designee information with respect to custody and settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian.

4.8. Registration of Foreign Securities . The Foreign Securities maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the applicable Portfolio or in the name of the Custodian or in the name of any Foreign SubCustodian or in the name of any nominee of the foregoing, and the applicable Fund on behalf of such Portfolio agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such foreign securities. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall not be obligated to accept securities on behalf of a Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement unless the form of such securities and the manner in which they are delivered are in accordance with reasonable market practice.

4.9. Bank Accounts . With respect to transactions under this Section 4, the Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the applicable Fund cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies) deposited with the Custodian. Where the Custodian is unable to maintain, or market practice does not facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the books of the Custodian, a bank account or bank accounts shall be opened and maintained outside the United States on behalf of a Portfolio with a Foreign Sub-Custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and Rule 17f-5. The Custodian shall take reasonable steps to ensure that, to the extent reasonably possible, such funds arc covered by any deposit insurance provided by the local government or other similar protections. All accounts referred to in this Section 4.9 shall be subject only to draft or order by the Custodian (or, if applicable, a Foreign Sub-Custodian) acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to hold cash received by or from or for the account of the Portfolio.

4.10. Collection of Income . The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the Foreign Assets held hereunder to which the Portfolios shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business and shall credit such income, as collected, to the applicable Portfolio. In the event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, the Fund and the Custodian shall consult as to such measures and as to the compensation and expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures and the Custodian’s services with respect thereto shall be subject to agreement regarding such measures. The Custodian shall as soon as reasonably practicable notify the Fund in such manner as the Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing if any amount payable to the Fund or other asset of the Fund is not received by the Custodian when due.

4.11. Shareholder Voting Rights . With respect to the Foreign Securities held pursuant to this Section 4, the Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights, subject always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist in the country where such securities are issued. Each Fund acknowledges that local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the ability of such Fund to exercise shareholder rights.


4.12. Communications Relating to Foreign Securities . The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information with respect to materials received by the Custodian in its capacity as custodian via the Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers of the Foreign Securities being held for the account of the Portfolios (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of foreign securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith). For clarity, matters relating to bankruptcy cases are the responsibility of the applicable Fund; provided that the Custodian shall continue to be responsible for transmission of initial notice of the bankruptcy case received by the Custodian in its capacity as custodian and transmission of any required action relating to the bankruptcy case. With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information received by the Custodian in its capacity as custodian from issuers of the Foreign Securities whose tender or exchange is sought or from the party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer and shall promptly forward to the Foreign Sub-Custodian or the issuer, as applicable, any instructions, forms or other documents as the Custodian shall receive from the Fund in connection therewith. All primary written communications to the Funds with respect to Foreign Securities shall be in English. If a Fund desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian prior to the deadline established by the Custodian in its reasonable discretion as will give the Custodian (including any Foreign Sub-Custodian) sufficient time to take such action. If the Fund provides the Custodian with such notification after such deadline, the Custodian shall continue to use commercially reasonable efforts to take such action (or to cause the Foreign Sub-Custodian to take such action) but will not be responsible if such efforts are unsuccessful. The Custodian shall inform the Fund or its duly appointed investment adviser a reasonable time in advance, to the extent reasonably possible, of pertinent deadlines in each case.

 

  4.13.

   Liability in Respect of Foreign Assets .

(a) Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall meet the requirements set forth in Rule 17f-5(c)(2). If, at any time, a Portfolio suffers or incurs any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim as a result of any action or omission on the part of a Foreign Sub-Custodian, then, to the extent that the Custodian has a claim in connection therewith against such Foreign Sub-Custodian under the Custodian’s agreement with the Foreign Sub-Custodian or under applicable law, the Custodian shall use commercially reasonable efforts to pursue such claim on behalf of the applicable Portfolio and shall promptly remit to the account of such Portfolio the amount of any recovery by the Custodian in connection therewith (less reasonable expenses incurred by the Custodian). Notwithstanding the immediately foregoing sentence, at a Fund’s election, the applicable Portfolio shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against a Foreign Sub-Custodian as a consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent that the Portfolio has not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim by such Foreign Sub-Custodian. Such subrogation shall not relieve the Custodian to any extent from its liability or obligations to a Fund or Portfolio hereunder, provided that any recovery by the applicable Fund or Portfolio pursuant to such subrogation shall relieve the Custodian of liability and obligations to the extent of such recovery.


(b) Subject to Sections 8(a), 8(b) and 8(c) of this Agreement, the Custodian shall be responsible for the acts and omissions of any Foreign or Domestic Sub-Custodian as follows, taking into account established market practices and local laws prevailing in the jurisdiction in which the acts and omissions of the Foreign or Domestic Sub-Custodian occur: (1) with respect to damages incurred by a Fund as a result of an act or omission of a Foreign or Domestic Subcustodian relating to such Sub-Custodian’s provision of sub-custody services in a market listed in Schedule D hereto at the time such damages were incurred, the Custodian will be liable for such damages to the same extent as if the act or omission was that of the Custodian under this Agreement and (2) with respect to damages incurred by a Fund as a result of an act or omission of a Foreign or Domestic Sub-Custodian relating to such Sub-Custodian’s provision of subcustody services in a market other than one listed in Schedule D hereto at the time such damages were incurred, the Custodian shall take appropriate action to recover such damages from such Sub-Custodian and the Custodian’s liability with respect to such damages shall be limited to amounts recovered from such Sub-Custodian (less reasonable expenses incurred by the Custodian). If the Custodian no longer maintains client assets with a Foreign or Domestic SubCustodian in a market listed in Schedule D hereto or if the Custodian intends to remove all client assets from all Foreign and Domestic Sub-Custodians in a market listed in Schedule D hereto, the Custodian may remove that market from the list in Schedule D hereto upon prior notice to the applicable Fund; in all other circumstances the Custodian may not remove a market listed in Schedule D hereto without prior agreement of the applicable Fund.

(c) Subject to and to the extent of receipt by the Custodian of relevant and necessary information with respect to the Funds and Portfolios that the Custodian has requested, the Custodian shall perform the following services: (i) file claims for exemptions, reductions in withholding taxes, or refunds of any tax with respect to withheld foreign (non-U.S.) taxes in instances in which such claims are appropriate; (ii) withhold appropriate amounts as required by U.S. tax laws with respect to amounts received on behalf of nonresident aliens; and (iii) provide to the Funds such information actually received by the Custodian that could, in the Custodian’s reasonable belief and sole discretion, assist any of the Funds in their submission of any reports or returns with respect to taxes, it being specifically understood and agreed that the Custodian shall not thereby or otherwise be considered any Fund’s tax advisor or tax counsel. Other than the servicing responsibilities identified herein, the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any tax payment obligations now or hereafter imposed on any Fund, the Portfolios or the Custodian as custodian of the Portfolios by the tax law of the United States or of any state or political subdivision thereof. It shall be the responsibility of each Fund to notify, or cause to be notified, the Custodian of the obligations imposed by such countries other than those mentioned in the above sentence, including responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and governmental reporting. The sole responsibilities of the Custodian with regard to such tax law shall be to use reasonable efforts to effect the withholding of local taxes and related charges with regard to market entitlement/payment in accordance with local law and subject to local market practice or custom and to assist the Fund with respect to any claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of countries for which such Fund has provided such information. Except as specifically provided in this Agreement or otherwise agreed to in writing by the Custodian, the Custodian shall have no independent obligation to determine the tax obligations now or hereafter imposed on any of the Funds by any taxing authority or to obtain or provide information relating thereto. Without limiting the Custodian’s obligations set forth in this Section 4.13(c), the Custodian shall have no obligation


or liability for tax obligations of the Funds. Each of the Funds agrees that the Custodian is authorized to deduct from any cash received or credited to the account of a Portfolio any taxes or levies required by any tax or other governmental authority having jurisdiction in respect of such Portfolio’s transactions, and that the Custodian is authorized to disclose any information required by any such tax or other governmental authority in relation to processing any claim for exemption from or reduction or refund of any taxes relating to Portfolio transactions and holdings.

4.14. Foreign Exchange Transactions . Any foreign exchange transaction effected by the Custodian in connection with this Agreement may be entered with the Custodian or an affiliate of the Custodian acting as a principal or otherwise through customary channels. A Fund may issue standing instructions with respect to foreign exchange transactions (including for the establishment of rate methodology), but the Custodian may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made available to the Fund. With respect to foreign exchange transactions done through the Custodian’s foreign exchange desk, it is acting as a principal counterparty on its own behalf and is not acting as a fiduciary or agent for, or in connection with, a Fund or its investment manager. Nevertheless, the Custodian will make full and appropriate disclosure of the rate methodology for all foreign exchange transactions.

 

5.

PAYMENTS FOR SALES OR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES.

(a) The Custodian shall receive from the distributor of the Shares or from the Transfer Agent and deposit into the account of the appropriate Portfolio such payments as are received for Shares thereof issued or sold from time to time by the applicable Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to such Fund on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio.

(b) From such funds as may be available for the purpose, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by a Fund to the holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between such Fund and the Custodian.

 

6.

COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN. The Custodian shall be entitled to compensation for its services and expenses as may be agreed to from time to time in writing by the Funds and the Custodian.

 

7.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES. The Funds engage the Custodian to provide, and the Custodian agrees to provide, those additional services (if any) set forth in Exhibit B annexed hereto.


8.

STANDARD OF CARE; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

(a) In performing its responsibilities under this Agreement (including without limitation in regard to its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager), the Custodian agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of assets of management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act would exercise (“Standard of Care”) and shall not be liable for any damages arising out of the Custodian’s performance of or failure to perform its duties under this Agreement except to the extent that such damages arise out of the Custodian’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or otherwise from a breach of this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Custodian shall not be liable for any damages arising out of any matter with respect to which the Custodian is otherwise relieved of liability as provided elsewhere in the Agreement. In no event shall a party to this Agreement be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits or loss of business, arising under or in connection with this Agreement, even if previously informed of the possibility of such damages and regardless of the form of action.

(b) The Custodian shall not be liable for any defect in the title, validity or genuineness of any property or in the evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement. Without limiting the Custodian’s obligations under Section 2.11 of this Agreement, the Custodian shall not be liable for any losses suffered by any of the Funds due to items within Country Risk or factors beyond the Custodian’s reasonable control (including acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, general work stoppages, fire, flood, catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots, terrorism, nationalization or expropriation, currency restrictions, or failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply), provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a Fund’s failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall be excused to the extent that such failure to perform is caused by or results from the Custodian’s aforementioned failure to perform. Further, the Custodian shall not be liable for the validity or invalidity or authority or lack thereof of any Oral Instruction or Written Instruction delivered in accordance with Section 2.3(b) hereof.

(c) The Custodian shall be without liability for any loss, damage or expense caused by or resulting from the insolvency of any Domestic Sub-Custodian or Foreign Sub-Custodian that is not a majority-owned subsidiary of the Custodian; provided, however, that the foregoing exculpation of the Custodian with respect to the insolvency of a particular Foreign SubCustodian shall not be applicable if the Custodian fails to comply with its obligations as a Foreign Custody Manager pursuant to Rule 17f-5 with respect to such Foreign Sub-Custodian.

(d) Without limiting the Custodian’s responsibilities set forth in Section 4.5 hereof, the Custodian shall be without liability for any loss, damage or expense caused by or resulting from the action, inaction or insolvency of any U.S. Clearing System or Foreign Securities Depository; provided, however, that the foregoing exculpation of the Custodian with respect to the insolvency of any Foreign Securities Depository shall not be applicable if the Custodian fails to comply with its obligations under Section 4.5 of this Agreement or under Rule 17f-7 with respect to such Foreign Securities Depository.

(e) At any time, the Custodian may request Written Instructions from a Fund and may seek advice from legal counsel for the Fund, or its own legal counsel, with respect to any matter


arising in connection with this Agreement, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with such Written Instructions or in accordance with the opinion of counsel for the Fund or for the Custodian, provided that the Custodian at its own expense communicates to the Fund such opinion of counsel to the Custodian within a reasonable period of time prior to taking the action in question. Written Instructions requested by the Custodian will be provided by a Fund within a reasonable period of time.

(f) The applicable Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian from all taxes, charges, assessments, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, liabilities arising under the Federal Securities Laws and any state or foreign securities and blue sky laws, and amendments thereto), and costs and expenses, including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees and reasonable disbursements (including, without limitation, those incurred in asserting any claim by the Custodian against the Fund arising from the obligations of the Fund hereunder), arising from any action which the Custodian takes in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or any omission by the Custodian to act or any other matter with respect to which the Custodian is otherwise relieved of liability or entitled to be held harmless as provided elsewhere in the Agreement; provided that the Custodian shall not be indemnified against any liability (or any expenses incident to such liability) to the extent arising out of the Custodian’s own, or its affiliate’s or agent’s (for whose actions the Custodian is responsible under this Agreement) willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or breach of this Agreement.

(g) The Custodian shall indemnify and hold harmless the Funds from all taxes, charges, assessments, claims, damages and liabilities arising directly from the Custodian’s failure to meet its obligations pursuant to this Agreement (including, without limitation, liabilities arising under the Federal Securities Laws, and any state and foreign securities and blue sky laws, and amendments thereto) and costs and expenses, including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees and reasonable disbursements (including, without limitation, those incurred in asserting any claim by any Fund against the Custodian arising from the obligations of the Custodian hereunder), to the extent that such damages arise out of the Custodian’s own, or its affiliate’s or agent’s (for whose actions the Custodian is responsible under this Agreement) willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or breach of this Agreement, provided that the Funds shall not be indemnified against any liability (or any expenses incident to such liability) to the extent arising out of any Fund’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or breach of this Agreement.

(h) Upon the occurrence of any event relating to the services provided under this Agreement that causes or may cause any loss, damage or expense to one or more Funds or Portfolios, the Custodian (i) shall reasonably promptly notify each such Fund or Portfolio of the occurrence of such event and (ii) shall use (and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause any applicable agent or domestic or foreign sub-custodian to use) commercially reasonable efforts and take reasonable steps under the circumstances to attempt to mitigate the effects of such event and avoid continuing harm to each such Fund or Portfolio. Upon the occurrence of any event that causes or may cause any loss, damage or expense to the Custodian, the applicable Fund (i) shall reasonably promptly notify the Custodian of the occurrence of such event and (ii) shall use commercially reasonable efforts and take reasonable steps under the circumstances to attempt to mitigate the effects of such event and avoid continuing harm to the Custodian.


(i) The Custodian will maintain, at all times during the term of this Agreement, errors and omissions insurance, fidelity bonds and such other insurance as the Custodian may deem appropriate, in each case in a commercially reasonable amount deemed by the Custodian to be sufficient to cover its potential liabilities under this Agreement, including without limitation cyberliability insurance coverage deemed by the Custodian to be appropriate (with due regard for industry standards, if any) to address damages arising from a Security Breach (as defined in Section 10(i)). The Custodian agrees to provide the Funds with summaries of its applicable insurance coverage, and agrees to provide updated summaries monthly or as requested by the Funds.

(j) In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this Section 8 shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which either party may be required to indemnify the other, the party seeking indemnification shall promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The party who may be required to indemnify shall have the right to control the defense of the claim, and the party seeking indemnification shall have the option to participate in the defense of such claim, at its own cost and expense. The party seeking indemnification will cooperate reasonably, at the indemnifying party’s expense, with the indemnifying party in the defense of such claim; provided, however, that the party seeking indemnification shall not be required to take any action that would impair any claim it may have against the indemnifying party. The party seeking indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it except with the other party’s prior written consent. The indemnifying party shall not settle or compromise any claim or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to which indemnification is being sought hereunder without the prior written consent of the party seeking indemnification, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

 

9.

DURATION AND TERMINATION.

(a) Term . This Agreement shall be effective on the date first written above and shall continue in full force and effect until 11:59:59 PM (Eastern time) on December 31, 2021 (the “ Initial Term ”). The effective date of the Agreement for each Fund or Portfolio thereof listed at Exhibit A will be the first day the assets of the Fund or Portfolio are held in custody by the Custodian and the Custodian commences providing the services contemplated hereunder. This Agreement shall automatically renew for successive periods of one (1) year each (each a “Renewal Term”), unless a particular Fund or the Custodian gives written notice to the other party of its intent not to renew and such notice is received by the other party not less than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the then-current Renewal Term (a “NonRenewal Notice”). In the event a party provides a Non-Renewal Notice this Agreement shall terminate with respect to the relevant Fund at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern time) on the last day of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Term ” shall mean the Initial Term including, if applicable, any Renewal Term.

(b) Termination for Cause . Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph (a) of this Section 9, in the event that the Custodian or a Fund (as applicable, a “ Defaulting Party ”) shall fail in any material respect to perform its duties and obligations hereunder pursuant to the applicable standard of care set forth herein (including, in the case of the Custodian, through


(I) persistent non-material failures to perform its duties or obligations hereunder or (II) the persistent failure to meet key performance indicators pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement, including the failure, as determined by a Fund in its sole discretion, of the Custodian to deliver the Anticipated Improvements under a Rectification Plan), the other party (the “ Other Party ”) shall have given written notice thereof to the Defaulting Party, and such material failure shall not have been remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of the Other Parly within thirty (30) days after such written notice is received, then, as applicable, the Fund or Funds may terminate this Agreement by providing thirty (30) days written notice of such termination to the Custodian, or the Custodian may terminate this Agreement by providing one-hundred twenty (120) days written notice of such termination to the Fund or Funds. In addition, notwithstanding the preceding sentence, this Agreement may be terminated by one or more Funds (i) immediately in the event of an appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian or any parent of the Custodian by a regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction or, (ii) by providing thirty (30) days written notice of such termination to the Custodian in the event that the Custodian is indicted for a crime, commences any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or has such a proceeding initiated against it which is not dismissed within sixty (60) days, or suffers any other material adverse change in its condition, operations or professional reputation that is determined by a Fund in its reasonable discretion to threaten the continuing performance of services hereunder or the reputation of the Fund. Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to this paragraph (b) with respect to any Fund or Portfolio, the applicable Fund shall pay Custodian its compensation due through, and shall reimburse Custodian for its reasonable costs, expenses and disbursements incurred through, the effective date of such termination.

(c) Termination for Convenience . Any Fund may terminate this Agreement with respect to such Fund or its Portfolio(s) for any reason provided that (i) the applicable Fund shall be required to provide the Custodian at least sixty (60) days’ notice of the effective date of such termination (the “Termination for Convenience Date”); (ii) on the Termination for Convenience Date, the applicable Fund shall pay the Custodian its compensation due through the Termination for Convenience Date and shall reimburse Custodian for its reasonable out-of-pocket costs, expenses and disbursements incurred through the Termination for Convenience Date; provided, however, that if the applicable Fund provides less than sixty (60) days’ notice of the Termination for Convenience Date, then on the Termination for Convenience Date the Fund shall pay the Custodian its compensation due through the date occurring sixty (60) days after the date of delivery of such lesser notice (based upon the average compensation previously earned by Custodian with respect to such Fund or Portfolio for the two (2) calendar months most recently preceding the delivery date of such notice) and shall reimburse the Custodian for its reasonable out-of-pocket costs, expenses and disbursements incurred through the Termination for Convenience Date; and (iii) notwithstanding the foregoing, if the end of the Term (as defined in paragraph (a) of this Section 9) is to occur less than sixty (60) days from the date of notice of termination, the applicable Fund shall provide such lesser notice as may be reasonably practicable, and on the Termination for Convenience Date the applicable Fund shall pay the Custodian its compensation due through the Termination for Convenience Date and shall reimburse Custodian for its reasonable out-of-pocket costs, expenses and disbursements incurred through the Termination for Convenience Date.


(d) Termination of this Agreement with respect to the coverage of any one particular Fund or Portfolio shall in no way affect the rights and duties under this Agreement with respect to any other Fund or Portfolio.

(e) If a successor custodian for one or more Portfolios shall be appointed by the applicable Board, the Custodian shall, upon termination pursuant to this Agreement and receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver to such successor custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all securities of each applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in a Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent. The Custodian shall also provide to the successor custodian a Fund’s records (as described in Section 2.8 of this Agreement) as reasonably requested by the Fund. The Custodian also agrees to reasonably cooperate with the successor custodian and the Fund in the execution of such documents and the performance of such other necessary actions as is in accordance with standard industry practice in order to substitute the successor custodian for the Custodian. If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in like manner, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such instructions. In the event that no Proper Instructions designating a successor custodian or alternative arrangements shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a “bank” as defined in the 1940 Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts or New York, New York, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than $250,000,000 and which satisfies any other then applicable criteria for service as a custodian for registered management companies under the 1940 Act, all securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it under this Agreement on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in any Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Agreement. All reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with the transfer of custody hereunder upon termination hereof shall be borne by the respective Funds (except as may be specifically agreed in writing by the parties in relation to special arrangements) and the Custodian shall not be required to undertake any non-industry standard activity until assured to its reasonable satisfaction of payment therefor.

(f) In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the possession of the Custodian after the effective date of the termination hereof owing to failure of any Fund to provide Proper Instructions as aforesaid, the Custodian shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.

(g) Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 9 to the contrary, in the event that this Agreement is terminated in its entirety, the parties agree to continue operating under the terms of this Agreement as if this Agreement remained in full force and effect for one year or for such shorter period of time as the parties mutually agree is necessary for the Custodian to deliver the books and records and any other properties of the Funds held hereunder by the Custodian to a successor custodian in an orderly manner.


(h) Any termination of services under this Agreement shall not affect the rights and obligations of the parties under Sections 4.13(c), 8, 9 and 10 hereof.

 

10.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA SECURITY.

(a) The Custodian agrees to keep confidential, and to cause its employees and agents to keep confidential, all records of the Funds and information relating to the Funds, including without limitation information as to their respective shareholders and their respective portfolio holdings, unless the release of such records or information is made (i) in connection with the services provided under this Agreement, (ii) at the written direction of the applicable Fund or otherwise consented to, in writing, by the respective Funds, (iii) in response to a request of a governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory authority or agency or pursuant to a subpoena, court order or other legal process, in each case with respect to which the Custodian has determined, on the advice of counsel, that it is required to comply, or (iv) where the Custodian has determined, on the advice of counsel, that the failure to release such information would expose the Custodian to civil or criminal contempt proceedings; provided in the case of clause (iii) or (iv) the Custodian provides the applicable Fund written notice of such requirement to release such records or information, to the extent such notice is permitted. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided and shall cease to be applicable to any information that thereafter becomes publicly available, other than through a breach of this Section 10(a), or that is independently derived by any party hereto without the use of any information derived in connection with the services provided under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing but subject to Section 10(d), (1) the Custodian may use information regarding the Funds in connection with certain functions performed on a centralized basis by the Custodian, its affiliates or its or their service providers (including audit, accounting, risk, legal, compliance, sales, administration, product communication, relationship management, compilation and analysis of customer-related data and storage) and disclose such information to its affiliates and to its or their service providers who are subject to the confidentiality obligations hereunder with respect to such information, but only for the purpose of servicing the Funds in connection with the relationship contemplated by this Agreement or providing additional services to the Funds, and (2) the Custodian may aggregate Fund or Portfolio data with similar data of other customers of the Custodian (“Aggregated Data”) and may use Aggregated Data so long as such Aggregated Data represents such a sufficiently large sample that no Fund or Portfolio data can be identified either directly or by inference or implication.

(b) Each Fund agrees to keep confidential all information obtained hereunder relating to the Custodian’s business (it being understood, however, that the existence and the terms of this Agreement are required to be publicly disclosed by the Funds), unless the release of such records or information is (i) necessary to facilitate the receipt of services provided under this Agreement, (ii) in response to a request of a governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory authority or agency or pursuant to a subpoena, court order or other legal process, in each case with respect to which the Fund has determined, on the advice of counsel, that it is required to comply, or (iii) where the Fund has determined, on the advice of counsel, that the failure to release such information would expose the Fund to civil or criminal contempt proceedings;


provided in the case of clause (ii) or (iii) the Fund provides the Custodian written notice of such requirement to release such records or information, to the extent such notice is permitted. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided and shall cease to be applicable to any information that thereafter becomes publicly available, other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is independently derived by any party hereto without the use of any information derived in connection with the services provided under this Agreement.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, each party hereto agrees that any Nonpublic Personal Information, as defined under Section 248.3(t) of Regulation S-P (“Regulation S-P”), promulgated under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the “GLB Act”), disclosed or otherwise made accessible by a party hereunder is for the specific purpose of permitting the other party to perform its duties as set forth in this Agreement. Each party agrees that, with respect to such information, it will comply with Regulation S-P and the GLB Act and that it will not disclose any Nonpublic Personal Information received in connection with this Agreement to any other party, except to the extent necessary to carry out the services set forth in this Agreement or as otherwise permitted by Regulation S-P or the GLB Act.

(d) Without limiting the generality of Section 10(a) hereof, the Custodian acknowledges and agrees that the Funds are prohibited by law from making selective public disclosure of information regarding portfolio holdings, that disclosure of any and all such information to the Custodian hereunder is made strictly under the conditions of confidentiality set forth in Section 10(a) hereof and solely for the purposes of the performance of custodial services hereunder, that any unauthorized disclosure or misuse of such information (including by the Custodian or any of its employees or agents, or any trading on the basis of such information by anyone in receipt of such information) may constitute a criminal offense of trading on or tipping of material inside information regarding publicly traded securities, that access to any and all such information regarding portfolio holdings of the Funds shall be restricted to those persons needing such information in the course of the performance of duties hereunder, and that the Custodian shall apprise all such persons having access of the obligation hereunder and under applicable law to prevent unauthorized disclosure of such confidential information.

(e) The parties acknowledge and agree that any breach of Section 10(a) hereof would cause not only financial damage, but irreparable harm to the other party, for which money damages will not provide an adequate remedy. Accordingly, in the event of a breach of Section 10(a) hereof, the non-breaching party shall (in addition to all other rights and remedies it may have pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation Section 8(g) hereof, and at law and in equity) be entitled to an injunction, without the necessity of posting any bond or surety, to restrain disclosure or misuse, in whole or in part, of any information in violation of Section 10(a) hereof.

(f) The Custodian will implement and maintain a written information security program (the “Security Program”) that contains appropriate security measures designed to safeguard confidential records and information of the Funds consistent with applicable statutes, laws, rules and regulations, and definitive and binding guidance or interpretations by applicable authorities of any of the foregoing from time to time, including without limitation the personal information of the Funds’ shareholders, employees, trustees, directors and/or officers that the


Custodian receives, stores, maintains, processes or otherwise accesses in connection with the provision of services hereunder. For these purposes, “personal information” shall mean (i) an individual’s name (first initial and last name or first name and last name), plus (a) social security number, (b) driver’s license number, (c) state identification card number, (d) debit or credit card number, (e) financial account number or (f) personal identification number or password that would permit access to a person’s account or (ii) any combination of the foregoing that would allow a person to log onto or access an individual’s account with the Custodian. Notwithstanding the foregoing “personal information” shall not include information that is lawfully obtained from publicly available information, or from federal, state or local government records lawfully made available to the general public.

(g) The Security Program shall have administrative, technical and physical safeguards, appropriate to the type of information concerned, designed: (i) to maintain the security and confidentiality of records and information of the Funds; (ii) to protect against anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such records and information; and (iii) to protect against unauthorized access to or use of such records and information. The Custodian shall develop, implement and maintain, at its sole expense, a system or methodology to audit for compliance with the requirements of the preceding sentence that is consistent with the SOC controls framework. Such safeguards will include, but shall not be limited to, virus protection, password protection and encryption of data in transmission at a minimum standard of AES 256. The Custodian will provide the Fund, at least annually, with the most recent SOC reports of its systems and methodologies prepared by an independent third party, and will provide executive summaries of its most recent penetration and ethical hack testing of its internet-facing environment relevant to the systems used to provide services under this Agreement (in the form generally provided by the Custodian to other similarly situated customers of services similar to the services provided under this Agreement), as conducted by a qualified, independent third party selected by the Custodian. The Custodian shall maintain books and records sufficient to demonstrate its compliance with the terms of this Section 10(g).

(h) Upon reasonable notice to the Custodian, the Custodian will arrange for its relevant subject matter experts to meet with the relevant subject matter experts of the Funds once annually and at such other times as the Funds may reasonably request to review the Custodian’s security controls and any deficiencies identified in the SSAE-18 audit reports, and for the Custodian to review with the Funds the penetration testing results and provide such additional information concerning the penetration tests as the Custodian determines to be prudent. At such meeting, the Funds may view the Custodian’s security-related policies and procedures; however, no documentation may be copied, shared, transmitted or removed from the Custodian’s premises, except as mutually agreed. In the event that the Funds identify any control deficiencies, the Custodian will discuss such findings with the Funds and will use reasonable efforts to develop a mutually agreeable remediation plan. All nonpublic documentation and information disclosed to the Funds in accordance with this Section 10(h) shall be deemed proprietary and confidential information of the Custodian. The Funds shall not disclose such documentation or information to any third party (except to the extent permitted, necessary or required pursuant to Section 10(b)) or use it for any purpose other than evaluating the Custodian’s security controls, except that the Funds may disclose the Custodian’s SSAE-18 summary to the Funds’ external auditors provided that such external auditors are required to maintain the confidentiality of the summary and any related information.


(i) In the event of any actual or reasonably suspected, based on Custodian’s experience, breach of security of its systems resulting in the actual, probable or reasonably suspected unauthorized access to or acquisition, use, loss, destruction, compromise or disclosure of any of the confidential records or information of a Fund (each, a “Security Breach”), upon learning of the Security Breach, the Custodian shall notify such Fund as promptly as reasonably possible of the relevant facts related to such Security Breach then known to the Custodian, and of additional relevant facts promptly after they become known to the Custodian, in the manner provided in Section 12 hereof and also by sending notice to cybersecurity@leggmason.com and/or such other electronic mail address or addresses as a Fund may specify by written notice to the Custodian. The Custodian shall at its sole cost: (i) promptly investigate such Security Breach; (ii) resolve or mitigate the vulnerability that facilitated the Security Breach to the extent possible; (iii) restore any lost or damaged data using generally accepted data restoration techniques; and (iv) conduct a root cause analysis to provide the Fund with a summary of the findings and actions taken to prevent recurrence of such Security Breach. If a Security Breach occurs with respect to personal information in the possession or under the control of the Custodian or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, agents or employees the Custodian shall be responsible for each Fund’s reasonable costs associated with responding to such Security Breach, including, but not limited to, the costs of notifying affected individuals and taking any remedial action required by applicable statutes, laws, rules and regulations and any such other remedial action that the Custodian reasonably deems necessary (with due regard for industry standards, if any).

(j) If the Custodian uses any subsidiary or affiliate or, pursuant to Section 2.6(a), agent to perform the duties assigned to the Custodian by this Agreement, such subsidiary, affiliate or agent shall have appropriate controls in place to meet the objectives of this Section 10, and the Custodian shall exercise oversight over each such subsidiary, affiliate or agent to ensure ongoing compliance with the objectives of this Section 10. The Custodian will require each Foreign Sub-Custodian that it engages to provide services under this Agreement to establish and maintain reasonably designed safeguards and controls against the unauthorized access to and use of Fund data and information.

 

11.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

(a) The Custodian and the Funds may from time to time agree to document the manner in which they expect to deliver and receive the services contemplated by this Agreement. The parties agree that any such key performance indicators (hereinafter referred to as “ KPIs ” or, individually as a “ KPI ”) shall be agreed upon in writing by the parties and shall be reflected in one or more schedules to this Agreement. The Custodian and the Funds acknowledge that any failure to perform in accordance with KPIs shall not in and of itself be considered a breach of contract that gives rise to contractual or other remedies provided that such failure may be a breach giving rise to contractual or other remedies if it is persistent and not remedied after consultation. Nothing in this Section 11 shall modify any party’s applicable standard of care under this Agreement; nor shall any meeting or discussion among the parties regarding KPIs be construed to prevent a party from pursuing any remedy otherwise available to it pursuant to this Agreement.

(b) The parties agree to periodically review the Custodian’s performance against the KPIs. Where any such review reveals that the Custodian’s performance with respect to any KPI


has been unsatisfactory, as measured in accordance with any schedule to this Agreement pertaining to such KPI, for three consecutive months (a “ Rectification Trigger ”), the Funds may, in their sole discretion, invoke the process set out in this Section 11(b):

(i) The Custodian shall investigate, assemble and preserve (in accordance with its records management policy) all pertinent information with respect to, and report the root causes of the problem that led to, the Rectification Trigger;

(ii) The Custodian shall propose an appropriate written corrective action plan (“ Rectification Plan ”) with respect to such failure and in any event within ten (10) business days, or as otherwise reasonably agreed by the parties. The Rectification Plan shall set out the anticipated improvements (“ Anticipated Improvements ”) and the timeline over which those improvements are expected to be realized (“ Plan Period ”), which shall be no longer than sixty (60) days (without the Funds’ prior written consent). The Funds shall review the Rectification Plan within five (5) business days and shall (without liability or any resulting obligation or deemed acceptance of approach) comment on the Rectification Plan, suggest improvements and challenge any assumptions and ideas embodied in the Rectification Plan. It is acknowledged that the Funds shall not be obligated or required to acknowledge the Rectification Plan will achieve the relevant KPIs. Upon approval of the Rectification Plan, the Custodian shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, implement the Rectification Plan so as to deliver the anticipated improvements;

(iii) The Custodian shall provide the Funds with regular updates of the progress of the Rectification Plan and the parties shall periodically review the progress during the Plan Period;

(iv) The Custodian shall as soon as reasonably practicable notify the Funds in writing of any material changes to the Rectification Plan from time to time and the reasons for those changes; and

(v) At the end of the Plan Period, the Custodian shall report on whether the Rectification Plan has delivered the Anticipated Improvements in accordance with this Section 11(b).

 

12.

NOTICES.

All notices and other communications, excluding Oral Instructions, shall be in writing or by confirming telegram, cable, telex or facsimile sending device. If notice is sent by confirming telegram, cable, telex or facsimile sending device, it shall be deemed to have been given immediately. If notice is sent by first-class mail, it shall be deemed to have been given three days after it has been mailed. If notice is sent by messenger, it shall be deemed to have been given on the day it is delivered. Notices shall be addressed,

if to the Custodian, to:

The Bank of New York Mellon

135 Santilli Highway

Everett, MA 02149


Attention: Christopher Healy

with a copy to:

The Bank of New York Mellon

225 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10286

Attention: Asset Servicing – Legal

if to any of the Funds, to:

Legg Mason & Co., LLC

Attn: General Counsel

100 First Stamford PL, 6 th FL

Stamford, CT 06902

or at such other address as shall have been provided by like notice to the sender of any such notice or other communication by the other party.

 

13.

FUNDS AS PARTIES; LIMITATION ON FUND LIABILITIES.

(a) The Custodian acknowledges and agrees that the obligations assumed by each of the Funds hereunder shall be limited in all cases to the assets of the Fund or Portfolio(s) thereof, as applicable, and that the Custodian may not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the officers, agents, employees, trustees, directors or shareholders of the Fund or of any Portfolio of the Fund, and to the extent such trustees or officers are regarded as entering into this Agreement, they do so only as trustees or officers and not individually and that the obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any such trustee, officer, employee or shareholder individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of said Fund (or Portfolio thereof). The Custodian hereby agrees that such trustees, officers, employees or shareholders shall not be personally liable under this Agreement and that the Custodian shall look solely to the property of the Fund (or Portfolio thereof) for the performance of the Agreement or payment of any claim under the Agreement.

(b) A person who is not a party to this Agreement shall have no rights to enforce any provision of this Agreement, and no Fund or Portfolio shall have a right to enforce any provision of this Agreement as it relates to another Fund or Portfolio.

(c) This Agreement is an agreement entered into between the Custodian and each of the Funds with respect to each of such Fund’s Portfolios, as applicable. With respect to any obligation of the Fund on behalf of any Portfolio arising out of this Agreement, the Custodian shall look for payment or satisfaction of such obligation solely to the assets of the Portfolio to which such obligation relates with the same effect as if the Custodian had separately contracted with the Fund by separate written instrument with respect to each Portfolio.

(d) Notwithstanding that certain Funds are not registered with the SEC as investment companies under the 1940 Act, all services provided hereunder by the Custodian to or for the benefit of such Funds shall be performed as if such Funds were so registered.


(e) Additional management investment companies (each a “ New Fund ”) may from time to time become parties as Funds to this Agreement by (A) delivery to the Custodian of (i) an instrument of adherence agreeing to become bound by and party to this Agreement executed by any such New Fund on behalf of each of its series or portfolios and (ii) an amendment and restatement of Exhibit A setting forth the appropriate information as to such New Fund and its series or portfolios and (B) the Custodian’s receipt of the foregoing documents, whereupon the Custodian, shall agree in writing to the addition of such New Fund and its series or portfolios, which agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld, it being understood that the Custodian shall not be deemed to be unreasonable in the event that (i) the Custodian’s ability to provide services hereunder to the New Fund is otherwise restricted by regulatory requirements or (ii) the Custodian does not generally offer custodial services to institutional clients regarding the particular type of fund or assets.

(f) Additional portfolios or series of existing management investment companies that are already party to this Agreement (each a “ New Portfolio ”) may from time to time be added to the list of series or portfolios serviced under this Agreement by (A) delivery to the Custodian of (i) an instrument of adherence agreeing to become bound by and party to this Agreement executed by the existing party Fund on behalf its New Portfolio and (ii) an amendment and restatement of Exhibit A setting forth the appropriate information as to such New Portfolio and (B) the Custodian’s receipt of the foregoing documents, whereupon the Custodian, subject to satisfactory completion of its customary due diligence, shall agree in writing to the addition of such New Portfolio, which agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld, it being understood that the Custodian shall not be deemed to be unreasonable in the event that (i) the Custodian’s ability to provide services hereunder to the New Portfolio is otherwise restricted by regulatory requirements or (ii) the Custodian does not generally offer custodial services to institutional clients regarding the particular type of fund or assets.

 

14.

MISCELLANEOUS.

(a) This Agreement, or any term thereof, may be changed or waived only by written amendment, signed by the party against whom enforcement of such change or waiver is sought.

(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party, nor may the duties of either party be delegated, without the prior written consent of the other party, except that (1) the Custodian may assign or delegate certain of its noncustodial obligations hereunder to an affiliate or subsidiary of the Custodian without the Funds’ prior written consent, provided that the Custodian shall remain responsible for the actions and omissions of such affiliate or subsidiary as if such actions or omissions were taken by the Custodian, (2) the Custodian may utilize sub-custodians as contemplated in this Agreement without limitation by this Section 14(b) and (3) the Custodian may assign or transfer this Agreement in connection with a sale of a majority or more of its assets, equity interests or voting control, provided that the Custodian gives the relevant Funds ninety (90) days’ prior written notice of such assignment or transfer, such assignment or transfer does not impair the provision of services under this Agreement in any material respect, in the reasonable view of the Funds, and the assignee or transferee agrees to be bound by all terms of this Agreement in place of the Custodian. The Custodian shall notify the Funds promptly following the execution of any agreement that would result in, or would be expected to result in, a change of control of the Custodian or any parent of the Custodian.


(c) This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement and all schedules, exhibits, appendices, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.

(d) Each party agrees to perform such further acts and execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes hereof.

(e) This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.

(f) The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.

(g) This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made in the State of New York and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of law. Each of the parties hereby consents to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder, and waives to the fullest extent permitted by law its right to a trial by jury. To the extent that in any jurisdiction any Fund may now or hereafter be entitled to claim, for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution, attachment (before or after judgment) or other legal process, such Fund irrevocably agrees not to claim, and it hereby waives, such immunity.

(h) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.

(i) Regulation GG . Each Fund hereby represents and warrants that it does not engage in an “Internet gambling business,” as such term is defined in Section 233.2(r) of Federal Reserve Regulation GG (12 CFR 233) (“ Regulation GG”). For the avoidance of doubt, the term “engage” shall not be deemed to include a passive investment made in the ordinary course of business. Each Fund hereby covenants and agrees that it shall not engage in an Internet gambling business. In accordance with Regulation GG, each Fund is hereby notified that “restricted transactions,” as such term is defined in Section 233.2(y) of Regulation GG, are prohibited in any dealings with the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise between or among any party hereto.


(j) Shareholder Communications Election . With respect to securities issued in the United States, Rule 14b-2 under the 1934 Act requires banks that hold securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with the rule, the Custodian needs each Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the Custodian to provide such Fund’s name, address, and share position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund owns. If a Fund tells the Custodian “no,” the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If a Fund tells the Custodian “yes” or does not check either “yes” or “no” below, the Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund. For a Fund’s protection, Rule 14b-2 prohibits the requesting company from using the Fund’s name and address for any purpose other than corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.

 

YES ☐

  

The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share positions

NO ☒

  

The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share positions.

With respect to securities issued outside the United States, the Custodian will disclose information required by law, regulation, rules of a stock exchange or organizational documents of an issuer.

A Fund will provide to the Custodian any required information if it is not otherwise reasonably available to the Custodian.

(k) As an accommodation to the Funds, the Custodian may provide consolidated recordkeeping services pursuant to which the Custodian reflects on statements securities and other assets not held by, or under the control of, the Custodian (“Non-Custody Assets”). NonCustody Assets shall be designated on the Custodian’s books as “shares not held” or by other similar characterization. Each Fund acknowledges and agrees that it shall have no security entitlement against the Custodian with respect to Non-Custody Assets, that the Custodian shall rely, without independent verification, on information provided by the Fund, its designee or the entity having custody regarding Non-Custody Assets (including but not limited to positions and market valuations), and that the Custodian shall have no responsibility whatsoever with respect to Non-Custody Assets or the accuracy of any information maintained on the Custodian’s books or set forth on account statements concerning Non-Custody Assets.

(l) The Funds acknowledge and agree that the Custodian is not a fiduciary by virtue of accepting and carrying out its obligations under this Agreement.

(m) Each Fund represents that it maintains compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the Fund from violating any applicable laws, rules, regulations, executive orders or requirements administered by any governmental authority of the United States (including the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control) concerning economic sanctions.


Unless otherwise prohibited, a Fund will promptly provide to the Custodian such information in the Fund’s possession as the Custodian reasonably requests in connection with the matters referenced in this Section 14(m), including information regarding its accounts, the assets held or to be held in its accounts, the source thereof, and the identity of any individual or entity having or claiming an interest therein. The Custodian may decline to act or provide services in respect of an account if the Custodian determines, on the advice of legal counsel, that it is not permitted to take such action or provide such service under applicable law. If the Custodian declines to act or provide services as provided in the preceding sentence, the Custodian will inform the applicable Fund as soon as reasonably practicable and will communicate to the Fund the advice received from counsel to the Custodian.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above-written.

 

EACH INVESTMENT COMPANY IDENTIFIED ON EXHIBIT A HERETO
By:  

/s/ Jane Trust

 

Name: Jane Trust

Title:   President

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
By:  

/s/ Christopher Healy

 

Name: Christopher Healy

Title:   Managing Director


List of Exhibits/Schedules

 

Exhibit   A:    List of Funds and Portfolios 1
Exhibit B:    Additional Services
Schedule A:    Foreign Sub-Custodians
Schedule B:    Foreign Securities Depositories
Schedule C:    Information Provided regarding Foreign Custody and Settlement Practices
Schedule D:    Markets Relating to Sub-Custodian Liability

 

 

1

Note that open-end Funds, closed-end Funds and Cayman Islands Funds should be identified as such in Exhibit A.


Exhibit A

ClearBridge Energy MLP Fund Inc.


Exhibit B

Reserved


Exhibit C

None

LOGO

    

250 WEST 55TH STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10019-9601

 

TELEPHONE: 212.468.8000

FACSIMILE: 212.468.7900

 

WWW.MOFO.COM

  

MORRISON FOERSTER LLP

 

BEIJING , BERLIN , BRUSSELS ,
DENVER , HONG KONG , LONDON ,
LOS ANGELES , NEW YORK ,
NORTHERN VIRGINIA , PALO ALTO ,
SAN DIEGO , SAN FRANCISCO , SHANGHAI ,
SINGAPORE , TOKYO , WASHINGTON , D . C .

August 30, 2018

C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, New York 10018

 

  Re:

Registration Statement on Form N-14

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as Maryland counsel to ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form N-14 (Registration Nos. 333-226149 and 811-22546) (the “ Registration Statement ”) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”), including the preliminary joint proxy statement-prospectus included therein (the “ Prospectus ”), for the offering by the Company of the shares (the “ Shares ”) of Common Stock, $.001 par value per share, of the Company (“ Common Stock ”) to be issued pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, in the form attached as an Appendix to the Prospectus (the “ Merger Agreement ”), by and between the Company and ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (“ CBA ”). This opinion is being provided at your request in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement.

In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (collectively, the “ Documents ”):

1.       The charter of the Company (the “ Charter ”), certified as of a recent date by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “ SDAT ”);

2.       The Bylaws of the Company, certified as of the date hereof by an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

3.       Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board of Directors ”), relating to the authorization and approval of the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement, the issuance of the Shares pursuant thereto and the filing of the Registration Statement (the “ Board Resolutions ”), certified as of the date hereof by an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

4.       The Merger Agreement, in the form attached to the Prospectus as an Appendix;


LOGO  

 

C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .

August 30, 2018

Page 2

 

5.       A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and

6.       A certificate executed by George P. Hoyt, an Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated as of the date hereof.

In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:

1.       Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.

2.       Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.

3.       Each of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding.

4.       All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all such Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification or amendment to the Documents, or waiver of any provision of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.

5.       The merger of CBA with and into the Company pursuant to the Merger Agreement will be approved by the stockholders of CBA as described in the Registration Statement. The number of Shares to be issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement at closing plus the number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to such issuance of Shares will not exceed the number of shares of Common Stock then authorized to be issued under the Charter.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that, upon issuance and delivery of the Shares as contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Board Resolutions, the Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

The foregoing opinion is limited to the substantive laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We express no opinion as to


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C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .

August 30, 2018

Page 3

 

compliance with the securities (or “blue sky”) laws of the State of Maryland. The opinion expressed herein is subject to the effect of judicial decisions which may permit the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.

We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof. This opinion is limited to the matters set forth herein, and no other opinion should be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated.

This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act.

Very truly yours,

MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP

/s/ Morrison & Foerster LLP

Exhibit 12

[    ], 2018

ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor

New York, New York 10018

ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor

New York, New York 10018

Re:         Merger

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Acquired Fund”), and ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Acquiring Fund”), in connection with the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated [●], 2018 (the “Merger Agreement”), between the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund, pursuant to which the Acquired Fund will be merged with and into the Acquiring Fund with the Acquiring Fund surviving (the “Merger”), on the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. The time at which the Merger becomes effective is hereafter referred to as the “Effective Time.” For purposes of this opinion letter, capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement. This opinion letter is being delivered pursuant to Section 7.5 of the Merger Agreement.


   -2-    [    ], 2018

 

We have examined (i) the Merger Agreement, (ii) the registration statement on Form N-14 (Registration Nos. 333-226149 and 881-22546) (the “Registration Statement”) filed by the Acquiring Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (iii) the representation letters of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund, delivered to us in connection with this opinion letter (together, the “Representation Letters”). In addition, we have examined, and relied as to matters of fact upon, originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records, agreements, documents and other instruments and made such other inquiries as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinions set forth below. In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as duplicates or certified or conformed copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. We have not, however, undertaken any independent investigation of any factual matter set forth in any of the foregoing.

In rendering such opinions, we have assumed, with your permission, that (i) the Merger will be effected in accordance with the Merger Agreement, (ii) the statements concerning the Merger set forth in the Merger Agreement and the Registration Statement are true, complete and correct and will remain true, complete and correct at all times up to and including the Effective Time, (iii) the representations made by the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund in their respective Representation Letters are true, complete and correct and


   -3-    [    ], 2018

 

will remain true, complete and correct at all times up to and including the Effective Time, (iv) as to all representations made in the Merger Agreement or the Representation Letters pursuant to which any person or entity represents an affirmative intention to perform an action or to qualify for certain treatment, such action will be performed and qualification for such treatment will be achieved and (v) any representations made in the Merger Agreement or the Representation Letters “to the knowledge of”, or based on the belief of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund or similarly qualified are true, complete and correct and will remain true, complete and correct at all times up to and including the Effective Time, in each case without such qualification. We have also assumed that the parties have complied with and, if applicable, will continue to comply with, the covenants contained in the Merger Agreement.

Our opinions expressed herein are based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations, administrative interpretations, and judicial precedents, in each case as of the date hereof. If there is any subsequent change in the applicable law or regulations, or if there are subsequently any new applicable administrative or judicial interpretations of the law or regulations, or if there are any changes in the facts or circumstances surrounding the Merger, the opinions expressed herein may become inapplicable. Furthermore, we do not express any opinion herein as to the possible application of Section 897 of the Code to non-U.S. persons, and our opinions expressed herein assume that Section 897 of the Code will not apply to holders of Acquired Fund Common Stock and Acquired Fund Preferred Stock in connection with the Merger.


   -4-    [    ], 2018

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

1.    The Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of the Code and the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund will each be a “party to the reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.

2.    Except for consequences regularly attributable to a termination of the Acquired Fund’s taxable year, no gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquired Fund as a result of the Merger or upon the conversion of shares of (i) Acquired Fund Common Stock into shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock and (ii) Acquired Fund Preferred Stock into shares of Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock.

3.    No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund as a result of the Merger or upon the conversion of shares of (i) Acquired Fund Common Stock into shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock and (ii) Acquired Fund Preferred Stock into shares of Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock.

4.    No gain or loss will be recognized by the holders of the Acquired Fund Common Stock upon the conversion of their shares of Acquired Fund Common Stock into shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock, except to the extent such holders are paid cash in lieu of fractional shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock in the Merger.

5.    No gain or loss will be recognized by the holders of the Acquired Fund Preferred Stock upon the conversion of their shares of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock into shares of Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock.

6.     The tax basis of the Acquired Fund assets in the hands of the Acquiring Fund will be the same as the tax basis of such assets in the hands of the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger.

7.    Immediately after the Merger, (i) the aggregate tax basis of the Acquiring Fund Common Stock received by each holder of Acquired Fund Common Stock in the Merger (including that of fractional share interests purchased by the Acquiring Fund) will be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the shares of Acquired Fund Common Stock owned by such stockholder immediately prior to the Merger and (ii) the aggregate tax basis of the Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock received by each holder of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock in the Merger will be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the shares of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock owned by such stockholder immediately prior to the Merger.

8.    A stockholder’s holding period for Acquiring Fund Common Stock (including that of fractional share interests purchased by the Acquiring Fund) will be determined by including the period for which he or she held shares of Acquired Fund Common Stock converted pursuant to the Merger, provided that such shares of Acquired Fund Common Stock were held as capital assets.

9.    A stockholder’s holding period for Acquiring Fund Preferred Stock will be determined by including the period for which he or she held shares of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock converted pursuant to the Merger, provided that such shares of Acquired Fund Preferred Stock were held as capital assets.


   -5-    [    ], 2018

 

10.    The Acquiring Fund’s holding period with respect to the Acquired Fund’s assets transferred pursuant to the Merger will include the period for which such assets were held by the Acquired Fund.

11.    The payment of cash to the holders of Acquired Fund Common Stock in lieu of fractional shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock will be treated as though such fractional shares were distributed as part of the Merger and then redeemed by the Acquiring Fund, with the result that the holder of Acquired Fund Common Stock will generally have a capital gain or loss to the extent the cash distribution differs from such stockholder’s basis allocable to the fractional shares of Acquiring Fund Common Stock (assuming such Acquired Fund Common Stock was held as a capital asset).

We express our opinions herein only as to those matters specifically set forth above and no opinion should be inferred as to the tax consequences of the Merger under any state, local or foreign law, or with respect to other areas of United States federal taxation. We do not express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the United States federal income tax law of the United States.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 12 to the Registration Statement, and to the references to our firm name therein.

Very truly yours,

SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT LLP

Exhibit 14

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-14 of our reports dated January 23, 2018, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights, which appear in ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. and ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc.’s Annual Reports on Form N-CSR for the year ended November 30, 2017. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Financial Highlights”, “Service Providers” and “Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Baltimore, Maryland

August 30, 2018


Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc.:

We consent to the use of our report dated January 25, 2017, with respect to the financial statements of ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc. as of November 30, 2016, incorporated herein by reference and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Financial Highlights” in the Information Statement/Prospectus on Form N-14.

/s/ KPMG LLP

New York, New York

August 30, 2018


Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.:

We consent to the use of our report dated January 25, 2017, with respect to the financial statements of ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. as of November 30, 2016, incorporated herein by reference and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Financial Highlights” in the Information Statement/Prospectus on Form N-14.

/s/ KPMG LLP

New York, New York

August 30, 2018

LOGO

EVERY STOCKHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT
EASY VOTING OPTIONS:
Please detach at perforation before mailing.
PROXY CLEARBRIDGE AMERICAN ENERGY MLP FUND INC. PROXY
PROXY FOR THE JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 7, 2018
COMMON STOCK
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The undersigned hereby appoints Robert I. Frenkel, George P. Hoyt, Michael Kocur, Angela Velez, Tara Gormel and Barbara Allen and each of them, attorneys and proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution and revocation to represent the undersigned and to vote on behalf of the undersigned all shares of Common Stock of ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Joint Special Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund to be held at 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York on November 7, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time and at any adjournments thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Meeting and accompanying proxy statement and hereby instructs said attorneys and proxies to vote said shares as indicated hereon. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting. A majority of the proxies present and acting at the Meeting in person or by substitute (or, if only one shall be so present, then that one) shall have and may exercise all of the power and authority of said proxies hereunder. The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy previously given.
This proxy, if properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by the stockholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted “FOR” Proposal 1.
VOTE VIA THE INTERNET: [URL]
VOTE VIA THE TELEPHONE: [phone number]
Note: PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME(S) APPEAR(S) ON THIS PROXY. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If signer is a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
Signature
Signature (if held jointly)
Date
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
VOTE ON THE INTERNET
Log on to: [URL]
or scan the QR code
Follow the on-screen instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE BY MAIL
Vote, sign and date this Proxy
Card and return in the
postage-paid envelope
VOTE BY PHONE
Call [phone number]
Follow the recorded instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE IN PERSON
Attend Stockholder Meeting
620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor
New York, New York
on November 7, 2018


LOGO

EVERY STOCKHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Joint Special Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on November 7, 2018.
The Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement and Proxy Card are available at: [URL]
Please detach at perforation before mailing.
If no specific instructions are provided, this proxy will be voted “FOR” the proposal and in the discretion of the proxies upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” for Proposal 1.
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK. Example:
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
To approve the merger of the Fund with and into ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law.
Any other business that may properly come before the Meeting.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.


LOGO

EVERY STOCKHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT
EASY VOTING OPTIONS:
Please detach at perforation before mailing.
PROXY CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC. PROXY
PROXY FOR THE JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 7, 2018
COMMON STOCK
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The undersigned hereby appoints Robert I. Frenkel, George P. Hoyt, Michael Kocur, Angela Velez, Tara Gormel and Barbara Allen and each of them, attorneys and proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution and revocation to represent the undersigned and to vote on behalf of the undersigned all shares of Common Stock of ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Joint Special Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund to be held at 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York on November 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time and at any adjournments thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Meeting and accompanying proxy statement and hereby instructs said attorneys and proxies to vote said shares as indicated hereon. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting. A majority of the proxies present and acting at the Meeting in person or by substitute (or, if only one shall be so present, then that one) shall have and may exercise all of the power and authority of said proxies hereunder. The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy previously given.
This proxy, if properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by the stockholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted “FOR” Proposal 1.
VOTE VIA THE INTERNET: [URL]
VOTE VIA THE TELEPHONE: [phone number]
Note: PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME(S) APPEAR(S) ON THIS PROXY. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If signer is a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
Signature
Signature (if held jointly)
Date
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
VOTE ON THE INTERNET
Log on to: [URL]
or scan the QR code
Follow the on-screen instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE BY MAIL
Vote, sign and date this Proxy
Card and return in the
postage-paid envelope
VOTE BY PHONE
Call [phone number]
Follow the recorded instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE IN PERSON
Attend Stockholder Meeting
620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor
New York, New York
on November 7, 2018


LOGO

EVERY STOCKHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Joint Special Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on November 7, 2018.
The Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement and Proxy Card are available at: [URL]
Please detach at perforation before mailing.
If no specific instructions are provided, this proxy will be voted “FOR” the proposal and in the discretion of the proxies upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” for Proposal 1.
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK. Example:
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
To approve the merger of ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc. with and into the Fund in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law.
Any other business that may properly come before the Meeting.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.


LOGO

EVERY STOCKHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT
EASY VOTING OPTIONS:
VOTE ON THE INTERNET
Log on to: [URL]
or scan the QR code
Follow the on-screen instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE BY PHONE
Call [phone number]
Follow the recorded instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE BY MAIL
Vote, sign and date this Proxy
Card and return in the
postage-paid envelope
VOTE IN PERSON
Attend Stockholder Meeting
620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor
New York, New York
on November 7, 2018
Please detach at perforation before mailing.
PROXY CLEARBRIDGE AMERICAN ENERGY MLP FUND INC. PROXY
PROXY FOR THE JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 7, 2018
PREFERRED STOCK
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The undersigned hereby appoints Robert I. Frenkel, George P. Hoyt, Michael Kocur, Angela Velez, Tara Gormel and Barbara Allen and each of them, attorneys and proxies for the undersigned, with full power of Note: PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME(S) APPEAR(S) ON THIS PROXY. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If signer is a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
Signature
Signature (if held jointly)
Date
substitution and revocation to represent the undersigned and to vote on behalf of the undersigned all shares of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock of ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Joint Special Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund to be held at 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York on November 7, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time and at any adjournments thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Meeting and accompanying proxy statement and hereby instructs said attorneys and proxies to vote said shares as indicated hereon. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting. A majority of the proxies present and acting at the Meeting in person or by substitute (or, if only one shall be so present, then that one) shall have and may exercise all of the power and authority of said proxies hereunder. The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy previously given.
This proxy, if properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by the stockholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted “FOR” Proposal 1.
VOTE VIA THE INTERNET: [URL]
VOTE VIA THE TELEPHONE: [phone number]
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.


LOGO

EVERY STOCKHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Joint Special Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on November 7, 2018.
The Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement and Proxy Card are available at: [URL]
Please detach at perforation before mailing.
If no specific instructions are provided, this proxy will be voted “FOR” the proposal and in the discretion of the proxies upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” for Proposal 1.
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK. Example:                
FOR                AGAINST    ABSTAIN
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE][GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE][GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]To approve the merger of the Fund with and into ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law.
Any other business that may properly come before the Meeting.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.


LOGO

EVERY STOCKHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT
EASY VOTING OPTIONS:
VOTE ON THE INTERNET
Log on to: [URL]
or scan the QR code
Follow the on-screen instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE BY PHONE
Call [phone number]
Follow the recorded instructions
available 24 hours
VOTE BY MAIL
Vote, sign and date this Proxy
Card and return in the
postage-paid envelope
VOTE IN PERSON
Attend Stockholder Meeting
620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor
New York, New York
on November 7, 2018
Please detach at perforation before mailing.
PROXY    CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC. PROXY
PROXY FOR THE JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 7, 2018
PREFERRED STOCK
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The undersigned hereby appoints Robert I. Frenkel, George P. Hoyt, Michael Kocur Angela Velez, Tara Gormel and Barbara Allen and each of them, attorneys and proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution and revocation to represent the undersigned and to vote on behalf of the undersigned all shares of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock of ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Joint Special Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund to be held at 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York on November 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time and at any adjournments thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Meeting and accompanying proxy statement and hereby instructs said attorneys and proxies to vote said shares as indicated hereon. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting. A majority of the proxies present and acting at the Meeting in person or by substitute (or, if only one shall be so present, then that one) shall have and may exercise all of the power and authority of said proxies hereunder. The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy previously given.
This proxy, if properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by the stockholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted “FOR” Proposal 1.
VOTE VIA THE INTERNET:    [URL]
VOTE VIA THE TELEPHONE: [phone number]
Note: PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME(S) APPEAR(S) ON THIS PROXY. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If signer is a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
Signature
Signature (if held jointly)
Date
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.


LOGO

EVERY STOCKHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Joint Special Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on November 7, 2018.
The Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement and Proxy Card are available at: [URL]
Please detach at perforation before mailing.
If no specific instructions are provided, this proxy will be voted “FOR” the proposal and in the discretion of the proxies upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” for Proposal 1.
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK. Example:                
FOR                AGAINST    ABSTAIN
To approve the merger of ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc. with and into the Fund in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law.
Any other business that may properly come before the Meeting.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

Exhibit 17(d)

TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICES AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT, dated as of March 14, 2016 (the “Effective Date”) by and between each of the investment companies listed on Schedule A attached hereto, as amended from time to time (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”) and each having its principal place of business as listed on Schedule A, as amended from time to time, and Computershare Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Computershare”), and its fully owned subsidiary Computershare Trust Company, N.A., a federally chartered trust company (“Trust Company”, and together with Computershare, “Transfer Agent”) each having a principal office and place of business at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021. Any references herein to “the Fund” are meant to encompass each applicable Fund or any series thereof, as the context requires.

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, each Fund desires to appoint Trust Company as its sole transfer agent and registrar for the Shares, and any dividend reinvestment plan or direct stock purchase plan for each Fund, and Computershare as dividend disbursement agent and as processer of all payments received or made by each Fund under this Agreement;

WHEREAS, Trust Company and Computershare will each separately provide specified services covered by this Agreement and, in addition, Trust Company may arrange for Computershare to act on behalf of Trust Company in providing certain of its services covered by this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Trust Company and Computershare desire to accept such respective appointments and perform the services related to such appointments;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises hereinafter set forth, each Fund and Transfer Agent agree as follows:

 

Article 1

Definitions

1.1 Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:

(a) “Account” means the account of each Shareholder which reflects any full or fractional Shares held by such Shareholder, outstanding funds, or reportable tax information.

(b) “Agreement” means this agreement and any and all exhibits or schedules attached hereto and any and all amendments or modifications which may from time to time be executed.

 

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(c) “Articles of Incorporation” shall mean the Articles of Incorporation, Declaration of Trust, or other similar organizational document as the case may be, of a Fund as the same may be amended from time to time.

(d) “Authorized Person” shall be any person, whether or not such person is an officer or employee of a Fund, duly authorized to give Oral Instructions or Written Instructions on behalf of a Fund as indicated in a written document that has been executed by the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary of the Fund and delivered to Transfer Agent from time to time.

(e) “Board Members” shall mean the Directors or Trustees of the governing body of the Fund, as the case may be.

(f) “Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors or Board of Trustees of the Fund, as the case may be.

(g) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(h) “Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(i) “Confidential Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 17.1(a) herein.

(j) “Custodian” refers to any custodian or subcustodian of securities and/or other property which a Fund may from time to time deposit, or cause to be deposited or held under the name or account of such a custodian pursuant to a custodian agreement.

(k) “DSPP” means direct stock purchase plan.

(l) “FATCA” shall mean Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and any regulations or agreements thereunder or official interpretations thereof or any intergovernmental agreement between the United States and another jurisdiction facilitating the implementation thereof (or any law implementing such an intergovernmental agreement).

(m) “IRS” shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Service.

(n) “1933 Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all as amended from time to time.

(o) “1934 Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all as amended from time to time.

(p) “1940 Act” shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all as amended from time to time.

 

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(q) “Oral Instructions” shall mean instructions (including via electronic mail), other than Written Instructions, received by Transfer Agent from a person reasonably believed by Transfer Agent to be an Authorized Person, with subsequent Written Instructions confirming the instructions (as described below), provided acceptance of Oral Instructions by Transfer Agent is subject to its policies and/or procedures for the specific type of instruction submitted;

(r) “Plans” means any dividend reinvestment plan, DSPP, or other investment programs administered by Trust Company for each Fund, whether as of the Effective Date or at any time during the term of this Agreement.

(s) “Prohibited Person” shall mean (1) a person, entity, or organization named on the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (the “SDN List”), as amended from time or (2) a person resident in, an entity organized under the laws of or having a place of business in, or the government of, a country or territory subject to the country-based U.S. trade sanctions programs administered and enforced by OFAC pursuant to any authorizing statute including, but not limited to, the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (50 U.S.C. § § 1701 et seq.), the Trading with the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. App. 1 et seq.) and any executive order, rule, or regulation promulgated thereunder.

(t) “Prospectus” shall mean the currently effective Fund Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, including supplements thereto, if any, which has been filed under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act.

(u) “Services” means all services performed or made available by Transfer Agent pursuant to this Agreement.

(v) “Shareholder” shall mean a holder of Shares of a Fund.

(w) “Shareholder Data” means all information maintained on the records database of Transfer Agent concerning Shareholders.

(x) “Shares” refers collectively to such shares of capital stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, of a Fund as may be issued from time to time.

(y) “Side Agreement” means the Side Agreement for Transfer Agency Services between the Funds and Transfer Agent dated as of March 1, 2016.

(z) “Written Instructions” shall mean (i) a written instruction signed by an Authorized Person, including manually executed originals and telefacsimile of a manually executed original or other process; (ii) trade instructions transmitted (and received by Transfer Agent) by means of an electronic transaction reporting system access to which requires use of a password or other authorized identifier; and (iii) electronic mail from an Authorized Person in a format mutually acceptable to the parties to this Agreement, provided acceptance of Written Instructions by Transfer Agent is subject to its policies and/or procedures for the specific type of instruction submitted.

 

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Article 2

Appointment of Transfer Agent

2.1 Each Fund hereby appoints Trust Company to act as sole Transfer Agent and registrar for all Shares and as administrator of Plans in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof and appoints Computershare as the service provider to Trust Company and as processor of all payments received or made by or on behalf of the Fund under this Agreement. Transfer Agent accepts each such appointment and agrees to perform the duties hereinafter set forth.

2.2 In connection with the appointments herein, each Fund will provide the following appointment and corporate authority documents to Transfer Agent:

(a) Copies of resolutions appointing Trust Company as the Transfer Agent;

(b) If applicable, specimens of all forms of outstanding Share certificates, in forms approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund, with a certificate of the Secretary of the Fund as to such approval;

(c) Specimens of the signatures of the officers or other authorized persons of the Fund authorized to sign Written Instructions and requests and, if applicable, sign Share certificates;

(d) Any and all opinions of counsel issued to the underwriter for any new Fund or future original issuance of Shares for any Fund added after the Effective Date for which Transfer Agent will act as transfer agent hereunder that may include:

 

  (i)

Fund is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of organization;

 

  (ii)

All Shares issued and outstanding on the date hereof were issued as part of an offering that was registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”) and any other applicable federal or state statute or that was exempt from such registration;

 

  (iii)

All Shares issued and outstanding on the date hereof are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; and

 

  (iv)

The use of facsimile signatures by Transfer Agent in connection with the countersigning and registering of Share certificates has been duly authorized by the Fund and is valid and effective.

 

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(e) A certificate of each Fund as to the Shares authorized, issued and outstanding, as well as a description of all reserves of unissued Shares relating to the exercise of options;

(f) A completed Internal Revenue Service Form 2678; and

(g) A completed W-8 or W-9, as applicable.

2.3 Fund shall, if applicable, inform Transfer Agent as soon as possible in advance as to: (a) the existence or termination of any restrictions on the transfer of Shares, the application to or removal from any Share of any legend restricting the transfer of such Shares (subject, in the case of removal of any legend, to delivery of a legal opinion from counsel to Fund in form and substance acceptable to Transfer Agent), or the substitution for such Share of a Share without such legend; (b) any authorized but unissued Shares reserved for specific purposes; (c) any outstanding Shares which are exchangeable for Shares and the basis for exchange; (d) reserved Shares subject to option and the details of such reservation; (e) any Share split or Share dividend; (f) any other relevant event or special instructions which may affect the Shares; and (g) any bankruptcy, insolvency or other proceeding regarding Fund affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights.

2.4 Fund shall perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, documents, instruments and assurances as Transfer Agent may reasonably require in order to carry out or perform its obligations under this Agreement.

2.5 Scope of Agency.

(a) Transfer Agent shall act solely as agent for each Fund under this Agreement and owes no duties hereunder to any other person. Transfer Agent undertakes to perform the duties and only the duties that are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement under Transfer Agent.

(b) Transfer Agent may rely upon, and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting in reliance upon, (i) any communication from Fund, any predecessor transfer agent or co-transfer agent or any registrar (other than Transfer Agent), predecessor registrar or co-registrar; (ii) any instruction, notice, request, direction, consent, report, certificate, opinion or other instrument, paper, document or electronic transmission believed by Transfer Agent in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or given by the proper parties; (iii) any guaranty of signature by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a member or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program or other comparable “signature guarantee program” or insurance program in addition to, or in substitution for, the foregoing; or (iv) any instructions received through Direct Registration System/Profile. In addition, Transfer Agent is authorized to refuse to make any transfer that it determines in good faith not to be in good order.

 

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Article 3

Duties of Transfer Agent

3.1 Transfer Agent shall be responsible for:

(a) Administering and/or performing the customary services of a transfer agent, agent of each Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan, and dividend disbursing agent; acting as service agent in connection with dividend and distribution functions; and, if applicable for performing shareholder account and administrative agent functions in connection with the Shares of each Fund, as more fully described in the written schedule of Duties of Transfer Agent in Exhibit 2 of the Side Agreement, and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and requirements of any governmental authority having jurisdiction over Transfer Agent with respect to the duties of Transfer Agent hereunder, and the procedures established from time to time between a Fund and Transfer Agent, provide services requested by a Fund to assist with liquidation or termination of the Fund, or provide assistance with any rights offerings to Shareholders, on terms and fees agreed upon by the parties. Transfer Agent shall perform its services as agent under each Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan in accordance with the plan described in the Fund’s reports to Shareholders.

(b) Transfer Agent shall perform its services as agent under each Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan in accordance with the plan described in the Fund’s reports to Shareholders. Trust Company shall perform all services under the Plans, as the administrator of such Plans, with the exception of payment processing for which Computershare has been appointed as agent by a Fund, and certain other services that Trust Company may subcontract to Computershare as permitted by applicable law ( e.g. , ministerial services).

(c) To the extent that a Fund does not have a DSPP as of the Effective Date, the Fund agrees that Trust Company may implement and administer Trust Company’s DSPP on behalf of the Fund at any time during the term of this Agreement, upon providing prior written notice to the Fund. In consideration of Trust Company receiving service and transaction fees from the DSPP participants in connection with its administration of the DSPP, Transfer Agent shall not charge any fees to the Fund for such administration.

(d) Transfer Agent shall act as agent for Shareholders pursuant to the Plans in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Plans. If applicable, each Fund hereby authorizes Computershare to receive all payments made to the Fund ( i.e. , optional cash purchases) or Transfer Agent under the Plans and make all payments required to be made under such Plans, including all payments required to be made to the Fund. For optional cash purchases, in the event funds are unavailable for any reason (including, without limitation, due to a rejection or reversal of the payment), Computershare shall sell the Shares purchased and any gain thereon shall accrue to Computershare.

(e) Recording the issuance of Shares and maintaining pursuant to Rule 17Ad-10(e) under the 1934 Act a record of the total number of Shares of each Fund which are

 

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authorized, based upon data provided to it by the Fund, and issued and outstanding. Transfer Agent shall provide each Fund on a regular basis, at such intervals as the parties hereto shall agree from time to time, with the total number of Shares that are authorized and issued and outstanding and shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance of Shares, to monitor the issuance of such Shares or to take cognizance of any laws relating to the issue or sale of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of the Fund. Transfer Agent will comply with all requirements applicable to a transfer agent under the 1934 Act and other state or federal securities laws, as applicable.

(f) Providing a quarterly certification in its standard form and, upon request, information, access and reports to a Fund or the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, as necessary for the Chief Compliance Officer or Fund to comply with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act.

3.2 In addition to the duties set forth in Exhibit 2 of the Side Agreement Transfer Agent shall perform such other duties and functions, and shall be paid such amounts therefor, as may from time to time be agreed upon in writing between a Fund and Transfer Agent. The compensation for such other duties and functions shall be reflected in a written amendment to Exhibit 3 of the Side Agreement and the duties and functions shall be reflected in an amendment to Exhibit 2 of the Side Agreement, both dated and signed by authorized persons of the parties hereto.

3.3 In the event that any requests or demands are made for the disclosure of Confidential Information, other than requests to Transfer Agent for Shareholder records pursuant to subpoenas from state or federal government authorities ( e.g. , probate, divorce and criminal actions), the party receiving such request will promptly notify the other party to secure instructions from an authorized officer of such party as to such request and to enable the other party the opportunity to obtain a protective order or other confidential treatment, unless such notification is otherwise prohibited by law or court order. Each party expressly reserves the right, however, to disclose Confidential Information to any person whenever it is advised by counsel that it may be held liable for the failure to disclose such Confidential Information or if required by law or court order.

3.4 If the parties mutually agree, they will negotiate in good faith certain service level standards that, once agreed upon, may be incorporated into this Agreement subsequent to the effective date of the Agreement.

3.5 Transfer Agent shall make available to each Fund and its Shareholders, through www.computershare.com (“Web Site”), online access to certain Account and Shareholder information and certain transaction capabilities (“Internet Services”), subject to Transfer Agent’s security procedures and the terms and conditions set forth herein and on the Web Site. Transfer Agent provides Internet Services “as is,” on an “as available” basis, and hereby specifically disclaims any and all representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding such Internet Services, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and implied warranties arising from course of dealing or course of performance.

 

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3.6 Fund agrees that the databases, programs, screen and report formats, interactive design techniques, Internet Services, software (including methods or concepts used therein, source code, object code, or related technical information) and documentation manuals furnished to a Fund by Transfer Agent as part of the Services are under the control and ownership of Transfer Agent or a third party (including its affiliates) and constitute copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary information (collectively, “Proprietary Information”). In no event shall Proprietary Information be deemed Shareholder Data. Each Fund agrees that Proprietary Information is of substantial value to Transfer Agent or other third party and will treat all Proprietary Information as confidential in accordance with Article 17 of this Agreement. Each Fund shall take reasonable efforts to advise its relevant employees and agents of its obligations pursuant to this Section 3.6.

3.7 Transfer Agent may provide real-time or delayed quotations and other market information and messages (“Market Data”), which Market Data is provided to Transfer Agent by certain third parties who may assert a proprietary interest in Market Data disseminated by them but do not guarantee the timeliness, sequence, accuracy or completeness thereof. Each Fund agrees and acknowledges that Transfer Agent shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage arising from or occasioned by any inaccuracy, error, delay in, omission of, or interruption in any Market Data or the transmission thereof.

3.8 Lost Shareholders; In-Depth Shareholder Search .

 

  (a)

Transfer Agent shall conduct such database searches to locate lost Shareholders as are required by Rule 17Ad-17 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”), without charge to the Shareholder. If a new address is so obtained in a database search for a lost Shareholder, Transfer Agent shall conduct a verification mailing and update its records for such Shareholder accordingly.

 

  (b)

Computershare may facilitate the performance of a more in-depth search for the purpose of (i) locating lost Shareholders for whom a new address is not obtained in accordance with clause (a) above, (ii) identifying Shareholders who are deceased (or locating the deceased Shareholder’s estate representative, heirs or other party entitled to act with respect to such Shareholder’s account (“Authorized Representative”)), and (iii) locating Shareholders whose accounts contain an uncashed check older than 180 days, in each case using the services of a locating service provider selected by Computershare, which service provider may be an affiliate of Computershare. Such provider may compensate Computershare for processing and other services that Computershare provides in connection with such in-depth search, including providing Computershare a portion of its service fees.

 

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  (c)

Upon locating any Shareholder (or such Shareholder’s Authorized Representative) pursuant to clause (b) above, the locating service provider shall clearly identify to such Shareholder (or such Shareholder’s Authorized Representative) all assets held in such Shareholder’s account. Such provider shall inform any such located Shareholders (or such Shareholder’s Authorized Representative) that such Shareholder (or such Shareholder’s Authorized Representative) may choose either (i) to contact Transfer Agent directly to obtain the assets in such account, at no charge other than any applicable fees to replace lost certificates, if applicable, or (ii) to use the services of such provider for a processing fee, which may not exceed 20% of the asset value of such Shareholder’s property where the registered Shareholder is living, deceased, or not a natural person; provided that in no case shall such fee exceed the maximum statutory fee permitted by the applicable state jurisdiction. If a Fund selects a locating service provider other than one selected by Computershare, then Transfer Agent shall not be responsible for the terms of any agreement between such provider and the Fund and additional fees may apply.

 

  (d)

Pursuant to Section 6.2 of this Agreement, each Fund hereby authorizes and instructs Transfer Agent to provide a Shareholder file or list of those Shareholders not located following the required Rule 17Ad-17 searches to any service provider administering any in-depth shareholder location program on behalf of Transfer Agent or a Fund. Each Fund hereby authorizes Computershare to stop payment of checks issued in payment of sales proceeds and of dividends, if applicable, but not presented for payment, when the payees thereof allege either that they have not received the checks or that such checks have been mislaid, lost, stolen, destroyed or, through no fault of theirs, are otherwise beyond their control and cannot be produced by them for presentation and collection, and Computershare shall issue and deliver duplicate checks in replacement thereof, and each Fund shall indemnify Transfer Agent against any loss or damage resulting from reissuance of the checks.

 

Article 4

Delegation of Responsibilities

4.1 With respect to any Fund, Transfer Agent may without the consent of the Funds delegate some or all of its duties under this Agreement to the subcontractors listed on Exhibit 4 of the Side Agreement, and to any new or existing subcontractor except with respect to the functions set forth in Section 4.2. Transfer Agent shall provide the Funds with written notice in the form of a quarterly report of any new subcontractor with access to Shareholder Data and a description of the services to be provided by each such subcontractor. Transfer Agent shall be as fully responsible to the applicable Fund for the acts and omissions of any subcontractor as it is for its own acts and omissions.

4.2 Transfer Agent may delegate any transfer agent functions set forth in Section 3(a)(25) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with the consent of the applicable Funds, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, to other parties that after reasonable inquiry Transfer Agent

 

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deems to be competent to assume such duties. In the event of any such delegation, Transfer Agent shall enter into a written agreement with the delegate in which the delegate will, among other things:

(a) agree to provide the services delegated consistent with the terms of this Agreement, a written schedule of performance standards developed by Transfer Agent as deemed necessary to comply with the terms of this Agreement, and applicable laws, regulations and requirements of any governmental authority having jurisdiction over the provision of such services; and

(b) represent and warrant that it is duly registered as may be required under all federal and state securities laws to perform the services delegated.

In any such circumstance, Transfer Agent will be responsible for the services of the delegates, as if Transfer Agent were performing the services itself.

4.3 Nothing herein shall impose any duty upon Transfer Agent in connection with or make Transfer Agent liable for the actions or omissions to act of unaffiliated third parties other than delegates referenced in Section 4.2 and subcontractors referenced in Sections 4.1 of this Agreement such as, by way of example and not limitation, airborne services, delivery services, the U.S. mails, and telecommunication companies, provided, if Transfer Agent selected such company, Transfer Agent exercised due care in selecting the same.

 

Article 5

Recordkeeping and Other Information

5.1 Transfer Agent may adopt as part of its records all Shareholder lists, Share ledgers, records, books, and documents which have been employed by a Fund or any of its agents and which are certified to be true, authentic and complete. Transfer Agent shall keep records as set forth in Exhibit 2 of the Side Agreement, in a form and manner it deems advisable, but in any event in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and consistent with the reasonable standards of the transfer agency industry. Transfer Agent agrees that all records prepared or maintained by it relating to the services provided under this Agreement, including records held in electronic storage, are the property of the applicable Fund and will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with the requirements of law and Transfer Agent’s records management policy, and will be surrendered promptly to the applicable Fund in accordance with its request subject to applicable law and Transfer Agent’s records management policy. The Transfer Agent will employ commercially reasonable security measures (including, but not limited to, virus protection safeguards, password protection and encryption – minimum AES 256 standard – at rest and in transit) reasonably acceptable to the Funds.

5.2 Transfer Agent agrees that all records prepared or maintained by Transfer Agent pertaining to the Services provided to a Fund hereunder are the property of the Fund and will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with Articles 5 and 15, and will be

 

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surrendered promptly to the Fund on and in accordance with the Fund’s request subject to applicable law and Transfer Agent’s records management policy. Transfer Agent will provide the Fund, at least annually, with the most recent SSAE16 or equivalent controls report in support of the services provided hereunder prepared by an independent third-party, and will provide executive summaries of the results of the most recent penetration and ethical hack testing conducted by a qualified independent third party on behalf of the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent shall cooperate with the Funds on any reasonable ongoing due diligence request, including, but not limited to, completion of Legg Mason’s Service Provider Security and Global Business Continuity questionnaires. Transfer Agent shall, upon 30 days written notice and no more frequently than once per year and at mutually agreed dates and times, allow a Fund, its auditors and/or its regulators, to inspect, examine, and audit (each, an “Audit”) Transfer Agent’s operations, procedures and business records that are relevant to the Services provided hereunder by Transfer Agent (collectively, “Records”) solely to determine Transfer Agent’s compliance with this Agreement and only to the extent that such Records were not included within the scope of the SSAE 16, AT 101, or equivalent audit conducted for Transfer Agent within the previous calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Transfer Agent may, in its sole discretion, prohibit the Fund from entering certain areas of its facilities for security reasons, in which case Transfer Agent will provide a Fund with alternative access to the Records, information or personnel in such restricted area, to the extent reasonably possible. Audits shall not include penetration testing. Further, the Fund agrees that any Audit includes the right of the Fund to inspect Records on site at Transfer Agent’s office, but not the right to copy Records, except for Fund records or Shareholder Data. The Fund will provide Transfer Agent with a written Scope of Work including a mutually agreed level of detail, at least 10 business days in advance of commencement of an Audit. Transfer Agent shall cooperate reasonably and in good faith with the Fund’s internal or external auditors to ensure a prompt and accurate Audit. In addition, Transfer Agent shall address within a reasonable time period and in the manner determined by Transfer Agent any practices found to be non-compliant with this Agreement after receipt of the Fund’s Audit report. The Fund acknowledges that Transfer Agent may require any such auditors and/or regulators of the Fund to agree to written confidentiality provisions relating to Transfer Agent’s proprietary and confidential information that such auditors and/or regulators may have access to during any such Audit. The Fund agrees to compensate Transfer Agent for all out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with any Audit, and also agrees to compensate Transfer Agent in accordance with the Transfer Agent fee schedule in effect at the time such Audit, for the time of each Transfer Agent employee required to assist such Audit; provided, however, that in no event shall the Fund be charged for the time incurred by Transfer Agent’s Relationship Management employees required to assist such Audit. Such fees must be pre-approved by Fund. For the avoidance of doubt, a Fund’s reasonable request to review a sampling of Fund records in connection with any routine diligence will not constitute an Audit.

 

Article 6

Fund Instructions

6.1 Transfer Agent will not be liable for its acting upon Written or Oral Instructions reasonably believed to have been delivered by an Authorized Person in accordance with the

 

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terms of this Agreement and the standard of care provided in Article 10, and Transfer Agent will not be held to have any notice of any change of authority of any person, including any Authorized Person, until receipt of a Written Instruction thereof from a Fund. Transfer Agent will maintain written procedures reasonably designed to promptly respond to changes in the identities of Authorized Persons.

6.2 At any time, Transfer Agent may request Written Instructions from a Fund with respect to any matter arising in connection with this Agreement, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with such Written Instructions. Written Instructions requested by Transfer Agent will be provided by a Fund within a reasonable period of time. At any time, Transfer Agent may seek advice from legal counsel for the Fund, or its own legal counsel, with respect to any question of law arising in the course of Transfer Agent performing its duties in connection with this Agreement, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with the opinion of counsel for a Fund or for Transfer Agent, provided that Transfer Agent at its own expense communicates to a Fund such opinion of counsel to Transfer Agent prior to taking the action in question.

6.3 Transfer Agent, its officers, agents or employees, shall accept Oral Instructions or Written Instructions given to them by any person representing or acting on behalf of a Fund only if said representative is an Authorized Person.

 

Article 7

Compensation

7.1 Each Fund will compensate Transfer Agent or cause Transfer Agent to be compensated for the performance of its obligations hereunder (including for providing support services after a Fund’s termination, liquidation, reorganization or merger if requested) in accordance with the fees set forth in the written schedule of fees in Exhibit 3 of the Side Agreement. Transfer Agent will transmit an invoice to a Fund as soon as practicable after the end of each calendar month which will be detailed in accordance with Exhibit 3 of the Side Agreement, and the Fund will pay to Transfer Agent the amount of such invoice within thirty (30) days after the Fund’s receipt of the invoice, except for any fees or expenses that are subject to a good faith dispute. In the event of such a dispute, a Fund may only withhold that portion of the fee or expense subject to the good faith dispute. A Fund shall notify Transfer Agent in writing within thirty (30) days following the receipt of each invoice if the Fund is intends to dispute any amounts in good faith.

7.2 In addition, each Fund agrees to pay, and will be billed separately for, reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Transfer Agent in the performance of its duties hereunder. Out-of-pocket expenses shall be the items specified in the written schedule of out-of-pocket charges in Exhibit 3 of the Side Agreement, and such other items to which the parties may agree from time to time. Exhibit 3 of the Side Agreement may be modified only by written agreement between the parties. Unspecified out-of-pocket expenses shall be limited to those unexpected

 

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and non-routine out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by Transfer Agent in the performance of its obligations hereunder. Out-of-pocket rates may change from time to time based upon charges received from Transfer Agent’s vendors, at Transfer Agent’s sole discretion, including any postal rate increases.

7.3 Any compensation agreed to hereunder may be adjusted from time to time by attaching to Exhibit 3 of the Side Agreement a revised fee schedule executed and dated by the parties hereto.

7.4 All funds received by Computershare under this Agreement that are to be distributed or applied by Computershare in the performance of Services (the “Monies”) shall be held by Computershare as agent for the Fund and deposited in one or more bank accounts to be maintained by Computershare in its name as agent for the Fund. Until paid pursuant to this Agreement, Computershare may hold or invest the Monies through such accounts in: (i) obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States of America, (ii) commercial paper obligations rated A-1 or P-1 or better by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), respectively, (iii) AAA rated money market funds with a Fixed NAV that comply with Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, or (iv) bank deposit accounts of commercial banks with Tier 1 capital exceeding $1 billion or with an average rating above investment grade by S&P (LT Local Issuer Credit Rating), Moody’s (Long Term Rating) and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (LT Issuer Default Rating) (each as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P.). The Funds shall have no responsibility or liability for any diminution of the Monies that may result from any deposit or investment made by Computershare in accordance with this paragraph, except for any losses resulting from a default by any bank, financial institution or other third party. Computershare may from time to time receive interest, dividends or other earnings in connection with such deposits or investments. Computershare shall not be obligated to pay such interest, dividends or earnings to the Fund, any Shareholder or any other party.

 

Article 8

Representations and Warranties

8.1 Each Fund represents and warrants to Transfer Agent that:

(a) it is duly organized, existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized;

(b) it is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and/or By-laws to enter into this Agreement;

(c) all corporate proceedings required by said Articles of Incorporation, By-laws and applicable laws have been taken to authorize it to enter into this Agreement; and

 

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(d) a registration statement under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act on behalf of the Fund, with respect to all Funds subject to this Agreement that are to be sold in transactions requiring such registration, is currently effective and will remain effective, and all appropriate state securities law filings have been made with respect to all Shares being offered for sale except for any Shares which are offered in a transaction or series of transactions which are exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, 1934 Act and state securities laws.

(e) The Shares issued and outstanding on the date hereof have been duly authorized, validly issued and are fully paid and are non-assessable; and any Shares to be issued hereafter, when issued, shall have been duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid and will be non-assessable.

(f) The use of facsimile signatures by Transfer Agent in connection with the countersigning and registering of Share certificates has been duly authorized by Fund and is valid and effective.

8.2 Transfer Agent makes the representations and warranties below, which are and shall remain true and correct throughout the term of the Agreement:

(a) Trust Company is a federally chartered trust company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the United States and Computershare is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and each has full power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement.

(b) it is qualified to carry on its business in jurisdictions in which it is present;

(c) it is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and By-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement;

(d) all corporate proceedings required by said Articles of Incorporation, By-laws and applicable laws have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement, which constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Transfer Agent enforceable against Transfer Agent in accordance with its terms;

(e) it is a transfer agent fully registered as a transfer agent pursuant to Section 17A(c)(2) of the 1934 Act, and such registration will remain in effect for the duration of this Agreement and Transfer Agent will promptly notify the Funds in the event of any change in its status as a registered transfer agent;

(f) it is in compliance with all federal and state laws, rules and regulations applicable to its transfer agency business and the performance of its duties, obligations and services under this Agreement;

 

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(g) the various procedures and systems which it has implemented with regard to safeguarding from loss or damage attributable to fire, theft, data/security breaches or any other cause, each Fund’s records and other data and Transfer Agent’s records, data equipment facilities and other property used in the performance of its obligations hereunder are consistent with industry standards applicable to serving as a transfer agent and that Transfer Agent will make such changes therein from time to time as it may deem reasonably necessary to make this representation and warranty true throughout the term of this Agreement and any extensions thereof;

(h) it will provide to a Fund, upon request, its certification by a senior officer relating to the adequacy of its internal controls for handling of the Fund’s information and it will engage a certified public accounting firm to conduct a SSAE 16, AT 101, or equivalent audit of the control environment and activities of Transfer Agent and prepare a report on an annual basis. Transfer Agent shall make available to the Funds a copy of each such report prepared in connection with each such audit, within a reasonable amount of time after receipt; and

(i) it has access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement.

8.3 If any out-of-proof condition caused by Fund or any of its prior agents arises during any term of this Agreement, Fund will, promptly upon Transfer Agent’s request, provide Transfer Agent with funds or shares sufficient to resolve the out-of-proof condition.

 

Article 9

Indemnification

9.1 Transfer Agent shall not be responsible for, and the relevant Fund shall indemnify and hold Transfer Agent harmless from and against, any and all losses, damages, reasonable costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, reasonable expenses and liability (collectively referred to as “Losses”) arising out of or attributable to:

(a) All actions of Transfer Agent or its agents or delegates required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such Fund, provided that such actions are taken in good faith and without negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its duties or their own duties hereunder and are not violations of applicable law or regulation pertaining to the manner transfer agency services are performed and not otherwise a breach of this Agreement (including the standard of care provided in Article 10);

(b) The reasonable reliance by Transfer Agent or its agents or delegates upon, and any subsequent use of or action taken or omitted by Transfer Agent or its agents or delegates pursuant to: (i) any Written Instructions of any Authorized Person; or (ii) any paper or document, reasonably believed, in conformity with security procedures established by Transfer Agent from time to time, to be genuine, authentic and signed by an Authorized Person; unless, in each case, such Losses are due to its failure to perform in accordance with its procedures, or its negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or reckless disregard, violations of applicable law or regulation pertaining to the manner transfer agency services are performed or otherwise a breach of this Agreement (including the standard of care provided in Article 10); or

 

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(c) The offer or sale of Shares in violation of federal or state securities laws or regulations requiring that such Shares be registered or in violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal or any state agency with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares.

9.2 A Fund shall not be responsible for, and Transfer Agent shall indemnify and hold each Fund, and its affiliates, Board Members, officers, employees, successors, permitted assigns, agents and representatives (the “Fund Indemnitees”), harmless from and against any and all Losses arising out of or attributable to all actions of Transfer Agent or its agents taken outside of the scope of this Agreement or caused by Transfer Agent’s negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct, its breach of Article 17 of this Agreement or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder, or violations of applicable laws or regulations pertaining to the manner in which transfer agency services are performed or otherwise are a breach of this Agreement. Any liability of the Transfer Agent shall be limited as set forth in Exhibit 1 of the Side Agreement.

9.3 In any case in which a party hereto (the “Indemnifying Party”) may be asked to indemnify or hold the other party (the “Indemnified Party”) harmless, the Indemnifying Party shall be promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question. The Indemnified Party will notify the Indemnifying Party promptly after identifying any situation which it believes presents or appears likely to present a claim for indemnification against the Indemnifying Party although the failure to do so shall not prevent recovery by the Indemnified Party, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party shall have been prejudiced by such failure. The Indemnified Party shall keep the Indemnifying Party advised with respect to all such developments concerning any claim, demand, action or suit or other proceeding (a “Claim”), which may be the subject of this indemnification. The Indemnifying Party shall have the option to participate with the Indemnified Party in defending against any Claim which may be the subject of this indemnification, and, in the event that the Indemnifying Party so elects, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party and reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, and thereupon the Indemnifying Party shall take over complete defense of the Claim and the Indemnified Party shall sustain no further legal or other expenses in respect of such Claim. The Indemnified Party will not confess any Claim or make any compromise in any case in which the Indemnifying Party will be asked to provide indemnification, except with the Indemnifying Party’s prior written consent. The parties shall cooperate with each other in defense of any Claim. In no event will either party be liable for any settlement of any action or Claim effected without its prior written consent. The obligations of the parties hereto under this Article 9 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

9.4 Except for remedies that cannot be waived as a matter of law (and injunctive or provisional relief), the provisions of this Article 9 shall be a party’s sole and exclusive remedy for Claims or other actions or proceedings to which the other party’s indemnification obligations pursuant to this Article 9 may apply.

 

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9.5 The Board Members of a Fund, its officers and Shareholders shall not be liable for any obligations of the Fund under this Agreement, and Transfer Agent agrees that in asserting any rights or claims under this Agreement against a Fund, it shall look only to the assets and property of the Fund in settlement of such rights or Claims and not to such members of the Board, its officers or Shareholders, or any other Fund.

9.6 Transfer Agent agrees to provide each Fund with certificates of its insurance coverage for errors and omissions insurance, fidelity bonds or crime insurance, electronic data processing coverages and any other insurance coverage related to Transfer Agent’s services to the Funds, and agrees to provide updated certificates annually or as requested by the Fund.

 

Article 10

Standard of Care

10.1 Transfer Agent shall provide its services as transfer agent in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 17A under the 1934 Act. In performing the responsibilities delegated to it under this Agreement, Transfer Agent shall at all times act in good faith and agrees to exercise reasonable care, diligence and expertise of a transfer agent having responsibility for providing transfer agent services, but shall not be liable for any damages arising out of Transfer Agent’s performance of or failure to perform its duties under this Agreement, except to the extent set forth in Section 9.2 of this Agreement and subject to Exhibit 1 of the Side Agreement.

 

Article 11

Consequential Damages

11.1 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither Transfer Agent nor a Fund shall be liable to the other party for any consequential, special or indirect losses or damages which the party may incur or suffer by or as a consequence of the other party’s performance of the services provided hereunder.

 

Article 12

Insurance

12.1 Transfer Agent shall maintain insurance coverage including, without limitation, errors and omissions, fidelity bond or equivalent crime insurance and electronic data processing coverages at levels of coverage consistent with those customarily maintained by other high quality transfer agents for registered investment companies. Upon the request of a Fund, Transfer Agent shall provide evidence that such coverage is in place. Transfer Agent shall promptly notify the Funds in the event that such coverage is materially reduced or cancelled. To the extent that policies of insurance may provide for coverage of claims for liability or indemnity by the parties set forth in this Agreement, the contracts of insurance shall take precedence, and to the extent permitted by Transfer Agent’s respective policies no provision of this Agreement shall be construed to relieve an insurer of any obligation to pay claims to the Fund, Transfer Agent or other insured party which would otherwise be a covered claim in the absence of any provision of this Agreement.

 

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Article 13

Security

13.1 Transfer Agent represents, warrants and agrees that it shall itself implement and, as required, enter into and shall maintain in effect with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable procedures and systems with regard to the safeguarding from loss or damage attributable to fire, theft or any other cause (including provision for twenty-four hours a day restricted access) of Confidential Information and each Fund’s records and other data and Transfer Agent’s records, data equipment facilities and other property used in the performance of its obligations hereunder, that are consistent with industry standards applicable to entities, including those serving as a transfer agent, that hold “personally identifiable information,” as defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and, provided further, that Transfer Agent will make such changes therein from time to time as it may deem reasonably necessary for the secure performance of its obligations hereunder, and that Transfer Agent’s equipment, facilities and other property used in the performance of its obligations hereunder are and shall be reasonable and comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and governmental standards, and it will make such changes therein from time to time as in its reasonable judgment, are required for the secure performance of its obligations hereunder, or as agreed upon by the parties. Transfer Agent agrees to review and consider the implementation of any written safeguarding policy concerning the security, confidentiality and privacy of a Fund’s blank checks, records and other data, which policy may be changed from time to time. Transfer Agent shall review such systems and procedures on a periodic basis (no less than annually). In no event shall Transfer Agent’s systems and procedures described in this Article 13.1 be less protective than those systems and procedures provided by Transfer Agent to other registered investment companies.

13.2 In the event of a breach of Confidential Information arising out of Transfer Agent’s negligence or willful misconduct, Transfer Agent will provide notices to and offer credit monitoring or other similar services for a one-year period to Fund Shareholders, subject to the limitation of liability in Exhibit 1 of the Side Agreement. Transfer Agent agrees that a breach of this Article 13.2 would irreparably damage each Fund and accordingly agrees that each Fund is entitled, without bond or other security, to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or halt breaches of this Article 13.2. The provisions of this Article 13.2 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

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13.3 Unauthorized Disclosure . As may be required by law and without limiting any party’s rights in respect of a breach of this Section 13, each party will promptly:

 

  (a)

notify the other party in writing of any unauthorized possession, use or disclosure of the other party’s Confidential Information by any person or entity that may become known to such party;

 

  (b)

furnish to the other party full details of the unauthorized possession, use or disclosure; and

 

  (c)

use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent a recurrence of any such unauthorized possession, use or disclosure of Confidential Information.

13.4 Costs . Each party will bear the costs it incurs as a result of compliance with this Article 13.

 

Article 14

Disaster Recovery

14.1 Transfer Agent shall enter into and shall maintain in effect with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable provisions for periodic backup of computer files and data with respect to a Fund and emergency use of electronic data processing equipment. In the event of equipment failures, Transfer Agent shall, at no additional expense to a Fund, take reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions caused by equipment failure.

14.2 Transfer Agent shall: (i) maintain a comprehensive business recovery plan that: (A) is not less protective than the plan overview provided to a Fund by Transfer Agent as part of the Fund’s periodic review of its service providers; and (B) provides for sufficient recovery of its back office and administrative operations to enable Transfer Agent, within 24 hours or such other period as may be agreed upon in writing between the parties after any event necessitating the use of such plan to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) test such business recovery plan no less frequently than annually and upon request, the Fund may test its ability to access Issuer Online or similar issuer portal to Transfer Agent’s recordkeeping system during the disaster recovery test. Transfer Agent, upon request, will provide Fund a copy of its annual disaster recovery attestation letter. Transfer Agent shall maintain, at a location other than its normal location, appropriate redundant facilities for operational back-up in the event of a power failure, disaster or other interruption. Transfer Agent shall back-up each Fund’s records maintained by Transfer Agent, and shall store the backup in a secure manner at a location other than its normal location, so that, in the event of a power failure, disaster or other interruption at such normal location, the records will be maintained intact and will enable Transfer Agent to perform the Services under this Agreement. In the event of a business disruption that materially impacts Transfer Agent’s provision of Services under this Agreement, Transfer Agent will promptly notify the Funds of the disruption and the steps being implemented under the business continuity plan.

 

Article 15

The U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

15.1 Transfer Agent shall collect from all shareholders registered on the books of each Fund (each a “Customer”, and, collectively, the “Customers”), valid documentation sufficient to

 

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establish the US-status or non-US status, as the case may be, of each such Customer, for purposes of FATCA including by requiring Customers to provide Transfer Agent with an executed IRS Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E or other applicable IRS Form W-8 (or any successor thereto) and/or an IRS Form W-9 (or any successor thereto). All such documentation is hereinafter referred to as the “Customer Information.” Transfer Agent shall resolve to the reasonable satisfaction of a Fund any discrepancies in any Customer Information.

15.2 Transfer Agent shall monitor Customers and Customer Information for any changes with respect to a Customer’s US or non-US status in accordance with IRS FATCA regulations.

15.3 Transfer Agent shall comply with all applicable provisions of FATCA to the extent it is US Withholding Agent as that term is defined under FATCA, and shall take such actions as are necessary to ensure that (i) it is not and does not become subject to any withholding under FATCA on any payments made to it pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) the Funds do not become subject to any withholding under FATCA solely as a result of this Agreement or the provision of services by the Transfer Agent hereunder.

 

Article 16

Term and Termination

16.1 This Agreement shall be effective on the date first written above and shall continue for a period of 4 years from the date first stated above (the “Initial Term”) unless terminated pursuant to the provisions of this Article 16 or, with respect to any individual Fund, until the earlier liquidation and/or merger of such Fund, as applicable. This Agreement will renew automatically from year to year (each a “Renewal Term”), unless a terminating party gives; written notice at least 90 days prior to termination of the then-current Initial Term or Renewal Term. This Agreement may be terminated by Transfer Agent or the Funds upon written notice to the other party of a material breach of this Agreement that is not cured within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice (provided a material breach by Transfer Agent could be as a result of persistent non-material breaches or persistent failure to meet the key performance indicators pursuant to Article 31, which taken together amount to a material breach), in which case the termination shall be effective as soon as practicable or such later date as may be specified in the breach termination notice. A material breach includes (i) the loss or suspension of the Transfer Agent’s registration as a transfer agent pursuant to Section 17(a)(c)2 of the 1934 Act, or any other license or registration necessary for the Transfer Agent to perform its duties under this Agreement and (2) the insolvency or bankruptcy of either party or the appointment of a receiver for a party. In all cases, termination by the non-breaching party shall not constitute a waiver by the non-breaching party of any other rights it might have under this Agreement or otherwise against the defaulting party. For purposes of this Agreement, the merger, reorganization or liquidation of a Fund shall not be deemed a termination of the Agreement with respect to any other Fund. Fees with respect to such Fund shall cease on the date of such merger, reorganization or liquidation.

 

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16.2 In the event a termination notice is given by a Fund (other than in connection with the liquidation, reorganization or merger of the Fund), the Fund shall provide to Transfer Agent a resolution of the Board of Directors, certified by the Secretary of the Fund, designating a successor transfer agent or transfer agents. Until such a successor transfer agent or transfer agents are designated, this Agreement will remain in effect unless Transfer Agent is notified otherwise by the applicable Fund.

16.3 Upon any notice of termination of services hereunder (whether as to only certain Funds or as to some or all of the non-core transfer agency services under this Agreement), Transfer Agent shall commence taking commercially reasonable steps, without additional compensation (except as provided below), to transfer the books and records and any other property of the applicable Fund held hereunder to a successor transfer agent, in a mutually agreed upon format, and to provide reasonable assistance and cooperation in connection with the transition, provided however, that such reasonable assistance and cooperation shall be limited to a period of one hundred and eighty (180) days from the date of termination of this Agreement (or such longer period to which Transfer Agent and a Fund may agree, including any period of post-termination services for the Fund), under the terms that the parties may agree upon. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason, (a) all fees earned and expenses incurred by Transfer Agent up to and including the date of such termination or expiration shall be immediately due and payable to Agent on or before the effective date of such termination or expiration, (b) any applicable Fund shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs as contemplated by Article 7.2 and (ii) a conversion fee in an amount equal to 10% of the aggregate fees (not including reimbursable expenses) incurred by Funds during the immediately preceding twelve (12) month period, for standard conversion services.

16.4 A Fund will not be responsible for any fees, other than as set forth in Section 16.3, to Transfer Agent after the date of the Fund’s termination, liquidation, reorganization or merger unless the Fund requests Transfer Agent to provide support services after such action and Transfer Agent agrees to provide such services.

 

Article 17

Confidentiality/Privacy

17.1 Each party shall keep the Confidential Information (as defined in subsection (a) below) of the other party in confidence and will not use or disclose or allow access to or use of such Confidential Information except as further set forth herein or as otherwise expressly agreed in writing. Each party acknowledges that the Confidential Information of the disclosing party will remain the sole property of such party. The parties further agree that a breach of this provision would irreparably damage the other party and accordingly agree that each of them is entitled, without bond or other security, to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or halt breaches of this provision. Notwithstanding the foregoing, or anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each Fund is hereby authorized to identify Transfer Agent in its reports to Shareholders, registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, and to file this Agreement as an exhibit to such registration statement.

 

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(a) “Confidential Information” means (i) any and all technical or business information relating to a party, including, without limitation, financial, marketing and product development information and Proprietary Information, (ii) non-public personal information of a Fund’s Shareholders, including Customer Information, (iii) the terms and conditions (but not the existence) of this Agreement, including all compensation agreements, arrangements and understandings (including waivers) respecting this Agreement, disputes pertaining to this Agreement, (iv) information related to security, disaster recovery, business continuity and any other operational plans, procedures, practices and protocols, and (v) anything designated as confidential, that is disclosed or otherwise becomes known to the other party or its affiliates, agents or representatives before or during the term of this Agreement.

(b) Information or data that would otherwise constitute Confidential Information under subsection (a) above shall not constitute Confidential Information to the extent it: (i) is already known to the receiving party without a duty of confidentiality at the time it is obtained; (ii) is or becomes publicly known or available through no wrongful act of the receiving party; (iii) is rightfully received from a third party who, to the receiving party’s knowledge, is not under a duty of confidentiality; (iv) is released by the protected party to a third party without restriction; or (v) has been or is independently developed or obtained by the receiving party without reference to the Confidential Information provided by the protected party.

(c) To the extent that a party hereto discloses the Confidential Information of another party hereto in accordance with Article 3.3, such disclosing party shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that the recipient of such Confidential Information is bound, contractually or otherwise, to confidentiality terms consistent with this Article 17.1.

(d) The provisions of this Article 17.1 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

17.2 Each party represents, warrants and agrees that it has adopted and implemented, and shall maintain written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent unauthorized access to or use of, or other compromise of Confidential Information, and address administrative, technical and physical safeguards, including encryption where required or appropriate, for the protection of Confidential Information in compliance with Regulation S-P promulgated under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (“Regulation S-P”), to the extent applicable, and all other applicable laws, rules, regulations, and governmental standards. Each party represents, warrants and agrees that it will use Confidential Information only in compliance with all of the following: (i) the provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation Article 17; (ii) its own privacy policy, as amended and updated from time to time; and (iii) privacy laws and regulations applicable to it, including the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999.

 

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When each party disposes of Confidential Information, it shall properly dispose of Confidential Information, including, without limitation, any electronic or physical copies in any form subject to the terms of Section 5.1, by taking reasonable measures to protect against unauthorized access to or use of the records or information in connection with its disposal by properly destroying such records and data so that the information contained therein cannot be practicably read or reconstructed, as required by all applicable laws, rules, regulations and governmental standards. The provisions of this Article 17.2 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

Article 18

Force Majeure

18.1 No party shall be liable for any default or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement if and to the extent such default or delay is caused, directly or indirectly, by (i) fire, flood, elements of nature or other acts of God; (ii) any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, war, riots or civil disorders in any country; (iii) any act or omission of any governmental authority; (iv) any labor disputes beyond the reasonable control of such party; (v) terrorist acts; or (v) nonperformance by a third party or any similar cause beyond the reasonable control of such party, including without limitation, failures or fluctuations in telecommunications or other equipment; except, in each case, to the extent that the non-performing party shall have failed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the likelihood of occurrence of such circumstances or to mitigate any loss or damage to the other party caused by such circumstances, or has not complied with the terms of Article 14. In any such event, the non-performing party shall be excused from any further performance and observance of the obligations so affected only for as long as such circumstances prevail and such party continues to use commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate damages and to recommence performance or observance as soon as practicable. This Article 18 shall not in any way limit Transfer Agent’s obligations under Article 14.

18.2 Upon request, Transfer Agent shall provide the Funds with a summary of any business continuity plan and disaster recovery plan during the term of this Agreement.

 

Article 19

Assignment

19.1 This Agreement may not be assigned or otherwise transferred by either party, without the prior written consent of the other party , which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that Transfer Agent may, upon 90 days’ notice to the Fund, in its sole discretion, assign all its right, title and interest in this Agreement to an affiliate, parent or subsidiary of Transfer Agent who meets all qualifications required of Transfer Agent under this Agreement and is qualified to act as such under the 1934 Act. In any event, the assignment or transfer of this Agreement shall not relieve Transfer Agent of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement.

 

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Article 20

Notices

20.1 Any notice or other instrument authorized or required by this Agreement to be given in writing to a Fund or Transfer Agent, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to that party and received by it at its office set forth below or at such other place as it may from time to time designate in writing.

To the Funds:

Legg Mason Funds

100 First Stamford Place - 7th Floor

Stamford, Connecticut 06902

Attn: Robert I. Frenkel, Secretary

Fax: (203) 703-6248

For a data or cybersecurity breach:

E-mail:  Cybersecurity@leggmason.com

To Transfer Agent:

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

250 Royall Street

Canton, MA 02021

Attn: General Counsel

 

Article 21

Governing Law/Venue

21.1 The laws of the State of New York, shall govern the interpretation, validity, and enforcement of this agreement, without regard to the laws on conflicts of laws.

21.2 Any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chosen Court. The Chosen Court shall be the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”), unless such action cannot be brought in SDNY, in which case the Chosen Court shall be the appropriate New York State court located in New York (Manhattan), New York. Each Fund and Transfer Agent (a) waive any objection to the jurisdiction of the Chosen Court; (b) waive any objection to venue in the Chosen Court; and (c) waive any objection that the Chosen Court is an inconvenient forum.

 

Article 22

Counterparts

22.1 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original; but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument. A signature to this Agreement executed and/or transmitted electronically shall have the same authority, effect, and enforceability as an original signature.

 

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Article 23

Captions

23.1 The captions of this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.

 

Article 24

Survival

24.1 All provisions regarding indemnification, warranty, liability and limits thereon, compensation and expenses and confidentiality and protection of proprietary rights and trade secrets shall survive the termination and expiration of this Agreement.

 

Article 25

Priorities

25.1 In the event of any conflict, discrepancy, or ambiguity between the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and any schedules or attachments hereto, the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement shall take precedence.

 

Article 26

Reserved

 

Article 27

Publicity

27.1 Neither a Fund nor Transfer Agent shall release or publish news releases, public announcements, advertising or other publicity relating to this Agreement or to the transactions contemplated by it without the prior review and written approval of the other party; provided, however, that either party may make such disclosures as are required by legal, accounting or regulatory requirements after making reasonable efforts under the circumstances to notify the other party in advance.

 

Article 28

Relationship of Parties

28.1 The parties agree that they are independent contractors and not partners or co-venturers and nothing contained herein shall be interpreted or construed otherwise.

28.2 Except as explicitly stated elsewhere in this Agreement, nothing under this Agreement shall be construed to give any rights or benefits in this Agreement to anyone other than Transfer Agent and the Funds, and the duties and responsibilities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of Transfer Agent and the Funds. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

 

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Article 29

Entire Agreement; Severability

29.1 This Agreement, including Schedules and Exhibits hereto and any agreed-upon procedures referenced herein, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous proposals, agreements, contracts, representations, and understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. No change, termination, modification, or waiver of any term or condition of the Agreement shall be valid unless in writing signed by the Transfer Agent and the applicable Fund. A party’s waiver of a breach of any term or condition in the Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or another term or condition.

29.2 The parties intend every provision of this Agreement to be severable. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any term or provision is illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement. In such case, the parties shall in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of the parties. Without limiting the generality of this Article 29.2, if a court determines that any remedy stated in this Agreement has failed of its essential purpose, then all other provisions of this Agreement, including the limitations on liability and exclusion of damages, shall remain fully effective.

 

Article 30

Customer Identification Program Notice

30.1 To help the U.S. government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, U.S. Federal law requires each financial institution to obtain, verify, and record certain information that identifies each person who initially opens an account with that financial institution. Transfer Agent and certain of Transfer Agent’s affiliates are financial institutions, and Transfer Agent may, as a matter of policy, request (or may have already requested) a Fund’s name, address and taxpayer identification number or other government-issued identification number. Transfer Agent may also ask (and may have already asked) for additional identifying information, and Transfer Agent may take steps (and may have already taken steps) to verify the authenticity and accuracy of these data elements.

 

Article 31

Key Performance Indicators

31.1 The Transfer Agent and the Funds may from time to time agree to document the manner in which they expect to deliver and receive the services contemplated by this Agreement. The parties agree that such measures (hereinafter referred to as a “KPI (s)”) listed in Exhibit 5 of the Side Agreement reflect performance goals and any failure to perform in accordance with the provisions thereof shall not in and of itself be considered a breach of contract that gives rise to contractual or other remedies unless such failure is persistent and not remedied after consultation. Nothing in this Article 31 shall modify any party’s applicable standard of care under this Agreement, and the holding of such meeting of the parties shall not be construed to prevent a party from pursuing any remedy otherwise available to it pursuant to this Agreement.

 

- 26 -


31.2 The parties agree to periodically review the Transfer Agent’s performance against the KPIs.

31.3 Where any such review reveals that one specific KPI has measured at a “red” or “amber” status for three consecutive months (“Rectification Trigger”) (provided there have been at least 50 transactions during each month for such KPI), the Funds may, in their sole discretion invoke the process set out in this Article 31.3:

 

  (a)

The Transfer Agent shall investigate, assemble and preserve (in accordance with its records management policy) all pertinent information with respect to, and report the root causes of the problem that led to the Rectification Trigger and the Funds shall provide such assistance as the Transfer Agent may request;

 

  (b)

The Transfer Agent shall propose an appropriate written corrective action plan (“Rectification Plan”) with respect to such failure and in any event within ten (10) Business Days, or as otherwise reasonably agreed by the Parties. The Rectification Plan shall set out the anticipated improvements (“Anticipated Improvements”) and the timeline over which those improvements are expected to be realized (“Plan Period”), which shall be no longer than sixty (60) days (without the Fund’s prior written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). The Funds shall review the Rectification Plan within five (5) Business Days and shall (without liability or any resulting obligation or deemed acceptance of approach) comment on the Rectification Plan, suggest improvements and challenge any assumptions and ideas embodied in the Rectification Plan. It is acknowledged that the Funds shall not be obligated or required to acknowledge the Rectification Plan will achieve the relevant KPIs. Upon approval of the Rectification Plan, the Transfer Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, implement the Rectification Plan so as to deliver the anticipated improvements;

 

  (c)

The Transfer Agent shall provide the Funds with regular updates of the progress of the Rectification Plan and the parties shall periodically review the progress during the Plan Period;

 

  (d)

The Transfer Agent shall as soon as reasonably practicable notify the Funds in writing of any minor changes to the Rectification Plan from time to time and the reasons for those changes; and

 

  (e)

At the end of the Plan Period, the Transfer Agent shall report on whether the Rectification Plan has delivered the Anticipated Improvements in accordance with this Article 31.3.

 

- 27 -


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

Each of the Investment Companies Listed On Schedule A Hereto,

Each of Which Is Acting On Its Own Behalf And

Not On Behalf Of Any Other Investment Company

 

By:  

/s/ Jane Trust

Name:   Jane Trust
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Computershare Trust Company, N.A and

Computershare Inc.

 

By:  

/s/ Martin J. McHale, Jr.

Name:   Martin J. McHale, Jr.
Title:   President, U.S. Equities Services

 

- 28 -


SCHEDULE A

LIST OF FUNDS AND PRINCIPAL PLACES OF BUSINESS

List of Funds

ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund Inc.

ClearBridge Energy MLP Fund Inc.

ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.

ClearBridge Energy MLP Total Return Fund Inc.

Legg Mason BW Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.

LMP Capital and Income Fund Inc.

LMP Corporate Loan Fund Inc.

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund Inc.

Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

Western Asset Global High Income Fund Inc.

Western Asset Global Partners Income Fund Inc.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc.

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

Western Asset Income Fund

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.

Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.

Western Asset Managed High Income Fund Inc.

 

- 29 -


Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.

Western Asset Middle Market Debt Fund Inc.

Western Asset Middle Market Income Fund Inc.

Western Asset Mortgage Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.

Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc.

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

Western Asset Variable Rate Strategic Fund Inc.

Western Asset Worldwide Income Fund Inc.

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Securities & Income Fund

Principal Places of Business

The principal place of business for all Funds is:

620 Eighth Avenue

49th Floor

New York, NY 10018

 

- 30 -

Exhibit 17(f)

E XECUTION C OPY (EMO-2013 NPA)

 

 

 

S ECOND A MENDMENT A GREEMENT

Dated as of May 29, 2018

to

N OTE P URCHASE A GREEMENT

Dated as of February 7, 2013

of

C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .

 

 

 


T ABLE OF C ONTENTS

 

S ECTION           H EADING   P AGE

S ECTION  1.

     

A MENDMENTS T O E XISTING N OTE A GREEMENT

  2

S ECTION  2.

     

C ONDITIONS P RECEDENT

  4

S ECTION  3.

     

R EPRESENTATIONS A ND W ARRANTIES

  5

S ECTION  4.

     

M ISCELLANEOUS

  7

S CHEDULE  I

         

Name of Holders and Principal Amount of Notes

 

 

-i-


S ECOND A MENDMENT A GREEMENT

Dated as of

May 29, 2018

To each of the holders (the “Noteholders” )

listed in Schedule I to this Second Amendment

Agreement

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Note Purchase Agreement dated as of February 7, 2013, by and among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Fund” ), and the purchasers set forth in Schedule A thereto (said Note Purchase Agreement being referred to as the “Original Note Agreement” ) under and pursuant to which (i) $40,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.27% Series A Senior Secured Notes due February 7, 2020 of the Fund were issued and of which $27,420,382.17 is currently outstanding, (ii) $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.87% Series B Senior Secured Notes due February 7, 2023 of the Fund were issued and of which $34,471,337.58 is currently outstanding and (iii) $60,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.02% Series C Senior Secured Notes due February 7, 2025 of the Fund were issued and of which $41,522,292.99 is currently outstanding (collectively, the “Notes” ). The Original Note Agreement was amended by the First Amendment Agreement dated as of August 26, 2015 (the “Existing Note Agreement” ).

Capitalized terms used in this Second Amendment Agreement (this “Amendment” which shall include all exhibits hereto) without definition shall have the meanings given such terms in the Existing Note Agreement. The Existing Note Agreement as amended by this Amendment is the “Note Agreement.”

The Fund desires an amendment to the Existing Note Agreement upon the terms and conditions herein contained.

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Fund and the Noteholders agree to amend certain provisions of the Existing Note Agreement as hereinafter provided and consent to the Note Agent executing the First Amendment Agreement to Amended and Restated Security Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement as described in a letter request to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association dated the Amendment Effective Date.


ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.   

Second Amendment Agreement to

2013 Note Purchase Agreement

 

Upon the acceptance hereof by the Noteholders in the manner hereinafter provided and upon satisfaction of all conditions to the effectiveness hereof, this Amendment shall be effective, but only in the respects hereinafter set forth:

 

S ECTION  1.

A MENDMENTS T O E XISTING N OTE A GREEMENT .

Section  1.1. The definitions of “Bank Facility,” “Collateral Agent,” “Control Agreement,” “Custodian,” “Custody Agreement,” “Intercreditor Agreement,” and “Permitted Liens” in the Existing Note Agreement shall be and are hereby deleted from Schedule B of the Existing Note Agreement and the following terms shall be added in alphabetical order:

“Bank Facility” means the Credit Agreement dated as of May 29, 2018, among the Fund, The Bank of Nova Scotia as agent and other lending parties thereto as amended, supplemented, renewed, extended or otherwise modified or refinanced from time to time and any related loan documents (or words of comparable effect), as such related loan documents may be amended, supplemented, renewed, extended or otherwise modified or refinanced from time to time.

“Collateral Agent” means The Bank of Nova Scotia, or any other Person appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Intercreditor Agreement, in its capacity as the collateral agent on behalf of (a) the Note Agent, (b) the agent under the Bank Facility for the lenders thereunder, (c) the 2015 Note Agent, and (d) other lenders, holders of notes, or agents under Additional Debt Facilities from time to time, as contemplated therein.

“Continuing Control Agreement” means that certain Control Agreement dated as of May 29, 2018 among the Fund, the Collateral Agent and the New Custodian, as the same may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented and in effect from time to time.

“Control Agreement” means collectively, (i) the Temporary Control Agreement and (ii) the Continuing Control Agreement.

“Custodian” means (i) the Existing Custodian or (ii) the New Custodian, as applicable based on whether the deposit accounts and investment property that constitute Collateral are maintained with the Existing Custodian or the New Custodian at any time.

“Custody Agreement” means (i) the Existing Custody Agreement and (ii) the New Custody Agreement.

“Existing Custodian” means State Street Bank and Trust Company, or any successor under the Existing Custody Agreement.

“Existing Custody Agreement” means that certain Custodian Services Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2012, among the Fund, the Existing Custodian and the other parties thereto, as the same may be amended or replaced and in effect from time to time.

 

- 2 -


ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.   

Second Amendment Agreement to

2013 Note Purchase Agreement

 

“Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among the Collateral Agent, the agent under the Bank Facility for the lenders thereunder, the Note Agent, The Bank of New York Mellon as 2015 Note Agent and the other lenders, holders of notes or agents under the Additional Debt Facilities which are a party thereto from time to time, as the same may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time.

New Custodian means The Bank of New York Mellon, or any successor under the New Custody Agreement.

“New Custody Agreement” means that certain Custodian Services Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2018, among the Fund, the New Custodian and the other parties thereto, as the same may be amended or replaced and in effect from time to time.

“Permitted Liens” means (i) Liens in favor of the Note Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, securing the obligations of the Fund under the Financing Agreements, (ii) Liens in favor of the agent under the Bank Facility, on behalf of itself, the Collateral Agent and the lenders thereunder, created by or pursuant to any of the loan documents executed in connection therewith, to the extent pari passu or junior in priority to the Liens in favor of the Note Agent, (iii) Liens in favor of other lenders, holders of notes, or agents under any Additional Debt Facilities, securing the obligations of the Fund under the documents executed in connection with such Additional Debt Facilities, to the extent pari passu with the Liens in favor of the Note Agent, (iv) Liens in favor of the 2015 Note Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the 2015 Notes, securing the obligations of the Fund under the Financing Agreements (as defined in the 2015 Note Agreement), to the extent pari passu with the Liens in favor of the Note Agent, (v) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies the payment of which is not at the time required or which are being contested in good faith by the Fund and as to which the Fund has established appropriate reserves on its books and records, (vi) Liens in favor of the Fund’s Custodian granted pursuant to the Custody Agreement to secure obligations arising under such custody agreement, and (vii) encumbrances created in connection with the Fund’s portfolio investments and investment techniques to the extent not prohibited by the Investment Policies and Restrictions.

“Temporary Control Agreement” means that certain Control Agreement dated as of May 29, 2018 among the Fund, the Collateral Agent and the Existing Custodian, as the same may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented and in effect from time to time.

“2015 Note Agent” means The Bank of New York Mellon, in its capacity as agent for the holders of the 2015 Notes or any successor pursuant to the terms of a note agency agreement.

“2015 Notes” means the (i) $20,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.33% Series D Senior Secured Notes due August 26, 2022 and (ii) $5,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.76% Series E Senior Secured Notes due August 26, 2026 of the Fund issued under the 2015 Note Agreement.

 

- 3 -


ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.   

Second Amendment Agreement to

2013 Note Purchase Agreement

 

S ECTION  2.

C ONDITIONS P RECEDENT .

This Amendment shall not become effective until, and shall become effective on, the Business Day when each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied (the “Amendment Effective Date” ):

(a) Each Noteholder shall have received this Amendment, duly executed by the Fund.

(b) The Required Holders shall have consented to this Amendment as evidenced by their execution thereof.

(c) The representations and warranties of the Fund set forth in Section 3 hereof shall be true and correct as of the date of the execution and delivery of this Amendment and as of the Amendment Effective Date.

(d) Any consents or approvals from any holder or holders of any outstanding security or indebtedness of the Fund and any amendments of agreements pursuant to which any securities or indebtedness may have been issued which shall be necessary to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained and all such consents or amendments shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the holders and their special counsel.

(e) Each Noteholder shall have received such certificates of officers of the Fund as it may reasonably request with respect to this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby.

(f) The Fund shall have paid the fees and disbursements of the Noteholders’ special counsel, Chapman and Cutler LLP, incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby which fees and disbursements are reflected in the statement of such special counsel delivered to the Fund at the time of the execution and delivery of this Amendment.

(g) The (i) Bank Facility and (ii) the First Amendment Agreement to Note Purchase Agreement dated August 26, 2015 shall close concurrently with the transaction contemplated hereby. Each Noteholder shall have received fully executed copies of (a) the Bank Facility, (b) the First Amendment to Note Purchase Agreement dated August 26, 2015, (c) the Security Agreement (as

 

- 4 -


ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.   

Second Amendment Agreement to

2013 Note Purchase Agreement

 

defined in the Bank Facility), (d) the Security Agreement (including the First Amendment Agreement to Security Agreement (as defined in the 2015 Note Agreement), (e) the First Amendment Agreement to Amended and Restated Security Agreement dated as of May 29, 2018 which amends the Security Agreement (as defined in the Note Agreement), (f) the Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 29, 2018, (g) the Temporary Control Agreement, (h) the Continuing Control Agreement and (i) each Custody Agreement, each in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Noteholders.

(h) Each Noteholder shall have received a fully executed copy of a Reaffirmation of Financing Agreements dated May 29, 2018 (the “ Reaffirmation ”).

(i) Each Noteholder shall have received legal opinions of (x) Morrison & Foerster LLP, Maryland counsel to the Fund, (y) Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York counsel to the Fund and (z) Ropes & Gray, LLP, Massachusetts counsel to the Fund, each in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Noteholders.

(j) Each Noteholder shall have received from the Fund a manually signed certificate from the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Fund, in all respects satisfactory to the Noteholders, (i) certifying as to the incumbency of authorized persons of the Fund executing this Amendment, (ii) attaching true, complete and correct copies of the resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors of the Fund approving this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby, all of which are in full force and effect on the date hereof, and (iii) attaching true, complete and correct copies of each such amendment, supplement or modification to the Fund’s charter documents since February 7, 2013.

(k) All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Amendment and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be satisfactory to you and your special counsel, and you and your special counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as you or they may reasonably request.

 

S ECTION  3.

R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES .

The Fund represents and warrants that as of the date hereof and as of the date of execution and delivery of this Amendment:

(a) The Financing Agreements (including this Agreement, the First Amendment Agreement to Amended and Restated Security Agreement, the new Intercreditor Agreement, the Reaffirmation and the Control Agreements, each dated the date hereof (the “Amendment Documents” )) and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are within the corporate powers of the Fund, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Fund, and the Financing Agreements have been duly executed and delivered by the Fund, and constitute legal, valid and binding

 

- 5 -


ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.   

Second Amendment Agreement to

2013 Note Purchase Agreement

 

obligations of the Fund, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

(b) Prior to entering in this Agreement, there are no Defaults or Events of Default under the Existing Note Agreement and after giving effect to this Amendment, there are no Defaults or Events of Default under the Note Agreement.

(c) The execution, delivery and performance by the Fund of this Amendment and the other Amendment Documents does not and will not result in a violation of or default under (A) any charter or organizational document of the Fund, (B) any agreement to which the Fund is a party or by which it is bound or to which the Fund or any of its properties is subject, (C) any order, writ, injunction or decree binding on the Fund, or (D) any statute, regulation, rule or other law applicable to any of the Fund.

(d) No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Fund of this Amendment, any other Amendment Documents or the Note Agreement.

(e) It is lawful for the Fund to perform and comply with its obligations under the Financing Agreements and the Liens on the Collateral purported to be created under the Financing Agreements constitute a perfected first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens).

(f) Other than this Amendment, there are no other amendments, modifications, supplements or waivers to the Existing Note Agreement. Other than the First Amendment Agreement dated as of the date hereof, there are no other amendments, modifications, supplements or waivers to the Amended and Restated Security Agreement dated as of August 26, 2015.

(g) The Fund has not paid or agreed to pay any fees or other consideration, or given any additional security or collateral, or shortened the maturity or average life of any indebtedness or permanently reduced any borrowing capacity, in each case, in connection with the obtaining of any consents or approvals in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby including, under the Bank Facility and the 2015 Note Agreement.

 

- 6 -


ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.   

Second Amendment Agreement to

2013 Note Purchase Agreement

 

S ECTION  4.

M ISCELLANEOUS .

Section  4.1 . Except as amended herein, all terms and provisions of the Existing Note Agreement and related agreements and instruments are hereby ratified, confirmed and approved in all respects.

Section  4.2 . This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Section  4.3 . This Amendment and all covenants herein contained shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereunder. All covenants made by the Fund herein shall survive the closing and the delivery of this Amendment.

Section  4.4. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Amendment. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Amendment by facsimile or email shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

Section  4.5 . Each reference in the Existing Note Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” or words of similar import in instruments or documents provided for in the Existing Note Agreement or delivered or to be delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, shall, except where the context otherwise requires, be deemed a reference to the Existing Note Agreement, as amended hereby.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

- 7 -


ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.   

Second Amendment Agreement to

2013 Note Purchase Agreement

 

The execution hereof by the Noteholders shall constitute a contract among the Fund and all of the holders for the uses and purposes hereinabove set forth.

 

C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .
By  

 

  Name:
  Its:

 


ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.   

Second Amendment Agreement to

2013 Note Purchase Agreement

 

This foregoing Amendment is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date aforesaid. The execution by each holder listed below shall constitute its respective several and not joint confirmation that it is the owner and holder of the Notes set opposite its name on Schedule I hereto.

[Purchaser Signatures Redacted]


S CHEDULE I

S ERIES A N OTES

[Redacted]

S CHEDULE I

(to Second Amendment Agreement)


S ERIES B N OTES

[Redacted]


S ERIES C N OTES

[Redacted]

Exhibit 17(g)

E XECUTION C OPY

 

 

 

C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .

$20,000,000 3.33% Series D Senior Secured Notes due August 26, 2022

$5,000,000 3.76% Series E Senior Secured Notes due August 26, 2026

 

 

N OTE P URCHASE A GREEMENT

 

 

Dated as of August 26, 2015

 

 

 


T ABLE OF C ONTENTS

 

S ECTION

  H EADING      P AGE  

S ECTION  1.

 

A UTHORIZATION OF N OTES

     1  

S ECTION  2.

 

S ALE AND P URCHASE OF N OTES ; S ECURITY FOR N OTES

     2  

Section 2.1.

 

Sale and Purchase for Notes

     2  

Section 2.2.

 

Security for the Notes

     2  

S ECTION  3.

 

C LOSING

     2  

S ECTION  4.

 

C ONDITIONS TO C LOSING

     3  

Section 4.1.

 

Representations and Warranties

     3  

Section 4.2.

 

Performance; No Default

     3  

Section 4.3.

 

Compliance Certificates

     3  

Section 4.4.

 

Opinions of Counsel

     3  

Section 4.5.

 

Purchase Permitted by Applicable Law, Etc

     3  

Section 4.6.

 

Sale of Other Notes

     4  

Section 4.7.

 

Payment of Special Counsel Fees

     4  

Section 4.8.

 

Private Placement Number

     4  

Section 4.9.

 

Changes in Corporate Structure

     4  

Section 4.10.

 

Funding Instructions

     4  

Section 4.11.

 

Rating of Notes

     4  

Section 4.12.

 

Financing Agreements

     4  

Section 4.13.

 

Bank Facility

     5  

Section 4.14.

 

Lien Perfection

     5  

Section 4.15.

 

Proceedings and Documents

     5  

S ECTION  5.

 

R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES OF THE F UND

     5  

Section 5.1.

 

Organization; Power and Authority

     5  

Section 5.2.

 

Authorization, Etc

     5  

Section 5.3.

 

Disclosure

     5  

Section 5.4.

 

No Subsidiaries

     6  

Section 5.5.

 

Financial Statements; Material Liabilities

     6  

Section 5.6.

 

Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc

     6  

Section 5.7.

 

Governmental Authorizations, Etc

     6  

Section 5.8.

 

Litigation; Observance of Statutes and Orders

     6  

Section 5.9.

 

Taxes

     7  

Section 5.10.

 

Title to Property; Leases

     7  

Section 5.11.

 

Licenses, Permits, Etc

     7  

Section 5.12.

 

Compliance with ERISA

     7  

Section 5.13.

 

Private Offering by the Fund

     8  

Section 5.14.

 

Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations

     8  

 

-i-


Section 5.15.

 

Existing Indebtedness

     8  

Section 5.16.

 

Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc

     9  

Section 5.17.

 

Status under Certain Statutes

     10  

Section 5.18.

 

Ranking of Obligations

     10  

Section 5.19.

 

Security Interests

     10  

S ECTION  6.

 

R EPRESENTATIONS OF THE P URCHASERS

     11  

Section 6.1.

 

Purchase for Investment

     11  

Section 6.2.

 

Source of Funds

     12  

S ECTION  7.

 

I NFORMATION AS TO THE F UND

     13  

Section 7.1.

 

Financial and Business Information

     13  

Section 7.2.

 

Officer’s Certificate

     16  

Section 7.3.

 

Visitation

     17  

S ECTION  8.

 

P AYMENT AND P REPAYMENT OF THE N OTES

     17  

Section 8.1.

 

Maturity

     17  

Section 8.2.

 

Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount and Special Optional Prepayments

     17  

Section 8.2.1.

 

Optional Prepayments of the Notes with Make-Whole Amount

     17  

Section 8.2.2.

 

Special Optional Prepayments

     18  

Section 8.2.3.

 

Prepayments of Notes One Month Prior to Maturity at Par

     18  

Section 8.2.4.

 

Optional Prepayment during Extended 10-Day Period

     19  

Section 8.3.

 

Allocation of Partial Prepayments

     19  

Section 8.4.

 

Maturity; Surrender, Status, Etc

     19  

Section 8.5.

 

Purchase of Notes

     20  

Section 8.6.

 

Make-Whole Amount

     20  

S ECTION  9.

 

A FFIRMATIVE C OVENANTS

     21  

Section 9.1.

 

Compliance with Law

     21  

Section 9.2.

 

Insurance

     22  

Section 9.3.

 

Maintenance of Properties

     22  

Section 9.4.

 

Payment of Taxes

     22  

Section 9.5.

 

Corporate Existence, Etc

     22  

Section 9.6

 

Books and Records

     22  

Section 9.7.

 

Asset Coverage

     22  

Section 9.8.

 

Current Rating on the Notes

     23  

Section 9.9.

 

Most Favored Lender Status

     23  

Section 9.10.

 

Ranking of Obligations

     23  

Section 9.11.

 

Maintenance of Status and Compliance

     24  

 

-ii-


S ECTION  10.

 

N EGATIVE C OVENANTS

     24  

Section 10.1.

 

Transactions with Affiliates

     24  

Section 10.2.

 

Merger, Consolidation, Etc

     24  

Section 10.3.

 

Terrorism Sanctions Regulations

     25  

Section 10.4.

 

Certain Other Restrictions

     25  

Section 10.5.

 

No Subsidiaries

     25  

Section 10.6.

 

No Liens

     25  

S ECTION  11.

 

E VENTS OF D EFAULT

     25  

S ECTION  12.

 

R EMEDIES ON D EFAULT , E TC

     28  

Section 12.1.

 

Acceleration

     28  

Section 12.2.

 

Other Remedies

     28  

Section 12.3.

 

Rescission

     29  

Section 12.4.

 

No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc

     29  

S ECTION  13.

 

R EGISTRATION ; E XCHANGE ; S UBSTITUTION OF N OTES

     29  

Section 13.1.

 

Registration of Notes

     29  

Section 13.2.

 

Transfer and Exchange of Notes

     30  

Section 13.3.

 

Replacement of Notes

     30  

S ECTION  14.

 

P AYMENTS ON N OTES

     31  

Section 14.1.

 

Place of Payment

     31  

Section 14.2.

 

Home Office Payment

     31  

S ECTION  15.

 

E XPENSES , E TC

     31  

Section 15.1.

 

Transaction Expenses

     31  

Section 15.2.

 

Survival

     32  

S ECTION  16.

 

S URVIVAL OF R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES ; E NTIRE A GREEMENT

     32  

S ECTION  17.

 

A MENDMENT AND W AIVER

     32  

Section 17.1.

 

Requirements

     32  

Section 17.2.

 

Solicitation of Holders of Notes

     32  

Section 17.3.

 

Binding Effect, Etc

     33  

Section 17.4.

 

Notes Held by Fund, Etc

     33  

S ECTION  18.

 

N OTICES

     33  

S ECTION  19.

 

R EPRODUCTION OF D OCUMENTS

     34  

S ECTION  20.

 

C ONFIDENTIAL I NFORMATION

     34  

S ECTION  21.

 

S UBSTITUTION OF P URCHASER

     35  

 

-iii-


S ECTION  22.

 

M ISCELLANEOUS

     36  

Section 22.1.

 

Successors and Assigns

     36  

Section 22.2.

 

Payments Due on Non-Business Days

     36  

Section 22.3.

 

Accounting Terms

     36  

Section 22.4.

 

Severability

     36  

Section 22.5.

 

Construction, Etc

     37  

Section 22.6.

 

Counterparts

     37  

Section 22.7.

 

Governing Law

     37  

Section 22.8.

 

Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial

     37  

 

S CHEDULE A

          Information Relating to Purchasers

S CHEDULE B

          Defined Terms

S CHEDULE  5.3

          Disclosure Materials

S CHEDULE 5.5

          Financial Statements

S CHEDULE 5.15

          Existing Indebtedness

S CHEDULE 5.19

          Security Interests

E XHIBIT 1-A

          Form of 3.33% Series D Senior Secured Notes due August 26, 2022

E XHIBIT 1-B

          Form of 3.76% Series E Senior Secured Notes due August 26, 2026

E XHIBIT 2.2

          Form of Security Agreement

E XHIBIT 4.4(a)

          Form of Opinion of respective Special Counsel to the Fund

E XHIBIT 4.4(b)

          Form of Opinion of Special Counsel to the Purchasers

E XHIBIT 13.1

          Form of Legend

 

-iv-


C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .

c/o Legg Mason Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue, 49th

New York, New York 10018

$20,000,000 3.33% Series D Senior Secured Notes due August 26, 2022

$5,000,000 3.76% Series E Senior Secured Notes due August 26, 2026

Dated as of August 26, 2015

To E ACH OF T HE P URCHASERS L ISTED IN

S CHEDULE A H ERETO :

Ladies and Gentlemen:

C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC ., a Maryland corporation (the “Fund”), agrees with each of the purchasers whose names appear at the end hereof (each, a “Purchaser” and, collectively, the “Purchasers”) as follows:

S ECTION  1. A UTHORIZATION OF N OTES .

(a) Description of Notes. The Fund will authorize the issue and sale of $25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its senior secured notes consisting of

(i) $20,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.33% Series D Senior Secured Notes due August 26, 2022 (the “Series D Notes”) ; and

(ii) $5,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.76% Series E Senior Secured Notes due August 26, 2026 (the “Series E Notes” and together with the Series D Notes, the “Notes,” such term to include any such notes issued in substitution therefore pursuant to Section 13).

The Series D Notes and Series E Notes shall be substantially in the form set out in Exhibits 1-A and 1-B, respectively. Certain capitalized and other terms used in this Agreement are defined in Schedule B; and references to a “Schedule” or an “Exhibit” are, unless otherwise specified, to a Schedule or an Exhibit attached to this Agreement.

The Series D Notes shall bear interest from the date of issuance at a fixed rate equal to 3.33% per annum payable semiannually on the 26th day of each February and August in each year (commencing February 26, 2016) and at maturity and shall bear interest on overdue principal (including any overdue required or optional prepayment of principal) and premium, if any, and (to the extent legally enforceable) on any overdue installment of interest at the Default Rate until paid. Interest shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 1(b) below.


ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

The Series E Notes shall bear interest from the date of issuance at a fixed rate equal to 3.76% per annum payable semiannually on the 26th day of each February and August in each year (commencing February 26, 2016) and at maturity and shall bear interest on overdue principal (including any overdue required or optional prepayment of principal) and premium, if any, and (to the extent legally enforceable) on any overdue installment of interest at the Default Rate until paid. Interest shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 1(b) below.

Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(b) Adjustment Period. Without limiting the provisions of Section 9.8, in addition to all other amounts due and payable hereunder and under the Notes, the interest rate applicable to each Series of Notes (including any Default Rate applicable thereto) shall be increased by an amount equal to 1.00% per annum during any Adjustment Period.

S ECTION  2. S ALE AND P URCHASE OF N OTES ; S ECURITY FOR N OTES .

Section  2.1. Sale and Purchase for Notes. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Fund will issue and sell to each Purchaser and each Purchaser will purchase from the Fund, at the Closing provided for in Section 3, Notes of the respective Series and in the principal amount specified opposite such Purchaser’s name in Schedule A at the purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof. The Purchasers’ obligations hereunder are several and not joint obligations and no Purchaser shall have’any liability to any Person for the performance or non-performance of any obligation by any other Purchaser hereunder.

Section  2.2. Security for the Notes. The Notes will be secured by a Security Agreement made by the Fund in favor of the Note Agent (as the same may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time the “Security Agreement”), which will be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 2.2. The Security Agreement creates and will create a first priority Lien on and security interest in the Collateral described therein subject to Permitted Liens.

S ECTION  3. C LOSING .

The sale and purchase of the Notes to be purchased by each Purchaser shall occur at the offices of Chapman and Cutler LLP, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603-4080, at 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, at a closing (the “Closing”) on August 26, 2015 or on such other Business Day thereafter on or prior to September 2, 2015 as may be agreed upon by the Fund and the Purchasers. At the Closing, the Fund will deliver or cause to be delivered to each Purchaser the Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser in the form of a single Note for each Series to be so purchased (or such greater number of Notes in denominations of at least $100,000 as such Purchaser may request) dated the date of the Closing and registered in such Purchaser’s name (or in the name of its nominee), against delivery by such Purchaser to the Fund of immediately available funds in the amount of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds for the account of the Fund to State Street Corporation, 2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston MA 02111, ABA 011000028, Beneficiary: ClearBridge Energy MLP

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

Opportunity Fund Inc., DDA #10085686, Reference: N4WX. If at the Closing the Fund shall fail to tender such Notes to any Purchaser as provided above in this Section 3, or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 shall not have been fulfilled to such Purchaser’s reasonable satisfaction, such Purchaser shall, at its election, be relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement (other than those arising under Section 20), without thereby waiving any rights such Purchaser may have by reason of such failure or such nonfulfillment.

S ECTION  4. C ONDITIONS TO C LOSING .

Each Purchaser’s obligation to purchase and pay for the Notes to be sold to such Purchaser at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to such Purchaser’s reasonable satisfaction, prior to or at the Closing, of the following conditions:

Section  4.1. Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Fund in each Financing Agreement shall be correct when made and at the time of the Closing.

Section  4.2. Performance; No Default. The Fund shall have performed and complied with all agreements and conditions contained in each Financing Agreement required to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing and after giving effect to the issue and sale of the Notes (and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated by Section 5.14) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

Section 4.3. Compliance Certificates.

(a) Officer’s Certificate. The Fund shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officer’s Certificate, dated the date of the Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.9 have been fulfilled.

(b) Secretary’s Certificate. The Fund shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate of its Secretary or Assistant Secretary, dated the date of Closing, certifying as to the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of each Financing Agreement.

Section  4.4. Opinions of Counsel. Such Purchaser shall have received opinions in form and substance satisfactory to such Purchaser, dated the date of the Closing (a) from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, counsel for the Fund, from Foley & Lardner LLP, special Maryland counsel to the Fund, and from Ropes & Gray LLP, special Massachusetts counsel to the Fund, together covering the matters set forth in Exhibit 4.4(a) and covering such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated hereby as such Purchaser or its counsel may reasonably request (and the Fund hereby instructs its counsel to deliver such opinions to the Purchasers) and (b) from Chapman and Cutler LLP, the Purchasers’ special counsel in connection with such transactions, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit 4.4(b) and covering such other matters incident to such transactions as such Purchaser may reasonably request.

Section  4.5. Purchase Permitted by Applicable Law, Etc. On the date of the Closing such Purchaser’s purchase of Notes shall (a) be permitted by the laws and regulations of each

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

jurisdiction to which such Purchaser is subject, without recourse to provisions (such as section 1405(a)(8) of the New York Insurance Law) permitting limited investments by insurance companies without restriction as to the character of the particular investment, (b) not violate any applicable law or regulation (including, without limitation, Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) assuming the required preparation, execution, delivery and filing of the applicable Federal Reserve Board forms (such as Forms U-l and G-l through 4) and (c) not subject such Purchaser to any tax, penalty or liability under or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, which law or regulation was not in effect on the date hereof. If requested by such Purchaser, such Purchaser shall have received an Officer’s Certificate certifying as to such matters of fact as such Purchaser may reasonably specify to enable such Purchaser to determine whether such purchase is so permitted.

Section  4.6. Sale of Other Notes. Contemporaneously with the Closing, the Fund shall sell to each other Purchaser, and each other Purchaser shall purchase the Notes to be purchased by it at the Closing as specified in Schedule A.

Section  4.7. Payment of Special Counsel Fees. Without limiting the provisions of Section 15.1, the Fund shall have paid on or before the Closing the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of the Purchasers’ special counsel referred to in Section 4.4 to the extent reflected in a statement of such counsel rendered to the Fund at least one Business Day prior to the Closing.

Section  4.8. Private Placement Number. A private placement number issued by Standard & Poor’s CUSIP Service Bureau (in cooperation with the SVO) shall have been obtained for each Series of Notes.

Section  4.9. Changes in Corporate Structure. The Fund shall not have changed its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as applicable, or been a party to any merger or consolidation or succeeded to all or any substantial part of the liabilities of any other entity, at any time following the date of the most recent financial statements referred to in Schedule 5.5.

Section  4.10. Funding Instructions. At least three Business Days prior to the date of the Closing, each Purchaser shall have received written instructions signed by a Responsible Officer on letterhead of the Fund confirming the information specified in Section 3 including (i) the name and address of the transferee bank, (ii) such transferee bank’s ABA number and (iii) the account name and number into which the purchase price for the Notes is to be deposited.

Section  4.11. Rating of Notes. The Notes shall have been given a rating of not less than AAA by Fitch on or prior to the date of issuance thereof.

Section  4.12. Financing Agreements, (a) The Financing Agreements (i) shall have been duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto, (ii) shall be in full force and effect and (iii) the Purchasers shall have received true, correct and complete copies of each thereof.

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section  4.13. Bank Facility. The Purchasers shall have received a true, correct and complete copy of Amendment No. 3 to the Credit Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to Security Agreement dated August 26, 2015.

Section  4.14. Lien Perfection. The Fund shall have filed all required UCC financing statements reflecting the Fund as debtor and the Note Agent as secured party in all appropriate public offices requisite for the Notes to be secured by a perfected first priority Lien on and a security interest in all personal property of the Fund, subject to Permitted Liens, with respect to which a security interest is purported to be granted in the Security Agreement.

Section  4.15. Proceedings and Documents. All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Financing Agreements and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Purchaser and its special counsel, and such Purchaser and its special counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as such Purchaser or such special counsel may reasonably request and shall receive such information as may be reasonably necessary to complete any Holder Forms.

S ECTION  5. R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES OF THE F UND .

The Fund represents and warrants to each Purchaser that:

Section  5.1. Organization; Power and Authority. The Fund is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required by law, other than those jurisdictions as to which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Fund has the corporate power and authority to own or hold under lease the properties it purports to own or hold under lease; to transact the business it transacts and proposes to transact, to execute and deliver the Financing Agreements and to perform the provisions hereof and thereof. The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company as such term is used in the 1940 Act.

Section  5.2. Authorization, Etc. The Financing Agreements have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Fund, and the Financing Agreements (other than the Notes) constitute, and upon execution and delivery thereof each Note will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Fund enforceable against the Fund in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

Section  5.3. Disclosure. This Agreement, the documents, certificates or other writings delivered to the Purchasers by or on behalf of the Fund in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and identified in Schedule 5.3, and the financial statements listed in

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

Schedule 5.5 (this Agreement, such documents, certificates or other writings identified in Schedule 5.3 and such financial statements delivered to each Purchaser prior to August 7, 2015 being referred to, collectively, as the “Disclosure Documents “),taken as a whole, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made. Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Documents, since November 30, 2014, there has been no change in the financial condition, operations, business or properties of the Fund except changes that individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section  5.4. No Subsidiaries. The Fund has no Subsidiaries as of the date of Closing.

Section  5.5. Financial Statements; Material Liabilities. The Fund has delivered to each Purchaser copies of the financial statements of the Fund listed on Schedule 5.5. All of said financial statements (including in each case the related schedules and notes) fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Fund as of the respective dates specified in such Schedule and the results of its operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved except as set forth in the notes thereto (subject, in the case of any interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments). The Fund does not have any Material liabilities that are not disclosed on such financial statements or otherwise disclosed in the Disclosure Documents or identified in Schedule 5.15.

Section  5.6. Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc. The execution, delivery and performance by the Fund of the Financing Agreements will not (i) contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien in respect of any property of the Fund under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan, purchase or credit agreement, lease, corporate charter or by-laws, or any other Material agreement or instrument to which the Fund is bound or by which the Fund or any of its properties may be bound or affected, except for (A) the Lien in favor of the Note Agent contemplated hereby and, (B) with respect to the Custody Agreement, the Control Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, the Liens created or contemplated thereby constituting Permitted Liens described in clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (vi) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”, (ii) conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any order, judgment, decree, or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to the Fund or (iii) violate any provision of any statute or other rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Fund, including, without limitation, the Securities Act and the 1940 Act.

Section  5.7. Governmental Authorizations, Etc. No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Fund of the Financing Agreements, except such as has been made or obtained or with respect to which the failure to make or obtain would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section  5.8. Litigation; Observance of Statutes and Orders (a) There are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Fund, threatened against

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

or affecting the Fund or any property of the Fund in any court or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any Governmental Authority that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Fund is not in default under any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority and is not in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule or regulation (including without limitation Environmental Laws or the USA Patriot Act) of any Governmental Authority, which default or violation, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section  5.9. Taxes. The Fund has filed all income tax returns that are required to have been filed in any jurisdiction, and has paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns and all other taxes and assessments payable by them, to the extent such taxes and assessments have become due and payable and before they have become delinquent, except for (i) the failure to file any such tax returns or the nonpayment of any such taxes and assessments which would not individually or in the aggregate be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) the nonpayment of any such taxes or assessments, the amount, applicability or validity of which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which the Fund has established adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP. As of the date hereof, the Fund has not been subject to a federal income tax audit, and no statute of limitations related to federal income tax liabilities of the Fund has expired.

Section  5.10. Title to Property; Leases, (a) The Fund has good and marketable title to all properties, assets and rights, except where failure to have such title would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Fund neither owns nor leases any real property. As of the date hereof, none of the Fund’s property is subject to any Lien, other than Permitted Liens.

(b) The Security Agreement creates a first priority Lien upon the Collateral (subject to Permitted Liens described in clauses (v) through (vii) of the definition thereof and pari passu with Liens described as pari passu in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) thereof) and the Fund has not assigned, pledged, sold or otherwise conveyed any interest in the Collateral which remains in effect on the date of Closing to any Person other than pursuant to (i) the Security Agreement, (ii) any security agreement executed pursuant to the Bank Facility and the 2013 Note Agreement (and subject to intercreditor arrangements with the Note Agent) and (iii) any Permitted Lien.

Section  5.11. Licenses, Permits, Etc. The Fund owns or possesses all licenses, permits franchises, authorizations, patents, copyrights, proprietary software, service marks, trademarks and trade names, or rights thereto, that are Material, without known conflict with the rights of others, except for those conflicts that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section  5.12. Compliance with ERISA. Neither the Fund nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains, contributes to or is obligated to maintain or contribute to, or has, at any time in the past six years, maintained, contributed to or been obligated to maintain or contribute to, any employee benefit plan which is subject to Title I or Title IV of ERISA or Section 4975 of the

 

-7-


ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

Code. Neither the Fund nor any ERISA Affiliate is, or has ever been at any time within the past six years, a “party in interest” (as defined in section 3(14) of ERISA) or a “disqualified person” (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code) with respect to any such plan.

Section  5.13. Private Offering by the Fund. Neither the Fund nor anyone acting on its behalf has offered the Notes or any similar securities for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy any of the same from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any Person other than the Purchasers, and not more than 30 other Institutional Investors, each of which has been offered the Notes or similar securities at a private sale for investment. Neither the Fund nor anyone acting on its behalf has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the issuance or sale, of the Notes to the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act or to the registration requirements of any securities or blue sky laws of any applicable jurisdiction.

Section  5.14. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. The Fund will apply the proceeds of the sale of the Notes as permitted under the 1940 Act including for the refinancing of existing Indebtedness, making new portfolio investments and for general corporate purposes. Assuming the required preparation, execution, delivery and filing of the applicable Federal Reserve Board forms by the Purchasers (such as Forms U-l and G-l through 4, as applicable), each Purchaser’s purchase of the Notes specified under this Agreement will not cause a violation of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 221), Regulation X of said Board (12 CFR 224) or Regulation T of said Board (12 CFR 220).

Section  5.15. Existing Indebtedness, (a) Except as described therein, Schedule 5.15 sets forth a complete and correct list of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Fund as of August 20, 2015 (including a description of the obligors and obligees, principal amount outstanding and collateral therefor, if any, and Guaranty thereof, if any), since which date there has been no Material change in the amounts, interest rates, sinking funds, installment payments or maturities of the Indebtedness of the Fund (other than the issuance of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement, and any borrowing under the Bank Facility to the extent permitted hereby. The Fund is not in default and no waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness of the Fund and no event or condition exists with respect to any Indebtedness of the Fund the outstanding principal amount of which exceeds $5,000,000 that would permit (or that with notice or the lapse of time, or both, would permit) one or more Persons to cause such Indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment.

(b) Except as permitted by the Security Agreement (which, for the avoidance of doubt, will permit Permitted Liens), the Fund has not agreed or consented to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien.

(c) The Fund is not a party to, or otherwise subject to any provision contained in, any instrument evidencing Indebtedness of the Fund, any agreement relating thereto or any other agreement or statute (including, but not limited to, its charter or other organizational document) which limits the amount of, or otherwise imposes restrictions on the incurring of, Indebtedness of the Fund, except for the 1940 Act or as specifically indicated in Schedule 5.15.

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section  5.16. Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc. (a) Neither the Fund nor any Controlled Entity is (i) a Person whose name appears on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons published by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, United States Department of the Treasury ( “OFAC”) (an “OFAC Listed Person”), (ii) an agent, department, or instrumentality of, or is otherwise beneficially owned by, controlled by or acting on behalf of, directly or indirectly, (x) any OFAC Listed Person or (y) any Person, entity, organization, foreign country or regime that is subject to any OFAC Sanctions Program, or (iii) otherwise blocked, subject to sanctions under or engaged in any activity in violation of other United States economic sanctions, including but not limited to, the Trading with the Enemy Act, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, CISADA or any similar law or regulation with respect to Iran or any other country, the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act, any OFAC Sanctions Program, or any economic sanctions regulations administered and enforced by the United States or any enabling legislation or executive order relating to any of the foregoing (collectively, “U.S. Economic Sanctions”) (each OFAC Listed Person and each other Person, entity, organization and government of a country described in clause (i), clause (ii) or clause (iii), a “Blocked Person”). Neither the Fund nor any Controlled Entity has been notified that its name appears or may in the future appear on a state list of Persons that engage in investment or other commercial activities in Iran or any other country that is subject to U.S. Economic Sanctions.

(b) No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes hereunder constitutes or will constitute funds obtained on behalf of any Blocked Person or will otherwise be used by the Fund or any Controlled Entity, directly or indirectly, (i) in connection with any investment in, or any transactions or dealings with, any Blocked Person, or (ii) otherwise in violation of U.S. Economic Sanctions.

(c) Neither the Fund nor any Controlled Entity (i) has been found in violation of, charged with, or convicted of, money laundering, drug trafficking, terrorist-related activities or other money laundering predicate crimes under the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 (otherwise known as the Bank Secrecy Act), the USA PATRIOT Act or any other United States law or regulation governing such activities (collectively, “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”) or any U.S. Economic Sanctions violations, (ii) to the Fund’s actual knowledge after making due inquiry, is under investigation by any Governmental Authority for possible violation of Anti-Money Laundering Laws or any U.S. Economic Sanctions violations, (iii) has been assessed civil penalties under any Anti-Money Laundering Laws or any U.S. Economic Sanctions, or (iv) has had any of its funds seized or forfeited in an action under any Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The Fund has established procedures and controls which it reasonably believes are adequate (and otherwise comply with applicable law) to ensure that the Fund and each Controlled Entity is and will continue to be in compliance with all applicable current and future Anti-Money Laundering Laws and U.S. Economic Sanctions.

(d) (1) Neither the Fund nor any Controlled Entity (i) has been charged with, or convicted of bribery or any other anti-corruption related activity under any applicable law or regulation in a U.S. or any non-U.S. country or jurisdiction, including but not limited to, the U S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 (collectively, “Anti-Corruption Laws”), (ii) to the Fund’s actual knowledge after making due inquiry, is under investigation by any U.S. or non-U.S. Governmental Authority for possible violation of

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

Anti-Corruption Laws, (iii) has been assessed civil or criminal penalties under any Anti-Corruption Laws or (iv) has been or is the target of sanctions imposed by the United Nations or the European Union;

(2) To the Fund’s actual knowledge after making due inquiry, neither the Fund nor any Controlled Entity has, within the last five years, directly or indirectly offered, promised, given, paid or authorized the offer, promise, giving or payment of anything of value to a Governmental Official or a commercial counterparty for the purposes of: (i) influencing any act, decision or failure to act by such Governmental Official in his or her official capacity or such commercial counterparty, (ii) inducing a Governmental Official to do or omit to do any act in violation of the Governmental Official’s lawful duty, or (iii) inducing a Governmental Official or a commercial counterparty to use his or her influence with a government or instrumentality to affect any act or decision of such government or entity; in each case in order to obtain, retain or direct business or to otherwise secure an improper advantage in violation of any applicable law or regulation or which would cause any holder to be in violation of any law or regulation applicable to such holder; and

(3) No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes hereunder will be used, directly or indirectly, for any improper payments, including bribes, to any Governmental Official or commercial counterparty in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage. The Fund has established procedures and controls which it reasonably believes are adequate (and otherwise comply with applicable law) to ensure that the Fund and each Controlled Entity is and will continue to be in compliance with all applicable current and future Anti-Corruption Laws.

Section  5.17. Status under Certain Statutes. The Fund is subject to regulation under the 1940 Act. The Fund is, and immediately after giving effect to the issuance of the Notes will be, in compliance with the 1940 Act, including, but not limited to, all leverage provisions specified in the 1940 Act.

Section  5.18. Ranking of Obligations. The Fund’s payment obligations under the Financing Agreements shall at all times rank senior to all other unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness and senior to any Preferred Stock issued by the Fund and at least pari passu, without preference or priority, with all other secured Indebtedness (including the Indebtedness under the Bank Facility and the 2013 Note Agreement).

Section  5.19. Security Interests. On the date of the Closing, (a) all necessary and appropriate financing statements are in appropriate form for filing so that, once filed with the offices described in Schedule 5.19, the Lien granted under the Security Agreement will constitute a continuing perfected first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens described in clauses (v) through (vii) of the definition thereof and to the pari passu lien in favor of the agent pursuant to the Bank Facility and the 2013 Note Agent pursuant to the 2013 Note Agreement and parties under any Additional Debt Facilities) on all right, title and interest of the Fund in the Collateral described in the Security Agreement that may be perfected by filing, and (b) upon effectiveness of the Control Agreement, the Lien granted under the Security Agreement will constitute a perfected first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) on all right, title and interest

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

of the Fund in the Collateral that is subject thereto to the extent such Lien may be perfected by control of the Collateral Agent, in each case subject to no Liens other than Permitted Liens described in clauses (v) through (vii) of the definition thereof and to the pari passu lien in favor of the agent pursuant to the Bank Facility and the 2013 Note Agent pursuant to the 2013 Note Agreement and parties under any Additional Debt Facilities, and, accordingly, the Security Agreement creates in favor of the Note Agent, for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes, a legal, valid and enforceable pledge and security interest in all right, title and interest of the Fund in the Collateral, effective as against creditors of and purchasers from the Fund (subject to Permitted Liens described in clauses (v) through (vii) of the definition thereof and to the pari passu lien in favor of the agent pursuant to the Bank Facility, and the 2013 Note Agent pursuant to the 2013 Note Agreement and parties under any Additional Debt Facilities). For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement is the only Additional Debt Facility as of the date hereof.

S ECTION  6. R EPRESENTATIONS OF THE P URCHASERS .

Section  6.1. Purchase for Investment, (a) Each Purchaser severally represents that it is purchasing the Notes for its own account or for one or more separate accounts maintained by such Purchaser or for the account of one or more pension or trust funds and not with a view to the distribution thereof, provided that the disposition of such Purchaser’s or their property shall at all times be within such Purchaser’s or their control. Each Purchaser understands that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state or foreign jurisdiction and may be resold, transferred or otherwise disposed of only if registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act and any applicable state or foreign securities laws or if an exemption from registration is available, except under circumstances where neither such registration nor such an exemption is required by law, and that the Fund is not required to register the Notes.

(b) Each Purchaser severally represents that it is duly authorized to enter into this Agreement, and the person signing this Agreement on behalf of the Purchaser is authorized to do so, under all applicable governing documents (e.g., partnership agreement, trust instrument, pension plan, certificate of incorporation, bylaws, or operating agreement). This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of each Purchaser enforceable against such Purchaser in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

(c) Each Purchaser severally represents that it (and any account which is a separate legal entity contemplated in Section 6.1(a)) is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) promulgated under the Securities Act.

(d) Each Purchaser acknowledges that (i) it has made, either alone or together with its advisors, such independent investigation of the Fund and its management, assets and related matters as such Purchaser deems to be, or such advisors have advised to be, necessary or advisable in connection with a purchase of Notes pursuant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) it and its advisors have received all information and data that it and such

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

advisors believe to be necessary in order to reach an informed decision as to the advisability of a purchase of Notes pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Financing Agreements, (iii) it understands the nature of the potential risks and potential rewards of its ownership of the Notes and (iv) it is a sophisticated investor with substantial investment experience and, in the event of any liquidation or winding up of the Fund, has the ability to bear a complete loss of its investment.

Section  6.2. Source of Funds. Each Purchaser severally represents that at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to each source of funds (a “Source”) to be used by such Purchaser to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by it hereunder:

(a) the Source is an “insurance company general account” (as the term is defined in the United States Department of Labor’s Prohibited Transaction Exemption (“PTE”) 95-60) in respect of which the reserves and liabilities (as defined by the annual statement for life insurance companies approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the “NAIC Annual Statement”)) for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any employee benefit plan together with the amount of the reserves and liabilities for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any other employee benefit plans maintained by the same employer (or affiliate thereof as defined in PTE 95-60) or by the same employee organization in the general account do not exceed 10% of the total reserves and liabilities of the general account (exclusive of separate account liabilities) plus surplus as set forth in the NAIC Annual Statement filed with such Purchaser’s state of domicile; or

(b) the Source is an insurance company separate account that is maintained solely in connection with such Purchaser’s fixed contractual obligations under which the amounts payable, or credited, to any employee benefit plan (or its related trust) that has any interest in such separate account (or to any participant or beneficiary of such plan (including any annuitant)) are not affected in any manner by the investment performance of the separate account; or

(c) the Source is either (i) an insurance company pooled separate account, within the meaning of PTE 90-1 or (ii) a bank collective investment fund, within the meaning of the PTE 91-38 and, except as disclosed by such Purchaser to the Fund in writing pursuant to this clause (c), no employee benefit plan or group of plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization beneficially owns more than 10% of all assets allocated to such pooled separate account or collective investment fund; or

(d) the Source constitutes assets of an “investment fund” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14 (the “QPAM Exemption”)) managed by a “qualified professional asset manager” or “QPAM” (within the meaning of Part VI of the QPAM Exemption), no employee benefit plan’s assets that are managed by the QPAM in such investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Part VI(c)(l) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

organization and managed by such QPAM, represent more than 20% of the total client assets managed by such QPAM, the conditions of Part 1(c) and (g) of the QPAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the QPAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the QPAM maintains an ownership interest in the Fund that would cause the QPAM and the Fund to be “related” Within the meaning of Part VI(h) of the QPAM Exemption and (i) the identity of such QPAM and (ii) the names of any employee benefit plans whose assets in the investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Part VI(c)(l) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization, represent 10% or more of the assets of such investment fund, have been disclosed to the Fund in writing pursuant to this clause (d); or

(e) the Source constitutes assets of a “plan(s)” (within the meaning of Part IV(h) of PTE 96-23 (the “INHAM Exemption”)) managed by an “in-house asset manager” or “INHAM” (within the meaning of Part IV(a) of the INHAM Exemption), the conditions of Part 1(a), (g) and (h) of the INHAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the INHAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the INHAM (applying the definition of “control” in Part IV(d)(3) of the INHAM Exemption) owns a 10% or more interest in the Fund and (i) the identity of such INHAM and (ii) the name(s) of the employee benefit plan(s) whose assets constitute the Source have been disclosed to the Fund in writing pursuant to this clause (e); or

(f) the Source is a governmental plan; or

(g) the Source is one or more employee benefit plans, or a separate account or trust fund comprised of one or more employee benefit plans, each of which has been identified to the Fund in writing pursuant to this clause (g); or

(h) the Source does not include assets of any employee benefit plan, other than a plan exempt from the coverage of Title I of ERISA.

As used in this Section 6.2, the terms “employee benefit plan,” “governmental plan,” and “separate account” shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA.

S ECTION  7. I NFORMATION AS TO THE F UND .

Section  7.1. Financial and Business Information. The Fund shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor:

(a) Semi-Annual Statements — within 90 days (or such shorter period as is 15 days greater than the period applicable to the filing of the Fund’s semi-annual report on Form N-CSR (the “Form N-CSR”) with the SEC regardless of whether the Fund is subject to the filing requirements thereof) after the end of each semi-annual fiscal period in each fiscal year of the Fund (other than the last semi-annual fiscal period of each such fiscal year), duplicate copies of,

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

(i) an unaudited balance sheet of the Fund, as at the end of such semi-annual fiscal period, and

(ii) unaudited statements of operations and changes in net assets of the • Fund, for the portion of the fiscal year ending with such semi-annual fiscal period,

all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP applicable to semi-annual financial statements generally, and certified by a Senior Financial Officer as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund and its results of operations and cash flows, subject to changes resulting from year-end adjustments, provided that the Fund shall be deemed to have made such delivery of such semi-annual financial statements if it shall have timely made such semi-annual financial statements available on its home page on the worldwide web (at the date of this Agreement located at http://www.lmcef.com) and shall have given such holder prior notice of such availability on its home page in connection with each delivery (such availability and notice thereof being referred to as “Electronic Delivery”); provided, further, that the Fund agrees also to deliver hard copies of such financial statements to any holder of Notes who has requested such delivery in writing within the time period required above, unless such written request was made within the last 10 days of the end of such time period, in which case, the Fund will deliver such financial statements no later than 10 days after the conclusion of the time period required above;

(b) Annual Statements — within 105 days (or such shorter period as is 15 days greater than the period applicable to the filing of the Fund’s Annual Report on Form N-CSR with the SEC regardless of whether the Fund is subject to the filing requirements thereof) after the end of each fiscal year of the Fund, duplicate copies of,

(i) a balance sheet and schedule of investments of the Fund, as at the end of such year, and

(ii) statements of operations and changes in net assets of the Fund, for such year,

all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP, and accompanied by an opinion thereon of independent public accountants of recognized national standing, which opinion shall state that such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund and its results of operations and have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, and that the examination of such accountants in connection with such financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, and that such audit provides a reasonable basis for such opinion in the circumstances, provided that the delivery within the time period specified above of the Fund’s Form N-CSR for such fiscal year prepared in accordance with the requirements therefor and filed with the SEC shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.1(b), and provided, further, that the Fund shall be deemed to have made such delivery of such Form N-CSR if it shall have timely made Electronic Delivery thereof, and provided, further, that the Fund agrees also to deliver hard copies of such

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

financial statements to any holder of Notes who has requested such delivery in writing within the time period required above, unless such written request was made within the last 10 days of the end of such time period, in which case, the Fund will deliver such financial statements no later than 10 days after the conclusion of the time period required above;

(c) SEC and Other Reports — promptly upon their becoming available:

(i) one copy of each semi-annual or annual financial statement, each regular or periodic report sent to the Fund’s stockholders, each notice sent to the Fund’s stockholders, each proxy statement and similar document filed with the SEC, each registration statement that shall have become effective (without exhibits except as expressly requested by such holder) and each final prospectus and all amendments thereto filed by the Fund with the SEC; provided that the Fund shall be deemed to have made such delivery if it shall have timely made Electronic Delivery thereof; provided, further, that the Fund agrees also to deliver hard copies of such reports to any holder of Notes who has requested such delivery in writing no later than 10 days after receipt of such notice, and

(ii) if requested by a holder of Notes, each financial statement, report or notice sent by the Fund to its principal lending banks as a whole (excluding information sent to such banks in the ordinary course of administration of a bank facility, such as information relating to pricing and borrowing availability) or to any NRSRO.

(d) Notice of Default or Event of Default — promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after a Responsible Officer becomes aware of the existence of any Default or Event of Default, a written notice sent in accordance with Section 18 specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Fund is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

(e) ERISA Matters — promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after a Responsible Officer becomes aware of any of the following, a written notice setting forth the nature thereof and the action, if any, that the Fund or an ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto:

(i) with respect to any Plan, any reportable event, as defined in section 4043(c) of ERISA and the regulations thereunder, for which notice thereof has not been waived pursuant to such regulations as in effect on the date hereof; or

(ii) the taking by the PBGC of steps to institute, or the threatening by the PBGC of the institution of, proceedings under section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan, or the receipt by the Fund or any ERISA Affiliate of a notice from a Multiemployer Plan that such action has been taken by the PBGC with respect to such Multiemployer Plan; or

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

(iii) any event, transaction or condition that could result in the incurrence of any liability by the Fund or any ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans, or in the imposition of any Lien on any of the rights, properties or assets of the Fund or any ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or such penalty or excise tax provisions, if such liability or Lien, taken together with any other such liabilities or Liens then existing, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

(f) Requested Information — with reasonable promptness, such other data and information relating to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of the Fund (including, without limitation, actual copies of the semi-annual and annual reports of the Fund) or relating to the ability of the Fund to perform its obligations under each Financing Agreement and under the Notes as from time to time may be reasonably requested in writing by such holder of Notes (including any such information as may be reasonably necessary to complete any Holder Forms).

Section  7.2. Officer’s Certificate. Each set of financial statements delivered to a holder of Notes pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer setting forth (which, in the case of Electronic Delivery of any such financial statements, shall be by separate delivery of such certificate to each holder of Notes promptly upon the making of such Electronic Delivery):

(a) Covenant Compliance — the information (including detailed calculations) required in order to establish whether the Fund was in compliance with the requirements of Sections 9.7, 10.4(b) and 10.4(c) and any Additional Covenant incorporated herein pursuant to Section 9.9 during the semi-annual or annual period covered by the statements then being furnished (including with respect to each such Section, where applicable, the calculations of the maximum or minimum amount, ratio or percentage, as the case may be, permissible under the terms of such Sections, and the calculation of the amount, ratio or percentage then in existence); and

(b) Event of Default — a statement that such Senior Financial Officer has reviewed the relevant terms hereof and has made, or caused to be made, under his or her supervision, a review of the transactions and conditions of the Fund from the beginning of the semi-annual or annual period covered by the statements then being furnished to the date of the certificate and that such review shall not have disclosed the existence during such period of any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or, if any such condition or event existed or exists, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Fund shall have taken or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section  7.3. Visitation. The Fund shall permit the representatives of each holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor:

(a) No Default — if no Default or Event of Default then exists, at the expense of such holder and upon reasonable prior notice to the Fund, to visit the principal executive office of the Fund, to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Fund with the Fund’s officers, and, with the consent of the Fund (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld) to visit the other offices and properties of the Fund, not more than twice each calendar year during normal business hours; and

(b) Default — if a Default or Event of Default then exists, at the expense of the Fund to visit and inspect any of the offices or properties of the Fund, to examine all their respective books of account, records, reports and other papers, to make copies and extracts therefrom, and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers and independent public accountants (and by this provision the Fund authorizes said accountants to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Fund, it being understood that such accountants may decline such request in their sole discretion), all at such times and as often as may be reasonably requested.

S ECTION  8. P AYMENT AND P REPAYMENT OF THE N OTES

Section  8.1. Maturity and Payment. As provided therein, the entire unpaid principal balance of the Notes shall be due and payable on the stated maturity date thereof.

Section 8.2. Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount and Special Optional Prepayments.

Section  82.1. Optional Prepayments of the Notes with Make-Whole Amount. The Fund may, at its option, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8.2.1 and to the extent prepayment of the Notes (specifically including the applicable Make-Whole Amount and accrued interest on the Notes) is permitted under the 1940 Act and Maryland law, upon notice as provided below, prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part of, the Notes, or if within 90 days prior to the final maturity date of a particular Series, that particular Series, in an amount not less than 5% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding in the case of a partial prepayment, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment, and the Make-Whole Amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount. The Fund will give each holder of the Notes written notice of each optional prepayment under this Section 8.2.1 not less than 12 days (or 7 days in the case of any notice of prepayment in connection with a prepayment to cure any default under Sections 9.7(a) or 9.7(b), or both) and not more than 75 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment. Each such notice shall specify such date on which the prepayment is scheduled to occur (which shall be a Business Day), the aggregate principal amount of each Series of the Notes to be prepaid on such date, the principal amount of each Note of such Series held by such holder to be prepaid (determined in accordance with Section 8.3), and the interest to be paid on the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount being prepaid, and shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer as to the estimated Make-Whole

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

Amount due in connection with such prepayment (calculated as if the date of such notice were the date of the prepayment), setting forth the details of such computation. Two Business Days prior to such prepayment date, the Fund shall deliver to each holder of Notes a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer specifying the calculation of such Make-Whole Amount as of the specified prepayment date.

Section  8.2.2. Special Optional Prepayments. If the 1940 Act Senior Notes Asset Coverage is greater than 300%, but less than or equal to 325%, for any five (5) Business Days within a ten (10) Business Day period determined on the basis of values calculated as of a time within 48 hours (not including Sundays or holidays) next preceding the time of such determination within the ten Business Day period, the Fund may, at its option, and to the extent prepayment of the Notes (specifically including the applicable Make-Whole Amount and accrued interest on the Notes) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8.2.2 is permitted under the 1940 Act and Maryland law, upon notice as provided below, prepay all or any part of the Notes at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment, and the Make-Whole Amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Make-Whole Amount for the Notes prepaid pursuant to this Section 8.2.2 shall be equal to two percent (2%) of the principal amount so prepaid; provided, however, that (a) the amount of Notes to be prepaid pursuant to this Section 8.2.2 shall at no time exceed an amount which results in a 1940 Act Senior Notes Asset Coverage of more than 340% pro forma for such prepayment, determined on the basis of values calculated as of a time within 48 hours (not including Sundays or holidays) next preceding the time of such determination, (b) immediately after giving effect to such prepayment, the aggregate amount of Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Fund shall be less than the aggregate amount of Indebtedness for borrowed money Of the Fund immediately prior to such prepayment by the amount of Notes so prepaid and (c) the Fund may not borrow under its revolving credit facility immediately prior to such prepayment for the purpose of financing such prepayment. The Fund will give each holder of the Notes being prepaid pursuant to this Section 8.2.2 written notice of each optional prepayment under this Section 822 not less than 12 days and not more than 75 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment. Each such notice shall specify such date on which the prepayment is scheduled to occur (which shall be a Business Day), the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid on such date, the principal amount of each Note held by such holder to be prepaid (determined in accordance with Section 8.3), and the interest to be paid on the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount being prepaid, and the Make-Whole Amount due in connection with such prepayment.

Section  8.2.3. Prepayments of Notes One Month Prior to Maturity at Par. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, the Fund may, at its option, upon notice as provided below redeem all of the Notes of a particular Series on or after the date which is 30 days prior to maturity of such Series of Notes at 100% of the principal amount of such Notes, together with interest on such Notes accrued to the date of prepayment and without any Make-Whole Amount. The Fund will give each holder of Notes subject to such redemption written notice of each optional prepayment under this Section 8.2.3 not less than 12 days and not more than 75 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment. Each such notice shall specify such date on which the prepayment is scheduled to occur (which shall be a Business Day), the aggregate principal amount of each Note to be prepaid on such date and the interest to be paid on the prepayment date.

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section  8.2.4. Optional Prepayment during Extended 10-Day Period. The Fund may, upon notice as required below, prepay Notes to cure a Default under Section 11(c) (consisting solely of a Default under Section 9.7), at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment, and the Make-Whole Amount (referred to below) determined for such prepayment date with respect to the principal amount. The Fund will give each holder of Notes written notice of each prepayment under this Section 8.2.4 prior to the end of the Initial 30-Day Period. Such notice shall specify such date on which the prepayment is scheduled to occur (which shall be a Business Day) prior to the end of the Extended 10-Day Period, the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be prepaid, the principal amount of Notes held by such holder to be prepaid, and the interest and Make-Whole Amount (referred to below). In the event the Fund makes any partial prepayment of Notes and any other Senior Securities to cure any Default under Section 11(c) during the Extended 10-Day Period, the principal amount of Notes and any other Senior Securities to be prepaid shall be allocated among all of the Notes and other Senior Securities at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts thereof not theretofore called for prepayment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Make-Whole Amount for the Notes prepaid during the Extended 10 Day Period shall be equal to one percent (1%) of the principal amount so repaid; provided, however, that the amount of Notes and the other Senior Securities to be repaid during the Extended 10-Day Period shall at no time exceed an amount necessary for the Fund to be in pro forma compliance with Section 9.7 after giving effect to such repayment.

Section  83. Allocation of Partial Prepayments. In the case of each partial prepayment of the Notes pursuant to Section 8.2.1, 8.2.2 or 8.2.4, the principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid shall be allocated among all of the Notes at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts thereof not theretofore called for prepayment; provided that in the case of any prepayment of a particular Series of Notes within 90 days prior to the final maturity date thereof pursuant to Section 8.2.1, the principal amount of the Notes of such Series to be prepaid shall be allocated among all of the Notes of such Series at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable to the respective unpaid principal amount thereof not theretofore called for prepayment.

Section  8.4. Maturity; Surrender, Status, Etc. In the case of each prepayment of Notes pursuant to this Section 8, the principal amount of each Note to be prepaid shall mature and become due and payable on the date fixed for such prepayment (which shall be a Business Day), together with interest on such principal amount accrued to such date and the applicable Make-Whole Amount. From and after such date, unless the Fund shall fail to pay such principal amount when so due and payable, together with the interest and Make-Whole Amount, interest on such principal amount shall cease to accrue. Any Note paid or prepaid in full shall be surrendered to the Fund and cancelled and shall not be reissued, and no Note shall be issued in lieu of any prepaid principal amount of any Note.

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section  8.5. Purchase of Notes. The Fund will not and will not permit any Affiliate to purchase, redeem, prepay or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the outstanding\ Notes except (a) upon the payment or prepayment of the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Notes or (b) pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the Fund or an Affiliate pro rata to the holders of all of the Notes at the time outstanding upon the same terms and conditions with respect to the Notes. Any such offer shall provide each holder with sufficient information to enable it to make an informed decision with respect to such offer, and shall remain open for at least 20 Business Days. If the holders of more than 50% of the principal amount of the Notes, then outstanding accept such offer, the Fund shall promptly notify the remaining holders of such fact and the expiration date for the acceptance by holders of Notes of such offer shall be extended by the number of days necessary to give each such remaining holder at least 10 Business Days from its receipt of such notice to accept such offer. The Fund will promptly cancel all Notes acquired by it or any Affiliate pursuant to any payment, prepayment or purchase of Notes pursuant to any provision of this Agreement and no Notes may be issued in substitution or exchange for any such Notes.

Section  8.6. Make-Whole Amount. “Make-Whole Amount” means (except as specified in Sections 8.2.2 and 8.2.4) with respect to any Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted Value of the Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to the Called Principal of such Note over the amount of such Called Principal, provided that the Make-Whole Amount may in no event be less than zero. For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount, the following terms have the following meanings:

“Called Principal” means, with respect to any Note, the principal of such Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2.1 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.

“Discounted Value” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, the amount obtained by discounting all Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to such Called Principal from their respective scheduled due dates to the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on the Notes is payable) equal to the Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Called Principal.

“Reinvestment Yield” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, 50% (50 basis points) over the yield to maturity implied by (i) the yields reported as of 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, on the display designated as “Page PX1” (or such other display as may replace Page PX1) on Bloomberg Financial Markets for the most recently issued actively traded on the run U.S.Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date, or (ii) if such yields are not reported as of such time or the yields reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), the Treasury Constant Maturity Series Yields reported, for the latest day for which such yields have been so reported as of the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (or any comparable successor publication) for U.S. Treasury securities having a constant maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date.

 

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In the case of each determination under clause (i) or clause (ii), as the case may be, of the preceding paragraph, such implied yield will be determined, if necessary, by (a) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between (l) the applicable U.S. Treasury security with the maturity closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) the applicable U.S. Treasury security with the maturity closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Note.

“Remaining Average Life” means, with respect to any Called Principal, the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) obtained by dividing (i) such Called Principal into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Remaining Scheduled Payment with respect to such Called Principal by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) that will elapse between the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal and the scheduled due date of such Remaining Scheduled Payment.

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, all payments of such Called Principal and interest thereon that would be due after the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal if no payment of such Called Principal were made prior to its scheduled due date, provided that if such Settlement Date is not a date on which interest payments are due to be made under the terms of such Note, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.2.1 or Section 12.1.

“Settlement Date” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, the date on which such Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2.1 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.

S ECTION  9. A FFIRMATIVE C OVENANTS .

The Fund covenants that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:

Section  9.1. Compliance with Law. Without limiting Section 10.3, the Fund will comply with all laws, ordinances or governmental rules or regulations to which it is subject, including, without limitation, ERISA, Environmental Laws, the USA Patriot Act and the other laws and regulations that are referred to in Section 5.16, and will obtain and maintain in effect all licenses, certificates, permits, franchises and other governmental authorizations necessary to the ownership of its properties or to the conduct of its businesses, in each case to the. extent necessary to ensure that non-compliance with such laws, ordinances or governmental rules or regulations or failures to obtain or maintain in effect such licenses, certificates, permits,

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

franchises and other governmental authorizations would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the foregoing, the Fund shall remain in material compliance, at all times with the 1940 Act, including, but not limited to, all leverage provisions specified in the 1940 Act.

Section  9.2. Insurance. The Fund will maintain, with insurers of recognized financial responsibility, insurance with respect to its properties and businesses against such casualties and contingencies, of such types, on such terms and in such amounts (including deductibles, co-insurance and self-insurance, if adequate reserves are maintained with respect thereto) as is customary in the case of entities of established reputations engaged in the same or a similar business and similarly situated.

Section  9.3. Maintenance of Properties. The Fund will maintain and keep, or cause to be maintained and kept, its properties in good repair, working order and condition (other than ordinary wear and tear), so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times, provided that this Section shall not prevent the Fund from discontinuing the operation and the maintenance of any of its properties if such discontinuance is desirable in the conduct of its business and the Fund has concluded that such discontinuance would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section  9.4. Payment of Taxes. The Fund will file all income tax or similar tax returns required to be filed in any jurisdiction and to pay and discharge all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns and all other taxes, assessments, governmental charges, or levies payable by it, to the extent the same have become due and payable and before they have become delinquent, provided that the Fund need not file any such tax return or pay any such tax, assessment, charge or levy if (i) the amount, applicability or validity thereof is contested by the Fund on a timely basis in good faith and in appropriate proceedings, and the Fund has established adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP on the books of the Fund or (ii) the failure to file any such tax returns or the nonpayment of any such taxes, assessments, charges and levies in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section  9.5. Corporate Existence, Etc. Subject to Section 10.2, the Fund will at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence. Subject to Section 10.2, the Fund will at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect all rights and franchises of the Fund unless, in the good faith judgment of the Fund, the termination of or failure to preserve and keep in full force and effect such corporate existence, right or franchise would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section  9.6. Books and Records. The Fund will maintain proper books of record and account in conformity with GAAP and all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having legal or regulatory jurisdiction over the Fund, as the case may be.

Section  9.7. Asset Coverage. (a) The Fund shall maintain, as of the last day of each month, the 1940 Act Asset Coverage.

 

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(b) The Fund shall satisfy, as of each Valuation Date, the Basic Maintenance Test.

Section  9.8. Current Rating on the Notes. The Fund shall at all times maintain a current rating given by a NRSRO of at least Investment Grade with respect to the Notes and shall not at any time have any rating given by a NRSRO of less than Investment Grade with respect to the Notes.

Section  9.9. Most Favored Lender Status. In the event that the Fund shall at any time after the date of Closing enter into, assume or otherwise become bound by or obligated under any agreement creating or evidencing Indebtedness of the Fund in excess of $10,000,000 in principal amount (a “Reference Agreement”) containing one or more Additional Covenants, the terms of this Agreement shall, without any further action on the part of the Fund or any of the holders of the Notes, be deemed to be amended automatically to include each Additional Covenant contained in such Reference Agreement. The Fund further covenants to promptly execute and deliver at its expense (including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of counsel for the holders of the Notes) an amendment to this Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders evidencing the amendment of this Agreement to include such Additional Covenants, provided that the execution and delivery of such amendment shall not be a precondition to the effectiveness of such amendment as provided for in this Section 9.9, but shall merely be for the convenience of the parties hereto.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) if any Additional Covenant that has been incorporated herein pursuant to this Section 9.9 is subsequently amended or modified in the relevant Reference Agreement, such Additional Covenant, as amended or modified, shall be deemed incorporated by reference into this Agreement and replace such Additional Covenant as originally incorporated, mutatis mutandi, as if set forth fully in this Agreement, effective beginning on the date on which such amendment or modification is effective under the relevant Reference Agreement and (B) if any Additional Covenant that has been incorporated herein pursuant to this Section 9.9 is subsequently removed or terminated from the relevant Reference Agreement or the Fund is otherwise no longer required to comply therewith under the relevant Reference Agreement, the Fund, beginning on the effective date such Additional Covenant is removed or terminated from the relevant Reference Agreement or the Fund otherwise no longer required to comply with such Additional Covenant, shall no longer be or remain obligated to comply with such Additional Covenant hereunder. In the event that an Additional Covenant is amended, modified, removed or terminated pursuant to this Section 9.9 and the Fund and the Required Holders previously entered into an amendment to incorporate such Additional Covenant herein, the holders of the Notes, upon the request of the Fund, shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement to reflect such amendment, modification, removal or termination of such Additional Covenant; provided that the failure of the holders of the Notes and the Fund to execute and deliver any such amendment shall not adversely affect the automatic incorporation of any amended or modified Additional Covenants into, or the automatic removal or termination of Additional Covenants from, this Agreement as provided above in this Section 9.9.

Section  9.10. Ranking of Obligations. The Fund’s payment obligations under the Financing Agreements shall at all times rank senior to all other unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness and senior to any mandatorily redeemable Preferred Stock issued by the Fund and at least pari passu, without preference or priority, with all other secured Indebtedness.

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section  9.11. Maintenance of Status and Compliance . (a) The Fund will remain a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered with the SEC under the 1940 Act.

(b) The Fund will at all times comply in all material respects with the Investment Policies and Restrictions. The Fund will not permit any of the Investment Policies and Restrictions that may not be changed without shareholder approval to be changed from those in effect on the date of Closing without the prior written consent of the Required Holders, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

S ECTION  10. N EGATIVE C OVENANTS .

The Fund covenants that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:

Section  10.1. Transactions with Affiliates. The Fund will comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act provisions, rules and regulations relating to transactions (including without limitation the purchase, lease, sale or exchange of properties of any kind or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate and such transactions shall be pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the Fund’s business and upon terms fair and reasonable to the Fund.

Section  10.2. Merger, Consolidation, Etc. The Fund will not consolidate with or merge with any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets in a single transaction or series of transactions to any Person unless:

(a) the successor formed by such consolidation or the survivor of such merger or the Person that acquires by conveyance, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the assets of the Fund as an entirety, as the case may be, shall be a solvent corporation or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any State thereof (including the District of Columbia), and, if the Fund is not such corporation or limited liability company, such corporation or limited liability company shall have executed and delivered to each holder of any Notes its assumption of the due and punctual performance and observance of each covenant and condition of the Financing Agreements; and

(b) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

No such conveyance, transfer or lease of substantially all of the assets of the Fund shall have the effect of releasing the Fund or any successor corporation or limited liability company that shall theretofore have become such in the manner prescribed in this Section 10.2 from its liability under the Financing Agreements.

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section  10.3. Terrorism Sanctions Regulations. The Fund will not and will not permit any Controlled Entity (a) to become (including by virtue of being owned or controlled by a Blocked Person), own or control a Blocked Person or any Person that is the target of sanctions imposed by the United Nations or by the European Union, or (b) directly or indirectly to have any investment in or engage in any dealing or transaction (including, without limitation, any investment, dealing or transaction involving the proceeds of the Notes) with any Person if such investment, dealing or transaction (i) would cause any holder to be in violation of any law or regulation applicable to such holder, or (ii) is prohibited by or subject to sanctions under any U.S. Economic Sanctions, or (c) to engage, nor shall any Affiliate of either engage, in any activity that could subject such Person or any holder to sanctions under CISADA or any similar law or regulation with respect to Iran or any other country that is subject to U.S. Economic Sanctions.

Section  10.4. Certain Other Restrictions . (a) If the Rating Agency Guidelines require the Fund to receive a prior written confirmation that certain actions would not impair the rating then assigned by the Rating Agency to a Senior Security, then the Fund will not engage in such actions, unless it has received written confirmation from each such Rating Agency that such actions would not impair the rating then assigned by such Rating Agency.

(b) The Fund will not declare any dividend or other distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in shares of capital stock of the Fund) upon any class of shares of capital stock of the Fund or purchase any capital stock of the Fund, unless, in every such case, immediately after such transaction, an asset coverage of at least 300% would be achieved after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be; provided, however, that dividends may be declared upon any Preferred Stock of the Fund if the Notes and any other Senior Securities have an asset coverage (as determined in accordance with Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act as in effect on the date of Closing) of at least 200% at the time of declaration thereof, after deducting the amount of such dividend.

(c) A declaration of a dividend or other distribution on or purchase or redemption of any common or preferred shares of capital stock of the Fund is prohibited (i) at any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) if after giving effect to such declaration, the Fund would not satisfy the Basic Maintenance Test.

Section  10.5. No Subsidiaries. The Fund will not at any time have any Subsidiaries.

Section  10.6. No Liens. The Fund will not create, assume, incur, or suffer to be created, assumed or incurred or to exist any Lien in respect of any Collateral other than (a) any pledge for the benefit of the Note Agent (for the holders of Notes) and (b) Permitted Liens.

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

S ECTION  11. E VENTS OF D EFAULT .

An “ Event of Default” shall exist if any of the following conditions or events shall occur and be continuing:

(a) the Fund defaults in the payment of any principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise; or

(b) the Fund defaults in the payment of any interest on any Note for more than five Business Days after the same becomes due and payable; or

(c) the Fund defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained in Sections 7.1(d), 9.7, 9.8, 10.4(b), 10.4(c) and any Additional Covenant incorporated herein pursuant to Section 9.9, and such default is not remedied within 30 days, provided, that in the case of any such default under Section 9.7, such 30-day period (the “Initial 30-Day Period”) shall be extended by an additional 10-day period (the “Extended 10-Day Period”) if the Fund shall have given notice prior to the end of such Initial 30-Day Period of an optional prepayment of such principal amount of Notes pursuant to Section 8.2 and any other Senior Securities which, when consummated, shall be sufficient to cure such default); or

(d) the Fund defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained herein or in the Financing Agreements (other than those referred to in Sections 11(a), (b) and (c)) and such default is not remedied within 30 days after the earlier of (i) a Responsible Officer obtaining actual knowledge of such default and (ii) the Fund receiving written notice of such default from any holder of a Note (any such written notice to be identified as a “notice of default” and to refer specifically to this Section 11(d)); or

(e) any representation or warranty made in writing by or on behalf of the Fund or by any officer of the Fund in any Financing Agreement or in any writing furnished in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby proves to have been false or incorrect in any material respect on the date as of which made; or

(f) (i) the Fund is in default (as principal or as guarantor or other surety) in the payment of any principal of or premium or make-whole amount or interest on any Indebtedness, that is outstanding in an aggregate principal amount of at least $10,000,000 beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto, or. (ii) the Fund is in default in the performance of or compliance with any term of any evidence of any Indebtedness in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of at least $10,000,000 or of any mortgage, indenture or other agreement relating thereto or any other condition exists, and as a consequence of such default or condition such Indebtedness has become, or has been declared (or one or more Persons are entitled to declare such Indebtedness to be) due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment; or

(g) the Fund (i) is generally not paying, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, (ii) files, or consents by answer or otherwise to the filing against it of, a petition for relief or reorganization or arrangement or any other petition in bankruptcy, for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar law of any jurisdiction,

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

(iii) makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (iv) consents to the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, (v) is adjudicated as insolvent or to be liquidated, or (vi) takes corporate action for the purpose of any Of the foregoing; or

(h) a court or Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction enters an order appointing, without consent by the Fund, a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, or constituting an order for relief or approving a petition for relief or reorganization or any other petition in bankruptcy or for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency law of any jurisdiction, or ordering the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the Fund, or any such petition shall be filed against the Fund and such petition shall not be dismissed within 60 days; or

(i) a final judgment or judgments for the payment of money aggregating in excess of $10,000,000 are rendered against the Fund and which judgments are not, within 60 days after entry thereof, bonded, discharged or stayed pending appeal, or are not discharged within 60 days after the expiration of such stay; or

(j) ClearBridge Investments, LLC (f/k/a ClearBridge Advisors, LLC) or one of its Affiliates is no longer the subadviser of the Fund; or

(k) if, pursuant to Section 18(a)(l)(c)(ii) of the 1940 Act, on the last business day of each of twenty-four consecutive calendar months the Notes shall have an asset coverage of less than 100%; or

(l) if (i) any Plan, if applicable, shall fail to satisfy the minimum funding standards of ERISA or the Code for any plan year or part thereof or a waiver of such standards or extension of any amortization period is sought or granted under section 412 of the Code, (ii) a notice of intent to terminate any Plan shall have been or is reasonably expected to be filed with the PBGC or the PBGC shall have instituted proceedings under ERISA section 4042 to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any Plan or the PBGC shall have notified the Fund or any ERISA Affiliate that a Plan may become a subject of any such proceedings, (iii) the aggregate “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (within the meaning of section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) under all Plans, determined in accordance with Title IV of ERISA, shall exceed $35,000,000, (iv) the Fund or any ERISA Affiliate shall have incurred or is reasonably expected to incur any liability pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans, (v) the Fund or any ERISA Affiliate withdraws from any Multiemployer Plan, or (vi) the Fund or any Subsidiary establishes or amends any employee welfare benefit plan that provides post-employment welfare benefits in a manner that would increase the liability of the Fund or any Subsidiary thereunder; and any such event or events described in clauses (i) through (vi) above, either individually or together with any other such event or events, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

(m) at any time it is or becomes unlawful for the Fund to perform or comply with any or all of its obligations under any of the Financing Agreements or any Lien on any of the Collateral purported to be created by any Financing Agreement ceases to be or is not a valid and perfected Lien to the extent and with the priority contemplated hereby or thereby or any Financing Agreement shall cease to be in full force and effect, including, without limitation, as a result of a determination by any Governmental Authority or court that the Financing Agreement is invalid, void or unenforceable in any material respect or the Fund shall contest, repudiate or deny the validity or enforceability of any Financing Agreement.

As used in Section 11(1), the terms “employee benefit plan and “employee welfare benefit plan” shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA.

S ECTION  12. R EMEDIES ON D EFAULT , E TC .

Section  12 .I. Acceleration . (a) If an Event of Default with respect to the Fund described in Section 11(g) or (h) (other than an Event of Default described in clause (i) of Section 11(g) or described in clause (vi) of Section 11(g) by virtue of the fact that such clause encompasses clause (i) of Section 11(g)) has occurred, all the Notes then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable.

(b) If any other Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Required Holders may at any time at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Fund, declare all the Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable.

(c) If any Event of Default described in Section 11(a) or (b) has occurred and is continuing, any holder or holders of Notes at the time outstanding affected by such Event of Default may at any time, at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Fund, declare all the Notes held by it or them to be immediately due and payable.

Upon any Notes becoming due and payable under this Section 12.1, whether automatically or by declaration, such Notes will forthwith mature and the entire unpaid principal amount of such Notes, plus (x) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including, but not limited to, interest accrued thereon at the applicable Default Rate) and (y) the Make-Whole Amount, determined in respect of such principal amount (to the full extent permitted by applicable law) shall all be immediately due and payable, in each and every case without presentment, demand, protest or further notice, all of which are hereby waived. The Fund acknowledges, and the parties hereto agree, that each holder of a Note has the right to maintain its investment in the Notes free from repayment by the Fund (except as herein specifically provided for) and that the provision for payment of a Make-Whole Amount, in the event that the Notes are prepaid or are accelerated as a result of an Event of Default, is intended to provide compensation for the deprivation of such right under such circumstances.

Section  12.2. Other Remedies. If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and irrespective of whether any Notes have become or have been declared immediately due and payable under Section 12.1, the holder of any Note at the time outstanding

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

may proceed to protect and enforce the rights of such holder by an action at law, suit in equity or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any agreement contained herein or in any Note, or for an injunction against a violation of any of the terms hereof or thereof, or in aid of the exercise of any power granted hereby or thereby or by law or otherwise.

Section  123. Rescission. At any time after any Notes have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1(b) or (c), the Required Holders, by written notice to the Fund, may rescind and annul any such declaration and its consequences if (a) the Fund has paid all overdue interest on the Notes, all principal of and Make-Whole Amount, if any, on any Notes that are due and payable and are unpaid other than by reason of such declaration, and all interest on such overdue principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest in respect of the Notes, at the applicable Default Rate, (b) neither the Fund nor any other Person shall have paid any amounts which have become due solely by reason of such declaration, (c) all Events of Default and Defaults, other than non-payment of amounts that have become due solely by reason of such declaration, have been cured or have been waived pursuant to Section 17, and (d) no judgment or decree has been entered for the payment of any monies due pursuant hereto or to the Notes. No rescission and annulment under this Section 12.3 will extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section  12.4. No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc, No course of dealing and no delay on the part of any holder of any Note in exercising any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice such holder’s rights, powers or remedies. No right, power or remedy conferred by this Agreement or by any Note upon any holder thereof shall be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy referred to herein or therein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise. Without limiting the obligations of the Fund under Section 15, the Fund will pay to the holder of each Note on demand such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all costs and expenses of such holder incurred in any enforcement or collection under this Section 12, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses and disbursements.

S ECTION  13. R EGISTRATION ; E XCHANGE ; S UBSTITUTION OF N OTES .

Section  13.1. Registration of Notes. Each Purchaser and each subsequent holder of the Notes severally acknowledges and agrees that any Notes received in connection with this Agreement will bear the legend set forth on Exhibit 13.1. The Fund or its agent on the Fund’s behalf shall keep at its principal executive office a register for the registration and registration of transfers of Notes. The name and address of each holder of one or more Notes, each transfer thereof and the name and address of each transferee of one or more Notes shall be registered in such register. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Person in whose name any Note shall be registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes hereof, and the Fund shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary. The Fund shall give to any holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor promptly upon request therefor, a complete and correct copy of the names and addresses of all registered holders of Notes.

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section  13.2. Transfer and Exchange of Notes . Upon surrender of any Note to the Fund or its agent at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 18(iii)), for registration of transfer or exchange (and in the case of a surrender for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such Note or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing and accompanied by the relevant name, address and other information for notices of each transferee of such Note or part thereof), within ten Business Days thereafter, the Fund shall execute and deliver, at the Fund’s expense (except as provided below), one or more new Notes of the same Series (as requested by the holder thereof) in exchange therefor, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note. Each such new Note shall be payable to such Person as such holder may request and shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1-A or 1-B as applicable. Each such new Note shall be dated and bear interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on the surrendered Note or dated the date of the surrendered Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon. The Fund may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp tax or governmental charge imposed in respect of any such transfer of Notes. Notes Shall not be transferred in denominations of less than $100,000, provided that if necessary to enable the registration of transfer by a holder of its entire holding of Notes of a Series, one Note of such Series may be in a denomination of less than $100,000. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 13.2, no Notes shall be resold, transferred or otherwise disposed of unless such Notes are registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act and any applicable state or foreign securities laws or if an exemption from registration is available, except under circumstances where neither such registration nor such an exemption is required by law, and that the Fund is not required to register the Notes. Each holder of Notes will be deemed, by its acceptance thereof, (i) to have made the representations set forth in Section 6.2 of this Agreement and (ii) to have agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of this Agreement.

Section  13.3. Replacement of Notes. Upon receipt by the Fund at the address and to the attention Of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 18(iii)) of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Note (which evidence shall be, in the case of an Institutional Investor, notice from such Institutional Investor of such ownership and such loss, theft, destruction or mutilation), and

(a) in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it (provided that if the holder of such Note is, or is a nominee for, an original Purchaser or another holder of a Note with a minimum net worth of at least $50,000,000 or a Qualified Institutional Buyer, such Person’s own unsecured agreement of indemnity shall be deemed to be satisfactory), or

(b) in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation thereof,

within ten Business Days thereafter, the Fund at its own expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Note of the same Series, dated and bearing interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note or dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon.

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

S ECTION  14. P AYMENTS ON N OTES .

Section  14.1. Place of Payment. Subject to Section 14.2, payments of principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, arid interest becoming due and payable on the Notes shall be made in New York, New York at the principal office of The Bank of New York Mellon at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286. The Fund may at any time, by notice to each holder of a Note, change the place of payment of the Notes so long as such place of payment shall be either the principal office of the Fund in such jurisdiction or the principal office of a bank or trust company in such jurisdiction.

Section  14.2. Home Office Payment. So long as any Purchaser or its nominee shall be the holder of any Note, and notwithstanding anything contained in Section 14.1 or in such Note to the contrary, the Fund will pay all sums becoming due on such Note for principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest by the method and at the address specified for such purpose below such Purchaser’s name in Schedule A, or by such other method or at such other address as such Purchaser shall have from time to time specified to the Fund in writing for such purpose, without the presentation or surrender of such Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that upon written request of the Fund made concurrently with or reasonably promptly after payment or prepayment in full of any Note, such Purchaser shall surrender such Note for cancellation, reasonably promptly after any such request, to the Fund at its principal executive office or at the place of payment most recently designated by the Fund pursuant to Section 14.1. Prior to any sale or other disposition of any Note held by a Purchaser or its nominee, such Purchaser will, at its election, either endorse thereon the amount of principal paid thereon and the last date to which interest has been paid thereon or surrender such Note to the Fund in exchange for a new Note or Notes pursuant to Section 13.2. The Fund will afford the benefits of this Section 14.2 to any Institutional Investor that is the direct or indirect transferee of any Note purchased by a Purchaser under this Agreement and that has made the same agreement relating to such Note as the Purchasers have made in this Section 14.2.

S ECTION  15. E XPENSES , E TC .

Section  15.1. Transaction Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Fund will pay all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees of a special counsel and, if reasonably required by the Required Holders, local or other counsel) incurred by the Purchasers and each other holder of a Note in connection with such transactions and in connection with any amendments, waivers or consents under or in respect of any Financing Agreements (whether or not such amendment, waiver or consent becomes effective), including, without limitation: (a) the reasonable costs and expenses incurred in enforcing or defending (or determining whether or how to enforce or defend) any rights under any Financing Agreements or in responding to any subpoena or other legal process or informal investigative demand issued in connection with any Financing Agreements, or by reason of being a holder of any Note, (b) the reasonable costs and expenses, including financial advisors’ fees, incurred in connection with the insolvency or bankruptcy of the Fund or in connection with any work-out or restructuring of the transactions contemplated the Financing Agreements and by the Notes and (c) the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the initial filing of this Agreement and all related documents and financial information with the SVO, provided that such

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

costs and expenses under this clause (c) shall not exceed $3,000 per Series. The Fund will pay, and will save each Purchaser and each other holder of a Note harmless from, all claims in respect of any fees, costs or expenses if any, of brokers and finders (other than those, if any, retained by a Purchaser or other holder in connection with its purchase of the Notes).

Section  15.2. Survival. The obligations of the Fund under this Section 15 will survive the payment or transfer of any Note, the enforcement, amendment or waiver of any provision of any Financing Agreement, and the termination of this Agreement.

S ECTION  16.    S URVIVAL OF R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES ; E NTIRE A GREEMENT .

All representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the execution and delivery of the Financing Agreements, the purchase or transfer by any Purchaser of any Note or portion thereof or interest therein and the payment of any Note, and may be relied upon by any subsequent holder of a Note. All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Fund pursuant to the Financing Agreements shall be deemed representations and warranties of the Fund under this Agreement. Subject to the preceding sentence, the Financing Agreements embody the entire agreement and understanding between each Purchaser and the Fund and supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.

S ECTION  17. A MENDMENT AND W AIVER .

Section  17.1. Requirements. (a) This Agreement and the Notes may be amended, and the observance of any term hereof or of the Notes may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively), with (and only with) the written consent of the Fund and the Required Holders, except that (a) no amendment or waiver of any of the provisions of Section 1,2, 3,4,5,6 or 21 hereof, or any defined term (as it is used therein), will be effective as to any Purchaser unless consented to by such Purchaser in writing, and (b) no such amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of the holder of each Note at the time outstanding affected thereby, (i) subject to the provisions of Section 12 relating to acceleration or rescission, change the amount or time of any prepayment or payment of principal of, or reduce the rate or change the time of payment or method of computation of interest or of the Make-Whole Amount on, the Notes, (ii) change the percentage of the principal amount of the Notes the holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment or waiver, or (iii) amend any of Sections 8,11(a), 11(b), 12,17 or 20.

The Financing Agreements (other than this Agreement and the Notes) may be amended in the manner described in each such document.

Section 17.2. Solicitation of Holders of Notes.

(a) Solicitation . The Fund will provide each holder of the Notes (irrespective of the amount of Notes then owned by it) with sufficient information, sufficiently far in advance of the date a decision is required, to enable such holder to make an informed and considered decision with respect to any proposed amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the provisions hereof or of the Notes. The Fund will deliver executed or true and correct copies of each

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

amendment, waiver or consent effected pursuant to the provisions of this Section 17 to each holder of outstanding Notes promptly following the date on which it is executed and delivered by, or receives the consent or approval of, the requisite holders of Notes.

(b) Payment. The Fund will not directly or indirectly pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise, or grant any security or provide other credit support, to any holder of Notes as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by any holder of Notes or any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions hereof or of the Notes unless such remuneration is concurrently paid, or security is concurrently granted or other credit support concurrently provided, on the same terms, ratably to each holder of Notes then outstanding even if such holder did not consent to such waiver or amendment.

(c) Consent in Contemplation of Transfer. Any consent made pursuant to this Section 17.2 by the holder of any Note that has transferred or has agreed to transfer such Note to the Fund or any Affiliate of the Fund and has provided or has agreed to provide such written consent as a condition to such transfer shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder, and any amendments effected or waivers granted or to be effected or granted that would not have been or would not be so effected or granted but for such consent (and the consents of all other holders of Notes that were acquired under the same or similar conditions) shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such transferring holder.

Section  17.3. Binding Effect, Etc. Any amendment or waiver consented to as provided in this Section 17 applies equally to all holders of Notes and is binding upon them and upon each future holder of any Note and upon the Fund without regard to whether such Note has been marked to indicate such amendment or waiver. No such amendment or waiver will extend to or affect any obligation, covenant, agreement, Default or Event of Default not expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing between the Fund and the holder of any Note nor any delay in exercising any rights hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any holder of such Note. As used herein, the term “this Agreement” and references thereto shall mean this Agreement as it may from time to time be amended or supplemented.

Section  17.4. Notes Held by Fund, Etc. Solely for the purpose of determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Agreement or the Notes, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein or in the Notes to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, Notes directly or indirectly owned by the Fund or any of its Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding.

S ECTION  18. N OTICES .

All notices and communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and sent (a) by telecopy if the sender on the same day sends a confirming copy of such notice by a recognized overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), or (b) by registered or certified mail

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

with return receipt requested (postage prepaid), or (c) by a recognized overnight delivery service (with charges prepaid) or (d) by email. Any such notice must be sent:

(i) if to any Purchaser or its nominee, to such Purchaser or nominee at the address specified for such communications in Schedule A, or at such other address as such Purchaser or nominee shall have specified to the Fund in writing,

(ii) if to any other holder of any Note, to such holder at such address as such other holder shall have specified to the Fund in writing, or

(iii) if to the Fund, to the Fund at its address set forth at the beginning hereof to the attention of Chief Executive Officer, or at such other address as the Fund shall have specified to the holder of each Note in writing.

Notices under this Section 18 will be deemed given only when actually received.

S ECTION  19. R EPRODUCTION OF D OCUMENTS .

This Agreement and all documents relating thereto, including, without limitation, (a) consents, waivers and modifications that may hereafter be executed, (b) documents received by any Purchaser at the Closing (except the Notes themselves), and (c) financial statements, certificates and other information previously or hereafter furnished to any Purchaser, may be reproduced by such Purchaser by any photographic, photostatic, electronic, digital, or other similar process and such Purchaser may destroy any original document so reproduced. The Fund agrees and stipulates that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding (whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by such Purchaser in the regular course of business) and any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence. This Section 19 shall not prohibit the Fund or any other holder of Notes from contesting any such reproduction to the same extent that it could contest the original , or from introducing evidence to demonstrate the inaccuracy of any such reproduction.

S ECTION  20. C ONFIDENTIAL I NFORMATION .

For the purposes of this Section 20, “Confidential Information” means information delivered to any Purchaser by or on behalf of the Fund in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement that is proprietary in nature and that was clearly marked or labeled or otherwise adequately identified when received by such Purchaser as being confidential information of the Fund, provided that such term does not include information that (a) was publicly known or otherwise known to such Purchaser prior to the time of such disclosure, (b) subsequently becomes publicly known through no act or omission by such Purchaser or any person acting on such Purchaser’s behalf, (c) otherwise becomes known to such Purchaser other than through disclosure by the Fund or (d) constitutes financial statements delivered to such Purchaser under Section 7.1 that are otherwise publicly available. Each Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information in

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

accordance with procedures adopted by such Purchaser in good faith to protect confidential information of third parties delivered to such Purchaser, provided that such Purchaser may deliver or disclose Confidential Information to (i) its directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents, attorneys and affiliates (to the extent such disclosure reasonably relates to the administration of the investment represented by its Notes), (ii) its financial advisors and other professional advisors who agree to hold confidential the Confidential Information substantially in accordance with the terms of this Section 20, (iii) any other holder of any Note, (iv) any Institutional Investor to which it sells or offers to sell such Note or any part thereof or any participation therein (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 20), (v) any Person from which it offers to purchase any security of the Fund (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 20), (vi) any federal or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Purchaser, (vii) the NAIC or the SVO or, in each case, any similar organization, or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about such Purchaser’s investment portfolio, or (viii) any other Person to which such delivery or disclosure may be necessary or appropriate (w) to effect compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to such Purchaser, (x) in response to any subpoena or other legal process, (y) in connection with any litigation to which such Purchaser is a party or (z) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the extent such Purchaser may reasonably determine such delivery and disclosure to be necessary or appropriate in the enforcement or for the protection of the rights and remedies under such Purchaser’s Notes and this Agreement. Each holder of a Note, by its acceptance of a Note, will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to be entitled to the benefits of this Section 20 as though it were a party to this Agreement. On reasonable request by the Fund in connection with the delivery to any holder of a Note of information required to be delivered to such holder under this Agreement or requested by such holder (other than a holder that is a party to this Agreement or its nominee), such holder will enter into an agreement with the Fund embodying the provisions of this Section 20. A holder of a Note, by receipt of Confidential Information, hereby also acknowledges that trading in the Fund’s securities may be prohibited under applicable laws, rules and regulations and that it has implemented policies to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations and to prohibit any such prohibited trades.

S ECTION  21. S UBSTITUTION OF P URCHASER .

Section  21.1. Each Purchaser shall have the right to substitute any one of its Affiliates as the purchaser of the Notes that it has agreed to purchase hereunder, by written notice to the Fund, which notice shall be signed by both such Purchaser and such Affiliate, shall contain such Affiliate’s agreement to be bound by this Agreement and shall contain a confirmation by such Affiliate of the accuracy with respect to it of the representations set forth in Section 6. Upon receipt of such notice, any reference to such Purchaser in this Agreement (other than in this Section 21), shall be deemed to refer to such Affiliate in lieu of such original Purchaser. In the event that such Affiliate is so substituted as a Purchaser hereunder and such Affiliate thereafter transfers to such original Purchaser all of the Notes then held by such Affiliate, upon receipt by the Fund of notice of such transfer, any reference to such Affiliate as a “Purchaser” in this Agreement (other than in this Section 21), shall no longer be deemed to refer to such Affiliate, but shall refer to such original Purchaser, and such original Purchaser shall again have all the rights of an original holder of the Notes under this Agreement.

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section  21.2. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the source of funds to be used by a proposed Affiliate or transferee to purchase a Note is a source which qualifies under clause (c) or (g) of Section 6.2, no Purchaser shall substitute any Affiliate as the purchaser of the Notes or make any other transfer of the Notes to any other transferee without the prior written consent of the Fund, which will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, however, if such Affiliate or other transferee is able to make the representation set forth in Section 6.2(c) without making any disclosure to the Fund in writing, the prior written consent of the Fund to such substitution or transfer shall not be required.

S ECTION  22. M ISCELLANEOUS .

Section  22.1. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns (including, without limitation, any subsequent holder of a Note) whether so expressed or not.

Section  22.2. Payments Due on Non-Business Days. Anything in this Agreement or the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding (but without limiting the requirement in Section 8.4 that the notice of any optional prepayment specify a Business Day as the date fixed for such prepayment), any payment of principal of or Make-Whole Amount or interest on any Note that is due on a date other than a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day without including the additional days elapsed in the computation of the interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day; provided that if the maturity date of any Note is a date other than a Business Day, the payment otherwise due on such maturity date shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and shall include the additional days elapsed in the computation of interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day.

Section  22.3. Accounting Terms. All accounting terms used herein which are not expressly defined in this Agreement have the meanings respectively given to them in accordance with GAAP. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, (i) all computations made pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) all financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of determining compliance with the financial covenants contained in this Agreement, any election by the Fund to measure an item of Indebtedness using fair value (as permitted by Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 825-10-25 – Fair Value Option, International Accounting Standard 39 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement or any similar accounting standard) shall be disregarded and such determination shall be made as if such election had not been made.

Section  22.4. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall (to the full extent permitted by law) not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section  22.5. Construction, Etc. Each covenant contained herein shall be construed (absent express provision to the contrary) as being independent of each other covenant contained herein, so that compliance with any one covenant shall not (absent such an express contrary provision) be deemed to excuse compliance with any other covenant. Where any provision herein refers to action to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Person.

For the avoidance of doubt, all Schedules and Exhibits attached to this Agreement and all Additional Covenants incorporated herein pursuant to Section 9.9 shall be deemed to be a part hereof.

The Notes are issued under and are subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement and no other indenture of the Fund.

Section  22.6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.

Section  22.7. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

Section  22.8. Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial. (a) The Fund irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York state or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Notes. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Fund irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

(b) The Fund consents to process being served by or on behalf of any holder of Notes in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 22.8(a) by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to it at its address specified in Section 18 or at such other address of which such holder shall then have been notified pursuant to said Section. The Fund agrees that such service upon receipt (i) shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such suit, action or proceeding and (ii) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be taken and held to be valid personal service upon and personal delivery to it.

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

Notices hereunder shall be conclusively presumed received as evidenced by a delivery receipt furnished by the United States Postal Service or any reputable commercial delivery service.

(c) Nothing in this Section 22.8 shall affect the right of any holder of a Note to serve process in any manner permitted by law, or limit any right that the holders of any of the Notes may have to bring proceedings against the Fund in the courts of any appropriate jurisdiction or to enforce in any lawful manner a judgment obtained in one jurisdiction in any other jurisdiction.

(d) T HE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT ON OR WITH RESPECT TO THIS A GREEMENT , THE N OTES OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH .

*    *    *    *    *

 

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If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of agreement on a counterpart of this Agreement and return it to the Fund, whereupon this Agreement shall become a binding agreement between you and the Fund.

 

Very truly yours,

C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND INC .

By:  

/s/ Jane E. Trust

  Name: Jane E. Trust
 

Title: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to the Note Purchase Agreement]


ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.    Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date thereof.

[Purchaser Signatures Redacted]

 


I NFORMATION R ELATING TO P URCHASERS

[Redacted]

S CHEDULE A

(to Note Purchase Agreement)


D EFINED T ERMS

As used herein, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the Section hereof following such term:

“Additional Covenant” shall mean any covenant in respect of the financial condition or financial position of the Fund, including, but not limited to, covenants that specify or require the maintenance of certain financial ratios applicable to the Fund, and the default provision related thereto (regardless of whether such provision is labeled or otherwise characterized as a covenant or a default).    

“Additional Debt Facility” or “Additional Debt Facilities” means any note purchase agreement or credit agreement (other than the Bank Facility) entered into by the Fund with a financial institution on or after August 26, 2015 which is (i) secured only by Liens that are pari passu with the Liens in favor of the Note Agent, (ii) subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and (iii) not otherwise prohibited by the Financing Agreements and, provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred or shall occur both immediately before and immediately after entering into such Additional Debt Facility.

“Adjustment Period” shall mean, with respect to any calculation of the applicable interest rate in respect of the Notes, any period of time during which any Series of the Notes has a current rating of less than “A-” by Fitch or less than its equivalent by any other NRSRO.

“Affiliate” means, at any time, and with respect to any Person, any other Person that at such time directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person. As used in this definition, “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any reference to an “Affiliate” is a reference to an Affiliate of the Fund.

“Agency Discounted Value” means the quotient of the Market Value of an Eligible Asset divided by the applicable Rating Agency Discount Factor, provided that with respect to an Eligible Asset that is currently callable, Agency Discounted Value will be equal to the quotient as calculated above or the call price, whichever is lower, and that with respect to an Eligible Asset that is prepayable, Agency Discounted Value will be equal to the quotient as calculated above or the par value, whichever is lower.

“Anti-Corruption Laws” is defined in Section 5.16(d)(1).

“Anti-Money Laundering Laws” is defined in Section 5.16(c).

“Bank Facility” means the Credit Agreement dated as of February 7, 2013, among the Fund, State Street Bank and Trust Company as agent and other lending parties thereto as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement dated as of February 6, 2014, as further amended by Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2015, as further

S CHEDULE B

(to Note Purchase Agreement)


amended by Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to Security Agreement dated as of August 26, 2015 and as further amended, supplemented, renewed, extended or otherwise modified or refinanced from time to time and any related loan documents (or words of comparable effect), as such related loan documents may be amended, supplemented, renewed, extended or otherwise modified or refinanced from time to time.

“Basic Maintenance Test” as of any Valuation Date is the requirement to maintain Eligible Assets with an aggregate Agency Discounted Value equal to at least the basic maintenance amount required by each Rating Agency under its respective Rating Agency Guidelines, separately determined.

“Blocked Person” is defined in Section 5.16(a).

“Business Day” means (a) for the purposes of Section 8.6 only, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York City are required or authorized to be closed, and (b) for the purposes of any other provision of this Agreement, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York, are required or authorized to be closed.

“Capital Lease” means, at any time, a lease with respect to which the lessee is required concurrently to recognize the acquisition of an asset and the incurrence of a liability in accordance with GAAP.

“CISADA” means the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act.    

“Closing” is defined in Section 3.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time.

“Collateral” means the assets of the Fund encumbered by the Security Agreement.

“Collateral Agent” means State Street Bank and Trust Company, or any other Person appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Intercreditor Agreement, in its capacity as the collateral agent on behalf of (a) the Note Agent, (b) the agent under the Bank Facility for the lenders thereunder, (c) the 2013 Note Agent, and (d) other lenders, holders of Notes or agents under Additional Debt Facilities from time to time, as contemplated therein.

“Confidential Information” is defined in Section 20.

“Control Agreement” means that certain Control Agreement dated February 7, 2013, as amended by that certain Amendment No.1 to Control Agreement dated as of August 26, 2015, among the Fund, the Collateral Agent and the Custodian, as the same may be further amended, restated, modified, supplemented or in effect from time to time.

 

B-2


“Controlled Entity” means (i) any of the Subsidiaries of the Fund and any of their or the Fund’s respective Controlled Affiliates and (ii) if the Fund has a parent company, such parent company and its Controlled Affiliates. As used in this definition, “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

“Custodian” means State Street Bank and Trust Company, or any successor under the Custody Agreement.

“Custody Agreement” means that certain Custodian Services Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2012, among the Fund, the Custodian and the other parties thereto, as the same may be amended or replaced and in effect from time to time.

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

“Default Rate” means, with respect to any Series of Notes, that rate of interest per annum that is the greater of (i) 2.00% above the rate of interest stated in clause (a) of the first paragraph of the Notes of such Series or (ii) 2.00% over the rate of interest publicly announced by The Bank of New York Mellon in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate.

“Disclosure Documents” is defined in Section 5.3.

“Electronic Delivery” is defined in Section 7.1(a).

“Eligible Assets” means Fitch Eligible Assets (if Fitch is then rating the Senior Securities) and/or Other Rating Agency Eligible Assets (if any Other Rating Agency is then rating the Senior Securities), whichever is applicable.

“Environmental Laws” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including but not limited to those related to Hazardous Materials.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is treated as a single employer together with the Fund under section 414 of the Code.

“Event of Default” is defined in Section 11.

 

B-3


“Extended 10-Day Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(c) of this Agreement.

“Financing Agreements” means this Agreement, the Notes and the Security Documents.

“Fitch” means Fitch, Inc. and its successors at law.

“Fitch Discount Factor” means the discount factors set forth in the Fitch Guidelines for use in calculating the Agency Discounted Value of the Fund’s assets in connection with Fitch’s ratings then assigned on the Senior Securities.

“Fitch Eligible Asset” means assets of the Fund set forth in the Fitch Guidelines as eligible for inclusion in calculating the Agency Discounted Value of the Fund’s assets in connection with Fitch’s ratings then assigned on the Senior Securities.

“Fitch Guidelines” mean the guidelines provided by Fitch, as may be amended from time to time, in connection with Fitch’s ratings then assigned on the Senior Securities.

“Form N-CSR” is defined in Section 7.1(b).

“Fund” means ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation or any successor that becomes such in the manner prescribed in Section 10.2.

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

“Governmental Authority” means

(a) the government of

(i) the United States of America or any State or other political subdivision thereof, or

(ii) any other jurisdiction in which the Fund conducts all or any part of its business, or which asserts jurisdiction over any properties of the Fund, or

(b) any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of, or pertaining to, any such government.

“ Governmental Official” means any governmental official or employee, employee of any government-owned or government-controlled entity, political party, any official of a political party, candidate for political office, official of any public international organization or anyone else acting in an official capacity.

“Guaranty” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation (except the endorsement in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection) of such

 

B-4


Person guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any indebtedness, dividend or other obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including (without limitation) obligations incurred through an agreement, contingent or otherwise, by such Person:

(a) to purchase such indebtedness or obligation or any property constituting security therefor;

(b) to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of such indebtedness or obligation, or (ii) to maintain any working capital or other balance sheet condition or any income statement condition of any other Person or otherwise to advance or make available funds for the purchase or payment of such indebtedness or obligation;

(c) to lease properties or to purchase properties or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of such indebtedness or obligation of the ability of any Other Person to make payment of the indebtedness or obligation; or

(d) otherwise to assure the owner of such indebtedness or obligation against loss in respect thereof.

In any computation of the indebtedness or other liabilities of the obligor under any Guaranty, the indebtedness or other obligations that are the subject of such Guaranty shall be assumed to be direct obligations of such obligor.

“Hazardous Material” means any and all pollutants, toxic or hazardous wastes or other substances that might pose a hazard to health and safety, the removal of which may be required or the generation, manufacture, refining, production, processing, treatment, storage, handling, transportation, transfer, use, disposal, release, discharge, spillage, seepage or filtration of which is or shall be restricted, prohibited or penalized by any applicable law including, but not limited to, asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum, petroleum products, lead based paint, radon gas or similar restricted, prohibited or penalized substances.

“Holder” means, with respect to any Note, the Person in whose name such Note is registered in the register maintained by the Fund pursuant to Section 13.1.

“Holder Forms” means any forms required to be filed by a holder of Notes pursuant to the 1940 Act or as required by the Federal Reserve Board.

“Indebtedness” with respect to any Person means, at any time, without duplication,

(a) its liabilities for borrowed money and its redemption obligations in respect of mandatorily redeemable Preferred Stock;

(b) its liabilities for the deferred purchase price of property acquired by such Person (excluding accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business but including all liabilities created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to any such property);

 

B-5


(c) all liabilities appearing on its balance sheet in accordance with GAAP in respect of Capital Leases;

(d) all liabilities for borrowed money secured by any Lien, with respect to any property owned by such Person (whether or not it has assumed or otherwise become liable for such liabilities);

(e) all its liabilities in respect of letters of credit or instruments serving a similar function issued or accepted for its account by banks and other financial institutions (whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money);

(f) the aggregate Swap Termination Value of all Swap Contracts of such Person; and

(g) any Guaranty of such Person with respect to liabilities of a type described in any of clauses (a) through (f) hereof.

“Institutional Investor” means (a) any Purchaser of a Note, (b) any holder of a Note holding (together with one or more of its affiliates) more than 5% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, (c) any bank, trust company, savings and loan association or other financial institution, any pension plan, any investment company, any insurance company, any broker or dealer, or any other similar financial institution or entity, regardless of legal form, and (d) any Related Fund of any holder of any Note.

“Initial 30-Day Period” is defined in Section 11(c).

“Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Collateral Agent, the agent under the Bank Facility for the lenders thereunder, the 2013 Note Agent and the other lenders, holders of notes or agents under the Additional Debt Facilities (including the Note Agent) which are a party thereto from time to time, as the same may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time.

“Investment Grade” shall mean a rating of at least “BBB-” or higher by Fitch or its equivalent by any other NRSRO.

“Investment Policies and Restrictions” means with respect to the Fund, the provisions dealing with objectives, policies and restrictions relating to investing and borrowing by the Fund, as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus, as modified by the annual reports of the Fund, delivered to the Purchasers prior to the date of this Agreement, in each case as such objectives, policies and restrictions are in effect on the date of Closing, as modified as permitted under this Agreement.

 

B-6


“Iran” means the Government of Iran and any agency or instrumentality of the Government of Iran.

“Iranian Sector” means (i) activities to develop petroleum or natural gas resources or nuclear power in Iran, including, but not limited to, providing oil or liquefied natural gas tankers or products used to construct or maintain pipelines used to transport oil or liquefied natural gas for the energy sector in Iran, (ii) activities to supply, maintain or enhance any aspect of the Iranian military, including, but not limited to, the research and development of nuclear weapons and (iii) the banking and financial services sector of Iran.

“Lien” means, with respect to any Person, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or other encumbrance, or any interest or title of any vendor, lessor, lender or other secured party to or of such Person under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or Capital Lease, upon or with respect to any property or asset of such Person (including in the case of stock, stockholder agreements, voting trust agreements and all similar arrangements).

“Make-Whole Amount” is defined in Section 8.6.

“Market Value” means the market value of an asset of the Fund determined as follows: Readily marketable portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale price on the Business Day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices on such day. Securities admitted to trade on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the Business Day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities admitted to trading on the NASDAQ, are valued at the last sale price on the Business Day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices on such day. Fixed income securities with a remaining maturity of 60 days or more are valued by the Fund using a pricing service. When price quotations are not available, fair market value will be based on prices of comparable securities. Fixed income securities maturing within 60 days are valued on an amortized cost basis. For securities that are privately issued or illiquid, as well as any other portfolio security held by the Fund for which, in the judgment of the Fund’s investment adviser, reliable market quotations are not readily available, the pricing service does not provide a valuation, or provides a valuation that in the judgment of that investment adviser is stale or does not represent fair value, valuations will be determined in a manner that most fairly reflects fair value of the security on the valuation date under procedures adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fund.

“Material” means material in relation to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of the Fund.

“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of the Fund taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Fund to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Notes or (c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the Notes.

 

B-7


“Multiemployer Plan means any Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” (as such term is defined in section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA).

“NAIC” means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any successor thereto.

“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and all exemptive relief, if any, obtained by the Fund thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.

“1940 Act Asset Coverage” means asset coverage required by the 1940 Act Senior Notes Asset Coverage and by the 1940 Act Total Leverage Asset Coverage.

“1940 Act Senior Notes Asset Coverage” means, asset coverage as defined by Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act as in effect on the date of Closing of at least 300% with respect to Senior Securities, determined on the basis of values calculated as of a time within 48 hours next preceding the time of such determination.

“1940 Act Total Leverage Asset Coverage” means, asset coverage as defined by Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act as in effect on the date of Closing of at least 200% with respect to Senior Securities and Preferred Stock, determined on the basis of values calculated as of a time within 48 hours next preceding the time of such determination.

“Note Agency Agreement” means the 2015 Note Agency Agreement dated August 26, 2015, as the same may be amended or replaced and in effect from time to time.

“Note Agent” means The Bank of New York Mellon, in its capacity as agent for the holders of the Notes or any successor pursuant to the terms of the Note Agency Agreement.

“Notes” is defined in Section 1.

“NRSRO” means a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization.

“OFAC” is defined in Section 5.16(a).

“OFAC Listed Person” is defined in Section 5.16(a).

“OFAC Sanctions Program” means any economic or trade sanction that OFAC is responsible for administering and enforcing. A list of OFAC Sanctions Programs may be found at http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs/

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer or of any other officer of the Fund whose responsibilities extend to the subject matter of such certificate.

 

B-8


“Other Rating Agency” means each NRSRO, if any, other than Fitch then providing a rating for the Senior Securities.

“Other Rating Agency Discount Factor” means the discount factors set forth in the Other Rating Agency Guidelines of each Other Rating Agency for use in calculating the Agency Discounted Value of the Fund’s assets in connection with the Other Rating Agency’s rating of Senior Securities.

“Other Rating Agency Eligible Assets” means assets of the Fund set forth in the Other Rating Agency Guidelines of each Other Rating Agency as eligible for inclusion in calculating the Agency Discounted Value of the Fund’s assets in connection with the Other Rating Agency’s rating of Senior Securities.

“Other Rating Agency Guidelines” mean the guidelines provided by each Other Rating Agency, as may be amended from time to time, in connection with the Other Rating Agency’s rating of Senior Securities.

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA or any successor thereto.

“Permitted Liens” means (i) Liens in favor of the Note Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, securing the obligations of the Fund under the Financing Agreements, (ii) Liens in favor of the agent under the Bank Facility, on behalf of itself, the Collateral Agent and the lenders thereunder, created by or pursuant to any of the loan documents executed in connection therewith, to the extent pari passu or junior in priority to the Liens in favor of the Note Agent, (iii) Liens in favor of other lenders, holders of notes, or agents under any Additional Debt Facilities, securing the obligations of the Fund under the documents executed in connection with such Additional Debt Facilities, to the extent pari passu with the Liens in favor of the Note Agent, (iv) Liens in favor of the 2013 Note Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the 2013 Notes, securing the obligations of the Fund under the Financing Agreements (as defined in the 2013 Note Agreement), to the extent pari passu with the Liens in favor of the Note Agent, (v) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies the payment of which is not at the time required or which are being contested in good faith by the Fund and as to which the Fund has established appropriate reserves on its books and records, (vi) Liens in favor of the Fund’s Custodian granted pursuant to the Custody Agreement to secure obligations arising under such custody agreement, and (vii) encumbrances created in connection with the Fund’s portfolio investments and investment techniques to the extent not prohibited by the Investment Policies and Restrictions.

“Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, business entity or Governmental Authority.

“Plan” means an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in section 3(3) of ERISA) subject to Title I of ERISA that is or, within the preceding five years, has been established or maintained, or to which contributions are or, within the preceding five years, have been made or required to be made, by the Fund or any ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which the Fund or any ERISA Affiliate may have any liability.

 

B-9


“ Preferred Stock” means any class of capital stock of a Person that is preferred over any other class of capital stock (or similar equity interests) of such Person as to the payment of dividends or the payment of any amount upon liquidation or dissolution of such Person.

“ property” or “properties” means, unless otherwise specifically limited, real or personal property of any kind, tangible or intangible, choate or inchoate.

“Prospectus” means a prospectus (including a statement of additional information) filed pursuant to Rule 497 with the SEC on April 1, 2015, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement filed with the SEC on April 1, 2015 and as further supplemented by the prospectus supplement filed with the SEC on July 22, 2015.

“Purchaser” is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

“Qualified Institutional Buyer” means any Person who is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of such term as set forth in Rule 144A(a)(l) under the Securities Act.

“Rating Agency” means each of Fitch (if Fitch is then rating Senior Securities) and any Other Rating Agency (if any Other Rating Agency is then rating Senior Securities).

“Rating Agency Discount Factor” means the Fitch Discount Factor (if Fitch is then rating Senior Securities) or an Other Rating Agency Rating Agency Discount Factor (if any Other Rating Agency is then rating Senior Securities), whichever is applicable.

“ Rating Agency Guidelines” mean Fitch Guidelines (if Fitch is then rating Senior Securities) and any Other Rating Agency Guidelines (if any Other Rating Agency is then rating Senior Securities).

“Reference Agreement” is defined in Section 9.9.

“Related Fund” means, with respect to any holder of any Note, any fund or entity that (i) invests in securities or bank loans, and (ii) is advised or managed by such holder, the same investment advisor as such holder or by an affiliate of such holder or such investment advisor.

“Required Holders” means, at any time, the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding (exclusive of Notes then owned by the Fund or any of its Affiliates).

“Responsible Officer” means any Senior Financial Officer and any other officer of the Fund with responsibility for the administration of the relevant portion of this Agreement.

“ SEC” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States, or any successor thereto.

 

B-10


“ securities” or “ security” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2(1) of the Securities Act.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

“Security Agreement” is defined in Section  22.

“Security Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Control Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, the Custody Agreement, and all other security documents delivered from time to time to the Collateral Agent or the Note Agent or the holders of Notes granting any of them a Lien on any property of the Fund to secure the obligations and liabilities of the Fund under any Financing Agreement, as each such agreement may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

“Senior Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or Comptroller of the Fund.

“Senior Securities” means indebtedness for borrowed money of the Fund including, without limitation, the Notes, bank borrowings and (without duplication) indebtedness of the Fund within the meaning of Section 18 of the 1940 Act.

“Series” shall refer to any series of Notes issued under this Agreement.

“Series D Notes” is defined in Section 1 of this Agreement.

“Series E Notes” is defined in Section 1 of this Agreement.

“Subsidiary” means, as to any Person, any other Person in which such first Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries or such first Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries owns sufficient equity or voting interests to enable it or them (as a group) ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, to elect a majority of the directors (or Persons performing similar functions) of such second Person, and any partnership or joint venture if more than a 50% interest in the profits or capital thereof is owned by such first Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries or such first Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries (unless such partnership or joint venture can and does ordinarily take major business actions without the prior approval of such Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries). Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any reference to a “Subsidiary” is a reference to a Subsidiary of the Fund.

“SVO” means the Securities Valuation Office of the NAIC or any successor to such Office.

“Swap Contract” means (a) any and all interest rate swap transactions, basis 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 of bond index swaps or options or forward foreign exchange

 

B-11


transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, currency options, spot contracts or any other similar transactions or any of the foregoing (including, but without limitation, any options to enter into any of the foregoing), 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., or any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement.

“Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts 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 amounts(s) determined as the mark-to-market values(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts.

“Total Assets” shall mean the aggregate amount of all assets of the Fund determined in accordance with GAAP applicable to the Fund.

“2013 Note Agent” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as agent for the holders of the 2013 Notes or any successor pursuant to the terms of a note agency agreement.

”2013 Note Agreement” means the Note Purchase Agreement dated February 7, 2013 among the Fund and the parties set forth in Schedule A thereto, and, as further amended, restated, modified or replaced from time to time.

“2013 Notes” means the (i) $40,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.27% Series A Senior Secured Notes due February 7, 2020, (ii) $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.87% Series B Senior Secured Notes due February 7, 2023, and (iii) $60,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.02% Series C Senior Secured Notes due February 7, 2025 of the Fund issued under the 2013 Note Agreement.

“USA PATRIOT Act” means United States Public Law 107-56, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

“U.S. Economic Sanctions” is defined in Section 5.16(a).

“Valuation Date” means every Friday, or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day; provided, however, that the first Valuation Date may occur on any other date established by the Fund; provided, further, however, that such first Valuation Date shall be not more than one week from the date on which Notes initially are issued.

 

B-12


D ISCLOSURE M ATERIALS

 

1.

August 2015 Investor Presentation

 

2.

The Prospectus (including the Statement of Additional Information incorporated by reference therein) dated April 1, 2015, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated April 1, 2015

 

3.

The Fund’s Semi-Annual Report for the six-month period ending May 31, 2015

 

4.

EMO Draft Term Sheet

 

5.

EMO Unaudited Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2015

S CHEDULE 5.3

(to Note Purchase Agreement)


F INANCIAL S TATEMENTS

 

1.

The Fund’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2014

 

2.

The Fund’s Semi-Annual Report for the six-month period ended May 31, 2015

S CHEDULE 5.5

(to Note Purchase Agreement)


E XISTING I NDEBTEDNESS AS OF A UGUST  20, 2015

Senior Secured Notes

Obligor/Obligee: EMO/noteholders

Outstanding: $150 million

Collateral: All assets, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement

Guaranty: None    

Loan Payable

Obligor/Obligee: EMO/State Street

Outstanding: $100 million    

Collateral: All assets, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement

Guaranty: None

MRPS

Issuer: EMO

Outstanding: $70 million

S CHEDULE 5.15

(to Note Purchase Agreement)


S ECURITY I NTERESTS

State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland.

S CHEDULE 5.19

(to Note Purchase Agreement)


[F ORM OF S ERIES D N OTE ]

T HIS N OTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE S ECURITIES A CT OF 1933, AS AMENDED ( THE “S ECURITIES A CT ”) OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR FOREIGN JURISDICTION AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE S ECURITIES A CT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE OR FOREIGN SECURITIES LAWS OR UNLESS AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REQUIREMENT FOR SUCH REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE .

C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .

3.33% S ERIES D S ENIOR S ECURED N OTES DUE A UGUST  26, 2022

 

No.RD-[              ]

$[              ]

  

[Date]

PPN 18469P B*0

F OR V ALUE R ECEIVED , the undersigned, C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC . (herein called the “Fund”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland, hereby promises to pay to [                      ], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [                          ] D OLLARS (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 26, 2022, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 3.33% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 26th day of February and August in each year, commencing with the February or August next succeeding the date hereof, and at maturity, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, on any overdue payment (including any overdue prepayment) of principal, any overdue payment of interest and any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, payable semi-annually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand), at a rate equal to the Default Rate.

In addition to any other amounts of interest payable hereunder, the interest rate applicable to this Note is subject to increase pursuant to and in accordance with the requirements of Section 1(b) of the Note Purchase Agreement (referred to below).

Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at The Bank of New York Mellon in New York, New York or at such other place as the Fund shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.

This Note is one of the Series D Senior Secured Notes (herein called the “Notes”) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2015 (as from time to time amended, the “Note Purchase Agreement”), between the Fund and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, (i) to have made the representations set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note

E XHIBIT 1-A

(to Note Purchase Agreement)


Purchase Agreement and (ii) to have agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.

This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Fund may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Fund will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise. This Note is secured by the Security Agreement referred to in the Note Purchase Agreement.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.

This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Fund and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .

By  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

E-1-A-2


[F ORM OF S ERIES E N OTE ]

T HIS N OTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE S ECURITIES A CT OF 1933, AS AMENDED ( THE “S ECURITIES A CT ” ) OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR FOREIGN JURISDICTION AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE S ECURITIES A CT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE OR FOREIGN SECURITIES LAWS OR UNLESS AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REQUIREMENT FOR SUCH REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE .

C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .

3.76% S ERIES E S ENIOR S ECURED N OTES DUE A UGUST  26, 2026

 

No. RE-[          ]

$[          ]

    

[Date

PPN 18469P B@8


 

F OR V ALUE R ECEIVED , the undersigned, C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC . (herein called the “Fund”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland, hereby promises to pay to [              ], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [                      ] D OLLARS (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 26, 2026, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 3.76% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 26th day of February and August in each year, commencing with the February or August next succeeding the date hereof, and at maturity, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, on any overdue payment (including any overdue prepayment) of principal, any overdue payment of interest and any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, payable semi-annually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand), at a rate equal to the Default Rate.

In addition to any other amounts of interest payable hereunder, the interest rate applicable to this Note is subject to increase pursuant to and in accordance with the requirements of Section 1(b) of the Note Purchase Agreement (referred to below).

Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at The Bank of New York Mellon in New York, New York or at such other place as the Fund shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.

This Note is one of the Series E Senior Secured Notes (herein called the “Notes”) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2015 (as from time to. time amended, the “Note Purchase Agreement”), between the Fund and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, (i) to have made the representations set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note

E XHIBIT 1-B

(to Note Purchase Agreement)


Purchase Agreement and (ii) to have agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.

This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Fund may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Fund will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise. This Note is secured by the Security Agreement referred to in the Note Purchase Agreement.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.

This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Fund and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .

By  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

E-1-B-2


F ORM OF O PINION OF S PECIAL C OUNSEL

TO THE F UND

[See Attached]

E XHIBIT 4.4(a)

(to Note Purchase Agreement)


F ORM OF O PINION OF S PECIAL C OUNSEL

TO THE P URCHASERS

[See Attached]

E XHIBIT 4.4(b)

(to Note Purchase Agreement)


F ORM OF L EGEND

T HIS N OTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE S ECURITIES A CT OF 1933, AS AMENDED ( THE “S ECURITIES A CT ”) OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR FOREIGN JURISDICTION AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE S ECURITIES A CT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE OR FOREIGN SECURITIES LAWS OR UNLESS AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REQUIREMENT FOR SUCH REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE .

E XHIBIT 13.1

(to Note Purchase Agreement)


Attachment C to Joinder Agreement

[Additional Note Security Agreement]

Exhibit 17(h)

E XECUTION C OPY (EMO-2015 NPA)

 

 

 

F IRST A MENDMENT A GREEMENT

Dated as of May 29, 2018

to

N OTE P URCHASE A GREEMENT

Dated as of August 26, 2015

of

C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .

 

 

 


T ABLE OF C ONTENTS

 

S ECTION

      H EADING      P AGE  

S ECTION  1.

      A MENDMENTS TO E XISTING N OTE A GREEMENT      1  

S ECTION  2.

      C ONDITIONS P RECEDENT      3  

S ECTION  3.

      R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES      4  

S ECTION  4.

      M ISCELLANEOUS      6  

S CHEDULE  I

      Name of Holders and Principal Amount of Notes   

 

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F IRST A MENDMENT A GREEMENT

Dated as of

May 29, 2018

To each of the holders (the “Noteholders” )

    listed in Schedule I to this First Amendment

    Agreement

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Note Purchase Agreement dated as of August 26, 2015, by and among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Fund” ), and the purchasers set forth in Schedule A thereto (said Note Purchase Agreement being referred to as the “Existing Note Agreement” ) under and pursuant to which (i) $20,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.33% Series D Senior Secured Notes due August 26, 2022 of the Fund were issued and of which $15,668,789.81 is currently outstanding and (ii) $5,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.76% Series E Senior Secured Notes due August 26, 2026 of the Fund were issued and of which $3,917,197.45 is currently outstanding (collectively, the “Notes” ).

Capitalized terms used in this First Amendment Agreement (this “Amendment” which shall include all exhibits hereto) without definition shall have the meanings given such terms in the Existing Note Agreement. The Existing Note Agreement as amended by this Amendment is the “Note Agreement.”

The Fund desires an amendment to the Existing Note Agreement upon the terms and conditions herein contained.

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Fund and the Noteholders agree to amend certain provisions of the Existing Note Agreement as hereinafter provided and consent to the Note Agent executing the First Amendment Agreement to Security Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement as described in a letter request to The Bank of New York Mellon dated the Amendment Effective Date.

Upon the acceptance hereof by the Noteholders in the manner hereinafter provided and upon satisfaction of all conditions to the effectiveness hereof, this Amendment shall be effective, but only in the respects hereinafter set forth:

 

S ECTION  1.

A MENDMENTS TO E XISTING N OTE A GREEMENT .

Section  1.1. The definitions of “Bank Facility,” “Collateral Agent,” “Control Agreement,” “Custodian,” “Custody Agreement,” “Intercreditor Agreement,” in the Existing Note Agreement shall be and are hereby deleted from Schedule B of the Existing Note Agreement and the following terms shall be added in alphabetical order:


ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.   

First Amendment Agreement to

2015 Note Purchase Agreement

 

“Bank Facility” means the Credit Agreement dated as of May 29, 2018, among the Fund, The Bank of Nova Scotia as agent and other lending parties thereto as amended, supplemented, renewed, extended or otherwise modified or refinanced from time to time and any related loan documents (or words of comparable effect), as such related loan documents may be amended, supplemented, renewed, extended or otherwise modified or refinanced from time to time.

“Collateral Agent” means The Bank of Nova Scotia, or any other Person appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Intercreditor Agreement, in its capacity as the collateral agent on behalf of (a) the Note Agent, (b) the agent under the Bank Facility for the lenders thereunder, (c) the 2013 Note Agent, and (d) other lenders, holders of notes, or agents under Additional Debt Facilities from time to time, as contemplated therein.

“Continuing Control Agreement” means that certain Control Agreement dated as of May 29, 2018 among the Fund, the Collateral Agent and the New Custodian, as the same may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented and in effect from time to time.

“Control Agreement” means collectively, (i) the Temporary Control Agreement and (ii) the Continuing Control Agreement.

“Custodian” means (i) the Existing Custodian or (ii) the New Custodian, as applicable based on whether the deposit accounts and investment property that constitute Collateral are maintained with the Existing Custodian or the New Custodian at any time.

“Custody Agreement” means (i) the Existing Custody Agreement and (ii) the New Custody Agreement.

“Existing Custodian” means State Street Bank and Trust Company, or any successor under the Existing Custody Agreement.

“Existing Custody Agreement” means that certain Custodian Services Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2012, among the Fund, the Existing Custodian and the other parties thereto, as the same may be amended or replaced and in effect from time to time.

“Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among the Collateral Agent, the agent under the Bank Facility for the lenders thereunder, the Note Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as 2013 Note Agent and the other lenders, holders of notes or agents under the Additional Debt Facilities which are a party thereto from time to time, as the same may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time.

New Custodian means The Bank of New York Mellon, or any successor under the New Custody Agreement.

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.   

First Amendment Agreement to

2015 Note Purchase Agreement

 

“New Custody Agreement” means that certain Custodian Services Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2018, among the Fund, the New Custodian and the other parties thereto, as the same may be amended or replaced and in effect from time to time.

“Temporary Control Agreement” means that certain Control Agreement dated as of May 29, 2018 among the Fund, the Collateral Agent and the Existing Custodian, as the same may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented and in effect from time to time.

 

S ECTION  2.

C ONDITIONS P RECEDENT .

This Amendment shall not become effective until, and shall become effective on, the Business Day when each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied (the “Amendment Effective Date” ):

(a) Each Noteholder shall have received this Amendment, duly executed by the Fund.

(b) The Required Holders shall have consented to this Amendment as evidenced by their execution thereof.

(c) The representations and warranties of the Fund set forth in Section 3 hereof shall be true and correct as of the date of the execution and delivery of this Amendment and as of the Amendment Effective Date.

(d) Any consents or approvals from any holder or holders of any outstanding security or indebtedness of the Fund and any amendments of agreements pursuant to which any securities or indebtedness may have been issued which shall be necessary to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained and all such consents or amendments shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the holders and their special counsel.

(e) Each Noteholder shall have received such certificates of officers of the Fund as it may reasonably request with respect to this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby.

(f) The Fund shall have paid the fees and disbursements of the Noteholders’ special counsel, Chapman and Cutler LLP, incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby which fees and disbursements are reflected in the statement of such special counsel delivered to the Fund at the time of the execution and delivery of this Amendment.

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.   

First Amendment Agreement to

2015 Note Purchase Agreement

 

(g) The (i) Bank Facility and (ii) the Second Amendment Agreement to Note Purchase Agreement dated February 7, 2013 shall close concurrently with the transaction contemplated hereby. Each Noteholder shall have received fully executed copies of (a) the Bank Facility, (b) the Second Amendment to Note Purchase Agreement dated February 7, 2013, (c) the Security Agreement (as defined in the Bank Facility), (d) the Amended and Restated Security Agreement (including the First Amendment Agreement to Security Agreement (as defined in the 2013 Note Agreement), (e) the First Amendment Agreement to Security Agreement dated as of May 29, 2018 which amends the Security Agreement (as defined in the Note Agreement), (f) the Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 29, 2018, (g) the Temporary Control Agreement, (h) the Continuing Control Agreement and (i) each Custody Agreement, each in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Noteholders.

(h) Each Noteholder shall have received a fully executed copy of a Reaffirmation of Financing Agreements dated May 29, 2018 (the “ Reaffirmation ”).

(i) Each Noteholder shall have received legal opinions of (x) Morrison & Foerster LLP, Maryland counsel to the Fund, (y) Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York counsel to the Fund and (z) Ropes & Gray, LLP, Massachusetts counsel to the Fund, each in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Noteholders.

(j) Each Noteholder shall have received from the Fund a manually signed certificate from the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Fund, in all respects satisfactory to the Noteholders, (i) certifying as to the incumbency of authorized persons of the Fund executing this Amendment, (ii) attaching true, complete and correct copies of the resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors of the Fund approving this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby, all of which are in full force and effect on the date hereof, and (iii) attaching true, complete and correct copies of each such amendment, supplement or modification to the Fund’s charter documents since August 26, 2015.

(k) All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Amendment and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be satisfactory to you and your special counsel, and you and your special counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as you or they may reasonably request.

 

S ECTION  3.

R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES .

The Fund represents and warrants that as of the date hereof and as of the date of execution and delivery of this Amendment:

 

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ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.   

First Amendment Agreement to

2015 Note Purchase Agreement

 

(a) The Financing Agreements (including this Agreement, the First Amendment Agreement to Security Agreement, the new Intercreditor Agreement, the Reaffirmation and the Control Agreements, each dated the date hereof (the “Amendment Documents” )) and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are within the corporate powers of the Fund, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Fund, and the Financing Agreements have been duly executed and delivered by the Fund, and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Fund, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

(b) Prior to entering in this Agreement, there are no Defaults or Events of Default under the Existing Note Agreement and after giving effect to this Amendment, there are no Defaults or Events of Default under the Note Agreement.

(c) The execution, delivery and performance by the Fund of this Amendment and the other Amendment Documents does not and will not result in a violation of or default under (A) any charter or organizational document of the Fund, (B) any agreement to which the Fund is a party or by which it is bound or to which the Fund or any of its properties is subject, (C) any order, writ, injunction or decree binding on the Fund, or (D) any statute, regulation, rule or other law applicable to the Fund.

(d) No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Fund of this Amendment, any other Amendment Documents or the Note Agreement.

(e) It is lawful for the Fund to perform and comply with its obligations under the Financing Agreements and the Liens on the Collateral purported to be created under the Financing Agreements constitute a perfected first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens).

(f) Other than this Amendment, there are no other amendments, modifications, supplements or waivers to the Existing Note Agreement. Other than the First Amendment dated as of the date hereof, there are no other amendments, modifications, supplements or waivers to the Security Agreement dated as of August 26, 2015.

(g) The Fund has not paid or agreed to pay any fees or other consideration, or given any additional security or collateral, or shortened the maturity or average life of any indebtedness or permanently reduced any borrowing capacity, in each case, in

 

- 5 -


ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.   

First Amendment Agreement to

2015 Note Purchase Agreement

 

connection with the obtaining of any consents or approvals in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby including, under the Bank Facility and the 2013 Note Agreement.

 

S ECTION  4.

M ISCELLANEOUS .

Section  4.1 . Except as amended herein, all terms and provisions of the Existing Note Agreement and related agreements and instruments are hereby ratified, confirmed and approved in all respects.

Section  4.2 . This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Section  4.3 . This Amendment and all covenants herein contained shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereunder. All covenants made by the Fund herein shall survive the closing and the delivery of this Amendment.

Section  4.4. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Amendment. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Amendment by facsimile or email shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

Section  4.5 . Each reference in the Existing Note Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” or words of similar import in instruments or documents provided for in the Existing Note Agreement or delivered or to be delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, shall, except where the context otherwise requires, be deemed a reference to the Existing Note Agreement, as amended hereby.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

- 6 -


ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.   

First Amendment Agreement to

2015 Note Purchase Agreement

 

The execution hereof by the Noteholders shall constitute a contract among the Fund and all of the holders for the uses and purposes hereinabove set forth.

 

C LEAR B RIDGE  E NERGY  MLP O PPORTUNITY  F UND   I NC .
By  

 

 
  Name:  
  Its:  

 


ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.   

First Amendment Agreement to

2015 Note Purchase Agreement

 

This foregoing Amendment is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date aforesaid. The execution by each holder listed below shall constitute its respective several and not joint confirmation that it is the owner and holder of the Notes set opposite its name on Schedule I hereto.

[Purchaser Signatures Redacted]

 


S CHEDULE I

S ERIES D N OTES

[Redacted]

S ERIES E N OTES

[Redacted]

S CHEDULE I

( to First Amendment Agreeement )

Exhibit 17(i)

EXECUTION VERSION

FORM OF CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of [            ]

among

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.,

the Lenders party hereto

and

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,

as the Administrative Agent

 

 

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,

as Lead Arranger and Bookrunner

 

 

Prepared by:

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10104-3300


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS      1  

Section 1.1

     Defined Terms      1  

Section 1.2

     Terms Generally      22  

Section 1.3

     Accounting Terms      22  

Section 1.4

     Non-Recourse Persons      23  
ARTICLE 2. THE CREDITS      23  

Section 2.1

     Commitments      23  

Section 2.2

     Loans      23  

Section 2.3

     Termination or Change of Commitments      25  

Section 2.4

     Repayment of Loans      25  

Section 2.5

     Voluntary Prepayments      25  

Section 2.6

     Payments Generally      26  

Section 2.7

     Defaulting Lenders      28  

Section 2.8

     Evidence of Debt      29  

Section 2.9

     Pricing Changes      30  
ARTICLE 3. INTEREST, FEES, YIELD PROTECTION, ETC.      30  

Section 3.1

     Interest      30  

Section 3.2

     Fees      30  

Section 3.3

     Increased Costs      31  

Section 3.4

     Taxes      32  

Section 3.5

     Alternate Rate of Interest      36  

Section 3.6

     Other LIBOR Provisions      37  

Section 3.7

     Break Funding Payments      37  

Section 3.8

     Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders      37  
ARTICLE 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES      39  

Section 4.1

     Organization and Power      39  

Section 4.2

     Authority and Execution; EEA Financial Institution      39  

Section 4.3

     Binding Agreement      39  

Section 4.4

     Litigation      39  

Section 4.5

     Approvals and Consents      39  

Section 4.6

     No Conflict      40  

Section 4.7

     Taxes      40  

Section 4.8

     Compliance      40  

Section 4.9

     Property      41  

Section 4.10

     Federal Reserve Regulations; Use of Loan Proceeds      41  

Section 4.11

     No Material Adverse Effect      41  

Section 4.12

     Material Agreements      41  

Section 4.13

     Financial Condition      41  

Section 4.14

     No Misrepresentation      41  

Section 4.15

     Sanctions, Etc.      42  

Section 4.16

     Investment Company Status      42  

 

i


Section 4.17

     ERISA      43  
ARTICLE 5. CONDITIONS      43  

Section 5.1

     Effective Date      43  

Section 5.2

     Each Credit Event      45  
ARTICLE 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS      45  

Section 6.1

     Financial Statements and Other Information      46  

Section 6.2

     Notice of Material Events      47  

Section 6.3

     Legal Existence      47  

Section 6.4

     Insurance      47  

Section 6.5

     Payment of Indebtedness and Performance of Obligations      47  

Section 6.6

     Observance of Legal Requirements      48  

Section 6.7

     Books and Records; Visitation      48  

Section 6.8

     Purpose of Loans      48  

Section 6.9

     Maintenance of Status      48  
ARTICLE 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS      49  

Section 7.1

     Indebtedness; Senior Securities      49  

Section 7.2

     Liens      49  

Section 7.3

     Fundamental Changes      50  

Section 7.4

     Restricted Payments      50  

Section 7.5

     Fundamental Policies; Valuation      51  

Section 7.6

     Amendments and Changes      51  

Section 7.7

     Financial Covenants      51  

Section 7.8

     Investment      52  

Section 7.9

     Sanctions, Etc.      52  
ARTICLE 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT      52  

Section 8.1

     Events of Default      52  

Section 8.2

     Remedies      55  
ARTICLE 9. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT      55  

Section 9.1

     Appointment and Authority      55  

Section 9.2

     Rights as a Lender      55  

Section 9.3

     Exculpatory Provisions      56  

Section 9.4

     Reliance by Administrative Agent      57  

Section 9.5

     Delegation of Duties      57  

Section 9.6

     Resignation of Administrative Agent      57  

Section 9.7

     Non Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders      59  

Section 9.8

     [Reserved]      59  

Section 9.9

     No Other Duties      59  

Section 9.10

     Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim      59  

Section 9.11

     Collateral      60  
ARTICLE 10. MISCELLANEOUS      60  

Section 10.1

     Notices      60  

Section 10.2

     Waivers; Amendments      62  

 

ii


Section 10.3

     Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver      63  

Section 10.4

     Successors and Assigns      65  

Section 10.5

     Survival      68  

Section 10.6

     Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution      69  

Section 10.7

     Severability      69  

Section 10.8

     Right of Setoff      70  

Section 10.9

     Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process      70  

Section 10.10

     WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      71  

Section 10.11

     Headings      71  

Section 10.12

     Interest Rate Limitation      71  

Section 10.13

     Treatment of Certain Information      72  

Section 10.14

     USA Patriot Act Notice      73  

Section 10.15

     Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In      73  

Section 10.16

     Relationship with Lenders      73  

Section 10.17

     Certain ERISA Matters      74  

 

EXHIBITS:        

Exhibit A

     Form of Assignment and Assumption   

Exhibit B

     Form of Note   

Exhibit C

     [Reserved]   

Exhibit D

     Form of Written Borrowing Request   

Exhibit E

     Form of Closing Certificate   

Exhibit F

     Form of Federal Reserve Form FR U-1   

Exhibit G

     Form of Compliance Certificate   

Exhibit H

     Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate   

Exhibit I

     Form of Security Agreement   

Exhibit J

     [Reserved]   

Exhibit K

     Form of Termination Notice   

Exhibit L

     Form of Applicable Margin Change Notice   

Exhibit M

     Form of Commitment Fee Change Notice   

Exhibit N

     Form of Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement   

Exhibit O

     Form of Preferred Stock Supplement   
SCHEDULES:        

Schedule 1

     List of Lenders and Commitments   

 

iii


CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of May 29, 2018, among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation, the Lenders party hereto, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”).

The parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1.

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Defined Terms

(a) As used in this Credit Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified in the Intercreditor Agreement: “ Applicable Note Documents ”, “ Applicable Note Obligation ”, “ Applicable Senior Notes ”, “ Continuing Control Agreement ”, “ Note Documents ”, “ Noteholder ”, “ Note Purchase Agreement ”, “ Note Security Agent ”, “ Note Security Agreement ”, “ Senior Note ” and “ Temporary Control Agreement ”.

(b) As used in this Credit Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

ABR Loan ” means a Loan (or any portion thereof) bearing interest based on the Alternate Base Rate.

Adjusted Asset Coverage ” means, as of any date, the ratio on such date of (a) Adjusted Total Net Assets to (b) the greater of (i) Adjusted Senior Debt, and (ii) one Dollar ($1).

Adjusted LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any LIBOR Loan for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.

Adjusted Senior Debt ” means, as of any date, the sum (without duplication) of (i) each of the following on such date: (a) all Senior Debt plus (b) all Financial Contract Liabilities, plus (c) all Secured Liabilities, plus (d) all Segregated Liabilities, minus (ii) the Borrower’s obligations with respect to the Statutory Preferred Stock to the extent such obligations are included in clause (i) immediately above.

Adjusted Total Net Assets ” means, as of any date (a) Total Net Assets, minus (b) the sum (without duplication) of the following: (i) the Value of all Excluded Assets (but not less than zero), plus (ii) the Excluded Investment Value (but not less than zero), plus (iii) the amount or Value of all declared but unpaid Restricted Payments, plus (iv) the excess, if any, of (1) the Value of all of the Borrower’s assets that are subject to any Lien (other than an Ordinary Course Lien), that are segregated, or that are on deposit to satisfy margin requirements, minus (2) the sum of all Secured Liabilities (excluding, to the extent otherwise included therein, liabilities of the Borrower under the Loan Documents) and all Segregated Liabilities.

Administrative Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Credit Agreement.


Administrative Details Form ” means an Administrative Details Form in a form supplied or approved by the Administrative Agent.

Affected Loan ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5.

Affected Person ” means the Borrower, or any officer, director, trustee or employee of the Borrower that will act in any capacity with respect to this Credit Agreement.

Affiliate ” of a Person means (a) any other Person directly or indirectly owning, controlling, or holding with power to vote, greater than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such Person, (b) any other Person greater than 50% of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled, or held with power to vote, by such Person, or (c) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such other Person. For purposes of this defined term, “control” means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company, and “controlling” and “controlled” shall have correlative meanings.

Alternate Base Rate ” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) 2.00% plus the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day, and (c) 2.00% plus the Overnight Eurodollar Rate in effect on such day. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate, or the Overnight Eurodollar Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change.

Anti-Corruption Law ” means, with respect to any Affected Person, the FCPA and any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction concerning or relating to bribery or corruption that are applicable to such Affected Person.

Anti-Terrorism Law ” means, with respect to any Person, any applicable law, rule or regulation related to financing terrorism including (a) the Patriot Act, (b) The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330) (also known as the “Bank Secrecy Act”), (c) the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), (d) the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (15 U.S.C. § 1701 et seq.) and (e) Executive Order 13224 (effective September 24, 2001).

Applicable Accounting Principles ” means, with respect to the Borrower at any time, those accounting principles required by the ICA and prescribed by the SEC for the Borrower and, to the extent not so required or prescribed, GAAP.

Applicable Custodian ” means (a) during the Transition Period, the Existing Custodian and/or the New Custodian, and (b) thereafter, the New Custodian.

Applicable Margin ” means (a) during the Initial Margin Period, a rate per annum equal to (i) with respect to each LIBOR Loan, 0.70% and (ii) with respect to each ABR Loan, 0.00%, and (b) during each Subsequent Margin Period, if any, a rate per annum equal to (i) with respect to each LIBOR Loan, the “New Applicable LIBOR Margin” (as defined in the Applicable Margin Change Notice in respect of the Applicable Margin Change Effective Date which is the first day of such Subsequent Margin Period), and (ii) with respect to each ABR

 

2


Loan, the “New Applicable ABR Margin” (as defined in the Applicable Margin Change Notice in respect of the Applicable Margin Change Effective Date which is the first day of such Subsequent Margin Period).

Applicable Margin Change Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a) .

Applicable Margin Change Notice ” means a notice from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit L .

Applicable Money Market ” means any money market applicable to LIBOR Loans.

Applicable Rate ” means, with respect to each (a) LIBOR Loan, the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus the Applicable Margin, and (b) ABR Loan, the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

Approved Amount ” means (a) in connection with any borrowing, conversion, continuation or prepayment of any Loan, $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof.

Asset-backed Security ” means a type of bond or note that is based on one or more pools of assets, or collateralized by the cash flows from one or more pools of underlying assets, and includes collateralized bond obligations, collateralized loan obligations, collateralized mortgage obligations, and credit linked notes.

Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.4), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

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.

Bank Loan ” means a debt obligation commonly referred to as a “bank loan”, other than a security (as defined in the Securities Act) and other than any participation or sub-participation in a debt obligation.

BNY Mellon ” means The Bank of New York Mellon.

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

 

3


Borrower ” means ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation.

Borrowing ” means Loans made, converted, or continued on the same date, and with respect to LIBOR Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

Borrowing Request ” means a request in accordance with Section 2.2 for a Loan or a conversion or continuation of a Loan and, if required in writing, in the form of Exhibit D .

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 LIBOR Loan or the determination of the Overnight Eurodollar 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.

Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the date of this Credit Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; 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 in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

Change of Control ” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events on or after the Effective Date: (a) the failure of the Investment Adviser to be, or to be an Affiliate of, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (the “ Parent ”); (b) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions), including by way of merger or consolidation, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Investment Adviser or, together with any Affiliates thereof, the Parent to any Person or group of related Persons (other than another Affiliate of the Parent) for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act (a “ Group ”); (c) the approval by the Managing Body of, or the holders of equity interests issued by, the Parent or the Investment Adviser of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Parent or such Investment Adviser, as the case may be; or (d) any Person (other than an Affiliate of the Parent) or Group shall become the owner, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, of shares representing more than 25% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the equity interests issued by the Parent.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Collateral Agent ” means The Bank of Nova Scotia, or any other Person appointed pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement, in its capacity as the collateral agent on behalf of each Security Agent.

 

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Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender hereunder to make Loans to the Borrower in an aggregate amount not exceeding the amount (a) set forth adjacent to its name on Schedule 1 on the Effective Date, or (b) under any Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed the Commitment of another Lender, as such commitment may be changed from time to time pursuant to Section 2.3 or pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. The initial aggregate amount of the Commitments of the Lenders on the Effective Date is $75,000,000.

Commitment Fee Change Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b) .

Commitment Fee Change Notice ” means a notice from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit M .

Commitment Fee Rate ” means, with respect to each Lender, (a) during the Initial Fee Period, a rate per annum equal to (i) as of any date upon which the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Loans equals or exceeds 75% of the Commitment, 0.15%, and (ii) as of any other date, 0.25%, and (b) during each Subsequent Fee Period, if any, a rate per annum equal to the “New Commitment Fee Rate” (as defined in the Commitment Fee Change Notice in respect of the Commitment Fee Change Effective Date which is the first day of such Subsequent Fee Period).

Commitment Termination Date ” means the earlier to occur of (a) the Termination Notice Effective Date, and (b) such earlier date on which the Lenders’ obligations to make Loans shall have otherwise terminated or been terminated in accordance herewith.

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.

Credit Parties ” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

Debtor Relief Laws ” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or any State thereof from time to time in effect.

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

Defaulting Lender ” means, subject to Section 2.7(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two (2) Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required

 

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to be paid by it hereunder within two (2) Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower or the Administrative Agent in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity, or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.7(b)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower and each Lender.

Delayed Settlement Loan Collateral ” means, as of any date, any Investment of the Borrower in a Bank Loan with respect to which the Borrower has entered into a sale or trade and such sale or trade has not, (a) in the case of any Bank Loan trading on “par documents”, settled within fourteen (14) Business Days of the date of such sale or trade, or (b) in the case of any other Bank Loan, settled within twenty-one (21) Business Days of the date of such sale or trade.

Designated Section(s) ” has the meaning set forth in a Preferred Stock Supplement.

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

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

 

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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 ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.

Electronic Platform ” means an electronic system for the delivery of information (including documents), such as DebtDomain or IntraLinks On-Demand Workspaces TM , that may or may not be provided or administered by the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate thereof.

Eligible Assignee ” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.4(b)(v) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.4(b)(iii)).

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

ERISA Group ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person and all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with such Person, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

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.

Event of Default ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.1.

Excluded Assets ” means, with respect to the Borrower at any time, (a) all commercial tort claims, cooperative interests, goods, letter-of-credit rights and letters of credit, (b) all property other than Investments, (c) all deferred organizational and offering expenses, (d) all Investments that are in default (except to the extent that the Borrower is required or permitted to attribute a value thereto pursuant to the ICA, the rules thereunder and Applicable Accounting Principles) or determined to be worthless pursuant to any applicable policy of the Borrower, and (e) all property of the Borrower in which the Administrative Agent does not have a security interest, for the benefit of itself and the Lenders, that has been perfected in accordance with the terms of, and that has the requisite priority required by, the Security Agreement.

Excluded Investment Value ” means as of any date and with respect to each of the following Investments (other than Excluded Assets) of the Borrower:

(a) the excess, if any, of (i) the sum (without duplication) of the aggregate Value of (x) all Illiquid Investments plus (y) the aggregate Value of all Level III Assets, over (ii) an amount equal to 10% of Total Net Assets;

 

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(b) the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate Value of all Delayed Settlement Loan Collateral, over (ii) an amount equal to 5% of Total Net Assets;

(c) the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate Value of all Investments of the Borrower with respect to which any ten Persons (other than (a) the United States of America, or (b) shares in any Money Market Fund) is an Issuer (collectively, the “ Ten Issuers ”, and each individually a “ Ten Issuer ”), over (ii) an amount equal to 55% of Total Net Assets;

(d) the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate Value of all Investments of the Borrower with respect to which any Ten Issuer is an Issuer, over (ii) an amount equal to 15% of Total Net Assets;

(e) the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate Value of all Investments of the Borrower with respect to which any single Person (other than (a) the United States of America, (b) shares in any Money Market Fund, or (c) any Ten Issuer) is an Issuer, over (ii) an amount equal to 5% of Total Net Assets;

(f) the aggregate Value of all (i) Private Label Asset-backed Securities that are not rated BBB- or higher by S&P and Baa3 or higher by Moody’s, (ii) all collateralized debt obligations, and (iii) all collateralized loan obligations;

(g) the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate Value of all Private Label Asset-backed Securities which are rated BBB- or higher by S&P and Baa3 or higher by Moody’s, over (ii) an amount equal to 15% of Total Net Assets;

(h) the aggregate Value of all Investments of the Borrower in any equity security (other than a Money Market Fund) that is not traded on a recognized national security exchange;

(i) the aggregate Value of all Investments of the Borrower in the sovereign debt of any Restricted Nation or any political subdivision thereof;

(j) the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate Value of all Investments of the Borrower with respect to all Persons organized under the laws of any single Limited Nation, over (ii) an amount equal to 15% of Total Net Assets; and

(k) the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate Value of all Investments of the Borrower denominated in the official currency (other than Euros) of any single Limited Nation, over (ii) an amount equal to 15% of Total Net Assets.

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

 

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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 3.8(b)) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office (other than pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 3.8(a)), except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.4, 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 3.4(g), and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

Existing Custodian ” means State Street, as custodian under the Temporary Control Agreement.

Existing Custody Account ” means the “Collateral Accounts” under, and as such term is defined in, the Temporary Control Agreement.

Existing Custody Agreement ” means the Custodian Services Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2012, between the Borrower and State Street, in its capacity as custodian thereunder.

Existing Preferred Stock ” means the (i) 49 shares of the Borrower’s “Series A Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock”, $.001 par value per share, with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, (ii) 41 shares of the Borrower’s “Series B Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock”, $.001 par value per share, with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, and (iii) 140 shares of the Borrower’s “Series C Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock”, $.001 par value per share, with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share.

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Credit Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the foregoing, and any legislation or regulations adopted or promulgated by any Governmental Authority pursuant to any such intergovernmental agreement.

FCPA ” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1, et seq.

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, the higher of (x) 0.0%, or (y) a rate per annum (expressed as a decimal, rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day, provided that (a) if the day for which such rate is to be determined is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate

 

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for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the Business Day succeeding such next preceding Business Day, and (b) if such rate is not so published for any day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent.

Federal Reserve Form ” means, with respect to any Lender, a Form FR U-1 duly completed by such Lender and executed by the Borrower, the statements made in which shall, in the reasonable opinion of such Lender, permit the transactions contemplated hereby in compliance with Regulation U, together with all instruments, certificates and other documents executed or delivered in connection therewith or attached thereto.

Financial Contract ” means (a) any rate, basis, commodity, currency, debt, equity or other swap or swaption, (b) any put, cap, collar or floor agreement, (c) any rate, basis, commodity, currency, debt, equity or other futures or forward agreement, (d) any rate, basis, commodity, currency, debt, equity or other option, (e) any derivative, (f) any financial instrument whose value is derived from the value of something else, (g) any contract under which the parties agree to payments between or among them based upon the value of an underlying asset or other data at a particular point or points in time, (h) any “swap agreement” within the meaning of Section 101(53B) of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, (i) any foreign currency contract, repurchase agreement, reverse repurchase agreement, dollar roll, credit-linked note, indexed security, collateralized debt obligation, firm or standby commitment agreement, securities lending agreement, or when-issued contract, or (j) any other similar arrangement.

Financial Contract Liability ” means, at any time and with respect to each Financial Contract to which the Borrower is a party, the liability of the Borrower in respect of such Financial Contract determined on a mark-to-market basis, provided that if for purposes of financial reporting such liability or other obligation is required to be reported by the Borrower on a notional basis, then such liability will be the notional amount of such Financial Contract.

Foreign Lender ” means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes.

Fundamental Policies ” means, collectively (a) the policies and objectives for, and limits and restrictions on, investing by the Borrower set forth in its Offering Document as in effect on the Effective Date and which may be changed only by a vote of a majority of the Borrower’s outstanding voting securities (as defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the ICA), and (b) all policies limiting the incurrence of Indebtedness by the Borrower set forth in its Offering Document as in effect on the Effective Date.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, arbitrator, central bank or other entity

 

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exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Guarantee ” of or by any Person (the “ guarantor ”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other payment 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 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. The term “Guaranteed” has a meaning correlative thereto.

ICA ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Illiquid Investment ” means, as of any date, any investment that has any material condition to or restriction on the ability of the Borrower or any assignee thereof to sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber or liquidate the same in a commercially reasonable time and manner (other than customary securities law arrangements or restrictions), whether or not such condition or restriction is intrinsic to such investment, including without limitation, with respect to each investment other than a Bank Loan, any condition or restriction that could reasonably be expected to (i) prohibit or delay the settlement of any such sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrancing or liquidation for more than seven (7) days, or (ii) require any payment (other than a nominal amount) in connection therewith, shall be deemed to be such a material condition or restriction, and in the event that the Borrower enters into any arrangement pursuant to which any investment (other than a Bank Loan) is to be sold or otherwise transferred by the Borrower and such sale or transfer is not settled within seven (7) days, such investment shall be deemed to be an Illiquid Investment.

Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by or otherwise in respect of 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), (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 obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of

 

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bankers’ acceptances, (i) all Financial Contract Liabilities of such Person, (j) all obligations of such Person in respect of Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness, and (k) all Guarantees by such Person of any of the foregoing. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.

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

Indemnitee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.3(b).

Indirect Fund ” means an investment company (the “acquiring company”) that beneficially owns (a) in excess of 3.0% of the voting stock of any other investment company (other than a money market fund), (b) one or more securities, issued by another investment company (other than a money market fund), the aggregate value of which exceeds 5.0% of the total assets of the acquiring company, or (c) one or more securities, issued by other investment companies (other than money market funds), the aggregate value of which exceeds 10.0% of the total assets of the acquiring company.

Initial Fee Period ” means the period from the Effective Date to but excluding the first Commitment Fee Change Effective Date, if any.

Initial Margin Period ” means the period from the Effective Date to but excluding the first Applicable Margin Change Effective Date, if any.

Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(h).

Interest Payment Date ” means (a) with respect to each ABR Loan, the last Business Day of each calendar quarter, (b) with respect to each LIBOR Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Loan and, in the case of a LIBOR Loan with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period, and (c) with respect to all Loans, the Maturity Date.

Interest Period ” means, with respect to any LIBOR Loan, the period commencing on the date of the making of such LIBOR Loan (or the last date upon which any other Loan was converted to, or continued as, such LIBOR Loan) and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect; 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 such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, and (ii) any Interest Period 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.

 

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Investment ” means, with respect to any Person, any direct or indirect portfolio investment by such Person in, or portfolio exposure (including through Financial Contracts) of such Person to (a) currencies, commodities, loans or securities, or any indexes on currencies, commodities, loans, securities, interest rates, or indexes, (b) any Financial Contract, or (c) any other medium for investment.

Investment Adviser ” means, with respect to the Borrower, the investment adviser or investment manager therefor.

IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Issuer ” means, with respect to any Investment of the Borrower, (a) in the event such Investment is a Financial Contract, the counterparty thereto or reference entity or reference obligor thereunder, (b) in the event such Investment is a security (other than a Financial Contract), the issuer thereof, and (c) in the event such Investment is a loan, the borrower thereof.

Lenders ” means the Persons listed on Schedule 1 and any Eligible Assignee that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.

Level III Asset ” means, at any time, any Investment of the Borrower (a) for which there are no Level 1 Inputs or Level 2 Inputs (in each case within the meaning of Topic ASC 820), or (b) the value of which is determined by reference to Level 3 Inputs (within the meaning of Topic ASC 820).

LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any LIBOR Loan for any Interest Period, the higher of (a) 0.0%, or (b) the rate per annum equal to the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited LIBOR Rate (or such successor thereto if the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited is no longer making such a rate available) appearing on the applicable Bloomberg screen (or other commercially available source as reasonably designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to Dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for Dollar deposits in the London interbank market with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period, provided that in the event such rate does not appear on such screen (or on any successor or substitute page on such screen or otherwise on such screen), the “LIBO Rate” with respect to such LIBOR Loan during such Interest Period shall be determined by reference to such other comparable publicly available service for displaying interest rates applicable to Dollar deposits in the London interbank market as may be selected by the Administrative Agent, provided further that in the absence of such availability, the “LIBO Rate” shall be determined by reference to the rate at which Dollar deposits of $1,000,000 in immediately available funds for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered by the principal office of institution serving as the Administrative Agent to leading banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, provided further that in the event the principal office of such institution is not making such offers, “LIBO Rate” shall mean such other rate reflecting the Lenders’ cost of funds as determined by the Administrative Agent using any reasonable or prevailing method.

 

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LIBOR Loan ” means a Loan (or any portion thereof) bearing interest based on the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement relating to such asset.

Limited Nation ” means any nation other than an Unlimited Nation.

Loan ” means a loan made pursuant to Section 2.2.

Loan Documents ” means this Credit Agreement, the Notes, the Security Documents, each Preferred Stock Supplement, if any, and all other agreements evidencing or securing the obligations of the Borrower hereunder or thereunder, together with all amendments, supplements or other modifications thereto.

Losses ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.3(b).

Managing Body ” means, with respect to any Person, the board of directors thereof, the board of trustees thereof, or other similar managing body thereof.

Margin Stock ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.

Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on (a) the property, assets, income or financial condition of the Borrower, (b) the ability of the Borrower to perform any of its monetary or other material obligations under any Loan Document or (c) the rights of, or benefits available to, any Credit Party under any Loan Document.

Material Indebtedness ” means (i) Indebtedness of the Borrower, other than Indebtedness under the Loan Documents (a) in an aggregate principal amount exceeding the Threshold Amount, or (b) in respect of any of the Applicable Senior Notes, and/or (ii) obligations of the Borrower in respect of the Preferred Stock.

Maturity Date ” means the earlier to occur of (a) the Commitment Termination Date, and (b) the date on which the outstanding principal balance of the Loans shall become due and payable in accordance herewith.

Maximum Borrowing Value ” means, at any time with respect to the Borrower’s assets constituting (a) Margin Stock, the “current market value” (within the meaning of Regulation U) thereof at such time, and (b) Non-Margin Assets, the “good faith loan value” (within the meaning of Regulation U) thereof at such time, provided that, with respect to each Non-Margin Asset, until such time, if any, as the Administrative Agent shall have notified the Borrower in writing of the Administrative Agent’s reasonable determination of the good faith loan value of such Non-Margin Asset, the Borrower may assume that the good faith loan value of such Non-Margin Asset is equal to 85% of the book value thereof.

 

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Measurement Date ” means (a) except as otherwise provided in clause (b) below, the date of the most recent audited financial statements of the Borrower which were furnished to the Administrative Agent prior to the date of this Credit Agreement, or (b) in the event that the Commitment Termination Date shall have been extended pursuant to Section 2.3(d) or otherwise, the date of the most recent annual audited financial statements of the Borrower which were delivered to the Administrative Agent as of the date the Commitment Termination Date was most recently so extended.

Money Market Fund ” means, as of any date, any open-end investment company registered under the ICA that meets the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the ICA.

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

Multiemployer Plan ” means at any time an employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA that is subject to ERISA and to which any member of an ERISA Group is then making or accruing an obligation to make contributions.

Net Asset Value ” means, at any time, an amount equal to Adjusted Total Net Assets minus Adjusted Senior Debt.

New Articles Supplementary ” has the meaning set forth in a Preferred Stock Supplement.

New Custodian ” means BNY Mellon, in its capacity as custodian under the New Custody Agreement.

New Custody Account ” means the “Account” under, and as such term is defined in, the Continuing Control Agreement.

New Custody Agreement ” means that certain Custodian Services Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2018, by and between the Borrower and BNY Mellon, as custodian thereunder.

New Preferred Stock ” has the meaning set forth in a Preferred Stock Supplement.

Non-Consenting Lender ” means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (i) requires the approval of all or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 10.2 and (ii) has been approved by the Required Lenders.

Non-Defaulting Lender ” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

Non-Margin Assets ” means assets of the Borrower which do not constitute Margin Stock, provided , that, for purposes of this definition, “Non-Margin Assets” shall not include “puts, calls or combinations thereof” within the meaning of Regulation U.

Non-Recourse Person ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.4.

 

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Note ” means, with respect to any requesting Lender, a promissory note, substantially in the form of Exhibit B , made by the Borrower and payable to such Lender, including all replacements thereof and substitutions therefor.

OFAC ” means the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Offering Document ” means the prospectus (including the statement of additional information), and all supplements, amendments and modifications thereto, as filed with the SEC, and including modifications of the Borrower’s investment objectives, strategies and restrictions contained in shareholder reports, press releases or proposals contained in a proxy statement of the Borrower (such proposals having been approved by shareholders of the Borrower) of the Borrower.

Ordinary Course Lien ” means any Lien referred to in Section 7.2(a), (b), (c), (d) or (e)(x)(i) or (e)(y)(i).

Ordinary Liabilities ” means, with respect to the Borrower as of any date, “all liabilities and indebtedness” (within the meaning of the first sentence of Section 18(h) of the ICA) of the Borrower other than (a) Senior Debt, (b) Financial Contract Liabilities, (c) Secured Liabilities, and (d) Segregated Liabilities.

Organization Documents ” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, its certificate of incorporation or charter, and by-laws, (b) with respect to any partnership, its partnership agreement, (c) with respect to any limited liability company, its certificate of formation and limited liability company agreement, (d) with respect to any business trust or statutory trust, its certificate of trust, if any, and declaration of trust, and (e) with respect to any other Person, the counterpart documents thereof.

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 3.8(b)).

Overnight Eurodollar Rate ” means, with respect to any ABR Loan as of any date, the higher of (a) 0.0%, and (b) the rate per annum equal to the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited LIBOR Rate (or such successor thereto if the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited is no longer making such a rate available) appearing on the applicable Bloomberg screen (or other commercially available source as reasonably designated by the

 

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Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to Dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time on such date (or, if such date is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) as the rate for one Business Day Dollar deposits in the London interbank market, provided that in the event such rate does not appear on such screen (or on any successor or substitute page on such screen or otherwise on such screen), the “Overnight Eurodollar Rate” shall be determined by reference to such other comparable publicly available service for displaying overnight interest rates applicable to Dollar deposits in the London interbank market as may be selected by the Administrative Agent, provided further that in the absence of such availability, the “Overnight Eurodollar Rate” shall be determined by reference to the rate at which one Business Day Dollar deposits of $1,000,000 in immediately available funds are offered by the principal office of the institution serving as Administrative Agent to leading banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on such date (or, if such date is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day), provided further that in the event the principal office of such institution is not making such offers, “Overnight Eurodollar Rate” shall mean such other rate reflecting the Lenders’ cost of funds as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent using any reasonable or prevailing method.

Participant ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.4(d).

Participant Register ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.4(d).

Patriot Act ” means the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

Permitted Investment s” means all Investments of the Borrower, in each case (a) to the extent that the Borrower has the power and authority under its Organization Documents to invest therein, and (b) to the extent the investment therein, ownership thereof, or exposure thereto, by the Borrower is in conformity with the Offering Document.

Permitted Liens ” means Liens permitted by Section 7.2.

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

Plan ” means at any time an employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code and is maintained, or contributed to, by any member of an ERISA Group for employees of any member of an ERISA Group.

Plan Asset Regulation s” means the U.S. Department of Labor regulations, 29 C.F.R. §2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA, as amended from time to time.

Preferred Asset Coverage ” means, as of any date, the ratio on such date of (a) Total Net Assets to (b) the greater of (i) Senior Securities issued by the Borrower, and (ii) one Dollar ($1).

Preferred Stock ” means the Existing Preferred Stock and all New Preferred Stock, if any.

 

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Preferred Stock Supplement ” means a supplement to this Credit Agreement in the form of Exhibit O hereto, executed and delivered by the Borrower and acknowledged and agreed to by the Administrative Agent.

Prime Rate ” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its prime commercial lending rate; each change in the Prime Rate being effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective. The Prime Rate is not intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with extensions of credit to borrowers.

Private Label Asset-backed Security ” means an Asset-backed Security other than a U.S. Government Security.

Recipient ” means the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as applicable.

Refinance ” means, in respect of any indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, defease, replace, refund or repay, or to issue other indebtedness, in exchange or as a replacement for, such indebtedness. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

Register ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.4(c).

Regulated Investment Company ” has the meaning set forth in Section 851 of the Code.

Regulation D ” means Regulation D of the Board of Governors as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Regulation T ” means Regulation T of the Board of Governors as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Regulation U ” means Regulation U of the Board of Governors as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Regulation X ” means Regulation X of the Board of Governors as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

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

Removal Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(b).

Required Lenders ” means, at any time, one or more Lenders having unused Commitments and outstanding Loans representing greater than 50% of the sum of the unused Commitments and outstanding Loans of all Lenders, provided that if there is more than one

 

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Lender, at least two Lenders shall be required, provided further that for purposes of the foregoing proviso, Lenders that are Affiliates shall be treated as a single Lender, provided further that the unused Commitments and outstanding Loans of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time.

Resignation Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(a).

Restricted Nation ” means Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

Restricted Payment ” means (a) any dividend or other distribution by the Borrower (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any shares, units or other equity interests issued by the Borrower, and (b) any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, by the Borrower on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation, defeasance or termination of any such shares, units or other equity interests; provided , however, that any dividend, distribution or other payment payable solely in shares of common stock of the Borrower shall not constitute a “Restricted Payment”.

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global Inc., and any successor thereto.

Sanctioned Jurisdiction ” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is the subject or target of comprehensive country-based or region-based (not individual- or entity-based) Sanctions which, as of the date hereof, are Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Crimea and Syria.

Sanctioned Person ” means, at any time, any Person that is the subject or target of any Sanction.

Sanctions ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.15(a).

SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and/or any other Governmental Authority succeeding to the functions thereof with respect to the ICA and the Securities Act.

Secured Liability ” means each liability of the Borrower secured by a Lien on property (other than Excluded Assets).

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933.

Security Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(f).

Security Documents ” means the Security Agreement, the Continuing Control Agreement, the Temporary Control Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, and each other document hereafter executed and delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent granting or perfecting a Lien on any property of the Borrower to secure any obligations or liabilities of the Borrower under any Loan Document.

 

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Segregated Liability ” means each liability or other obligation of the Borrower relating to assets (other than Excluded Assets) that have been segregated or are otherwise subject to margin arrangements (including assets segregated by the Borrower to comply with Section 18 of the ICA with respect to Financial Contracts).

Senior Debt ” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness of the Borrower.

Senior Security ” has the meaning set forth in the first sentence of Section 18(g) of the ICA and related SEC guidance and includes, without limitation, the Preferred Stock.

Senior Security Representing Indebtedness ” has the meaning set forth in the first sentence of Section 18(g) of the ICA and related SEC guidance, and includes, without limitation, principal obligations in respect of the Senior Notes.

Specified Materials ” means, collectively, all materials or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower, as well as documents and other written materials relating to the Borrower, the Credit Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other materials or matters relating to the Loan Documents (including any amendments or waivers of the terms thereof or supplements thereto).

State Street ” means State Street Bank and Trust Company.

Status ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.16.

Statutory Preferred Stock ” means all Preferred Stock that (a) for accounting purposes is treated as a liability, and (b) for purposes of the ICA, is treated as a Senior Security and not as a liability or as a Senior Security Representing Indebtedness.

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 percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board of Governors to which the Administrative Agent is subject for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency liabilities” in Regulation D). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. LIBOR Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to the Administrative Agent 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.

Subsequent Fee Period ” means, with respect to any Commitment Fee Change Notice, the period commencing on the Commitment Fee Change Effective Date, if any, with respect to such Commitment Fee Change Notice to but excluding the earlier to occur of (a) the Commitment Termination Date (as in effect at the commencement of such period), or (b) the Commitment Fee Change Effective Date, if any, immediately succeeding such Commitment Fee Change Effective Date.

 

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Subsequent Margin Period ” means, with respect to any Applicable Margin Change Notice, the period commencing on the Applicable Margin Change Effective Date, if any, with respect to such Applicable Margin Change Notice to but excluding the earlier to occur of (a) the Commitment Termination Date (as in effect at the commencement of such period), or (b) the Applicable Margin Change Effective Date, if any, immediately succeeding such Applicable Margin Change Effective Date.

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.

Termination Notice ” means a notice from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit K hereto.

Termination Notice Effective Date ” means the 179th day after the date of delivery of the first Termination Notice given pursuant to Section 2.3(d) hereof.

Threshold Amount ” means 1.0% of the aggregate Net Asset Value of the Borrower.

Total Net Assets ” means, at any time, (a) the “value of the total assets” (within the meaning of the first sentence of Section 18(h) of the ICA) of the Borrower less (b) the Ordinary Liabilities of the Borrower.

Transactions ” means the (a) execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of each Loan Document to which it is a party, (b) borrowing of the Loans and (c) use of the proceeds of the Loans.

Transfer Completion Date ” means the first date upon which both of the following shall have occurred: (a) all of the assets contained in the Existing Custody Account and all Restricted Assets (as defined in the Temporary Control Agreement) shall have been transferred to the New Custody Account, and (b) the Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the Collateral Agent (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) a transfer completion certificate in the form of Exhibit F to the Intercreditor Agreement.

Transition Period ” means the period from the Effective Date through the Transfer Completion Date.

Unlimited Nation ” means (a) each G-10 country, (b) Australia, and (c) New Zealand.

U.S. Government Security ” means any debt obligation, other than an Asset-backed Security, the timely repayment of the principal thereof, and interest thereon, is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America.

U.S. Person ” means any Person that is a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

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U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.4(g).

Value ” means, as of any day of determination in respect of any Investment of the Borrower, the value of such Investment computed in the manner such value is required to be computed by the Borrower in accordance with the Borrower’s internal policies, GAAP and applicable law (including the ICA).

Withholding Agent ” means the Borrower 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 1.2 Terms Generally

The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise, (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any definition of or reference to any law, rule or regulation shall be construed as referring to such law, rule or regulation as from time to time amended and any successor thereto and in the case of such law, the rules and regulations promulgated from time to time thereunder, (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns, (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Credit Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (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) 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 Credit Agreement.

Section 1.3 Accounting Terms

As used in the Loan Documents and in any certificate, opinion or other document made or delivered pursuant thereto, accounting terms not defined in Section 1.1, and accounting terms partly defined in Section 1.1, to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under Applicable Accounting Principles. If at any time any change in Applicable Accounting Principles would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in this Credit Agreement and (a) the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower objects to determining compliance with such financial ratio or requirement on the basis of Applicable Accounting Principles in effect immediately after such change becomes effective

 

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or (b) the Required Lenders so object, then the Borrower’s compliance with such ratio or requirement shall be determined on the basis of Applicable Accounting Principles in effect immediately before such change becomes effective, until either such notice is withdrawn by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Required Lenders), as the case may be, or the Borrower and the Required Lenders otherwise agree. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the computation of financial ratios and requirements set forth in this Credit Agreement shall be consistent with the Borrower’s financial statements required to be delivered hereunder.

Section 1.4 Non-Recourse Persons

Each Credit Party hereby agrees for the benefit of each and every trustee, director, and officer of, and each record owner of any outstanding shares of, the Borrower (each a “ Non-Recourse Person ”) that (a) no Non-Recourse Person shall have any personal liability for any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document or other instrument or document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto; and (b) no claim against any Non-Recourse Person or any property thereof may be made for any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document or other instrument or document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, whether for the payment of principal of, or interest on, the Loans or for any fees, expenses or other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder or thereunder.

ARTICLE 2.

THE CREDITS

Section 2.1 Commitments

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally (and not jointly) agrees to make loans in Dollars to the Borrower from time to time during the period from the Effective Date through the Business Day immediately preceding the Commitment Termination Date, provided that immediately after giving effect thereto (a) the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Loans made by such Lender would not exceed its Commitment, and (b) the Preferred Asset Coverage would not be less than 2.25:1.00. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Loans.

Section 2.2 Loans

(a) Requesting a Loan . To request a Loan, the Borrower shall submit to the Administrative Agent a Borrowing Request substantially in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto, not later than (i) in the case of an ABR Loan, 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Business Day of the proposed Loan, or (ii) in the case of a LIBOR Loan, 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed Loan. Each such Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall specify: (A) the requested date for such Loan (which shall be a Business Day), (B) whether such Loan is to be an ABR Loan or a LIBOR Loan, (C) the amount of such Loan, which shall be in an Approved Amount, and (D) with respect to each LIBOR Loan, the Interest Period therefor, provided that, if (x) the Borrower shall fail to specify whether such requested Loan is to be an ABR Loan or a LIBOR Loan, then such Loan shall be made as a

 

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LIBOR Loan with an interest period of one month, or (y) immediately after giving effect to the making of such requested Loan, there would be Loans outstanding with in excess of six (6) different Interest Periods, then such Loan shall be made as an ABR Loan.

(b) Optional Conversion or Continuation of Certain Loans . Subject to Section 2.2(c), prior to the Maturity Date, the Borrower may elect to (i) convert all or any portion of any ABR Loan to a LIBOR Loan, (ii) convert all or any portion of any LIBOR Loan to an ABR Loan, or (iii) continue all or any portion of a LIBOR Loan as a LIBOR Loan having an additional Interest Period, provided that, in each such case, the principal amount to be converted to or continued as a LIBOR Loan shall be in an Approved Amount. Each such election shall be made by the Borrower by a duly executed Borrowing Request to the Administrative Agent, shall be irrevocable and shall (A) be made not later than (x) in the case of a conversion of a Loan to, or the continuation of a Loan as, a LIBOR Loan, 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed conversion or continuation, or (y) in all other cases not later than 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Business Day of the proposed conversion or continuation, (B) specify the following information (w) the amount of the Loan requested to be converted or continued, (x) the requested date for such conversion or continuation, which shall be a Business Day, (y) whether such Loan is to be converted into an ABR Loan or a LIBOR Loan, or continued as a LIBOR Loan, and (z) in the case of a Loan being converted into or continued as a LIBOR Loan, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto, and (C) be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders upon receipt, provided that, if (x) prior to the expiration of the Interest Period applicable to an existing LIBOR Loan, the Borrower shall fail to timely elect to continue or convert such LIBOR Loan in accordance herewith, such LIBOR Loan shall, on the last day of such Interest Period, be automatically converted to a LIBOR Loan with an interest period of one month, and (y) immediately after giving effect to any such requested conversion or continuation of any Loan, there would be Loans outstanding with in excess of six (6) different Interest Periods, then such Loan shall be converted to an ABR Loan.

(c) Elections . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the Borrower’s right to make elections pursuant to Section 2.2(b) shall cease (i) upon notice by the Administrative Agent or Required Lenders to the Borrower upon the occurrence or during the continuance of an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default under Section 8.1(h) or (i)) that the Borrower’s right to make elections pursuant to Section 2.2(b) has been terminated, and (ii) automatically and without notice upon the occurrence or during the continuance of an Event of Default under Section 8.1(h) or (i).

(d) Funding . Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with subsection (a) or (c) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each applicable Lender of the details thereof and, in the case of a Borrowing Request in accordance with subsection (a) of this Section, of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing. 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 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower on such proposed date by promptly transferring the amounts so received, in like funds, to a custodial account at an Applicable Custodian in the name of the Borrower or, in the event a Borrowing shall not occur on such date because any condition precedent thereto herein shall not have been met, return the amounts so received to the respective Lenders, without interest.

 

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Section 2.3 Termination or Change of Commitments

(a) Unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall terminate on the Commitment Termination Date.

(b) The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, without premium or penalty, the Commitments, provided that (i) the Borrower may not terminate or reduce the Commitments if, immediately after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent repayment of the Loans in accordance with Sections 2.4 or 2.5, the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Loans would exceed the Commitments, and (ii) each such reduction shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and in an integral multiple of $1,000,000.

(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 (or such shorter period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other debt instruments, 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. Upon receipt of each such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly send each Lender a copy thereof. Each termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be accompanied by the payment of accrued and unpaid commitment fees to the extent required by Section 3.2.

(d) The Administrative Agent may at any time deliver to the Borrower a Termination Notice.

Section 2.4 Repayment of Loans

(a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Loan on the Maturity Date.

(b) In the event that on any date, the Borrower shall fail to be in compliance with Section 7.7, the Borrower shall, within three (3) Business Days, repay the Loans and take such other actions as may be necessary such that, immediately after giving effect to such repayment and other actions, the Borrower shall be in compliance with Section 7.7.

Section 2.5 Voluntary Prepayments

The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time, without premium or penalty (but subject to Section 3.7), to prepay any Loan in whole or in part. The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing of any prepayment hereunder not later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, three (3) Business Days prior to date of prepayment. Promptly

 

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following receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Loan or portion thereof to be prepaid. Each partial prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this Section 2.5 shall be in an Approved Amount. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued and unpaid interest to the extent required by Section 3.1.

Section 2.6 Payments Generally

(a) In General . The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder or under any other Loan Document (whether of principal of Loans, interest, fees, or otherwise) prior to 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without setoff or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date shall be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments (except to the extent payable directly to a Lender under Sections 3.3, 3.4, 3.7 or 10.3) shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its office at 40 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 1H1, or such other office as to which the Administrative Agent may notify the Borrower. Except as may be otherwise provided in the defined term “Interest Period”, 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. If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent from the Borrower to pay fully all amounts of principal of Loans, interest, fees and other amounts then due under the Loan Documents, such funds shall be applied to the obligations owing by the Borrower: (i) first, to payment of such amounts (excluding principal, interest and fees), in such order as the Administrative Agent may choose, (ii) second, to such interest and fees then due, and (iii) third, to such principal of the Loans then due. All amounts paid under the Loan Documents shall not be refundable under any circumstances, absent manifest error.

(b) Pro Rata Treatment . Except as may otherwise be expressly provided in this Credit Agreement, each payment or prepayment of principal of any Loan, each payment of interest on the Loans, each payment of fees payable to the Lenders, each reduction of the Commitments and each conversion to or continuation of any Loan shall be allocated pro rata among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments (or, if the Commitments shall have expired or been terminated, in accordance with the respective principal amounts of their outstanding Loans). Each Lender agrees that in computing such Lender’s portion of any Loan to be made hereunder, the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, round each Lender’s percentage of such Loan to the next higher or lower whole Dollar amount.

(c) (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent . Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Loan that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Loan, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.2(d) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If the Administrative Agent shall have so made funds available, then, to the extent that such Lender shall not have made such portion available to the Administrative Agent, each of such Lender and the Borrower

 

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severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at (x) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing and (y) 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. If such Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such amount shall constitute such Lender’s share of such Loan for purposes of this Credit Agreement, and the Borrower’s obligation to repay the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount pursuant to this Section 2.6(c)(i) shall cease.

(ii) Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent . 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 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 the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender, 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.

(iii) Notices . A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this paragraph (c) shall be presumptively correct, absent manifest error.

(d) Obligations of Lenders Several . The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 10.3(c) are several and neither joint nor joint and several. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan or make any payment under Section 10.3(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make any Loan or to make any payment under Section 10.3(c).

(e) Funding Source . Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

(f) Sharing . If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or other obligations hereunder resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon or other such obligations greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (i) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (ii) purchase (for cash at

 

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face value) participations in the Loans and such other obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them, 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 (x) any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Credit Agreement or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply).

The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of setoff 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.

Section 2.7 Defaulting Lenders

(a) Defaulting Lender Adjustments . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Credit Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

(i) Waivers and Amendments . Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Credit Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of Required Lenders.

(ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall . Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article 8 or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.8 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second , as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Credit Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; third , if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released in order to satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans; fourth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under

 

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this Credit Agreement; fifth , so long as no Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Credit Agreement; and sixth , to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

(iii) Certain Fees . No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any fee pursuant to Section 3.2(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).

(b) Defaulting Lender Cure . If the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to cash collateral), such Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with the Commitments, whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Non-Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

Section 2.8 Evidence of Debt

Each Lender, acting solely for this purpose as agent of the Borrower, shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the outstanding principal of and accrued interest on each Loan made by such Lender at one of its offices in the United States of America. The entries made in such account or accounts shall, absent manifest error and to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein, provided that the failure of such Lender to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans (and interest thereon) in accordance with the terms of this Credit Agreement. Upon the request of any Lender, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender a Note, which shall evidence the Loans made by such Lender in addition to such accounts or records.

 

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Section 2.9 Pricing Changes

(a) At any time and from time to time the Administrative Agent may send to the Borrower an Applicable Margin Change Notice, and such Applicable Margin Change Notice shall become effective on the date that is the later to occur of the following (such later date with respect to such Applicable Margin Change Notice, the “ Applicable Margin Change Effective Date ”): (i) the date specified as such in such Applicable Margin Change Notice, and (ii) the 179th day after the date of such Applicable Margin Change Notice.

(b) At any time and from time to time the Administrative Agent may send to the Borrower a Commitment Fee Change Notice, and such Commitment Fee Change Notice shall become effective on the date that is the later to occur of the following (such latest date with respect to such Commitment Fee Change Notice, the “ Commitment Fee Change Effective Date ”): (i) the date specified as such in such Commitment Fee Change Notice, and (ii) the 179th day after the date of such Commitment Fee Change Notice.

ARTICLE 3.

INTEREST, FEES, YIELD PROTECTION, ETC.

Section 3.1 Interest

(a) Each Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Rate, provided that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, then, so long as such Event of Default is continuing, (i) the principal balance of such Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Rate plus 2.00%, and (ii) all other amounts owing under the Loan Documents that are not paid when due, shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus 2.00%.

(b) Accrued and unpaid interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto, provided that (1) interest accrued and unpaid pursuant to each of clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (a) of this Section shall be payable on demand, and (2) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment. All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days (provided that interest computed by reference to the Prime Rate shall be on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable) for the actual number of days elapsed (including the day a Loan is made but excluding the date of repayment). The Alternate Base Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate, the LIBO Rate, the Overnight Eurodollar Rate and the Prime Rate shall each be determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of this Credit Agreement, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

Section 3.2 Fees

The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender, a commitment fee, which shall accrue during the period from and including the date on which this Credit Agreement shall have become effective in accordance with Section 10.6 to but

 

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excluding the Commitment Termination Date, at a rate per annum equal to the Commitment Fee Rate on the daily amount of the excess of such Lender’s Commitment over the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Loans of such Lender. Accrued and unpaid commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of each year, each date on which the Commitments are reduced and on the date on which the Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

Section 3.3 Increased Costs

(a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender, except any reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate;

(ii) 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; or

(iii) impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Credit Agreement or Loans made by such Lender;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount); then, promptly upon request of the Administrative Agent on behalf of such Lender or other Recipient, and after delivery to the Borrower of the certificate required by clause (c) hereof, the Borrower will pay to the Administrative Agent such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) If any Lender determines in good faith that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or any lending office of such Lender or such Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Credit Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by such Lender hereunder, to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to liquidity and capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered as a consequence thereof.

 

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(c) A certificate of a Lender or Recipient setting forth such Person’s reasonable good faith determination of the additional amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Person or its holding company, as applicable, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The amount shown as payable on any such certificate shall be due within ten (10) days after receipt thereof. In determining such additional amounts of compensation, such Person will act reasonably and in good faith.

(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Recipient to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Person’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate any such Person pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than ninety (90) days prior to the date that such Person notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Person’s intention to claim compensation therefor; and provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 90-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

Section 3.4 Taxes

(a) Defined Terms . For purposes of this Section 3.4 (i) the term “applicable law” includes FATCA, and (ii) any reference to an IRS Form means such form or any applicable successor form.

(b) Payments Free of Taxes . Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

(c) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower . The Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the applicable Recipient timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

(d) Indemnification by the Borrower . The Borrower 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

 

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under this Section 3.4) 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 the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.4(d) 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) Evidence of Payments . As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 3.4, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(g) 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 3.4(g)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in such Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

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(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if 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 (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Credit Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies 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 Credit 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 copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E 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) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming that its extension of credit will generate U.S. effectively connected income, executed copies 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 H-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 copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E; or

(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-2 or

 

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Exhibit H-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 H-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Credit Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies 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 Credit Agreement.

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 3.4(g) 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.

(h) 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 3.4 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.4), 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 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

 

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indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (h) (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 (h), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (h) 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.

(i) Survival . Each party’s obligations under this Section 3.4 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

Section 3.5 Alternate Rate of Interest

If the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that, with respect to any existing or requested Loan the pricing of which is determined by reference to an Applicable Money Market (each an “Affected Loan”), by reason of one or more circumstances arising after the date hereof affecting such Applicable Money Market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the rate of interest applicable to such Affected Loan, or that such rate of interest will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of making, maintaining, converting or continuing such Affected Loan because of (a) any change since the date hereof in any applicable law or governmental rule, regulation, order or directive (whether or not having the force of law) or in the interpretation or administration thereof or (b) other circumstances arising after the date hereof affecting the Lenders or such Applicable Money Market, then the Administrative Agent may give notice thereof to the Borrower (with a copy to each Lender) by telephone or facsimile and (i) upon the giving of such notice, each existing Affected Loan shall automatically be deemed converted into and redenominated as an ABR Loan and shall thereafter bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Rate therefor, and (ii) until such notice is rescinded by the Administrative Agent, no Lender shall have any obligation to make any new Loan that would be an Affected Loan. The Administrative Agent agrees that promptly after it shall have determined, with respect to any notice given by it under this Section, that the circumstance or circumstances that gave rise to such notice with respect to an Affected Loan no longer exist, the Administrative Agent shall by notice to the Borrower (with a copy to each Lender) rescind such notice with respect to such Affected Loan.

 

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Section 3.6 Other LIBOR Provisions

Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, if any Change in Law shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make, continue or maintain any LIBOR Loan, to convert any ABR Loan to a LIBOR Loan, or to give effect to its obligations as contemplated hereby with respect to any LIBOR Loan, then, by written notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent:

(a) such Lender may, if such Change in Law makes it unlawful to make, continue or maintain, or convert any Loan to, a LIBOR Loan, declare that thereafter (for the duration of such unlawfulness) LIBOR Loans will not be made or continued by such Lender, and Loans of such Lender will not be converted into LIBOR Loans; and

(b) such Lender may, if such Change in Law makes it unlawful for such Lender to maintain LIBOR Loans of such Lender, require that all outstanding LIBOR Loans of such Lender be converted to ABR Loans, in which event all such LIBOR Loans shall be automatically converted to ABR Loans on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto or such earlier date if required by any Change in Law.

Section 3.7 Break Funding Payments

In the event of (a) the payment or prepayment (voluntary or otherwise, including as the result of acceleration) of any principal of any LIBOR Loan made by the Borrower other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the failure by the Borrower to borrow or continue any LIBOR Loan, or convert any Loan to a LIBOR Loan, on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto, (c) the conversion by the Borrower of any LIBOR Loan to an ABR Loan pursuant to Section 3.6(b), or (d) any assignment by such Lender pursuant to Section 3.8(b), then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Applicable Margin) of such Lender attributable to such event. Such loss, cost or expense shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such Lender’s LIBOR Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such LIBOR 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 that would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate that such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for deposits in Dollars of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurocurrency market. A certificate of such Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section and the calculation thereof in reasonable detail shall be delivered to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

Section 3.8 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders

(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office . If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.3, or requires the Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.4, then such Lender shall (at the request of the Borrower) use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to

 

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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 Section 3.3 or 3.4, 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) Replacement of Lenders . If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.3, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.4 and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with Section 3.8(a), or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or a Non-Consenting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 10.4), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 3.3 or Section 3.4) and obligations under this Credit Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if such Lender accepts such assignment); provided that:

(i) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 10.4;

(ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.7) 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 3.3 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.4, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;

(iv) such assignment does not conflict with applicable law; and

(v) in the case of any assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Consenting Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, at least three (3) Business Days 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.

 

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ARTICLE 4.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower, in order to induce each Credit Party to enter into this Credit Agreement and to induce each Lender to make Loans, hereby makes the following representations and warranties to such Credit Party:

Section 4.1 Organization and Power

The Borrower (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (b) is duly qualified to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to be so qualified could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower has all requisite power and authority to own its property and to carry on its business as now conducted.

Section 4.2 Authority and Execution; EEA Financial Institution

The Borrower has full legal power and authority to enter into, execute, deliver and perform the terms of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, all of which have been duly authorized by all proper and necessary action, and the Borrower is in material compliance with its Organization Documents. The Borrower has duly executed and delivered the Loan Documents to which it is a party. The Borrower is not an EEA Financial Institution.

Section 4.3 Binding Agreement

The Loan Documents constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of the Borrower to the extent it is a party thereto, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or law).

Section 4.4 Litigation

There are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental Authority (whether purportedly on behalf of the Borrower) pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against it or maintained by it that could reasonably be expected to affect the property or rights of the Borrower, which (a) call into question the validity or enforceability of, or otherwise seek to invalidate, any Loan Document, or (b) would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.5 Approvals and Consents

No consent, authorization or approval of, filing (other than the filing of each financing statement in connection with the Liens created by the Security Agreement in the office indicated on such financing statement) with, notice to, or exemption by, the holders of any securities issued by the Borrower, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required to authorize, or is required in connection with, the execution and delivery by the Borrower of, and

 

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the performance by the Borrower of its obligations under, the Loan Documents to which it is a party or is required as a condition to the validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents to which it is a party with respect to or against the Borrower or its property or assets, other than any such consent, authorization, approval, filing or notice that has been obtained or completed, as the case may be, by the Borrower. No provision of any applicable treaty, statute, law (including any applicable usury or similar law), rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority will prevent the execution and delivery by the Borrower or performance by the Borrower of its obligations under, or affect the validity with respect to or against the Borrower of, the Loan Documents to which it is a party.

Section 4.6 No Conflict

The Borrower is not in default under any mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, judgment, decree or order to which it is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound, which defaults, taken as a whole, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of the terms of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, the Loans and the use by the Borrower of the proceeds thereof (a) will not (i) violate any treaty, statutes, law (including any applicable usury or similar law), rule or regulations, including the ICA, of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Borrower or (ii) constitute a default under, conflict with, require any consent under (other than consents which have been obtained), or result in the creation or imposition of, or obligation to create, any Lien (other than pursuant to the Loan Documents) upon the property of the Borrower pursuant to the terms of any such mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, judgment, decree or order, which defaults, conflicts and consents, if not obtained, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (b) are not inconsistent with the Fundamental Policies.

Section 4.7 Taxes

The Borrower has filed or caused to be filed all tax returns required to be filed and has paid, or has made adequate provision for the payment of, all Taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns or in any assessments made against it (other than those being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, and for which adequate reserves have been set aside in accordance with Applicable Accounting Principles) which, if not so filed or paid, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and no tax Liens have been filed against the Borrower or any of its property. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower with respect to all federal, state, local and other Taxes are adequate, and the Borrower knows of no unpaid assessment which is due and payable against or any claims being asserted against it which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except such thereof as are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, and for which adequate reserves have been set aside in accordance with Applicable Accounting Principles.

Section 4.8 Compliance

The Borrower is not in default with respect to any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or decision of any Governmental Authority, which default could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower is complying with all applicable

 

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statutes and regulations, including the ICA and the Securities Act, of all Governmental Authorities, a violation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.9 Property

The Borrower has good title to all of its property with respect to which the absence of such title could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, subject to no Liens other than Permitted Liens.

Section 4.10 Federal Reserve Regulations; Use of Loan Proceeds

Except for the Federal Reserve Form to be executed and delivered by the Borrower, no filing or other action is required under the provisions of Regulations T, U or X in connection with the execution and delivery by the Borrower of this Credit Agreement and neither the making of any Loan in accordance with this Credit Agreement nor the use of the proceeds thereof, will violate Regulations T, U or X.

Section 4.11 No Material Adverse Effect

Since the Measurement Date, there has been no event or occurrence that has resulted in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.12 Material Agreements

Each of the following is in full force and effect: (a) the investment advisory agreement between the Borrower and its Investment Adviser, (b) prior to the Transfer Completion Date, the Existing Custody Agreement, (c) the New Custody Agreement, and (d) the administration agreement between the Borrower and its administrator.

Section 4.13 Financial Condition

The statement of assets and liabilities of the Borrower as of the Measurement Date and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets for the fiscal year then ended, copies of which, certified by independent public accountants, have heretofore been furnished to the Administrative Agent, fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position of the Borrower as of such date and the results of its operations for such period in conformity with Applicable Accounting Principles.

Section 4.14 No Misrepresentation

No representation or warranty contained in any Loan Document and no certificate or report from time to time furnished by the Borrower to any Credit Party in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby, contains a misstatement of material fact or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, omits, when taken as a whole, to state a material fact required to be stated in order to make the statements therein contained not misleading in any material respect in the light of the circumstances under which made.

 

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Section 4.15 Sanctions, Etc.

(a) No Affected Person is, or is individually or in the aggregate owned 50% or more by Persons that are: (i) the subject or target of any economic sanctions administered or enforced by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “ Sanctions ”), or (ii) located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Jurisdiction.

(b) No Affected Person or any Person that owns 50% or more (directly or indirectly) of the Borrower or receives (directly or indirectly) any proceeds of any Loan (i) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of goods, services or money to or for the benefit of any Sanctioned Person or in any Sanctioned Jurisdiction, in violation of applicable law or (ii) has violated any Sanctions in any respect.

(c) No Affected Person or any Person that owns 50% or more (directly or indirectly) of the Borrower, or receives (directly or indirectly) any proceeds of any Loan (i) has engaged in any transaction, investment, undertaking or activity that conceals the identity, source or destination of the proceeds from any category of prohibited offenses designated by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, or (ii) otherwise violated any applicable law regarding money laundering.

(d) The Borrower, its directors and officers, and to the knowledge of the Borrower, its employees and agents, are in material compliance with the FCPA and each relevant foreign counterpart thereof, and to the knowledge of the Borrower, the Borrower, its directors, officers, employees, and agents have not made a payment, offering, or promise to pay, or authorized the payment of, money or anything of value in violation of the FCPA, including paying, offering to pay or promising to pay money or anything of value (i) in order to assist in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any foreign official, foreign political party, party official or candidate for foreign political office, (ii) to a foreign official, foreign political party or party official or any candidate for foreign political office, and (iii) with the intent to induce the recipient to misuse his or her official position to direct business wrongfully to the Borrower or any other Person.

(e) The Borrower has implemented and maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote and achieve compliance by each Affected Person with all applicable laws regarding Sanctions, money laundering, Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Corruption Laws.

Section 4.16 Investment Company Status

(a) The Borrower has the following status (“ Status ”): (i) it qualifies as a Regulated Investment Company, (ii) it is a “registered investment company” within the meaning of Section 8 of the ICA, (iii) it is a “closed-end company” and a “non-diversified company” in each case within the meaning of Section 5 of the ICA, (iv) it is not a “business development company” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(48) of the ICA, (v) it is neither an “affiliate” (within the meaning of Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act) of, nor an “affiliated person” (as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the ICA) of, any Lender, (vi) it is not an Indirect Fund, (vii) it is in compliance with the Fundamental Policies, and (viii) it is not a party to any inter-fund lending arrangement.

 

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(b) The Borrower is not subject to any statute, rule, regulation or organizational or offering document which prohibits or limits the incurrence of Indebtedness under the Loan Documents, except for the limitations set forth in the ICA, state securities laws to the extent applicable, and the Fundamental Policies.

(c) The Borrower has not issued any of its securities in violation of any Federal or State securities laws applicable thereto, except to the extent that any such violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.17 ERISA

Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower (a) is not, and has not been in the last five (5) years, a member of an ERISA Group, and (b) has no liability in respect of any Plan or Multiemployer Plan subject to ERISA. Assuming that no portion of the assets used to fund any Loan Constitute plan assets within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations, none of the following (individually or collectively) constitute a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” within the meaning of Section 406(a) of ERISA or Section 4975(c)(1)(A)-(D) of the Code that would subject the Bank to any tax or penalty under Section 502(i) or (l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code: (i) the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, (ii) the incurrence by the Borrower of any obligation under the Loan Documents, (iii) the making of any Loan, (iv) the payment by the Borrower of any principal, interest, fee or other sum owing under the Loan Documents, or (v) the consummation of any other transaction described in the Loan Documents.

ARTICLE 5.

CONDITIONS

Section 5.1 Effective Date

The obligation of each Lender to make Loans hereunder shall not become effective until the date (the “ Effective Date ”) on which each of the following conditions is satisfied, or waived in accordance with Section 10.2 (and, upon such satisfaction or waiver, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding):

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Credit Agreement signed on behalf of the Borrower and each Lender.

(b) If any Lender shall have requested one, the Administrative Agent shall have received, for the account of such Lender, an original Note, dated the Effective Date, executed on behalf of the Borrower and payable to such Lender.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received favorable written opinions (addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender and dated the Effective Date) reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent from (i) Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, (ii) Ropes & Gray LLP and (iii) Morrison & Foerster LLP, each respectively counsel to the Borrower. The Borrower hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinion.

 

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(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by authorized representatives of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit E , and in all other respects reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received, for the account of each Lender, a copy of an initial Federal Reserve Form, substantially in the form of Exhibit F , duly executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to such Lender.

(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received a security agreement, dated the Effective Date and signed by an authorized representative on behalf of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit I (the “ Security Agreement ”).

(g) The Administrative Agent shall have received a collateral agency and intercreditor agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit N , dated the Effective Date, signed by the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as the existing 2013 note security agent thereunder, and acknowledged and agreed to by the Borrower (the “ Intercreditor Agreement ”).

(h) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that the Collateral Agent has received copies of the Continuing Control Agreement and the Temporary Control Agreement executed and delivered by all parties thereto.

(i) The Administrative Agent shall have received Uniform Commercial Code, federal tax and judgment lien search reports with respect to each applicable public office where Liens would customarily be filed against the Borrower disclosing that there are no Liens of record (other than Liens reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) in such official’s office covering the Borrower or any asset or property thereof.

(j) Prior to or simultaneously with the Effective Date, (i) the Borrower shall have paid all principal, interest and other sums owing (whether or not then due) by the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 7, 2013, between the Borrower and State Street and all other agreements, instruments and other documents executed or delivered in connection therewith (collectively, the “ Existing Credit Documents ”), (ii) the Existing Credit Documents shall have been terminated (other than provisions thereof which, by their terms, provide that they survive any such termination), and all commitments under the Existing Credit Documents to make loans or otherwise extend credit to or for the account of the Borrower shall have been cancelled or terminated, (iii) all Liens on the property of the Borrower securing the obligations under the Existing Credit Documents shall have been released or otherwise terminated, and (iv) the Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory evidence of all of the foregoing.

(k) The Administrative Agent shall have received such information it shall have requested (and as any Lender may have requested through the Administrative Agent) in order to comply with “know-your-customer” and other anti-terrorism, anti-money laundering and similar rules and regulations and related policies.

 

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(l) The Administrative Agent shall have received (for itself and each applicable Lender) all reasonable and documented fees and other amounts due and payable by the Borrower 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 reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder and in accordance with any fee letter and/or expense letter entered into between the applicable Credit Party and the Borrower.

Section 5.2 Each Credit Event

The obligation of each Lender to make each Loan is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) (i) The representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in each Loan Document to which it is a party shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of the date of such Loan (other than, as to any such representation or warranty that by its terms refers to a specific date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects as of such specified date), (ii) immediately before and after giving effect to such Loan and the use of the proceeds thereof no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (iii) immediately after giving effect thereto the Preferred Asset Coverage would not be less than 2.25:1.00.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a written Borrowing Request signed by the Borrower setting forth the information required by Section 2.2(a).

(c) To the extent required by Regulation U, each Lender shall have received (i) a copy of a Federal Reserve Form for such Lender, duly completed, executed and delivered by the Borrower, in form and substance acceptable to such Lender, or (ii) a current list of Margin Stock and Non-Margin Assets of the Borrower, in a form acceptable to such Lender and in all respects in compliance with Regulation U, including Section 221.3(c)(2)(iv) thereof.

Each request for a Loan by the Borrower shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraph (a) of this Section.

ARTICLE 6.

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Until the Commitment Termination Date shall have occurred and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees and other amounts payable by the Borrower under the Loan Documents shall have been paid in full, the Borrower covenants and agrees with each Credit Party that:

 

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Section 6.1 Financial Statements and Other Information

The Borrower shall, subject to the ultimate paragraph of this Section, furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent:

(a) as soon as available, but in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of its statement of assets and liabilities as at the end of such fiscal year, together with the related schedule of investments and statements of operations and changes in net assets as of and through the end of such fiscal year; each such statement of assets and liabilities and the related schedule of investments and statements of operations and changes in net assets shall be certified without qualification by independent public accountants, which certification shall (i) state that the examination by such independent public accountants in connection with such financial statements has been made in accordance with those auditing standards required by the ICA and prescribed by the SEC for the Borrower or, to the extent not so required or prescribed, generally accepted auditing standards in the United States and (ii) include the opinion of such independent public accountants that such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with Applicable Accounting Principles, except as otherwise specified in such opinion;

(b) as soon as available, but in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of the first semiannual accounting period in each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the Borrower’s statement of assets and liabilities as at the end of such semiannual period, together with the related schedule of investments and statements of operations and changes in net assets for such period;

(c) as soon as available, but in any event not later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the end of each calendar month, a duly completed certificate of a duly authorized representative of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit G ;

(d) prompt written notice of any contest referred to in Sections 6.5 or 6.6;

(e) prompt written notice of each (i) non-routine proxy solicitation sent to the holders of the Borrower’s securities and (ii) proxy solicitation sent to the holders of the Borrower’s securities for any purpose other than the regular scheduled election of members of the Managing Body;

(f) promptly after request therefor, such other information as any Credit Party may reasonably request (through the Administrative Agent) from time to time including in order to comply with “know-your-customer” and other anti-terrorism, anti-money laundering and similar rules and regulations and related policies; and

(g) prior written notice of any Refinancing of, or any amendment, consent, waiver or other modification of the terms of, any Note Purchase Agreement, any Senior Note, or any Note Security Agreement.

The Borrower shall not be required pursuant to Sections 6.1(a) and (b) to deliver or otherwise provide any information to any Credit Party to the extent such information is (i) readily available in printable form through the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s EDGAR system or on

 

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any other website with respect to which the Borrower shall have provided prior written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent or (ii) delivered (in appropriate electronic form) to the Administrative Agent for posting to the Electronic Platform, in either case within the time period provided in such Section.

Section 6.2 Notice of Material Events

The Borrower shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice after any officer of the Borrower obtains knowledge of the following, together with a statement of a duly authorized representative of the Borrower setting forth in reasonable detail the event or development requiring such notice and, if applicable, any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto:

(a) the occurrence of any Default;

(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any Governmental Authority against or affecting the Borrower that could in the good faith opinion of the Borrower reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

(c) the occurrence of any other development that has resulted, or could reasonably be expected to result, in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 6.3 Legal Existence

The Borrower shall maintain its legal existence in good standing in the jurisdiction of its organization and shall maintain its qualification to do business in each other jurisdiction in which the failure so to do could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 6.4 Insurance

The Borrower shall maintain insurance with financially sound insurance carriers in at least such amounts and against at least such risks as are customarily insured against by entities engaged in the same or a similar business or as may otherwise be required by the ICA or the SEC (including such fidelity bond coverage as shall be required by Rule 17g-1 promulgated under the ICA or any successor provision and errors and omissions insurance); and furnish to the Administrative Agent, promptly following written request therefor, information as to the insurance carried.

Section 6.5 Payment of Indebtedness and Performance of Obligations

The Borrower shall pay and discharge when due all lawful Indebtedness, obligations and claims for labor, materials and supplies or otherwise which, if unpaid, could reasonably be expected to (a) have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) give rise to the imposition of a Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon the property of the Borrower having a value either individually or in the aggregate in excess of $5,000,000, unless and to the extent only that the validity of such Indebtedness, obligation or claim shall be contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted by or on behalf of the Borrower, and provided that such reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be required in accordance with Applicable Accounting Principles shall have been made therefor.

 

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Section 6.6 Observance of Legal Requirements

The Borrower shall observe and comply in all material respects with all laws (including the ICA and the Code), ordinances, orders, judgments, rules, regulations, certifications, franchises, permits, licenses, directions and requirements of all Governmental Authorities, which may then be applicable to it, a violation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except such thereof as shall be contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted by or on behalf of the Borrower, provided that such reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be required in accordance with Applicable Accounting Principles shall have been made therefor.

Section 6.7 Books and Records; Visitation

The Borrower shall (a) keep proper books of record and account in which entries that are complete, true and correct in all material respects in conformity with Applicable Accounting Principles and all material requirements of law shall be made of all material dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities, (b) upon reasonable prior notice (which shall in no event be required to be more than (i) one (1) Business Day prior, at any time that a Default has occurred and is continuing, or (ii) five (5) Business Days prior, at all other times) permit representatives of the Administrative Agent to visit the offices of the Borrower and to discuss the properties, assets, income and financial condition of the Borrower with the duly authorized representatives thereof and to inspect the books, property and records of the Borrower (which visits shall be limited to once in any calendar year except during the continuance of an Event of Default), and (c) upon the reasonable request of any Credit Party, deliver to such Credit Party a detailed list of assets of the Borrower.

Section 6.8 Purpose of Loans

The Borrower shall use the proceeds of each Loan for (a) temporary or emergency purposes and (b) its general business purposes, including the purchase of investment securities and Preferred Stock, provided that in no event shall the proceeds of any Loan be used for (x) purposes which would violate any provision of any applicable statute, rule, regulation, order or restriction applicable to the Borrower or Regulation U or (y) anything other than its general corporate and working capital purposes.

Section 6.9 Maintenance of Status

The Borrower shall maintain at all times its Status.

 

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ARTICLE 7.

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Until the Commitment Termination Date shall have occurred and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees and other amounts payable by the Borrower under the Loan Documents shall have been paid in full, the Borrower covenants and agrees with each Credit Party that:

Section 7.1 Indebtedness; Senior Securities

(a) The Borrower will not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any liability for Indebtedness, except:

(i) Indebtedness under the Loan Documents,

(ii) Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money) constituting Financial Contract Liabilities (1) incurred in the ordinary course of business, (2) permitted to be incurred in accordance with the Fundamental Policies, and (3) which, immediately after giving effect thereto and any simultaneous repayment of any other Indebtedness, would not cause the Borrower to be in Default under Section 7.7,

(iii) Indebtedness to an Applicable Custodian (1) incurred for the purposes of clearing and settling purchases and sales of securities, or (2) up to an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any one time outstanding under this clause (2), for temporary or emergency purposes,

(iv) Indebtedness in respect of judgments or awards that do not constitute an Event of Default, including any unsecured performance bond in respect of such judgments or awards, and

(v) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $200,000,000 at any one time outstanding arising under the Note Documents.

(b) The Borrower will not issue, sell, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Senior Security, except (i) Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.1(a), and (ii) Preferred Stock.

Section 7.2 Liens

The Borrower will not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

(a) Liens for Taxes, assessments or similar charges incurred in the ordinary course of business for which adequate reserves have been set aside in accordance with Applicable Accounting Principles and which (i) are not delinquent, or (ii) are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, provided that enforcement of such Liens is stayed pending such contest;

(b) Liens imposed by law created in the ordinary course of business for which adequate reserves have been set aside in accordance with Applicable Accounting Principles (i) securing amounts not yet due, or (ii) which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, provided that enforcement of such Liens is stayed pending such contest;

 

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(c) Liens arising out of judgments or decrees affecting the property attributable to the Borrower for which adequate reserves have been set aside in accordance with Applicable Accounting Principles and which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, provided that enforcement thereof is stayed pending such contest;

(d) Liens created or arising under the Loan Documents;

(e) (x) prior to the Transfer Completion Date (i) Liens arising under the Existing Custody Agreement and securing obligations (other than Indebtedness) of the Borrower thereunder, to the extent such obligations arose in the ordinary course of business and are permitted by the Temporary Control Agreement, and (ii) Liens arising under the Existing Custody Agreement and securing Indebtedness of the Borrower thereunder to the extent such Indebtedness is permitted by Section 7.1 and by the Temporary Control Agreement, and (y)(i) Liens arising under the New Custody Agreement and securing obligations (other than Indebtedness) of the Borrower thereunder, to the extent such obligations arose in the ordinary course of business and are permitted by the Continuing Control Agreement, and (ii) Liens arising under the New Custody Agreement and securing Indebtedness of the Borrower thereunder to the extent such Indebtedness is permitted by Section 7.1 and by the Continuing Control Agreement;

(f) Liens in respect of obligations arising from any Financial Contract, provided that each such obligation is incurred in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the Fundamental Policies; and

(g) Liens arising under any Note Security Agreement in favor of the applicable Note Security Agent, for the benefit of each applicable Noteholder and each other holder of any Applicable Note Obligation, securing the obligations of the Borrower under the Applicable Note Documents.

Section 7.3 Fundamental Changes

The Borrower will not (a) consolidate or merge into or with any Person, or (b) in any single transaction or series of related transactions, sell, lease or otherwise transfer, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of its property, except that for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower may sell Investments in the ordinary course of business.

Section 7.4 Restricted Payments

The Borrower will not declare, make or otherwise pay, or allow to be declared, made or otherwise paid, any Restricted Payment, except:

(a) The Borrower may declare, make or otherwise pay any Restricted Payment if, immediately before and after giving effect thereto, (i) no Event of Default shall exist or would occur, or (ii) no principal of any Loan shall or would be outstanding.

(b) [reserved]

 

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Section 7.5 Fundamental Policies; Valuation

The Borrower will not (a) make or maintain any Investment other than as permitted by the ICA and the Offering Document, (b) amend or otherwise modify the Fundamental Policies, or (c) for purposes of the Loan Documents or financial reporting, value any Investment or other property thereof other than in accordance with applicable law (including the ICA) and the Offering Document.

Section 7.6 Amendments and Changes

(a) The Borrower will not amend or otherwise modify its Organization Documents, the New Custody Agreement or, during the Transition Period, the Existing Custody Agreement, in each case in any way which would adversely affect the rights or remedies of any Credit Party under the Loan Documents.

(b) (i) During the Transition Period, the Borrower will not replace either the Existing Custodian or the New Custodian as, or cause any other Person to become, a custodian of any of the Borrower’s assets. Thereafter, the Borrower will not replace the New Custodian or cause any other Person to become a custodian of any of the Borrower’s assets unless (i) the replacement custodian and Borrower shall have executed and delivered counterparts of a control agreement acceptable in form and substance to the Administrative Agent and (ii) either (A) the replacement custodian (i) as part of its recognized business, custodies the assets of funds registered under the ICA, and (ii) has a rating for its long-term senior unsecured debt equal to or higher than A- by S&P or A3 by Moody’s, or (B) the Administrative Agent shall have provided, at its sole discretion, its prior written consent.

(c) The Borrower will not change or permit any change in its fiscal year if such change would have a Material Adverse Effect. Subject to Section 1.3, the Borrower will not change or permit any change in the accounting principles applied to it, except as required by Applicable Accounting Principles, if such change would have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 7.7 Financial Covenants

(a) The Borrower will not permit the Adjusted Asset Coverage to be less than 3.00:1.00 at any time.

(b) The Borrower shall not at any time permit (i) Senior Debt to exceed the maximum amount of Senior Debt that would be permitted to be incurred by or for the account of the Borrower under its Fundamental Policies, (ii) Senior Debt to exceed the maximum amount of Senior Debt that would be permitted to be incurred by or for the account of the Borrower on such date under the ICA or other applicable law, or (iii) its Indebtedness to exceed the sum of (A) 50% of (x) the Maximum Borrowing Value of the Borrower’s Margin Stock minus (y) all Ordinary Liabilities to the extent not in excess of the amount determined under clause (x) immediately above, plus (B) the excess, if any, of (x) the Maximum Borrowing Value of the Borrower’s Non-Margin Assets over (y) all Ordinary Liabilities to the extent in excess of the amount determined under clause (A)(x) immediately above.

 

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Section 7.8 Investment

(a) The Borrower will not purchase, acquire, or otherwise have exposure to, any Investment, other than Permitted Investments.

(b) The Borrower will not enter into or otherwise acquire or hold any Financial Contract (i) unless (1) the collateral, if any, received or receivable by the Borrower in connection therewith is solely in the form of cash or short-term U.S. treasury securities, and (2) each counterparty thereto or issuer thereof has a minimum senior unsecured unenhanced long term debt rating of at least A- by S&P (or the equivalent rating of another independent rating agency (other than Moody’s) if not so rated by S&P) and at least A3 by Moody’s (or the equivalent rating of another independent rating agency (other than S&P) if not so rated by Moody’s), or (ii) in any case for the purpose of creating or continuing leverage.

Section 7.9 Sanctions, Etc.

(a) The Borrower will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the Loans, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, (i) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities or business of or with any Person, or in any country, region or territory, that, at the time of such funding, financing or facilitating, is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions, in violation of applicable law, or (ii) in any other manner that would result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the Loans, whether as underwriter, lender, advisor, investor, or otherwise).

(b) The Borrower will not use the proceeds of any Loans, and will not cause or permit any subsidiary thereof to use the proceeds of any Loan, for the purpose of violating any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding Sanctions or money laundering, or any Anti-Terrorism Law or Anti-Corruption Law.

(c) The Borrower and each subsidiary thereto shall at all times maintain, and be in material compliance with, policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote and achieve compliance by each Affected Person with all applicable laws, rules and regulations regarding Sanctions and money laundering, Anti-Terrorism Laws and Anti-Corruption Laws.

ARTICLE 8.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

Section 8.1 Events of Default

Each of the following shall constitute an “ Event of Default ”:

(a) any principal of any Loan shall not be paid 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) any interest on any Loan or any fee, commission or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section 8.1) payable under any Loan Document shall not be paid when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three (3) Business Days;

 

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(c) any representation, warranty or certification made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower in any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;

(d) the Borrower shall, with respect to any covenant, condition or agreement contained in (i) Section 7.7(a) or 7.7(b), fail to observe or perform such covenant, condition or agreement, and such failure shall continue to be unremedied for a period of three (3) Business Days, or (ii) Sections 6.1(a), 6.1(b), 6.1(c), 6.3, 6.8 or 6.9 or in Article 7 (other than Section 7.7(a) or 7.7(b)) to be observed or performed by the Borrower, fail to observe or perform such covenant, condition or agreement;

(e) the Borrower shall, with respect to any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Credit Agreement (other than those specified in paragraphs (a), (b) or (d) of this Section 8.1) to be observed or performed by the Borrower, fail to observe or perform such covenant, condition or agreement, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after the Borrower shall have obtained knowledge thereof;

(f) the Borrower shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness when and as the same shall become due and payable (after giving effect to any applicable grace period or notice requirement);

(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits the holder or holders of any such Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any such Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity, provided that this paragraph (g) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due solely as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;

(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower, the debts of the Borrower, or of a substantial part of the assets of the Borrower, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or for a substantial part of the assets of the Borrower, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for sixty (60) days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(i) the Borrower shall (i) voluntarily commence (directly or on its behalf) any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any

 

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Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to (directly or on its behalf) the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in paragraph (h) of this Section 8.1, (iii) apply for or consent to (in either case, directly or on its behalf) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower 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) the Borrower shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(k) (i) the Investment Adviser or the sole administrator for the Borrower shall fail to be Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC or an Affiliate thereof, (ii) during the Transition Period, the custodian(s) for all of the assets of the Borrower ceases to be State Street, or an Affiliate thereof, and/or BNY Mellon, or an Affiliate thereof, (iii) after the Transition Period, the custodian for all of the assets of the Borrower ceases to be BNY Mellon, or an Affiliate thereof, and is not immediately replaced with a successor custodian in accordance with Section 7.6(b), or (iv) the independent auditors for the Borrower shall fail to be [                ];

(l) a Change of Control shall occur;

(m) one or more judgments for the payment of money (not paid or covered by insurance) in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount shall be rendered against the Borrower and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, vacated or bonded or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Borrower to enforce any such judgment;

(n) any Loan Document shall cease, for any reason other than pursuant to its terms, to be in full force and effect, or with respect to the Borrower, the Borrower shall so assert in writing or shall disavow in writing any of its obligations thereunder;

(o) the suspension of registration of the Borrower’s shares or the commencement of any proceeding for such purpose;

(p) the Borrower shall, with respect to any covenant, condition or agreement to be observed or performed by the Borrower contained in (i) any Security Document (other than Sections 4(a) or 4(h) of the Security Agreement), fail to observe or perform such covenant, condition or agreement and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after the Borrower shall have obtained knowledge thereof, or (ii) Sections 4(a) or 4(h) of the Security Agreement, fail to observe or perform such covenant, condition or agreement;

(q) except as a result of any sale or other transfer of any asset in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, any Lien purported to be created under the Security Agreement shall cease to be, or shall be asserted by the Borrower not to be, a valid and perfected Lien on any Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement), with the priority required by the applicable Security Document; or

 

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(r) the Borrower’s shares shall be suspended from trading on The New York Stock Exchange for more than two (2) consecutive days upon which trading in shares generally occurs on such exchange, or shall be delisted.

Section 8.2 Remedies

If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing (a) pursuant to paragraph (h) or (i) of Section 8.1, then the Commitment of each Lender 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 and unpaid under the Loan Documents, 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, or (b) pursuant to any other paragraph of Section 8.1, then at any time thereafter during the continuance of such Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of Required Lenders, or shall, at the request of Required Lenders, by written notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) declare the Commitments terminated, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately and/or (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 such Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued and unpaid under the Loan Documents, shall become due and payable immediately, without any presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

ARTICLE 9. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Section 9.1 Appointment and Authority

Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints The Bank of Nova Scotia to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and the Borrower shall not 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 9.2 Rights as a Lender

The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as

 

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though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

Section 9.3 Exculpatory Provisions

(a) The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:

(i) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

(ii) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents); provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its reasonable opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the 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 Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and

(iii) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.2 and 8.2), or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent in writing by the Borrower or a Lender.

 

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(c) 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 Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article 5 or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

Section 9.4 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 (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and reasonably believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of another Credit Party, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Credit Party unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Credit Party one full Business Day prior to the making of such Loan. 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 9.5 Delegation of Duties

The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document 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 of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article 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 facilities evidenced by this Credit Agreement as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents selected by it in good faith.

Section 9.6 Resignation of Administrative Agent

(a) The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the prior consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably

 

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withheld, conditioned or delayed), to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in New York, New York. If no such successor shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “ Resignation Effective Date ”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), on behalf of the Lenders and subject to the prior written consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that in no event shall any such successor Administrative Agent be a Defaulting Lender. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date; provided that if no such successor is appointed by the Required Lenders or the retiring Administrative Agent prior to the Resignation Effective Date (and consented to by the Borrower), the Borrower may (but shall not be required to) appoint a successor Administrative Agent, subject to the consent of the Required Lenders (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

(b) If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to the Borrower and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and appoint a successor; provided that any successor Administrative Agent shall be subject to the prior written consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower) (the “ Removal Effective Date ”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date and the Borrower may (but shall not be obligated to) appoint a successor Administrative Agent, subject to the consent of the Required Lenders (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

(c) With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (1) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (2) except for any indemnity payments owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly, until such time, if any, as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed as provided for above in this Section. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Administrative Agent (other than any rights to indemnity payments owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents. 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

 

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successor. After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.3 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 the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.

Section 9.7 Non Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders

Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Credit Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

Section 9.8 [Reserved]

Section 9.9 No Other Duties

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Bookrunners or Arrangers listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent or a Lender hereunder.

Section 9.10 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim

In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to the Borrower, each Lender acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other obligations that are owing and unpaid by the Borrower under the Loan Documents, and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 3.2 and 10.3) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby

 

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authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 3.2 and 10.3.

Section 9.11 Collateral

(a) The Lenders irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release any Lien on any property of the Borrower granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon termination of all Commitments and payment in full of all obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations) of the Borrower under the Loan Documents, (ii) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or to be sold or otherwise disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition by the Borrower not prohibited by the Loan Documents, or (iii) subject to Section 10.2, if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders. Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release its interest in particular types or items of property pursuant to this Section 9.11.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement), the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon, or any certificate prepared by the Borrower in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.

ARTICLE 10. MISCELLANEOUS

Section 10.1 Notices

(a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile, or sent by electronic transmission in “portable document format”, as follows:

(i) if to the Borrower, to it at ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. c/o Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC, 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, Attention: George Hoyt/Raymond Lui, Telephone: 203-703-7026/212-805-3487; Facsimile: 877-493-2951/212-805-3488; E-mail: gphoyt@leggmason.com / LegalCEF@leggmason.com / GFPCEFs@leggmason.com;

(ii) if to the Administrative Agent, (i) in all cases, 40 King Street West, 55th Floor, Toronto, ON Canada M5H 1H1, Attention: Eli Mou (Telephone: (416) 350-1178; Facsimile: (416) 350-1161; e-mail address: eli.mou@scotiabank.com); and (ii) in the case of all notices and other communications pursuant to Article 2, with a

 

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copy to 720 King Street West, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON Canada M5V 2T3, Attention: GWS LoanOps US Corp, Telephone: (212) 225-5705; Facsimile: (212) 225-5709; E-mail: GWSLoanOps.USCorp@scotiabank.com; or

(iii) if to any other Credit Party, to its address (or facsimile number or e-mail address) set forth on Schedule 1.

(b) Any party hereto may change its address, e-mail address or facsimile 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 Credit Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.

(c) Each Lender agrees that notices and other communications to it hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that notices and other communications required under, or made pursuant to, Article 2 which are delivered or furnished by electronic communication shall be delivered or furnished to the Administrative Agent in “portable document format”. In furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby agrees to notify the Administrative Agent in writing, on or before the date such Lender becomes a party to this Credit Agreement, of such Lender’s e-mail address to which a notice may be sent (and from time to time thereafter to ensure that Administrative Agent has on record an effective e-mail address for such Lender). Each of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by means of electronic communication pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes: (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided that, if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient; and (ii) notices or communications posted to an internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

(e) The Borrower hereby acknowledges that: (i) the Administrative Agent may make available to the Lenders Specified Materials by posting some or all of the Specified Materials on an Electronic Platform; (ii) the distribution of materials and information through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure and that there are confidentiality and other risks associated with any such distribution, the Electronic Platform is provided and used on an “As Is,” “As Available” basis; and (iii) neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Affiliates warrants the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, sufficiency or sequencing of the Specified Materials posted on the Electronic Platform. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND ITS AFFILIATES, EXPRESSLY AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS, WITH RESPECT TO THE ELECTRONIC PLATFORM, DELAYS IN POSTING OR

 

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DELIVERY, OR PROBLEMS ACCESSING THE SPECIFIED MATERIALS POSTED ON THE ELECTRONIC PLATFORM, AND ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES OR LIABILITIES THAT MAY BE SUFFERED OR INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ELECTRONIC PLATFORM, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY THE BAD FAITH, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, ACTUAL FRAUD OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSES, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ELECTRONIC PLATFORM.

(f) Each Lender hereby agrees that notice to it in accordance with this Section 10.1 specifying that any Specified Materials have been posted to the Electronic Platform shall, for purposes of this Credit Agreement, constitute effective delivery to such Lender of such Specified Materials.

(g) EACH LENDER: (I) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE SPECIFIED MATERIALS, INCLUDING INFORMATION FURNISHED TO IT BY THE BORROWER OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL, NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BORROWER OR ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES; AND (II) CONFIRMS THAT: (A) IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL, NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION; (B) IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL, NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAWS, INCLUDE FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS; AND (C) IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FORM A CONTACT PERSON WHO MAY RECEIVE SPECIFIED MATERIALS THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL, NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAWS.

Section 10.2 Waivers; Amendments

(a) No failure or delay by any Credit Party in exercising any right or power under any Loan Document 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 Credit Parties under the Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that the Credit Parties would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective except as provided in Section 10.2(b), 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 shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether any Credit Party may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

 

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(b) Neither any Loan Document nor any provision thereof 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 any Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan, or reduce the rate of any interest, or reduce any fees, payable under the Loan Documents, without the written consent of each Credit Party affected thereby, (iii) postpone the date of any payment for any Loan, the Commitment Termination Date (other than pursuant to Section 2.3), any interest or any fees payable under the Loan Documents, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the stated termination or expiration of the Commitments (other than pursuant to Section 2.3), without the written consent of each Credit Party affected thereby, (iv) change any provision hereof in a manner that would alter the pro rata treatment of the Lenders, including, without limitation, the pro rata sharing of payments required hereby and the pro rata reduction of Commitments required hereby, without the written consent of each Credit Party affected thereby, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of the term “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder without the written consent of each Lender, (vi) change the currency in which Loans are to be made or payment under the Loan Documents is to be made without the written consent of each Lender, (vii) change Section 7.7(a) (other than an increase in the ratio appearing therein) without the written consent of each Lender, (viii) change the identity of the Borrower, or add any Person as a borrower hereunder, in either case without the written consent of each Lender, or (ix) release all or substantially all of the Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement) from the Liens of the Loan Documents (except as expressly provided in the applicable Security Document), without the consent of each Lender, and provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if following the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall have jointly identified an obvious error or any error or omission of a technical or immaterial nature, in each case, in any provision of this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall be permitted to amend such provision and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document if the same is not objected to in writing by the Required Lenders within ten (10) Business Days following receipt of notice thereof.

Section 10.3 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver

(a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the preparation, negotiation, closing and administration of this Credit Agreement or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions of any Loan Document (whether or not the transactions contemplated thereby shall be consummated) and (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by each Credit Party, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights against the Borrower under the Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans, including all such documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations.

 

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(b) The Borrower shall indemnify each Credit Party (together with any subagent of the Administrative Agent), and each Related Party thereof (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related costs and expenses (collectively, “ Losses ”), including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery by the Borrower of any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the Borrower of its obligations under the Loan Documents or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof, or (iii) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto. Subject to Section 10.3(c), nothing herein contained shall prevent or prohibit the Borrower from bringing any action against any Credit Party to recover any Losses suffered by the Borrower to the extent caused by such Credit Party’s failure to exercise due care in the performance of its obligations under the Loan Documents. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of bad faith, gross negligence, actual fraud or willful misconduct on the part of any Credit Party (as found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction), such Credit Party shall be deemed to have exercised due care. This Section 10.3(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent Losses arising from any non-Tax claim.

(c) To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (based on a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of the outstanding principal balance of such Lender’s Loans plus such Lender’s unused Commitment, and the denominator of which is the sum of the principal balance of the Loans of all Lenders plus the aggregate unused Commitments of all Lenders, in each case determined as of the earlier to occur of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought and the last date upon which the denominator set forth above is greater than zero) 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 (or any such sub-agent) in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) in connection with such capacity. In the event that (i) any Lender shall have paid to the Administrative Agent any amount pursuant to this Section 10.3(c) relating to any Losses payable by the Borrower under Section 10.3(b), and (ii) it is found (by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction in any action brought by the Borrower) that the Administrative Agent failed to exercise due care (within the meaning of Section 10.3(b)), then promptly after demand therefor by such Lender, the Administrative Agent shall repay to such Lender the amount of such payment to the extent that (X) such failure gave rise to such Losses, and (Y) such Lender shall not have been reimbursed therefor by the Borrower. The obligations of the Lenders under this paragraph (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.6(d).

 

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(d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower and each Credit Party agrees that it shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any other party hereto, 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, any Loan Document or any agreement, instrument or other document contemplated thereby, the Transactions or any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof.

(e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly but in no event later than ten (10) days after written demand therefor.

(f) Each party’s obligations under this Section shall survive the termination of the Loan Documents and payment of the obligations hereunder.

Section 10.4 Successors and Assigns

(a) Generally . The provisions of this Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower shall not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void), and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this Section or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of paragraph (e) of this Section. Nothing in this Credit Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in paragraph (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each Credit Party) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of any Loan Document.

(b) Assignments by Lenders . Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i) Minimum Amounts .

(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

(B) in any case not described in paragraph (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment

 

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is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the 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 or, if “ Trade Date ” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $5,000,000, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

(ii) Proportionate Amounts . Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment assigned.

(iii) Required Consents . No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition (A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) shall be required, provided that if (x) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment, no consent of the Borrower shall be required or (y) such assignment is to a Person who, immediately prior to such assignment was already a Lender, no consent shall be required from the Borrower; and (B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender.

(iv) Assignment and Assumption . 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 (provided that the payment of such fee shall not be required for an assignment by a Lender to an affiliate thereof), and the assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Details Form.

(v) Prohibited Assignments . No such assignment shall be made to (1) the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, (2) a natural person, (3) any Defaulting Lender or any Affiliate thereof, or (4) any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this paragraph (v).

(vi) Certain Additional Payments . In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender under the Loan Documents, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in

 

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full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent and each other Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon), and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Credit Agreement until such compliance occurs.

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Credit Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Credit 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 Credit Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.3, 3.4, 3.7 and 10.3 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment, provided that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Credit Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Credit Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (d) of this Section.

(c) Register . The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in New York, New York a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans 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 and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Credit Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and, only with respect to its Commitment and Loans, any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) Participations . Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person or the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower) (each, a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Credit Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Credit Party shall continue to deal solely and

 

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directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Credit 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 Credit Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Credit 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 in Section 10.2(b) that directly affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.3, 3.4 and 3.7 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 3.4(g) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 3.4(g) 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 3.8 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 3.3 or 3.4, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.8 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.6(f) 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 this Credit Agreement (the “ Participant Register ”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Loan or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Credit Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.

(e) [Reserved.]

(f) Certain Pledges . Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Credit Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

Section 10.5 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 Credit Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and

 

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shall survive the execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that any Credit Party 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 the Loan Documents is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 3.3, 3.4, 3.7 and 10.3 shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans and the termination of the Commitments or the termination of this Credit Agreement or any provision hereof.

Section 10.6 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution

(a) Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness . This Credit 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 but one contract. This Credit Agreement and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to one or more Credit Parties 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 5.1, this Credit Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Credit Agreement by facsimile transmission or electronic transmission in “portable document format” shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Credit Agreement.

(b) Electronic Execution of Assignments . The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

Section 10.7 Severability

In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Credit Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the legal and economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

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Section 10.8 Right of Setoff

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and its Affiliates are hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in any currency) at any time held, and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing, by it to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter owing under the Loan Documents to such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or Affiliate shall have made any demand under any Loan Document and although such obligations may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness, 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 2.7 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) such Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender and its Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that such Lender or its Affiliates may have. 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.

Section 10.9 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

(a) THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(b) The Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that it will not commence any action, litigation or proceeding of any kind or description, whether in law or equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, against the Administrative Agent, any Lender, or any Related Party of the foregoing in any way relating to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, in any forum other than the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County, and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action, litigation or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action, litigation or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on

 

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the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Credit Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document 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 applicable law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) Each party to this Credit Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 10.1. Nothing in this Credit Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Credit Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

Section 10.10 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 RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT. 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 CREDIT AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

Section 10.11 Headings

Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Credit Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Credit Agreement.

Section 10.12 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 that are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “ charges ”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “ maximum rate ”) that 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, together with all of the charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the maximum rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and the

 

71


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 the 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 Alternate Base Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

Section 10.13 Treatment of Certain Information

Each Credit Party agrees with the Borrower to use reasonable precautions to keep confidential, in accordance with such Credit Party’s customary procedures for handling confidential information of the same nature, all non-public information supplied by the Borrower pursuant to this Credit Agreement which (a) constitutes any financial statement, list of investments or other assets, financial projections or forecasts, budget, compliance certificate, audit report, draft press release, management letter or accountants’ certification delivered hereunder, and (b) as of any date of determination, was received by such Credit Party within the immediately preceding two year period (“ Information ”), provided , however , that nothing herein shall limit the disclosure of any such Information (i) on a confidential basis, to its respective Related Parties and service providers, (ii) on a confidential basis, to any direct, indirect or prospective counterparty (and its advisors), to any swap, derivative or securitization transaction related to the obligations under this Credit Agreement, (iii) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, or requested by any bank regulatory authority, (iv) on a confidential basis, to prospective lenders or participants or their counsel, (v) to auditors or accountants, and any analogous counterpart thereof, (vi) on a confidential basis, to any rating agency, insurer or insurance broker, or direct or indirect provider of credit protection to a Credit Party or any of its Related Parties, (vii) in connection with any litigation to which such Credit Party is a party, (viii) to the extent such Information (A) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Credit Agreement, (B) becomes available to such Credit Party on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower, or (C) was available to such Credit Party on a non-confidential basis prior to its disclosure to such Credit Party by the Borrower; and (ix) to the extent the Borrower shall have consented to such disclosure in writing. Each Credit Party acknowledges that Information furnished to it pursuant to this Credit Agreement may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower, its Related Parties or the Borrower’s 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. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, no provision thereof shall (1) restrict any Credit Party from providing information to Federal Reserve supervisory staff, (2) require or permit, without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve, any Credit Party to disclose to the Borrower or any affiliate that any information will be or was provided to Federal Reserve supervisory staff, or (3) require or permit, without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve, any Credit Party to inform the Borrower or any affiliate of a current or upcoming Federal Reserve examination or any nonpublic Federal Reserve supervisory initiative or action. Nothing in this Credit Agreement or the Loan Documents shall prevent any of the parties hereto and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors from disclosing to any and all Persons the Tax treatment and Tax structure of the transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement.

 

72


Section 10.14 USA Patriot Act Notice

Each Credit Party hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Credit Party to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act.

Section 10.15 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In

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 Credit Party which 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 party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent 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 Credit 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.

Section 10.16 Relationship with Lenders

The Borrower agrees that (a) no Lender or other financial institution party hereto (i) is a financial advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower hereunder, or (ii) has assumed an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrower with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) each Lender and other financial institution party hereto may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from the Borrower’s, and such Person has no obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower by virtue of any advisory, agency, fiduciary or other relationship.

 

73


Section 10.17 Certain ERISA Matters

(a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans or the Commitments,

(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement,

(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement satisfies the requirements of subsections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement, or

(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

(b) In addition, unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger and the Bookrunner listed on the cover page hereof, and any of their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of any Borrower, that:

 

74


(i) none of the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger or the Bookrunner listed on the cover page hereof, or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Credit Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto),

(ii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement is independent (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-21) and is a bank, an insurance carrier, an investment adviser, a broker-dealer or other Person that holds, or has under management or control, total assets of at least $50 million, in each case as described in 29 CFR § 2510.3-21(c)(1)(i)(A)-(E),

(iii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies (including in respect of the obligations),

(iv) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the Loans, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating the transactions hereunder, and

(v) no fee or other compensation is being paid directly to the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger or the Bookrunner listed on the cover page hereof, or any of their respective Affiliates for investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Loans, the Commitments or this Credit Agreement.

(c) The Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger and the Bookrunner hereby inform the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees,

 

75


deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.

(d) For purposes of this Section 10.17, the following defined terms when used herein have the following meanings:

Benefit Plan ” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

PTE ” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

[ the remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has caused this Credit Agreement to be executed its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written.

 

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

By:  

     

Name:   Jeanne M. Kelly
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

EMO – Credit Agreement


THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as the Administrative Agent and as a Lender

By:  

     

Name:   Aron Lau
Title:   Director

 

EMO – Credit Agreement


Schedule 1

List of Lenders and Commitments

 

Lender

   Commitment  

Name: The Bank of Nova Scotia

   $ 75,000,000  

Address and Contact Information:

  
Paul Meehan
40 King Street West, 55 th Floor
  

Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 1H1

  
  

 

 

 

TOTAL

   $ 75,000,000  
  

 

 

 


CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

EXHIBIT A

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

This Assignment and Assumption (the “ Assignment and Assumption ”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [the][each] 1 Assignor identified in item 1 below ( [the][each, an] Assignor ”) and [the][each] 2 Assignee identified in item 2 below ( [the][each, an] Assignee ”). [It is understood and agreed that the rights and obligations of [the Assignors][the Assignees] 3 hereunder are several and not joint.] 4 Each term that is defined in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, the “ Credit Agreement ”) and not herein defined has the meaning ascribed thereto by the Credit Agreement when used herein. Receipt of a copy of the Credit Agreement is hereby acknowledged by [the][each] Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto (the “ Standard Terms and Conditions ”) are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, [the][each] Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the Assignee][the respective Assignees] , and [the][each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from [ the Assignor][the respective Assignors] , subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of [the Assignor’s][the respective Assignors’] rights and obligations in [its capacity as a Lender][their respective capacities as Lenders] under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of [the Assignor][the respective Assignors] in respect of the Commitments and Loans identified below, and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of [the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender)][the respective Assignors (in their respective capacities as Lenders)] against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned by [the][any] Assignor to [the][any] Assignee pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as [the][an] Assigned Interest ”). Each such sale and assignment is without recourse to [the][any] Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by [the][any] Assignor.

 

 

1  

For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignor(s), if the assignment is from a single Assignor, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is from multiple Assignors, choose the second bracketed language.

2  

For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignee(s), if the assignment is to a single Assignee, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is to multiple Assignees, choose the second bracketed language.

3  

Select as appropriate.

4

Include bracketed language if there are either multiple Assignors or multiple Assignees.


1.    Assignor [s] :        
          
   Assignor [is] [is not] a Defaulting Lender   
2.    Assignee [s] 5 :        
          
[for each Assignee, indicate [Lender][Affiliate] of [ identify Lender ]]
3.   Borrower:   ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.
4.   Administrative Agent:   The Bank of Nova Scotia, as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement
5.   Credit Agreement:   The Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and the Administrative Agent

 

 

5   No assignment may be made to (1) the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof, (2) a natural person, (3) any Defaulting Lender or any Affiliate thereof, or (4) any Person who, upon becoming a Lender would constitute any of the foregoing.

 

- 3 -


6.   Assigned Interest[s]:    

 

Assignor[s] 6      Assignee[s] 7      Aggregate Amount of
Commitment/Loans for all
Lenders 8
     Amount of Commitment /
Loans Assigned 8
     Percentage Assigned of
Commitment/ Loans 9
 
      $      $        %  
      $      $        %  
      $      $        %  

 

[7.   Trade Date:                     ] 10    

8.         Effective Date:                  , 20    . [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR]

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

 

6 List each Assignor, as appropriate.
7   List each Assignee, as appropriate.
8   Amount to be adjusted by the counterparties to take into account any payments or prepayments made between the Trade Date and the Effective Date.
9   Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.
1 0   To be completed if the Assignor(s) and the Assignee(s) intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the Trade Date.

 

- 2 -


ASSIGNOR [S] 11

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

By:                                                                               

Name:

Title:

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

By:                                                                               

Name:

Title:

ASSIGNEE [S] 12

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

By:                                                                               

Name:

Title:

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

By:                                                                               

Name:

Title:

 

 

11  

Add additional signature blocks as needed.

1 2  

Add additional signature blocks as needed.

 

- 3 -


[Consented to]: 13   

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as

Administrative Agent

  

By:                                                                           

  
Name:   
Title:   
[Consented to and Accepted:] 14   
[CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.]   

By:                                                                           

  

Name:

  

Title:

  

 

 

1 3  

To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

1 4  

To be added only if the consent of the Borrower is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

- 4 -


ANNEX 1

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

1. Representations and Warranties.

1.1 Assignor [s] . [The][Each] Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of [the][the relevant] Assigned Interest, (ii) [the][such] Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim, (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (iv) it is [not] a Defaulting Lender; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document , (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document, or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2. Assignee [s] . [The][Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.4(b)(v) of the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.4(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of [the][the relevant] Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Sections 6.1(a) and (b) thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, and (vii) attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the][such] Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, [the][any] Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information


as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

2. Payments . From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of [the][each] Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to [the][the relevant] Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the][the relevant] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments of interest, fees or other amounts paid or payable in kind from and after the Effective Date to [the][the relevant] Assignee.

3. General Provisions . This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

EXHIBIT B

FORM OF NOTE

[Date]

New York, New York

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Borrower ”) hereby promises to pay to the order of [Name of Lender] (the “ Lender ”) the unpaid principal amount of the Loans made by the Lender, in the amounts and at the times set forth in the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Administrative Agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”) (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), and to pay interest from the date hereof on the principal balance of the Loans from time to time outstanding, until such principal is paid, at the rate or rates and at the times set forth in the Credit Agreement, in each case at the office of the Administrative Agent specified therefor in the Credit Agreement, or at such other place as the Administrative Agent may specify from time to time, in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately available funds.

Each term that is defined in the Credit Agreement and not herein defined has the meaning ascribed thereto by the Credit Agreement when used herein.

The Loans evidenced by this Note are prepayable in the amounts, and under the circumstances, and their respective maturities are subject to acceleration upon the terms, set forth in the Credit Agreement. This Note is subject to, and should be construed in accordance with, the provisions of the Credit Agreement, and is entitled to the benefits of any collateral security set forth in the Loan Documents.

The Lender is hereby authorized to record on the Loan Schedule annexed hereto, and any continuation sheet(s) which the Lender may attach thereto, the date, amount, type, Interest Period, Applicable Rate, Maturity Date and amount of repayment for each Loan. The entries made in the Loan Schedule shall, absent manifest error, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower hereunder, provided that the failure to so record 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 the Loan Documents.

Except as specifically otherwise provided in the Credit Agreement, the Borrower hereby waives presentment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, notice of protest and all other demands, protests and notices in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, collection and enforcement of this Note.

Whenever in this Note any Person is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the successors and permitted assigns of such Person. The Borrower shall not have the right to assign its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein (and any such attempted assignment shall be void). No failure or delay by the Lender in exercising any power or right


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. Neither this Note nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified, nor shall any departure therefrom be consented to, except in accordance with Section 10.2 of the Credit Agreement.

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

All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement.

This Note, and the obligations of the Borrower hereunder, are secured by the Security Agreement.

The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or Federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Note or the other Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and the Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State, Federal and appellate courts. The Borrower agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Note shall affect any right that the Lender or the Administrative Agent may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Note or the other Loan Documents against the Borrower, or any of its property, in the courts of any jurisdiction.

The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Note or the other Loan Documents in any court referred to in the preceding paragraph hereof. The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

The Borrower irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices herein. Nothing herein will affect the right of the Lender or the Administrative Agent to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS NOTE. THE BORROWER (A)

 

2


CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE LENDER OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT THE LENDER OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, AS THE CASE MAY BE, WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE LENDER HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ACCEPT THIS NOTE AND THE LENDER AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THE LOAN DOCUMENTS TO WHICH IT IS A PARTY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS PARAGRAPH.

This Note is subject to Section 1.4 of the Credit Agreement.

[ the remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank ]

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Note to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written.

 

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP

OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 


LOAN SCHEDULE

 

Date

  Amount
of Loan
  Type   Interest
Period
  Applicable
Rate
  Amount of
repayment
  Notation
made by


CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

EXHIBIT D

FORM OF WRITTEN BORROWING REQUEST

[Date]

The Bank of Nova Scotia

40 King Street West, 55th Floor

Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 1H1

Gentlemen/Ladies:

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Administrative Agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”). Each term that is defined in the Credit Agreement and not herein defined has the meaning ascribed thereto by the Credit Agreement when used herein.

[For a Borrowing Request submitted in connection with a borrowing under Section 2.2(a)] 1

 

  1.

Pursuant to Section 2.2(a) of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower hereby gives notice of its intention to borrow a Loan (the “ Proposed Borrowing ”) under the Credit Agreement, and in connection therewith sets forth below the information relating to such borrowing as required by Section 2.2(a) of the Credit Agreement:

 

  (a)

The aggregate amount of the Proposed Borrowing is $              .

 

  (b)

The date (which shall be a Business Day) of such Proposed Borrowing is                              , 20      (the “ Proposed Borrowing Date ”).

 

  (c)

The Proposed Borrowing is to be [an ABR Loan][a LIBOR Loan having an Interest Period of                  ] .

 

  (d)

Proceeds of the Proposed Borrowing are to be wired or otherwise transferred to: [Specify exact wire or transfer instructions] .

 

 

1  

If no new borrowing is requested by the submission of this Borrowing Request, delete the opening paragraph and the numbered paragraphs comprising this section. If a new borrowing is hereby requested, complete as appropriate.


  2.

The Adjusted Asset Coverage and Preferred Asset Coverage (immediately after giving effect to the Proposed Borrowing) are set forth below, reasonably detailed calculations of which appear on Schedule A attached hereto:

Adjusted Asset Coverage

              :1.00

Preferred Asset Coverage

              :1.00

 

  3.

The Borrower hereby certifies that:

 

  (a)

on and as of the date hereof, no Default has occurred and is continuing, and

 

  (b)

on and as of the Proposed Borrowing Date, (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (ii) the representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in each Loan Document to which it is a party shall be true and correct in all respects (other than, as to any such representation or warranty that by its terms refers to a specific date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects as of such specified date).

[For a Borrowing Request submitted in connection with a conversion or continuation under Section 2.2(b)] 2

 

  1.

Pursuant to Section 2.2(b) of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower hereby gives notice of its intention to [convert all or any portion of an ABR Loan to a LIBOR Loan][convert all or any portion of a LIBOR Loan to an ABR Loan][continue all or any portion of a LIBOR Loan as a LIBOR Loan having an additional Interest Period] (the “ [Proposed Conversion][Proposed Continuation]” ) under the Credit Agreement, and in connection therewith sets forth below the information relating to such borrowing as required by Section 2.2(b) of the Credit Agreement:

 

  (a)

The aggregate amount of the Loan to be [converted][continued] is $              . Such Loan is a [n] [ABR Loan][LIBOR Loan] .

 

  (b)

The date (which shall be a Business Day) of such [conversion][continuation] is                              , 20      .

 

  (c)

The Loan to be [converted][continued] shall be [converted into [an ABR Loan][a LIBOR Loan having an Interest Period of                  ]] [continued as a LIBOR Loan having an Interest Period of                  ] .

[ the remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank ]

 

 

2  

If no conversion or continuation of an existing Loan is requested by the submission of this Borrowing Request, delete the opening paragraph and the numbered paragraphs comprising this section. If a conversion or continuation is hereby requested, complete as appropriate.

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Written Borrowing Request to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written.

 

Very truly yours,

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP

OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 


SCHEDULE A

Detailed Calculations


CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

EXHIBIT E

FORM OF CLOSING CERTIFICATE

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Administrative Agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”).

Each term that is defined in the Credit Agreement and not herein defined has the meaning ascribed thereto by the Credit Agreement when used herein. This Certificate is being delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(d) of the Credit Agreement.

The undersigned hereby certifies that:

1. I am [the or a] duly elected or appointed, as the case may be, and qualified [Assistant] Secretary of the Borrower.

2. Attached hereto as Annex A are true, complete and correct copies of the following Organization Documents of the Borrower, as in effect on the date hereof:

[List Organization Documents] .

3. Attached hereto as Annex B are true, complete and correct copies of the resolutions of the Board of the Borrower approving each Loan Document to which the Borrower is a party and the transactions contemplated thereby, all of which are in full force and effect on the date hereof.

4. The following persons are duly elected or appointed, as the case may be, and qualified authorized officers or representatives of the Borrower, in each case having the title set forth below, and the signatures appearing opposite their respective names are the genuine signatures of such persons:

 

Name

    

Title

    

Signature

    

    

 

    

 

    

    

 

    

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate as of [Date] .

 

    

Name:  

 


Title: [Assistant] Secretary

The undersigned hereby certifies that:

1.                                  is [the or a] duly elected or appointed, as the case may be, and qualified [Assistant] Secretary of the Borrower.

2. The representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in each Loan Document to which it is a party are true and correct on and as of the Effective Date (other than, as to any such representation or warranty that by its terms refers to a specific date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects as of such specified date).

3. No Default has occurred and is continuing as of the Effective Date.

4. Attached hereto as Annex C is a true, complete and correct copy of the most recent [Offering Document] of the Borrower as in effect on the date hereof.

5. Attached hereto as Annex D is a true, complete and correct copy of the most recent annual and semiannual report of the Borrower.

6. Attached hereto as Annex E is a true, complete and correct copy of the Custody Agreement with respect to Borrower.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate as of [Date] .

 

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

2


CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

EXHIBIT F

[follows]


  

FR U-1

OMB Number 7100-0115

Approval expires July 31, 2018

Page 1 of 2

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

 

 

 

LOGO    Statement of Purpose for an Extension of Credit Secured by Margin Stock—FR U-1

 

 

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

 

 

Name of Bank   

This form is required by law (15 U.S.C. §§ 78g and 78w;

12 C.F.R. § 221).

  

The Federal Reserve may not conduct or sponsor, and an organization (or a person) is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

 

 

Instructions

 

1.

This form must be completed when a bank extends credit in excess of $100,000 secured directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by any margin stock.

 

2.

The term “margin stock” is defined in Regulation U (12 C.F.R. § 221) and includes, principally: (1) stocks that are registered on a national securities exchange or any over-the-counter security designated for trading in the National Market System; (2) debt securities (bonds) that are convertible into margin stock; and (3) shares of most mutual funds.

 

3.

Please print or type (if space is inadequate, attach separate sheet).

 

 

Part I

To be completed by borrower(s)

 

1.

What is the amount of the credit being extended?          SEE ATTACHMENT A

 

2.

Will any part of this credit be used to purchase or carry margin stock?         ☒ Yes    ☐ No

If the answer is “No,” describe the specific purpose of the credit.

I (We) have read this form and certify that to the best of my (our) knowledge and belief the information given is true, accurate, and complete, and that the margin stock and any other securities collateralizing this credit are authentic, genuine, unaltered, and not stolen, forged, or counterfeit.

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

 

Signed:    Signed:   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Borrower’s Signature    Date    Borrower’s Signature    Date

 

  

 

Print or Type Name       Print or Type Name   

This form should not be signed if blank.

A borrower who falsely certifies the purpose of a credit on this form or otherwise willfully or intentionally evades the provisions of Regulation U will also violate Federal Reserve Regulation X, “Borrowers of Securities Credit.”

 

 

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response, including the time to gather and maintain data in the required form and to review instructions and complete the information collection. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Secretary, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th and C Streets, NW, Washington, DC 20551; and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (7100-0115), Washington, DC 20503.

01/2018

           


  

FR U-1

OMB Number 7100-0115

Approval expires July 31, 2018

Page 1 of 2

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

 

 

 

LOGO    Statement of Purpose for an Extension of Credit Secured by Margin Stock—FR U-1

 

 

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

 

 

Name of Bank   

This form is required by law (15 U.S.C. §§ 78g and 78w;

12 C.F.R. § 221).

  

The Federal Reserve may not conduct or sponsor, and an organization (or a person) is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

 

 

Instructions

 

1.

This form must be completed when a bank extends credit in excess of $100,000 secured directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by any margin stock.

 

2.

The term “margin stock” is defined in Regulation U (12 C.F.R. § 221) and includes, principally: (1) stocks that are registered on a national securities exchange or any over-the-counter security designated for trading in the National Market System; (2) debt securities (bonds) that are convertible into margin stock; and (3) shares of most mutual funds.

 

3.

Please print or type (if space is inadequate, attach separate sheet).

 

 

Part I

To be completed by borrower(s)

 

1.

What is the amount of the credit being extended?          SEE ATTACHMENT A

 

2.

Will any part of this credit be used to purchase or carry margin stock?         ☒ Yes    ☐ No

If the answer is “No,” describe the specific purpose of the credit.

I (We) have read this form and certify that to the best of my (our) knowledge and belief the information given is true, accurate, and complete, and that the margin stock and any other securities collateralizing this credit are authentic, genuine, unaltered, and not stolen, forged, or counterfeit.

CLEARBRIDGE AMERICAN ENERGY MLP FUND INC.

 

Signed:    Signed:   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Borrower’s Signature    Date    Borrower’s Signature    Date

 

  

 

Print or Type Name       Print or Type Name   

This form should not be signed if blank.

A borrower who falsely certifies the purpose of a credit on this form or otherwise willfully or intentionally evades the provisions of Regulation U will also violate Federal Reserve Regulation X, “Borrowers of Securities Credit.”

 

 

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response, including the time to gather and maintain data in the required form and to review instructions and complete the information collection. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Secretary, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th and C Streets, NW, Washington, DC 20551; and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (7100-0115), Washington, DC 20503.

01/2018


Attachment A

To

Federal Reserve Form U-1

This Attachment A forms a part of the Form FR U-1 (the “ Form FR U-1 ”) that is being executed in connection with that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the lenders party thereto (each, a “ Lender ”), and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as administrative agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”).

The aggregate amount of credit being extended is up to $75,000,000, and each Lender’s share is set forth below adjacent to its name:

 

Lender

   Commitment  

The Bank of Nova Scotia

   $ 75,000,000  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 75,000,000  
  

 

 

 

The Borrower is an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

All or a substantial portion of the Borrower’s assets may be “margin stock” (within the meaning of Regulation U). The obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and the other agreements and instruments executed and delivered in connection therewith are directly secured by assets that may at times include margin stock.

A list of assets of the Borrower shall be provided at such times, and in such detail, as is required by Regulation U.


CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

EXHIBIT G

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Administrative Agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”). Each term that is defined in the Credit Agreement and not herein defined has the meaning ascribed thereto by the Credit Agreement when used herein. This Certificate is being delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(c) of the Credit Agreement.

The undersigned, an authorized representative of the Borrower, hereby certifies that (a) as of [fill in the appropriate month-end date], [[no Default has occurred and is continuing] or [the following Default[s] [has/have] occurred and [is/are] continuing:                              ], and (b) as of [fill in the appropriate month-end date] :

1. The Adjusted Asset Coverage is                      , reasonably detailed calculations of which appear on Schedule A attached hereto.

2. Senior Debt of the Borrower does not exceed the maximum amount of Senior Debt that would be permitted to be incurred by or for the account of the Borrower under its Fundamental Policies [, except as follows:                      ] .

3. Senior Debt of the Borrower does not exceed the maximum amount of Senior Debt that would be permitted to be incurred by or for the account of the Borrower on the date hereof under the ICA or other applicable law [, except as follows:                      ] .

4. Indebtedness of the Borrower does not exceed the sum of (A) 50% of (x) the Maximum Borrowing Value of the Borrower’s Margin Stock minus (y) all Ordinary Liabilities of the Borrower to the extent not in excess of the amount determined under clause (x) immediately above, plus (B) the excess, if any, of (x) the Maximum Borrowing Value of the Borrower’s Non-Margin Assets over (y) all Ordinary Liabilities of the Borrower to the extent in excess of the amount determined under clause (A)(x) immediately above [, except as follows:                      ] .

5. The Borrower has not purchased or acquired, and does not otherwise have exposure to, any Investment, other than Permitted Investments [, except as follows:                      ] .

6. The Borrower has not entered into or otherwise acquired or hold any Financial Contract (i) unless (1) the collateral, if any, received or receivable by the Borrower in connection therewith is solely in the form of cash or short-term U.S. treasury securities, and (2) each counterparty thereto or issuer thereof has a minimum senior unsecured unenhanced long term debt rating of at least A- by S&P (or the equivalent rating of another independent rating agency


(other than Moody’s) if not so rated by S&P) and at least A3 by Moody’s (or the equivalent rating of another independent rating agency (other than S&P) if not so rated by Moody’s), or (ii) in any case for the purpose of creating or continuing leverage [, except as follows:                          ] .

[ the remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank ]

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate as of [Date] .

 

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 


SCHEDULE A

Detailed Calculations


CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

EXHIBIT H-1

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Administrative Agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”). Each term that is defined in the Credit Agreement and not herein defined has the meaning ascribed thereto by the Credit Agreement when used herein.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.4 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Date:               , 20[    ]


CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

EXHIBIT H-2

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Administrative Agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”). Each term that is defined in the Credit Agreement and not herein defined has the meaning ascribed thereto by the Credit Agreement when used herein.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.4 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Date:               , 20[    ]


CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

EXHIBIT H-3

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Administrative Agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”). Each term that is defined in the Credit Agreement and not herein defined has the meaning ascribed thereto by the Credit Agreement when used herein.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.4 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “bank” extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Date:               , 20[    ]


CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

EXHIBIT H-4

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Administrative Agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”). Each term that is defined in the Credit Agreement and not herein defined has the meaning ascribed thereto by the Credit Agreement when used herein.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.4 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “bank” extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Date:               , 20[    ]


CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

EXHIBIT I

FORM OF SECURITY AGREEMENT

Security Agreement (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Security Agreement ”), dated as of May 29, 2018, by and between ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Borrower ”), and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as administrative agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”).

RECITALS

I. Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and the Administrative Agent (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”).

II. It is a condition precedent to the making of all Loans under the Credit Agreement that the Borrower shall have executed and delivered this Security Agreement.

Therefore, in consideration of the Recitals, the terms and conditions herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Defined Terms

(a) Each term that is defined in the Credit Agreement and not herein defined has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement when used herein.

(b) When used in this Security Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto as follows:

Applicable Custody Account ” means (a) during the Transition Period, both the Existing Custody Account and the New Custody Account, and (b) thereafter, the New Custody Account.

Collateral ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.

Collateral Control Notice ” means any of the following: (a) a Notice of Exclusive Control (as defined in the Temporary Control Agreement or the Continuing Control Agreement, as applicable), or (b) other than in connection with obtaining information with respect to the Collateral, confirming State Street’s compliance with the Temporary Control Agreement, confirming BNY Mellon’s compliance with the Continuing Control Agreement, or confirming the Borrower’s compliance with the Loan Documents, (i) an Entitlement Order with respect to any Collateral, (ii) any instruction to a bank directing disposition of funds in any Deposit Account at such bank constituting Collateral, or (iii) any direction to a Commodity Intermediary to apply any value distributed on account of any Commodity Contract constituting Collateral.


Custody Assets ” means, as of any time, all of the Accounts, cash, cash equivalents, Chattel Paper, Deposit Accounts, Documents, Financial Assets, Financial Contracts, General Intangibles, Instruments, Investment Property, Money, Supporting Obligations in respect of the foregoing and Proceeds of all of the foregoing, in each case that, at such time, are in the Existing Custody Account or the New Custody Account.

Excluded Collateral ” means any contract or agreement constituting a General Intangible or a Promissory Note, but only to the extent that the granting of a Security Interest therein by the Borrower would violate any applicable law or any enforceable provision of such contract or agreement, provided that to the extent the Security Interest herein granted at any time hereafter shall no longer violate any applicable law, and/or immediately upon such provision no longer being enforceable, as the case may be, such contract or agreement, as the case may be shall automatically and without any further action cease to be “Excluded Collateral”, and the Borrower shall be deemed to have granted automatically and without any further action a Security Interest therein subject hereto as if such law had never existed or such provision had never been enforceable, as the case may be.

NYUCC ” means the UCC as in effect in the State of New York on the date of this Security Agreement.

Obligations ” means all of the obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to the Secured Parties, in each case whether fixed, contingent, now existing or hereafter arising, created, assumed, incurred or acquired.

Permitted Charge ” means a Permitted Lien to the extent that its priority over the Security Interest created hereby in the property of the Borrower would not (a) cause a breach of any representation or warranty of the Borrower in Section 3(c), or (b) violate any covenant of the Borrower in Section 4(h).

Secured Financial Contract ” means a Financial Contract entered into by the Borrower with a Lender, the Administrative Agent, or any Related Party thereof.

Secured Parties ” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, and any Related Party thereof which is party to a Secured Financial Contract.

UCC ” means, with respect to any jurisdiction, Articles 1, 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in such jurisdiction.

(c) Except as may otherwise be expressly provided herein, when used in this Security Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the NYUCC: “ Account ”, “ Adverse Claim ”, “ Chattel Paper ”, “ Commodity Account ”, “ Commodity Contract ”, “ Commodity Intermediary ”, “ Deposit Account ”, “ Document ”, “ Entitlement Order ”, “ Financial Asset ”, “ General Intangible ”, “ Instrument ”, “ Investment Property ”, “ Money ”, “ Proceeds ”, “ Promissory Note ”, “ Records ”, “ Secured Party ”, “ Securities Account ”, “ Security Interest ”, and “ Supporting Obligation ” as the same may be modified by the provisions hereof.

 

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Section 2. Grant of Security Interest

To secure the payment, observance and performance of its Obligations when due, the Borrower hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a Security Interest in and to all of the Borrower’s right, title and interest in and to the following (with respect to the items listed in clauses (ii) and (iii) below, only to the extent such items would not constitute Excluded Collateral):

(i) the Existing Custody Account, the New Custody Account and the Custody Assets,

(ii) all Accounts, cash, cash equivalents, Chattel Paper, Deposit Accounts, Financial Assets, Financial Contracts, General Intangibles, Instruments, Investment Property, and Money,

(iii) all Supporting Obligations in respect of all of the foregoing, and

(iv) all Records in respect of all of the foregoing,

in each case, whether now owned or existing or hereafter arising or acquired, together with all of the Proceeds (which shall include all dividends, distributions, accessions and income on and in respect of all of the foregoing and all other rights and benefits in respect thereof) of all of the foregoing

(collectively, the “ Collateral ”).

Section 3. Representations and Warranties

The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise expressly permitted under this Security Agreement, since the Borrower’s formation, there has been no change in (i) its legal name or structure, or (ii) its jurisdiction of formation.

(b) On the date hereof, (i) this Security Agreement creates an enforceable Security Interest in the Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, (ii) there are no Liens upon the Collateral other than Permitted Liens, and (iii) (1) with respect to all Collateral constituting an Applicable Custody Account or a Custody Asset, the Administrative Agent has a perfected Security Interest, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in such Collateral, which Security Interest is, other than with respect to the Liens permitted by Section 7.2(e) of the Credit Agreement, prior to all other Liens, and (2) with respect to all other such Collateral in which a Security Interest may be perfected by filing a financing statement, assuming the presentation for filing of the financing statement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A hereto, at the governmental office listed thereon together with the appropriate filing fees therefor on the date hereof, the Administrative Agent has a perfected Security Interest, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in such Collateral, which Security Interest is prior to all Liens other than the Liens permitted by Section 7.2(f) of the Credit Agreement.

 

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Section 4. Covenants

The Borrower hereby covenants with the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as follows:

(a) The Borrower shall not effect or permit any change in its legal name, its form of organization, or its jurisdiction of organization, in each case unless it shall provide the Administrative Agent with prior written notice thereof and UCC financing statements (or amendments thereto), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, shall have been filed at the expense of the Borrower in all filing offices reasonably designated by the Administrative Agent.

(b) The Borrower shall, at its own expense, promptly authorize, execute and deliver, as applicable, all certificates, instruments, endorsements, financing and continuation statements and amendments thereto, notices, agreements (including control agreements), and other documents, and take all further action, that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request from time to time in order to perfect and protect the Security Interest granted by the Borrower hereby or to enable the Administrative Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to the Collateral. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Borrower agrees that all Chattel Paper, Instruments, and certificated Financial Assets constituting Collateral that are delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Applicable Custodian by, on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the Borrower shall be in bearer form or in registered form issued or indorsed (with appropriate signature guarantees, to the extent that it is usual and customary for such Applicable Custodian to obtain such signature guarantees in the ordinary course of its custody business) to the Administrative Agent or such Applicable Custodian, or a nominee of either of them, or in blank. The Borrower also agrees to provide to the Administrative Agent, from time to time upon reasonable request, evidence (including legal opinions from law firms satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Collateral audits) reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as to the perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Security Agreement; provided, however, that so long as no Event of Default is then continuing, the Administrative Agent may not request legal opinions more than once in any calendar year. If any assets constituting Collateral are acquired by the Borrower after the date hereof (other than assets constituting Collateral that become subject to the Lien of the Security Agreement upon acquisition thereof and other than assets upon which the Administrative Agent has, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a first perfected Lien), the Borrower will notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and, if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing its Obligations and will take such actions as shall be necessary or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, all at the expense of the Borrower.

(c) To the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law or any agreement to which it is a party or by which it is bound, the Borrower at its own expense shall furnish to the Administrative Agent such information, reports, statements and schedules with respect to the Collateral as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request from time to time.

(d) Subject to the rights of the Borrower under the Loan Documents to dispose of the Collateral, the Borrower at its own expense shall defend the Collateral against all

 

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claims of any kind or nature (other than Permitted Charges) of all Persons claiming the same or any interest therein adverse to the interests of the Administrative Agent or any Applicable Custodian.

(e) Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Borrower agrees that, with respect to the Collateral, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Applicable Custodian has any obligation to preserve rights against prior or third parties.

(f) The only duty of the Administrative Agent with respect to the Collateral delivered to it shall be to use reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the Collateral, and the Borrower agrees that if the Administrative Agent accords the Collateral substantially the same kind of care as it accords its own property or delivers the Collateral over to any Applicable Custodian, such care shall presumptively be deemed reasonable. In the event that all or any part of the Chattel Paper, Documents, Instruments, or certificated Financial Assets constituting such Collateral are lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken while in the possession of the Administrative Agent or any Applicable Custodian, the Borrower agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the delivery of new Chattel Paper, Documents, Instruments, or certificated Financial Assets, as the case may be, in place of those lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken upon reasonable request therefor by the Administrative Agent or such Applicable Custodian, without the necessity of any indemnity bond or other security, other than the Administrative Agent’s or such Applicable Custodian’s agreement of indemnity upon usual and customary terms therefor.

(g) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) the Borrower shall remain liable under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral to the extent set forth therein to perform all of its duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if this Security Agreement had not been executed, (ii) neither the exercise by the Administrative Agent of any of its rights hereunder, nor the exercise by any Applicable Custodian of its right under the Existing Custody Agreement or the New Custody Agreement, as applicable, shall release the Borrower from any of its duties or obligations under any such contract or agreement, (iii) the Administrative Agent shall not have any obligation or liability, including indemnification obligations, under any such contract or agreement by reason of this Security Agreement, the Existing Custody Agreement or the New Custody Agreement, nor shall the Administrative Agent be obligated to perform any of the obligations or duties of the Borrower thereunder, to make any payment, to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by the Borrower or the sufficiency of any performance by any party under any such contract or agreement or to take any action to collect or enforce any claim for payment assigned hereunder and (iv) except as may be otherwise expressly provided in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not be under any duty to send notices, perform services, exercise any rights of collection, enforcement, conversion or exchange, vote, pay for insurance, taxes or other charges or take any action of any kind in connection with the management of the Collateral.

(h) The Borrower agrees that it shall (i) at all times (1) with respect to the Collateral constituting the Applicable Custody Accounts and the Custody Assets, cause the Administrative Agent to have a perfected Security Interest, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in such Collateral, which Security Interest shall be, other than with respect to the Liens permitted by Section 7.2(e) of the Credit Agreement, prior to all other Liens, and (2) with respect to all other Collateral in which a Security Interest may be perfected by filing a financing statement,

 

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cause the Administrative Agent to have a perfected Security Interest, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in such Collateral, which Security Interest shall be prior to all Liens other than the Liens permitted by Section 7.2(f) of the Credit Agreement, and (ii) not cause or permit any of the Collateral (1) to be subject to any Lien other than Permitted Liens, or (2) to be subject to any Lien (other than Permitted Charges) that has any priority over the Security Interest granted hereby.

Section 5. Voting and Distributions

(a) Unless and until an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Administrative Agent shall have delivered to the Borrower a written notice of its intention to exercise the voting and/or other consensual rights and powers referred to in this Section 5 (a “ Collateral Notice ”):

(i) The Borrower shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or other consensual rights and powers inuring to an owner of the Collateral owned or held by it or on its behalf, or any part thereof; provided , however , that the Borrower will not exercise any such right if the result thereof would materially and adversely affect the rights inuring to a holder of the Collateral or the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent under this Security Agreement or any other Loan Document or the ability of the Administrative Agent to exercise the same.

(ii) The Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to the Borrower, or cause to be executed and delivered to the Borrower, all such proxies, powers of attorney and other instruments as the Borrower may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling it to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to Section 5(a)(i) and to receive the cash payments it is entitled to receive pursuant to Section 5(a)(iii).

(iii) Subject to the Security Interest created hereby and the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents, the Borrower shall be entitled to receive, retain and use any and all dividends, distributions, interest and principal paid on, and Proceeds of, the Collateral owned or held by it or on its behalf.

(b) Upon receipt by the Borrower of a Collateral Notice upon the occurrence of, or at any time during the continuance of, an Event of Default:

(i) To the extent not prohibited by applicable law, all rights of the Borrower to receive and retain dividends, distributions, interest and principal paid on, and Proceeds of, the Collateral that it is authorized to receive pursuant to Section 5(a)(iii) shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Administrative Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to receive and retain such dividends, distributions, interest, principal and Proceeds, as applicable. All dividends, distributions, interest, principal and Proceeds received by or on behalf of the Borrower contrary to the provisions of this Section shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, shall be segregated from other property or funds of the Borrower and shall be forthwith delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Applicable

 

6


Custodian upon demand in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement). Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the provisions of this subsection (i) shall be retained by the Administrative Agent in an account to be established in the name of the Administrative Agent upon receipt of such money or other property. Subject to the provisions of this subsection (i), such account shall at all times be under the sole dominion and control of the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall at all times have the sole right to make withdrawals therefrom and to exercise all rights with respect to the funds and other property from time to time therein or credited thereto, provided that such funds or other property shall not be withdrawn or applied for any purpose other than toward the payment of the Obligations.

(ii) To the extent not prohibited under applicable law, all rights of the Borrower to exercise the voting and consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to Section 5(a)(i), and the obligations of the Administrative Agent under Section 5(a)(ii), shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Administrative Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise such voting and consensual rights and powers, provided that the Administrative Agent shall have the right from time to time to permit the Borrower to exercise such rights.

Section 6. Remedies

(a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default or at any time thereafter during the continuance thereof, the Administrative Agent may:

(i) exercise any and all rights and remedies with respect to the Collateral (x) granted to a Secured Party by the NYUCC or otherwise allowed at law, and/or (y) otherwise provided by this Security Agreement, and

(ii) dispose of the Collateral as it may choose, so long as every aspect of the disposition, including the method, manner, time, place and terms thereof, is commercially reasonable, and the Borrower agrees that, without limitation, the following are each commercially reasonable: (x) if the Administrative Agent is required by law to give any notice of disposition of the Collateral, the Administrative Agent shall not in any event be required to give more than ten (10) Business Days’ prior notice to the Borrower of any such disposition, (y) any place within the City of New York may be designated by the Administrative Agent for disposition, and (z) the Administrative Agent may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned.

(b) To the extent permitted by law, the Borrower hereby expressly waives and covenants not to assert any appraisement, valuation, stay, extension, redemption or similar laws, now or at any time hereafter in force, which might delay, prevent or otherwise impede the performance or enforcement of this Security Agreement.

 

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(c) In view of the position of the Borrower in relation to the Collateral, or because of other current or future circumstances, a question may arise under the Securities Act or any similar applicable law of any other Governmental Authority analogous in purpose or effect (such Act and any such similar law as from time to time in effect being called the “ Securities Laws ”) with respect to any disposition of the Collateral permitted hereunder. The Borrower understands that compliance with the Securities Laws might very strictly limit the course of conduct of the Administrative Agent if the Administrative Agent were to attempt to dispose of all or any part of the Collateral, and might also limit the extent to which or the manner in which any subsequent transferee of any such Collateral could dispose of the same. Similarly, there may be other legal restrictions or limitations affecting the Administrative Agent in any attempt to dispose of all or part of the Collateral under applicable “blue sky” or other state securities laws or similar laws analogous in purpose or effect. The Borrower recognizes that in light of such restrictions and limitations the Administrative Agent may, with respect to any sale of Collateral to which such restrictions or limitations may (in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent) apply, limit the purchasers to those who will agree, among other things, to acquire Collateral for their own account, for investment, and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that in light of such restrictions and limitations, the Administrative Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, (i) may proceed to make such a sale whether or not a registration statement for the purpose of registering the Collateral, or any part thereof, shall have been filed under the Securities Laws and (ii) may approach and negotiate with a single potential purchaser to effect such sale. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that any such sale might result in prices and other terms less favorable to the seller than if such sale were a public sale without such restrictions. In the event of any such sale, the Administrative Agent shall incur no responsibility or liability for selling all or any part of the Collateral at a price that the Administrative Agent may in good faith deem reasonable under the circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price might have been realized if the sale were deferred until after registration as aforesaid or if more than a single purchaser were approached. The provisions of this Section will apply notwithstanding the existence of a public or private market upon which the quotations or sales prices may exceed substantially the price at which the Administrative Agent sells any such Collateral.

(d) The Administrative Agent agrees with the Borrower that it shall not deliver to any Applicable Custodian any Collateral Control Notice at any time when no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

Section 7. Administrative Agent

The Administrative Agent has been appointed as agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement. The actions of the Administrative Agent hereunder are subject to the provisions of the Credit Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have the right hereunder to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking action (including the release or substitution of the Collateral), in accordance with this Security Agreement and the Credit Agreement. The Administrative Agent may in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement employ agents in connection herewith and shall not be liable for the negligence or misconduct of any such agents selected by it in good faith. The Administrative Agent may resign and a successor Administrative Agent may be appointed in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any

 

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appointment as the Administrative Agent by a successor Administrative Agent, that successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent under this Security Agreement, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall thereupon be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Security Agreement. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation, the provisions hereof shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it under this Security Agreement while it was the Administrative Agent.

Section 8. Notices

All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be delivered or otherwise transmitted, in accordance with the terms of and effective as set forth in Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement, to the appropriate party hereto at the address therefor set forth in the Credit Agreement.

Section 9. Waivers; Amendments

Subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, neither this Security 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 Administrative Agent.

Section 10. Successors and Assigns

Subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the provisions of this Security Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted under the Credit Agreement, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void). Nothing in this Security Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the Administrative Agent and the Related Parties thereof) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim.

Section 11. Counterparts; Integration

This Security 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 but one contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Security Agreement by facsimile transmission or electronic transmission in “portable document format” shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Security Agreement. This Security Agreement constitutes the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.

Section 12. Severability

In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Security Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality

 

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and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

Section 13. GOVERNING LAW

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

Section 14. 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 RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT. 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 SECURITY AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

Section 15. Headings

Article and Section headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Security Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Security Agreement.

Section 16. Relationship to Credit Agreement

This Security Agreement is the “Security Agreement” under, and as such term is defined in, the Credit Agreement, and is subject to, and shall be construed in accordance with, the provisions thereof applicable hereto.

Section 17. Release of Collateral

(a) Upon the request of the Borrower following the later to occur of (i) the earlier to occur of the Commitment Termination Date or such other date as the Borrower shall voluntarily terminate the Commitments in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, and (ii) the payment in full of the Note and the performance by the Borrower of all of the

 

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Obligations outstanding at the time of such payment, the Administrative Agent shall (x) return or cause to be returned to the Borrower all Collateral which shall remain in the possession of the Administrative Agent at such time, and (y) at the sole cost and expense of the Borrower deliver to the Borrower such instruments, UCC termination statements and other documents, and provide for the delivery of such instructions to each Applicable Custodian, in each case as the Borrower may reasonably request for the purpose of releasing (in fact and as a matter of record) the Security Interest created by this Security Agreement.

(b) In the event that the Borrower shall sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any portion of the Collateral (each a “Transfer”), then provided that immediately before and after giving effect thereto no Default shall or would exist, (i) the Administrative Agent’s Security Interest created hereby in such Collateral subject to such Transfer shall automatically be released (provided that such Security Interest shall attach to the Proceeds of such Transfer), and (ii) promptly after the request by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall, at the sole cost and expense of the Borrower deliver to the Borrower such instruments, UCC termination statements and other documents, and provide for the delivery of such instructions to each Applicable Custodian, in each case as the Borrower may reasonably request for the purpose of releasing (in fact and as a matter of record) the Security Interest in the Collateral subject to such Transfer.

Section 18. Liability

This Security Agreement is subject to Section 1.4 of the Credit Agreement.

[ the remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has caused this Security Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the day and year first above written.

 

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA , as Administrative Agent
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 


ANNEX A TO SECURITY AGREEMENT

[Attach Financing Statement]


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UCC FINANCING STATEMENT

FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS

 

 

A. NAME & PHONE OF CONTACT AT FILER (optional)  
   
B. E-MAIL CONTACT AT FILER (optional)  
   
C. SEND ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO: (Name and Address)  
               
                   
               
               

         LOGO

 

       
                    THE ABOVE SPACE IS FOR FILING OFFICE USE ONLY
                         

1.

  DEBTOR’S NAME: Provide only one Debtor name (1a or 1b) (use exact, full name; do not omit, modify, or abbreviate any part of the Debtor’s name); if any part of the Individual Debtor’s name will not fit in line 1b, leave all of item 1 blank, check here and ☐ provide the Individual Debtor information in item 10 of the Financing Statement Addendum (Form UCC1Ad)

 

OR

 

1a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME

ClearBridge Energy MLP Fund Inc.

              
 

1b. INDIVIDUAL’S SURNAME

 

   FIRST PERSONAL NAME    ADDITIONAL NAME(S)/INITIAL(S)    SUFFIX
   

1c. MAILING ADDRESS

c/o Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor

  

CITY

New York

  

STATE

NY

  

POSTAL CODE

10018

  

COUNTRY

USA

2. 

  DEBTOR’S NAME: Provide only one Debtor name (2a or 2b) (use exact, full name; do not omit, modify, or abbreviate any part of the Debtor’s name); if any part of the Individual Debtor’s name will not fit in line 2b, leave all of item 2 blank, check here and ☐ provide the Individual Debtor information in item 10 of the Financing Statement Addendum (Form UCC1Ad)

 

OR

 

2a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME

 

              
 

2b. INDIVIDUAL’S SURNAME

 

   FIRST PERSONAL NAME    ADDITIONAL NAME(S)/INITIAL(S)    SUFFIX
   

2c. MAILING ADDRESS

 

   CITY   

STATE

   POSTAL CODE    COUNTRY
3.  

SECUREDPARTY’S NAME (or NAME of ASSIGNEE of ASSIGNOR SECURED PARTY): Provide only one Secured Party name (3a or 3b)

 

OR

 

3a. ORGANIZATION’S NAME

The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Administrative Agent

              
 

3b. INDIVIDUAL’S SURNAME

 

   FIRST PERSONAL NAME    ADDITIONAL NAME(S)/INITIAL(S)    SUFFIX
   

3c. MAILING ADDRESS

40 King Street, 55th Floor

  

CITY

Toronto

  

STATE

ON

  

POSTAL CODE

M5H 1H1

  

COUNTRY

CAN

4.

COLLATERAL: This financing statement covers the following collateral:

All assets.

 

5. Check only if applicable and check only one box: Collateral is    ☐held in a Trust (see UCC1Ad, item 17 and Instructions)    ☐ being administered by a Decedent’s Personal Representative
6a. Check only if applicable and check only one box:          6b. Check only if applicable and check only one box:

☐ Public-Finance Transaction

   ☐ Manufactured-Home Transaction        ☐ A Debtor is a Transmitting Utility        ☐ Agricultural Lien        ☐ Non-UCC Filing
7. ALTERNATIVE DESIGNATION (if applicable):    ☐ Lessee/Lessor    ☐ Consignee/Consignor    ☐ Seller/Buyer    ☐ Bailee/Bailor    ☐ Licensee/Licensor

8. OPTIONAL FILER REFERENCE DATA:

  FILED WITH THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENTS AND TAXATION

         
FILING OFFICE COPY — UCC FINANCING STATEMENT (Form UCC1) (Rev. 04/20/11)   


CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

EXHIBIT K

FORM OF TERMINATION NOTICE

[Date]

ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.

c/o Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor

New York, NY 10018

Attention: George Hoyt/Raymond Lui

Tele: 203-703-7026/212-805-3487

Facsimile No.: 877-493-2951/212-805-3488

E-mail: gphoyt@leggmason.com/LegalCEF@leggmason.com/GFPCEFs@leggmason.com

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Administrative Agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”).

This is a “Termination Notice” under, as defined in, and with the effect set forth in, the Credit Agreement.

 

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA , as Administrative Agent
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 


CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

EXHIBIT L

FORM OF APPLICABLE MARGIN CHANGE NOTICE

[Date]

ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.

c/o Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor

New York, NY 10018

Attention: George Hoyt/Raymond Lui

Tele: 203-703-7026/212-805-3487

Facsimile No.: 877-493-2951/212-805-3488

E-mail: gphoyt@leggmason.com/LegalCEF@leggmason.com/GFPCEFs@leggmason.com

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Administrative Agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”). Each term that is defined in the Credit Agreement and not herein defined has the meaning ascribed thereto by the Credit Agreement when used herein.

This is an “Applicable Margin Change Notice” under, as defined in, and with the effect set forth in, the Credit Agreement.

New Applicable LIBOR Margin ” means     %.

New Applicable ABR Margin ” means     %.

 

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA , as Administrative Agent
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 


CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

EXHIBIT M

FORM OF COMMITMENT FEE CHANGE NOTICE

[Date]

ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.

c/o Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor

New York, NY 10018

Attention: George Hoyt/Raymond Lui

Tele: 203-703-7026/212-805-3487

Facsimile No.: 877-493-2951/212-805-3488

E-mail: gphoyt@leggmason.com/LegalCEF@leggmason.com/GFPCEFs@leggmason.com

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation, the Lenders party thereto, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Administrative Agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”). Each term that is defined in the Credit Agreement and not herein defined has the meaning ascribed thereto by the Credit Agreement when used herein.

This is a “Commitment Fee Change Notice” under, as defined in, and with the effect set forth in, the Credit Agreement.

New Commitment Fee Rate ” means     %.

 

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA , as Administrative Agent
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 


CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

EXHIBIT N

[follows]


E XECUTION C OPY (EMO)

 

 

 

C OLLATERAL A GENCY

AND I NTERCREDITOR A GREEMENT

dated as of May 29, 2018

by and among

T HE B ANK OF N OVA S COTIA ,

as Bank Security Agent,

W ELLS F ARGO B ANK , N ATIONAL A SSOCIATION ,

as Existing 2013 Note Security Agent,

T HE B ANK OF N EW Y ORK M ELLON ,

as Existing 2015 Note Security Agent,

each Additional Note Security Agent that may become a party hereto from time to time,

and

T HE B ANK OF N OVA S COTIA ,

as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

T HIS C OLLATERAL A GENCY AND

I NTERCREDITOR A GREEMENT RELATES TO CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS OF

C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .


T ABLE OF C ONTENTS

 

S ECTION    H EADING    P AGE  

A RTICLE  1

  

D EFINITIONS

     3  

Section 1.1.

  

Defined Terms

     3  

Section 1.2.

  

Other Definitional Provisions; Actions of Security Agents

     11  

A RTICLE 2

  

C OLLATERAL A GENT

     12  

Section 2.1.

  

Appointment

     12  

Section 2.2.

  

Delegation of Duties

     12  

Section 2.3.

  

Exculpatory Provisions

     13  

Section 2.4.

  

Notice of Default; Notice of Discharge of Secured Obligations

     14  

Section 2.5.

  

Non-Reliance on Collateral Agent and Other Secured Parties

     14  

Section 2.6.

  

Collateral Agent in Individual Capacity

     15  

Section 2.7.

  

Successor Collateral Agent

     15  

Section 2.8.

  

Funds Expended

     15  

Section 2.9.

  

No Risk of Funds

     16  

Section 2.10.

  

Joinder Agreement

     16  

A RTICLE 3

  

R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES

     16  

Section 3.1.

  

Generally

     16  

Section 3.2.

  

Bank Security Agent

     16  

Section 3.3.

  

Note Security Agents

     17  

Section 3.4.

  

Collateral Agent

     17  

A RTICLE 4

  

L IEN P RIORITIES ; C ERTAIN N OTICES ; C OLLATERAL L IQUIDATION

     17  

Section 4.1.

  

Pari Passu

     17  

Section 4.2.

  

Prohibition on Contesting Liens

     17  

Section 4.3.

  

No New Liens

     17  

Section 4.4.

  

Notices

     18  

Section 4.5.

  

Collateral Liquidation

     18  

A RTICLE 5

  

C ONTROL A GREEMENT

     18  

Section 5.1.

  

Entry into Control Agreement

     18  

Section 5.2.

  

Information

     18  

Section 5.3.

  

Notices

     19  

Section 5.4.

  

Changes to Control Agreement

     19  

A RTICLE 6

  

C USTODY C OLLATERAL

     19  

Section 6.1.

  

Notice of Exclusive Control

     19  

Section 6.2.

  

Custody Liquidation Notice

     20  

 

-i-


A RTICLE 7

  

O THER C OLLATERAL

     20  

Section 7.1.

  

Other Collateral

     20  

Section 7.2.

  

Possessory Liquidation Notice

     21  

A RTICLE 8

  

D ISTRIBUTIONS

     21  

Section 8.1.

  

Application of Proceeds

     21  

Section 8.2.

  

Distributions from Collection Account

     21  

Section 8.3.

  

Secured Obligation Balances

     22  

Section 8.4.

  

Advances

     22  

Section 8.5.

  

Further Assurances

     23  

A RTICLE 9

  

C HANGES T O F INANCING D OCUMENTS

     23  

Section 9.1.

  

Amendments to Financing Documents; Etc.

     23  

Section 9.2.

  

Other Matters

     23  

Section 9.3.

  

Limitations

     24  

A RTICLE 10

  

I NSOLVENCY O R L IQUIDATION P ROCEEDINGS

     25  

Section 10.1.

  

Avoidance Issues

     25  

Section 10.2.

  

Effectiveness in Insolvency Proceedings

     25  

A RTICLE 11

  

R ELIANCE ; W AIVERS ; E TC

     25  

Section 11.1.

  

Reliance

     25  

Section 11.2.

  

No Warranties or Liability

     25  

Section 11.3.

  

No Waiver

     26  

Section 11.4.

  

Obligations Unconditional

     26  

A RTICLE 12

  

M ISCELLANEOUS

     26  

Section 12.1.

  

Conflicts

     26  

Section 12.2.

  

Effectiveness; Continuing Nature of This Agreement; Severability

     27  

Section 12.3.

  

Amendments; Waivers

     27  

Section 12.4.

  

Submission to Jurisdiction

     27  

Section 12.5.

  

Notices

     28  

Section 12.6.

  

A PPLICABLE L AW

     28  

Section 12.7.

  

Binding on Successors and Assigns

     28  

Section 12.8.

  

Headings

     28  

Section 12.9.

  

Counterparts

     28  

Section 12.10.

  

No Third Party Beneficiaries

     29  

Section 12.11.

  

Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights

     29  

Section 12.12.

  

Force Majeure

     29  

Section 12.13.

  

Consequential Damages

     29  

 

-ii-


E XHIBITS

     

E XHIBIT  A

         

Form of Custody Liquidation Notice

E XHIBIT B

         

Form of Instruction Letter

E XHIBIT C

         

Form of Other Liquidation Notice

E XHIBIT D

         

Form of Joinder Agreement

E XHIBIT E

         

Form of Direction

E XHIBIT F          

Form of Transfer Completion Certificate

A NNEXES

     

A NNEX A

         

Copy of Each Loan Document

A NNEX B

         

Copy of Each Existing 2013 Note Document

A NNEX C

         

Copy of Each Existing 2015 Note Document

A NNEX  D-1

         

Copy of Temporary Control Agreement

A NNEX D-2

         

Copy of Continuing Control Agreement

 

-iii-


C OLLATERAL A GENCY

AND I NTERCREDITOR A GREEMENT

This C OLLATERAL A GENCY AND I NTERCREDITOR A GREEMENT , dated as of May 29, 2018, is entered into by and among T HE B ANK OF N OVA S COTIA ( “Scotia Bank” ), in its capacity as Bank Security Agent (as defined below), W ELLS F ARGO B ANK , N ATIONAL A SSOCIATION ( “Wells Fargo” ), in its capacity as Existing 2013 Note Security Agent (as defined below), T HE B ANK OF N EW Y ORK M ELLON ( “BNY Mellon” ), in its capacity as Existing 2015 Note Security Agent (as defined below), each Additional Note Security Agent (as defined below) that may become a party hereto from time to time, and Scotia Bank, in its capacity as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity, and including its successors and assigns from time to time, the “Collateral Agent” ).

RECITALS

W HEREAS , C LEARBRIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC ., a Maryland corporation (the “Company” ), Scotia Bank and the several lending institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto (the “Banks” ), and Scotia Bank, in its capacity as agent (in such capacity, and including its successors and assigns from time to time, the “Bank Security Agent” ), have entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement” ), which provides, among other things, for the borrowing of loans by the Company from the Banks;

W HEREAS , pursuant to the Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and the Bank Security Agent (the “Bank Security Agreement” ), the Company granted a security interest in the Collateral (as defined therein) to the Bank Security Agent, for its benefit and for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the Banks, as security for all of the Company’s obligations under the Loan Documents (as defined below);

W HEREAS , the Company has entered into that certain Note Purchase Agreement dated February 7, 2013, as amended by First Amendment Agreement, dated August 26, 2015 and as amended by the Second Amendment Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Existing 2013 Note Purchase Agreement” ), pursuant to which the Company issued its (a) 3.27% Series A Senior Secured Notes due February 7, 2020 in an aggregate principal amount of $40,000,000 of which $27,420,382.17 is presently outstanding, (b) 3.87% Series B Senior Secured Notes due February 7, 2023 in an aggregate principal amount of $50,000,000 of which $34,471,337.58 is presently outstanding and (c) 4.02% Series C Senior Secured Notes due February 7, 2025 in an aggregate principal amount of $60,000,000 of which $41,522,292.99 is presently outstanding (in each case, as the same be amended, restated, supplemented, modified or replaced from time to time, collectively, the “Existing 2013 Senior Notes” );

W HEREAS , the Company has entered into that certain Note Purchase Agreement dated August 26, 2015 and as amended by the First Amendment Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Existing 2015 Note Purchase Agreement” ), pursuant to which the Company issued its


(a) 3.33% Series D Senior Secured Notes due August 26, 2022 in an aggregate principal amount of $20,000,000 of which $15,668,789.81 is presently outstanding and (b) 3.76% Series E Senior Secured Notes due August 26, 2026 in an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 of which $3,917,197.45 is presently outstanding (in each case, as the same be amended, restated, supplemented, modified or replaced from time to time, collectively, the “Existing 2015 Senior Notes” );

W HEREAS , the Company and the Existing 2013 Noteholders (as defined below) have entered into that certain Note Agency Agreement, dated as of February 7, 2013 (the “Existing 2013 Note Agency Agreement” ), with Wells Fargo, appointing Wells Fargo as the security agent for the Existing 2013 Noteholders (in such capacity, the “Existing 2013 Note Security Agent” );

W HEREAS , pursuant to the Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2015, as amended by the First Amendment Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the “Existing 2013 Note Security Agreement” ), between the Company and the Existing 2013 Note Security Agent, the Company granted a security interest in the Collateral (as defined therein) to the Existing 2013 Note Security Agent for its benefit and for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the Existing 2013 Noteholders as security for all of the Company’s obligations under the Existing 2013 Note Documents (as defined below);

W HEREAS , the Company and the Existing 2015 Noteholders (as defined below) have entered into that certain 2015 Note Agency Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2015 (the “Existing 2015 Note Agency Agreement” ) with BNY Mellon, appointing BNY Mellon as the security agent for the Existing 2015 Noteholders (in such capacity, the “Existing 2015 Note Security Agent” );

W HEREAS , pursuant to the Security Agreement dated as of August 26, 2015, as amended by the First Amendment Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the “Existing 2015 Note Security Agreement” ) between the Company and the Existing 2015 Note Security Agent, the Company granted a security interest in the Collateral (as defined therein) to the Existing 2015 Note Security Agent for its benefit and the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the Existing 2015 Noteholders as security for all of the Company’s obligations under the Existing 2015 Note Documents (as defined below);

W HEREAS , the Company may in the future enter into one or more note purchase agreements pursuant to which the Company shall issue senior secured notes and, upon the execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement (as defined below) with respect thereto, such note purchase agreements and such senior secured notes, and the obligations thereunder, would be subject to the terms of this Agreement; and

W HEREAS , the Company, the Bank Security Agent, the Existing 2013 Note Security Agent and the Existing 2015 Note Security Agent desire to enter into this Intercreditor Agreement on the terms and conditions herein contained;

N OW , T HEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and agreements, provisions, mutual covenants and obligations herein contained, each of the Bank Security Agent (on behalf of itself, each Bank, and each other holder of any Bank Obligations), each Note Security Agent (on behalf of itself and each Applicable Note Party) and the Collateral Agent agrees as follows:

 

-2-


A RTICLE 1

D EFINITIONS

Section  1.1. Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“Additional Note Security Agent” means each Person which is the “Additional Note Security Agent” as defined in a Joinder Agreement.

“Additional Senior Notes” means the “Additional Senior Notes” as defined in a Joinder Agreement.

“Affiliate” means as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by ownership of capital stock, contract or otherwise.

“Agents” means the Bank Security Agent, each Note Security Agent and the Collateral Agent.

“Agreement” means this Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement.

“Applicable Joinder Agreement” means, with respect to each Additional Note Security Agent, the Joinder Agreement pursuant to which such Additional Note Security Agent became a party to this Agreement.

“Applicable Note Agency Agreement” means (a) with respect to the Existing 2013 Note Security Agent, the Existing 2013 Note Agency Agreement, (b) with respect to the Existing 2015 Note Security Agent, the Existing 2015 Note Agency Agreement, and (c) with respect to each Additional Note Security Agent, the “Additional Note Agency Agreement” as defined in the Applicable Joinder Agreement.

“Applicable Note Documents” means (a) with respect to the Existing 2013 Note Security Agent, the Existing 2013 Note Documents, (b) with respect to the Existing 2015 Note Security Agent, the Existing 2015 Note Documents, and (c) with respect to each Additional Note Security Agent (i) each of the following (in each case as defined in the Applicable Joinder Agreement): the Additional Note Purchase Agreement, the Additional Senior Notes, the Additional Note Agency Agreement and the Additional Security Agreement, and (ii) the other Note Documents relating to the documents referred to in clause (i) immediately above.

 

-3-


“Applicable Note Obligations” means, with respect to each Note Security Agent, the Note Obligations arising under the Applicable Note Documents.

“Applicable Note Party” means (a) with respect to the Existing 2013 Note Security Agent, each Existing 2013 Noteholder and each other holder of any Existing 2013 Note Obligation, (b) with respect to the Existing 2015 Note Security Agent, each Existing 2015 Noteholder and each other holder of any Existing 2015 Note Obligation, and (c) with respect to each Additional Note Security Agent, such Additional Note Security Agent, each Noteholder of the Additional Senior Notes (as defined in the Applicable Joinder Agreement), and each holder of any Applicable Note Obligation.

“Applicable Senior Notes” means (a) with respect to the Existing 2013 Note Security Agent, the Existing 2013 Senior Notes, (b) with respect to the Existing 2015 Note Security Agent, the Existing 2015 Senior Notes, and (c) with respect to each Additional Note Security Agent, the “Additional Senior Notes” as defined in the Applicable Joinder Agreement.

“Bank Obligations” means all obligations of the Company to the Bank Parties under the Loan Documents, in each case whether on account of principal, interest, premium, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Bank Security Agent and the Banks that are required to be paid by the Company pursuant to the terms of any of the foregoing agreements), in each case (i) of every nature or kind, (ii) whether fixed or contingent, (iii) whether matured or unmatured, (iv) whether direct or indirect, (v) whether now existing or hereafter created, acquired or incurred, (vi) whether or not allowed or allowable in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, (vii) whether relating to payment or performance, and (viii) including interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the applicable Loan Document after the maturity of the relevant Bank Obligations and any Post-Petition Interest.

“Bank Parties” means the Bank Security Agent, each Bank, and each other Person to whom the Company is obligated under the Credit Agreement, any promissory note issued under the Credit Agreement, or the Bank Security Agreement.

“Bank Security Agent” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Bank Security Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

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

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

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

 

-4-


“Business Day” means any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which (a) commercial banks are open for the purpose of transacting business in New York, New York and (b) the New York Stock Exchange is open.

“Cause Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(b).

“Collateral” means all property of the Company, now owned or hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by a Security Agreement.

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

“Collection Account” means a deposit account to be established by the Collateral Agent at BNY Mellon entitled “ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. Account.”

“Commitments” means the commitment of any Bank to make any loan under the Loan Documents.

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

“Continuing Control Agreement” means the Control Agreement dated May 29, 2018 by and between the Company, the Collateral Agent and BNY Mellon in its capacity as custodian under the New Custody Agreement (the “Continuing Intermediary” ), as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Control Agreements” means (i) the Temporary Control Agreement and (ii) the Continuing Control Agreement.

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

“Custody Liquidation Notice” means a notice in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto.

“Deemed Insolvency Date” means the date that is fourteen (14) days immediately prior to the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of the Company.

“Deemed Insolvency Period” means the period (x) commencing on the Deemed Insolvency Date (so long as none of the events described in the definition of Liquidation Payment shall have occurred) and (y) ending on the earliest to occur of any of the events described in the definition of Liquidation Payment.

“Deemed Bank Preference Payment” means the excess, if any, of (a) the sum of all payments received by the Bank Parties in reduction of the Bank Obligations during the Deemed Insolvency Period, over (b) the principal amount of all Loans made during the Deemed Insolvency Period pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

-5-


“Deemed Note Preference Payment” means, with respect to any single group of Applicable Note Parties, the excess, if any, of (a) the sum of all payments received by such Applicable Note Parties in reduction of the Applicable Note Obligations during the Deemed Insolvency Period, over (b) the sum, without duplication of (i) the principal amount of all loans made by such Applicable Note Parties to the Company during the Deemed Insolvency Period pursuant to the Applicable Note Documents, and (ii) the face amount of all securities purchased by such Applicable Note Parties and issued by the Company during the Deemed Insolvency Period pursuant to the Applicable Note Documents.

“Deemed Preference Payment” means a Deemed Bank Preference Payment or a Deemed Note Preference Payment. Each Deemed Preference Payment, if any, shall be deemed to have been made on the third Business Day following the end of the Deemed Insolvency Period.

“Delivery Instructions” means, with respect to any Collateral referred to in Section 7.1, any reasonable instruction with respect thereto given by a Security Agent to the Collateral Agent for the ultimate purpose of assisting such Security Agent in connection with any foreclosure or other liquidation of such Collateral by such Security Agent, or any other action by such Security Agent for the ultimate purpose of exercising such Security Agent’s rights and remedies under the applicable Security Agreement, including (a) assembling such Collateral, and exhibiting such Collateral to the Secured Parties and any actual or potential transferees thereof, in each case at such reasonable time or times and in such reasonable place or places as such Security Agent may direct, and (b) delivering or otherwise transferring any such Collateral, without representation or warranty, to any purchaser thereof.

“Discharge of Applicable Note Obligations” means, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.1, with respect to each Note Security Agent, the payment in full in cash of all of the Applicable Note Obligations.

“Discharge of Bank Obligations” means, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.1, (a) the payment in full in cash of all of the Bank Obligations, and (b) the termination or other expiration of the Commitments.

“Discharge of Secured Obligations” means, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.1, (a) the Discharge of Bank Obligations, and (b) the payment in full in cash of all of the Note Obligations.

“Entitlement Order” means an instruction (within the meaning of Section 9-104(a)(2) of the UCC), an entitlement order (within the meaning of Section 8-106(d)(2) of the UCC), or a direction to apply any value (within the meaning of Section 9-106(b)(2) of the UCC).

“Event of Default” means (a) an “Event of Default” under and as defined in the Credit Agreement, or (b) an “Event of Default” under and as defined in any Note Purchase Agreement.

“Excepted Payment” means any of the following payments received by a Secured Party in respect of any Secured Obligation: (a) any payment received from the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 8.2, and (b) any payment received by a Bank from the Bank Security Agent (except to the extent the Bank Security Agent shall be deemed to have received a Liquidation Payment and paid all or any portion thereof to one or more of the Banks).

 

-6-


“Existing Custody Agreement” means that certain Custodian Services Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2012, between the investment companies party thereto, State Street Bank and Trust Company, as custodian thereunder, and the other parties thereto, as the same may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented, and in effect from time to time.

“Existing 2013 Note Agency Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Existing 2015 Note Agency Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Existing 2013 Note Documents” means (a) the Existing 2013 Note Purchase Agreement, the Existing 2013 Senior Notes, the Existing 2013 Note Agency Agreement, and the Existing 2013 Note Security Agreement, and (b) the other Note Documents relating to the documents referred to in clause (a) immediately above.

“Existing 2015 Note Documents” means (a) the Existing 2015 Note Purchase Agreement, the Existing 2015 Senior Notes, the Existing 2015 Note Agency Agreement, and the Existing 2015 Note Security Agreement, and (b) the other Note Documents relating to the documents referred to in clause (a) immediately above.

“Existing 2013 Note Obligations” means the Note Obligations arising under the Existing 2013 Note Documents.

“Existing 2015 Note Obligations” means the Note Obligations arising under the Existing 2015 Note Documents.

“Existing 2013 Note Purchase Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Existing 2015 Note Purchase Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Existing 2013 Note Security Agent” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Existing 2015 Note Security Agent” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Existing 2013 Note Security Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

-7-


“Existing 2015 Note Security Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Existing 2013 Noteholders” means, at any time, the holders of the Existing 2013 Senior Notes at such time.

“Existing 2015 Noteholders” means, at any time, the holders of the Existing 2015 Senior Notes at such time.

“Existing 2013 Senior Notes” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Existing 2015 Senior Notes” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Financing Documents” means collectively, each Loan Document, each Note Document, this Agreement and each Control Agreement.

“Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding” means:

(a) any voluntary or involuntary case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law with respect to the Company;

(b) any other voluntary or involuntary insolvency, reorganization or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding with respect to the Company or with respect to a material portion of its property;

(c) any liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or winding up of the Company whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy; or

(d) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of the Company.

“Instruction Letter” means a letter in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto.

“Intermediary” means (i) the Temporary Intermediary for purposes of the Temporary Control Agreement and (ii) the Continuing Intermediary for purposes of the Continuing Control Agreement.

“Joinder Agreement” means a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto that shall have been executed and delivered by the Collateral Agent, the Company, and the “Additional Note Security Agent” as therein defined.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

 

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“Liquidation Payment” means any payment received by a Secured Party in respect of any Secured Obligation (a) after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of the Company, (b) in connection with any foreclosure (whether strict, non-judicial, judicial, voluntary or involuntary) on any Collateral, (c) after either any Loans or any Senior Notes shall have become due and payable in full (as the result of an acceleration or termination (but not as the result of a scheduled payment at maturity)), or (d) after the Trigger Time, provided that the term “Liquidation Payment” shall not include any Excepted Payment.

“Loan” means any loan made to the Company under the Credit Agreement.

“Loan Documents” means the “Loan Documents” under and as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, as the Credit Agreement or any such Loan Document may be amended, supplemented, renewed, extended or otherwise modified or Refinanced.

“Make-whole Premium” means any make-whole or prepayment premium, any break-funding indemnity, or any similar amount.

“New Custody Agreement” means that certain Custodian Services Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2018, between the Company, BNY Mellon, as custodian thereunder, and the other parties thereto, as the same may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented, and in effect from time to time.

“Note Agency Agreements” means (a) the Existing 2013 Note Agency Agreement, (b) the Existing 2015 Note Agency Agreement, and (c) each “Additional Note Agency Agreement” as defined in a Joinder Agreement.

“Note Documents” means the Note Purchase Agreements, the Senior Notes, the Note Agency Agreements, the Note Security Agreements, this Agreement, the Control Agreements, and any other documents that may be identified as such under the Note Purchase Agreements from time to time, in each case as any such document may be amended, supplemented, renewed, extended or otherwise modified or Refinanced.

“Note Obligations” means all obligations of the Company to the Note Parties under the Note Documents, in each case whether on account of principal, interest, premium (including any Make-Whole Amount as defined in any Note Purchase Agreement), fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Note Security Agents and the Noteholders that are required to be paid by the Company pursuant to the terms of any of the foregoing agreements), in each case (i) of every nature or kind, (ii) whether fixed or contingent, (iii) whether matured or unmatured, (iv) whether direct or indirect, (v) whether now existing or hereafter created, acquired or incurred, (vi) whether or not allowed or allowable in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, (vii) whether relating to payment or performance, and (viii) including interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the applicable Note Documents after the maturity of the relevant Note Obligations and any Post-Petition Interest.

 

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“Note Parties” means each Note Security Agent, each Noteholder, and each other Person to whom the Company is obligated under a Note Purchase Agreement, a Senior Note, or any Note Security Agreement.

“Note Purchase Agreements” means (a) the Existing 2013 Note Purchase Agreement, (b) the Existing 2015 Note Purchase Agreement, and (c) each “Additional Note Purchase Agreement” as defined in a Joinder Agreement.

“Note Security Agent” means (a) the Existing 2013 Note Security Agent, (b) the Existing 2015 Note Security Agent and (c) each “Additional Note Security Agent” as defined in a Joinder Agreement.

“Note Security Agreements” means (a) the Existing 2013 Note Security Agreement, (b) the Existing 2015 Note Security Agreement and (c) each “Additional Note Security Agreement” as defined in a Joinder Agreement.

“Noteholders” means, at any time, the holders of the Senior Notes at such time.

“Notice of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).

“Notice of Exclusive Control” means a “Notice of Exclusive Control” under and as such term is defined in each Control Agreement.

“Other Liquidation Notice” means a notice in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto for the purpose of providing Delivery Instructions to the Collateral Agent.

“Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.

“Post-Petition Interest” means any interest or entitlement to fees or expenses or other charges that accrues after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not allowed or allowable in any such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

“Recovery” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

“Refinance” means, in respect of any indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, defease, replace, refund or repay, or to issue other indebtedness, in exchange or replacement for, such indebtedness. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

“Related Secured Party” means (a) with respect to the Bank Security Agent, each Bank Party, and (b) with respect to each Note Security Agent, each Applicable Note Party.

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

 

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“Secured Obligations” means, collectively, the Bank Obligations and the Note Obligations.

“Secured Parties” means, at any time, the holders of Secured Obligations at such time, including, the Bank Security Agent, each Note Security Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Banks and the Noteholders.

“Security Agents” means the Bank Security Agent and each Note Security Agent.

“Security Agreements” means the Bank Security Agreement and each Note Security Agreement.

“Senior Notes” means the Existing 2013 Senior Notes, the Existing 2015 Senior Notes and the Additional Senior Notes.

“Temporary Control Agreement” means the Control Agreement dated May 29, 2018 by and between the Company, the Collateral Agent and State Street Bank and Trust Company in its capacity as custodian under the Existing Custody Agreement (the “Temporary Intermediary” ).

“Transfer Completion Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto that shall have been executed and delivered by the Company.

“Trigger Time” means, with respect to any Secured Party, in the event any Security Agent has delivered a Notice of Default to the Collateral Agent, (a) with respect to such Security Agent and each Related Secured Party thereof, the time such Notice of Default was delivered to the Collateral Agent, (b) with respect to the other Security Agents and each Related Secured Party thereof, (i) in the event such Security Agent shall have received notice thereof from the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 2.4(a) or Section 6.1, on or before 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, on any Business Day, 3:00 p.m., Eastern time, on such Business Day, or (ii) in all other events, 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the Business Day immediately succeeding the day such Security Agent shall have received such notice, and (c) with respect to the Collateral Agent (i) in the event the Collateral Agent shall have received such Notice of Default on or before 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, on any Business Day, 3:00 p.m., Eastern time, on such Business Day, or (ii) in all other events, 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the Business Day immediately succeeding the day the Collateral Agent shall have received such Notice of Default.

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York or, when the context implies, the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in any other applicable jurisdiction.

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

Section  1.2. Other Definitional Provisions; Actions of Security Agents . (a) (i) As used herein and in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto, (i) the words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation,” and (ii) references to agreements shall, unless otherwise specified, be deemed to refer to such agreements as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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(b) The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section, Exhibit and Annex references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

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

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree that (x) the Bank Security Agent will have no obligation to act or refrain from acting hereunder (or any liability therefor) except at the direction of the Required Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) in accordance with the Loan Documents, and (y) no Note Security Agent will have any obligation to act or refrain from acting hereunder (or any liability therefor) except at the direction of the Required Holders (as defined in the Applicable Note Purchase Agreement) in accordance with the Applicable Note Agency Agreement.

A RTICLE 2

C OLLATERAL A GENT

Section  2.1. Appointment . Each of the Bank Security Agent (on behalf of each Bank Party) and each Note Security Agent (on behalf of, and as directed by, each Applicable Note Party) hereby (a) appoints Scotia Bank as Collateral Agent hereunder and authorizes Scotia Bank to act as Collateral Agent in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent to take such action on their behalf and to exercise such powers, rights and remedies hereunder as are specifically delegated or granted to the Collateral Agent by the terms hereof, together with such powers, rights and remedies as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Collateral Agent hereby agrees to act in its capacity as such upon the express terms and conditions contained herein. In performing its functions and duties hereunder, the Collateral Agent shall act solely as an agent of the Secured Parties. The Collateral Agent shall have only those duties and responsibilities that are expressly specified herein. The Collateral Agent may exercise such powers, rights and remedies and perform such duties by or through its agents or employees. The Collateral Agent shall not have, by reason hereof, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Secured Party, and nothing herein, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon the Collateral Agent any obligations in respect hereof except as expressly set forth herein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, no Security Agent shall be responsible for the payment of any fees, expenses or indemnities to the Collateral Agent or its successors or assigns.

Section  2.2. Delegation of Duties . The Collateral Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel (which may be counsel to the Company or any Secured Party) and other consultants or

 

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experts of its choice concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

Section  2.3. Exculpatory Provisions . (a) Neither the Collateral Agent nor any of its officers, partners, directors, employees or agents shall be liable to the Secured Parties for any action taken or omitted by the Collateral Agent under or in connection herewith except to the extent caused by the Collateral Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by the final non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction. The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to refrain from any act or the taking of any action (including the failure to take an action) in connection herewith or from the exercise of any power, discretion or authority vested in it hereunder unless and until the Collateral Agent shall have received instructions in respect thereof from the Security Agents and, upon receipt of such instructions, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to act or (where so instructed) refrain from acting, or to exercise such power, discretion or authority, in accordance with such instructions. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, (i) the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any communication, notice, instrument or document believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person or Persons, and shall be entitled to rely and shall be protected in relying on opinions and judgments of attorneys (who may be attorneys for the Company or any Secured Party), accountants, experts and other professional advisors selected by it; and (ii) no Secured Party shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Collateral Agent as a result of the Collateral Agent acting or (where so instructed) refraining from acting hereunder in accordance with the instructions of the Security Agents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Collateral Agent shall be under no obligation to take any action pursuant to any request or direction of any Security Agent entitled to give such request or instruction if the Collateral Agent shall receive conflicting direction from any other Security Agent to the extent entitled to give such request or instruction; provided that the Collateral Agent will follow the directions of the Security Agents.

(b) Beyond the exercise of reasonable care in the custody thereof and as otherwise specifically set forth herein, the Collateral Agent shall not have any duty as to any of the Collateral in its possession or control or in the possession or control of any agent or bailee thereof or any income thereon or as to preservation of rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining thereto and the Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for filing any financing or continuation statements or recording any documents or instruments in any public office at any time or times or otherwise perfecting or maintaining the perfection of any security interest in the Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall not be liable or responsible for any loss or diminution in the value of any of the Collateral.

(c) The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for (i) the existence, genuineness or value of any of the Collateral, (ii) the validity, perfection, priority or enforceability of the Liens in any of the Collateral, whether impaired by operation of law or by reason of any action or omission to act on its part hereunder, except to the extent such action or omission constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by the final non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, on the part of the Collateral Agent, (iii) the validity or sufficiency of the Collateral, (iv) the validity of the title of the Company to the Collateral, (v) insuring the Collateral, (vi) the payment of taxes, charges, assessments or Liens upon the Collateral, or (vii) the maintenance of the Collateral.

 

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Section  2.4. Notice of Default; Notice of Discharge of Secured Obligations . (a) The Collateral Agent shall be deemed not to have actual, constructive, direct or indirect, knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Event of Default unless the Collateral Agent has received written notice thereof from a Security Agent (i) referring to this Agreement, (ii) referring to the applicable document or documents governing such Event of Default, (iii) stating that an “Event of Default” has occurred thereunder, and (iv) stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder. In the event that the Collateral Agent receives such a written notice from a Security Agent, the Collateral Agent shall promptly send a copy thereof to each other Security Agent.

(b) The Collateral Agent shall be deemed not to have actual, constructive, direct or indirect, knowledge or notice that there has been a Discharge of Secured Obligations unless the Collateral Agent shall have received written notice from (i) the Bank Security Agent referring to this Agreement and certifying that there has been a Discharge of Bank Obligations, and (ii) each Note Security Agent referring to this Agreement and certifying that there has been a Discharge of Applicable Note Obligations. In the event that the Collateral Agent receives such a written notice from a Security Agent, the Collateral Agent shall give notice thereof to the other Security Agents.

Section  2.5. Non-Reliance on Collateral Agent and Other Secured Parties . (a) The Bank Security Agent (on behalf each Bank Party) and each Note Security Agent (on behalf of each Applicable Note Party): (i) expressly acknowledges that neither the Collateral Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the Collateral Agent hereinafter taken shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Collateral Agent to any such Person, and (ii) represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent that it has made its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the Company in connection with its decision to extend credit to the Company and that it has made and shall continue to make its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Company.

(b) The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible to any Secured Party for (i) the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectability or sufficiency hereof or of any other Financing Document, (ii) any representations, warranties, recitals or statements made herein or therein or made in any written or oral statements or in any financial or other statements, instruments, reports or certificates or any other documents furnished or made by or on behalf of the Company to any Secured Party, (iii) the financial condition or business affairs of the Company or any other Person liable for the payment of any Secured Obligations, (iv) except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth herein with respect to this Agreement, ascertaining or inquiring as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants or agreements contained in any of the Financing Documents or as to the existence or possible existence of any Event of Default, or making any disclosures with respect to the foregoing. Nothing in this Section 2.5(b) shall be construed to absolve the Collateral Agent for any liability arising out of any breach by it of any representation, warranty or covenant expressly made by it hereunder.

 

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Section  2.6. Collateral Agent in Individual Capacity . The agency hereby created shall in no way impair or affect any of the rights and powers of, or impose any duties or obligations upon, the Collateral Agent in its individual capacity as a Secured Party hereunder. With respect to Secured Obligations made or renewed by it or any of its Affiliates, the Collateral Agent and its respective Affiliates shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Financing Documents as any Secured Party, and may exercise the same as though the Collateral Agent was not the Collateral Agent, and the term “Secured Party” shall (to the extent applicable), unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include the Collateral Agent in its individual capacity.

Section  2.7. Successor Collateral Agent . (a) Scotia Bank may resign as the Collateral Agent upon 30 days’ prior written notice to each Security Agent. If Scotia Bank should resign as Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent shall appoint a successor agent at the direction of the Security Agents, whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Collateral Agent. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Collateral Agent by the date that is 30 days following Scotia Bank’s notice of resignation, Scotia Bank’s resignation shall nevertheless become effective upon written notice to that effect by Scotia Bank to each Security Agent.

(b) Scotia Bank may be removed (i) at any time, with or without cause, by the Security Agents, or (ii) if the Collateral Agent shall have breached any representation, warranty or covenant made by it hereunder in any material respect that shall not have been remedied by the Collateral Agent (each a “Cause Event” ), by any Security Agent. No such removal shall be effective unless and until a successor Collateral Agent shall have been appointed in accordance herewith and shall have accepted such appointment, provided that if a Cause Event shall have occurred and be continuing and any Security Agent shall seek to remove the Collateral Agent as such, each Security Agent agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to appoint a successor Collateral Agent in a timely manner, it being understood that, in connection therewith the Company (and not the Security Agents) will be liable for any fees, expenses and costs associated therewith.

(c) Effective upon any resignation by, or removal of, the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 2.7, the term “Collateral Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and acceptance, and Scotia Bank’s rights, powers and duties as Collateral Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of any of the parties to this Agreement or any Secured Party.

(d) After any Person’s resignation as the Collateral Agent, the provisions of this Article shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was a Collateral Agent under this Agreement.

Section  2.8. Funds Expended . Without prejudice to the rights provided to the Collateral Agent under any of the provisions of this Agreement, when the Collateral Agent incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of its agents and outside counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

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Section  2.9. No Risk of Funds . None of the provisions of this Agreement or the other Financing Documents shall be construed to require the Collateral Agent in its individual capacity to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or thereunder.

Section  2.10. Joinder Agreement . Upon receipt by the Collateral Agent of a written direction in the form of Exhibit E hereto signed by each Security Agent, the Collateral Agent shall execute and deliver the Joinder Agreement attached thereto.

A RTICLE 3

R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES

Section  3.1. Generally . Each party hereto represents and warrants:

(a) Such party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation and has all requisite powers and all authorizations and approvals required to carry on its business in all material respects as now conducted.

(b) The execution and delivery by such party of, and the performance by such party of its obligations under, this Agreement are within its powers, and have been duly authorized by all requisite action by such party. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such party, and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

(c) To the best knowledge of the officer executing this Agreement on behalf of such party, neither the execution and delivery by such party of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions herein, nor compliance with the terms, conditions and provisions hereof by such party will (a) conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any of such party’s formation documents, or (b) conflict with or contravene (i) any applicable law binding on such party, (ii) any contractual restriction binding on or affecting such party, or (iii) any order, writ, judgment, award, injunction or decree binding on or affecting such party.

Section  3.2. Bank Security Agent . The Bank Security Agent hereby represents and warrants that the Bank Security Agent has the power and authority to act hereunder on behalf of

 

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each Bank Party (the Bank Security Agent shall be deemed to have remade this representation and warranty on each date upon which the Bank Security Agent takes any action under, or accepts any payment made pursuant to, this Agreement). Annex A hereto contains a true, correct and complete copy of each Loan Document on and as of the date hereof.

Section  3.3. Note Security Agents . Each Note Security Agent hereby represents and warrants that such Note Security Agent has the power and authority to act hereunder on behalf of each Applicable Note Party (such Note Security Agent shall be deemed to have remade this representation and warranty on each date upon which such Note Security Agent takes any action under, or accepts any payment made pursuant to, this Agreement). Annex B hereto contains a true, correct and complete copy of each Existing 2013 Note Document on and as of the date hereof. Annex C hereto contains a true, correct and complete copy of each Existing 2015 Note Document on and as of the date hereof. Each Additional Note Security Agent hereby represents and warrants that, as of the date of the Applicable Joinder Agreement, a true, correct and complete copy of each of the following (each as defined in such Applicable Joinder Agreement) is attached to such Applicable Joinder Agreement: (a) the Additional Note Purchase Agreement, (b) the Additional Note Agency Agreement and (c) the Additional Note Security Agreement.

Section  3.4. Collateral Agent . The Collateral Agent hereby represents and warrants that Annex D-1 hereto contains a true, correct and complete copy of the Temporary Control Agreement, on and as of the date hereof and Annex D-2 contains a true, correct and complete copy of the Continuing Control Agreement, on and as of the date hereof.

A RTICLE 4

L IEN P RIORITIES ; C ERTAIN N OTICES ; C OLLATERAL L IQUIDATION

Section  4.1. Pari Passu . As among the Secured Parties, the Secured Obligations shall rank pari passu, and no Secured Party shall be entitled to any preferences or priority over any other Secured Party with respect to any Collateral and the Secured Parties shall share in the Collateral and all proceeds thereof in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Section  4.2. Prohibition on Contesting Liens . Each of the Bank Security Agent (on behalf of each Bank Party), each Note Security Agent (on behalf of each Applicable Note Party) and the Collateral Agent agrees that it will not (and hereby waives any right to) object to or contest, or support any other Person in objecting to or contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), (a) the priority, validity, extent, perfection or enforceability of a Lien held by or on behalf of any of the Secured Parties in the Collateral in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or (b) any or all of the provisions of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of the Collateral Agent, any Security Agent or any other Secured Party to enforce this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof.

Section  4.3. No New Liens . So long as the Discharge of Secured Obligations has not occurred, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by or

 

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against the Company, the parties hereto agree that no Secured Party shall accept from the Company any grant of any additional Lien on any property of the Company to secure any Secured Obligation, unless the Company has granted or concurrently grants a Lien on such property to secure all Secured Obligations on a pari passu basis.

Section  4.4. Notices . Each Security Agent agrees that in the event it shall send a Notice of Default, a Custody Liquidation Notice or an Other Liquidation Notice to the Collateral Agent, such Security Agent shall, simultaneously therewith, send a copy thereof to each other Security Agent, provided that the parties hereto agree that any failure by a Security Agent to do so shall not be a condition precedent to, or otherwise affect, the efficacy of any such Notice of Default, Custody Liquidation Notice or Other Liquidation Notice.

Section  4.5. Collateral Liquidation . In the course of liquidating the Collateral, each Security Agent shall act in a commercially reasonable manner and in good faith and, where practicable, in consultation and coordination with each other Security Agent for the purpose of managing the liquidation process in order to maximize liquidation proceeds in a timely manner. No Secured Party shall be permitted to credit bid all or any portion of its Secured Obligations in connection with any sale or other disposition of Collateral.

A RTICLE 5

C ONTROL A GREEMENTS

Section  5.1. Entry into Control Agreements . (a) The Existing 2013 Note Security Agent and the Existing 2015 Note Security Agent, on behalf of the Applicable Note Parties, and the Bank Security Agent, on behalf of the Bank Parties, hereby directs the Collateral Agent to enter into the Temporary Control Agreement, and agrees to and ratifies the Collateral Agent’s execution and delivery thereof.

(b) The Existing 2013 Note Security Agent and the Existing 2015 Note Security Agent, on behalf of the Applicable Note Parties, and the Bank Security Agent, on behalf of the Bank Parties, hereby directs the Collateral Agent to enter into the Continuing Control Agreement, and agrees to and ratifies the Collateral Agent’s execution and delivery thereof. By becoming a party hereto each Additional Note Security Agent, on behalf of the Applicable Note Parties, agrees to and ratifies the Collateral Agent’s execution and delivery of the Continuing Control Agreement.

Section  5.2. Information . (a) The Collateral Agent agrees that, promptly after receipt of any of the following from the Temporary Intermediary, it shall send a copy thereof to each Security Agent: (i) any statement provided pursuant to Section 4(c) of the Temporary Control Agreement, and (ii) any written notice pursuant to Section 10(b) or 10(c) of the Temporary Control Agreement. The Collateral Agent agrees that it shall provide to each Security Agent not less than three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice of any assignment by the Collateral Agent of all or any portion of its rights and obligations under the Temporary Control Agreement.

 

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(b) The Collateral Agent agrees that, promptly after receipt of any of the following from the Continuing Intermediary, it shall send a copy thereof to each Security Agent: (i) any statement provided pursuant to Article III Section 5 of the Continuing Control Agreement, (ii) any written notice provided pursuant to Article III Section 6 of the Continuing Control Agreement and (iii) any written notice pursuant to Article V Section 1 of the Continuing Control Agreement. The Collateral Agent agrees that it shall provide to each Security Agent not less than three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice of any assignment by the Collateral Agent of all or any portion of its rights and obligations under the Continuing Control Agreement.

Section  5.3. Notices . (a) The Collateral Agent agrees that it shall notify each Security Agent promptly after the Collateral Agent shall have become aware of any material breach by the Temporary Intermediary of its obligations under the Temporary Control Agreement.

(b) The Collateral Agent agrees that it shall notify each Security Agent promptly after the Collateral Agent shall have become aware of any material breach by the Continuing Intermediary of its obligations under the Continuing Control Agreement.

Section  5.4. Changes to Control Agreement . (a) Each party hereto agrees that the Collateral Agent shall not, without the consent of the Security Agents, (i) agree to amend the Temporary Control Agreement, (ii) agree to any termination by the Company of the Temporary Control Agreement pursuant to Section 10 thereof, or (iii) terminate the Temporary Control Agreement pursuant to Section 10 thereof unless either (x) it shall have provided not fewer than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice thereof to each Security Agent, or (y) the Collateral Agent has received a Transfer Completion Certificate.

(b) Each party hereto agrees that the Collateral Agent shall not, without the consent of the Security Agents, (i) agree to amend the Continuing Control Agreement, (ii) agree to any termination by the Company of the Continuing Control Agreement pursuant to Article V Section 1 thereof, or (iii) unless it shall have provided prior written notice thereof to each Security Agent, terminate the Continuing Control Agreement pursuant to Article V Section 1 thereof.

A RTICLE 6

C USTODY C OLLATERAL

Section  6.1. Notice of Exclusive Control . Until the Discharge of Secured Obligations, promptly after receipt by the Collateral Agent of a Notice of Default from any Security Agent, the Collateral Agent shall (a) deliver a copy of such Notice of Default to each other Security Agent, (b) deliver to the Continuing Intermediary a Notice of Exclusive Control under and as defined in the Continuing Control Agreement, and (c) in the event the Temporary Control Agreement is in effect at the time, a Notice of Exclusive Control under and as defined therein.

 

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Section  6.2. Custody Liquidation Notice. Until the Discharge of Secured Obligations, promptly after receipt by the Collateral Agent of a Custody Liquidation Notice from any Security Agent, the Collateral Agent shall (a) deliver a copy of such Custody Liquidation Notice to each other Security Agent, and (b) execute and, together with a copy of each Entitlement Order attached to such Collateral Liquidation Notice, deliver an Instruction Letter to each Intermediary (with a copy to each Security Agent).

A RTICLE 7

O THER C OLLATERAL

Section  7.1. Other Collateral. Pursuant to one or more of the Security Agreements, the Company may:

(a) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Collateral Agent promissory notes, tangible chattel paper and certificated securities (together with any necessary endorsements),

(b) with respect to one or more deposit accounts, either (i) cause the depositary bank to agree to comply (without further consent of the Company) at any time with instructions from the Collateral Agent to such depositary bank directing the disposition of funds from time to time credited to such deposit account, or (ii) arrange for the Collateral Agent to become the customer of the depositary bank with respect to the deposit account,

(c) with respect to uncertificated securities, either (i) cause the issuer thereof to agree to comply with instructions from the Collateral Agent as to such securities, or (ii) arrange for the Collateral Agent to become the registered owner of the securities,

(d) with respect to any Collateral held through a securities intermediary or a commodity intermediary (other than the Intermediary), either (i) cause such securities intermediary or (as the case may be) commodity intermediary to agree to comply at any time with Entitlement Orders from the Collateral Agent, or (ii) with respect to Collateral constituting securities entitlements, arrange for the Collateral Agent to become the entitlement holder with respect to such investment property,

(e) with respect to any Collateral held by a bailee, obtain the acknowledgement of such bailee that it holds such Collateral for the benefit of the Collateral Agent,

(f) with respect to any electronic chattel paper, electronic document or transferable record, vest in the Collateral Agent “control” thereof,

(g) with respect to any letter of credit either (i) arrange for the issuer and any confirmer of such letter of credit to consent to an assignment to the Collateral Agent of the proceeds of the letter of credit or (ii) arrange for the Collateral Agent to become the transferee beneficiary of the letter of credit, and

 

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(h) cause the Collateral Agent’s name to be noted as secured party on any certificate of title for a titled good,

subject to the terms and conditions herein contained, and for the purposes of perfecting and ensuring the priority of the security interests created by the Security Agreements, the Collateral Agent agrees to all of the foregoing set forth in this Section 7.1.

Section  7.2. Possessory Liquidation Notice . Until the Discharge of Secured Obligations, promptly after receipt by the Collateral Agent of an Other Liquidation Notice from any Security Agent, the Collateral Agent shall (a) deliver a copy of such Other Liquidation Notice to each other Security Agent, and (b) comply with all Delivery Instructions contained therein.

A RTICLE 8

D ISTRIBUTIONS

Section  8.1. Application of Proceeds . Each of the Collateral Agent, the Bank Security Agent (on behalf of itself and each Bank Party) and each Note Security Agent (on behalf of itself and each Applicable Note Party), hereby agrees that, regardless of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding which has been commenced by or against the Company, in the event that it shall have received any of the following payments, each such payment shall be paid over to the Collateral Agent and held by the Collateral Agent in the Collection Account for distribution pursuant to Section 8.2: (a) all Liquidation Payments, (b) all payments received by the Collateral Agent from any Intermediary, (c) all cash proceeds of any Collateral referred to in Section 7.1 received by the Collateral Agent, and (d) all Deemed Preference Payments.

Section  8.2. Distributions from Collection Account . The Collateral Agent shall, at its own election or upon the request of any Security Agent (but no more frequently than weekly unless otherwise agreed by the Collateral Agent), distribute all monies then held in the Collection Account in the following order ( provided that such monies shall not be so distributed under any distribution tier set forth below until such time as the amount of the Secured Obligations referred to in such distribution tier and all preceding distribution tiers has been determined in accordance with the terms hereof and under the terms of the relevant Financing Document, including and subject to Section 8.3):

first, to the payment of all fees, expenses and indemnities then due and payable by the Company to the Collateral Agent;

second, to the payment of all indemnities (other than any Make-whole Premium), out-of-pocket costs and expenses, and fees then due and payable by the Company pursuant to the terms of the Financing Documents to each Security Agent, pro rata based on the total amount thereof;

 

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third, to the payment of all indemnities (other than any Make-whole Premium) and out-of-pocket costs and expenses due and payable by the Company pursuant to the terms of the Financing Documents to each Secured Party (other than the Security Agents), pro rata based on the total amount thereof;

fourth, to the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest then due and owing in respect of the Loans and the Senior Notes, pro rata based on the total amount thereof;

fifth, to the payment of the outstanding principal balance of the Loans then due and owing and the outstanding principal balance of the Senior Notes then due and owing, pro rata based on the total amount thereof;

sixth, to the payment of any Make-whole Premium and fees then due and owing under the Loan Documents and the Note Documents, pro rata based on the total amount thereof;

seventh, to the payment of all other sums then due and owing under the Loan Documents and the Note Documents, pro rata based on the total amount thereof; and

last, to the Company or such other Person or Persons that may be lawfully entitled thereto.

Section  8.3. Secured Obligation Balances . (a) Upon the written request of any Agent, each Security Agent shall promptly (and, in any event, within five Business Days) give each other Agent written notice of the aggregate amount of the Secured Obligations then outstanding and owed by the Company to the Related Secured Parties of such Security Agent under the applicable Financing Documents and any other information that such Agent may reasonably request (including information reasonably necessary to allow such Agent to determine which distribution tier contained in Section 8.2 would be applicable to each such Secured Obligation).

(b) Without limiting the foregoing, upon receipt of any of the monies referred to in Section 8.1, the Collateral Agent shall promptly provide notice to each Security Agent of the receipt of such monies. Within 10 Business Days of the receipt of such notice, each Security Agent shall give the Collateral Agent written certification by an authorized officer or representative thereof of the aggregate amount of the Secured Obligations then due and owing by the Company to the Related Secured Parties of such Security Agent under the applicable Financing Documents (and, promptly upon receipt thereof, the Collateral Agent shall provide a copy of each such certification to each other Security Agent). Unless otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction or each Security Agent, the Collateral Agent shall use the information provided for in such notices as the basis for applying such monies in accordance with Section 8.2.

Section  8.4. Advances . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, during the continuance of any Event of Default, to the extent permitted by the applicable Financing Documents any Security Agent shall be entitled in its reasonable discretion to make payments or advances to the Collateral Agent for the purpose of protecting, preserving or defending the value of the Collateral, provided that any such payment or advance shall be deemed to constitute part of the Secured Obligations hereunder.

 

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Section  8.5. Further Assurances . If, in connection with the exercise by a Security Agent (the “Acting Security Agent” ) of its remedies under the Financing Documents in respect of the Collateral, including any sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of any such Collateral in connection with any judicial or non-judicial foreclosure or other similar liquidation or other realization (an “Exercise of Remedies” ), the Acting Security Agent, for itself and on behalf of its Related Secured Parties, releases the Liens created under its Financing Documents on any part of the Collateral, then the Liens, if any, of each other Security Agent (each an “Other Security Agent” ), for itself and for the benefit of its Related Secured Parties, on such Collateral, shall be automatically, unconditionally and simultaneously released and each Other Security Agent, for itself and its Related Secured Parties, promptly shall execute and deliver to the Acting Security Agent such termination statements, releases and other documents as the Acting Security Agent may reasonably request to effectively confirm such release.

A RTICLE 9

C HANGES TO F INANCING D OCUMENTS

Section  9.1. Amendments to Financing Documents; Etc. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained (but subject to Section 9.3), terms of the Secured Obligations and the Financing Documents may be amended, supplemented, renewed, extended or otherwise modified or Refinanced from time to time, and the aggregate amount of the Secured Obligations under the Financing Documents may be increased, in each event, without notice to or consent by any Secured Party that is not a party to such Financing Document and without affecting the provisions hereof, and the Lien priorities provided herein shall not be altered or otherwise affected by any such amendment, supplement, renewal, extension, or other modification or Refinancing, or any such increase.

Section  9.2. Other Matters . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained (but subject to Section 9.3), the Collateral Agent, the Bank Security Agent, each Note Security Agent and each other Secured Party and any of them may, at any time and from time to time in accordance with the applicable Financing Documents and/or applicable law, without the consent of or notice to any other Secured Party (to the extent no such consent or notice is otherwise required hereunder or thereunder), without incurring responsibility to any other Secured Party and without impairing or releasing the Lien priorities and other benefits provided in this Agreement, do one or more of the following:

(i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or change or extend the time of payment of, or amend, renew, exchange, increase or alter, the terms of any of the Secured Obligations or any Lien on any Collateral or guaranty thereof or any liability of the Company, or any liability incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof (including any increase in (pursuant to any incremental facilities under the Credit Agreement or otherwise) or extension of the Secured Obligations, without any restriction as to the tenor

 

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or terms of any such increase or extension) or otherwise amend, renew, exchange, extend, modify or supplement in any manner any Liens held by the Collateral Agent or any of the Secured Parties, the Secured Obligations or any of the Financing Documents;

(ii) deal with in any manner any liability of the Company to the Secured Parties to the extent such Person has the right to take and is not prohibited to take such action under the applicable Financing Documents;

(iii) settle or compromise any Secured Obligation or any other liability of the Company or any security therefor or any liability incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof and (subject to the requirements of Article 8) apply any sums by whomsoever paid and however realized to any liability (including the Secured Obligations) in any manner or order;

(iv) exercise or delay in or refrain from exercising any right or remedy against the Company or any security or any other Person, elect any remedy and otherwise deal freely with the Company, any Collateral and any guarantor or any liability of the Company to the Secured Parties or any liability incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof; and

(v) terminate any commitment it may have to extend credit to the Company, accelerate the maturity of any of its Secured Obligations, or demand payment from or institute legal action against the Company to obtain a judgment or other legal process in respect of its Secured Obligations.

Section  9.3. Limitations .

(a) Changes to Loan Documents . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the Bank Security Agent agrees, solely on behalf of each Bank Party (other than the Bank Security Agent), that the Loan Documents may not be amended, supplemented, renewed, extended or otherwise modified without the consent of each other Security Agent if the effect thereof would be to release any Collateral from the Lien of the Bank Security Agreement.

(b) Changes to Note Documents . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, each Note Security Agent agrees, solely on behalf of each Applicable Note Party (other than such Note Security Agent), that the Applicable Note Documents may not be amended, supplemented, renewed, extended or otherwise modified without the consent of each other Security Agent if the effect thereof would be to release any Collateral from the Lien of a Note Security Agreement.

(c) Liability . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, no Security Agent, in its capacity as such, shall have any liability for any breach by any other Person of Section 9.3(a) or Section 9.3(b).

(d) Notices; Certain Actions . So long as any Secured Obligation remains outstanding in respect of more than one class of Secured Parties, each Security Agent hereby agrees to give

 

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the Collateral Agent and each other Security Agent notice of (i) the occurrence of an Event of Default under any of the Financing Documents for which it acts as a Security Agent promptly after it shall become aware thereof, provided, however, that no Security Agent shall be liable for any failure to provide any such notice and no such failure shall limit or impair the rights of the Secured Parties hereunder or under the other Financing Documents, and (ii) the acceleration of the maturity of any Secured Obligations under any of the Financing Documents for which it acts as a Security Agent promptly after it shall become aware thereof, and setting forth the aggregate amount of Secured Obligations that have been so accelerated under such Financing Documents.

A RTICLE 10

I NSOLVENCY OR L IQUIDATION P ROCEEDINGS

Section  10.1. Avoidance Issues . If any Secured Party is required in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise to turn over or otherwise pay to the estate of the Company for any reason, including without limitation because it was found to be a fraudulent or preferential transfer, any amount paid in respect of the Secured Obligations (a “Recovery” ), whether received as proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of set-off or otherwise, then such Secured Obligations shall be automatically reinstated with respect to all such recovered amounts. In such event (a) the Discharge of Secured Obligations shall be deemed not to have occurred and (b) if this Agreement shall have been terminated prior to such Recovery, this Agreement shall be reinstated in full force and effect, and such prior termination shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligations of the parties hereto from such date of reinstatement.

Section  10.2. Effectiveness in Insolvency Proceedings . This Agreement shall be effective before, during and after the commencement of an Insolvency and Liquidation Proceeding.

A RTICLE 11

R ELIANCE ; W AIVERS ; E TC .

Section  11.1. Reliance . Other than any reliance on the terms of this Agreement, the Collateral Agent, the Bank Security Agent (on behalf of each Bank Party) and each Note Security Agent (on behalf of each Applicable Note Party, each of which has confirmed to such Note Security Agent that it has made such credit analysis on its own) acknowledges that it has, independently and based on documents and information deemed by it appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Financing Documents and be bound by the terms of this Agreement and it will continue to make its own credit decision in taking or not taking any action under the Financing Documents or this Agreement.

Section  11.2. No Warranties or Liability . The Collateral Agent, the Bank Security Agent (on behalf of each Bank Party), and each Note Security Agent (on behalf of each Applicable Note Party) acknowledges and agrees that no Secured Party has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality,

 

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completeness, collectability or enforceability of any of the Financing Documents, the ownership of any Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Secured Parties will be entitled to manage and supervise their respective loans, notes and extensions of credit under the Financing Documents in accordance with law and as they may otherwise, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate.

Section  11.3. No Waiver . No right of any Secured Party to enforce any provision of this Agreement or any Financing Document shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act by any other Secured Party, or by any noncompliance by any Person with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Agreement, either Control Agreement or any Financing Document, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any Secured Party may have or be otherwise charged with.

Section  11.4. Obligations Unconditional . All rights, interests, agreements and obligations of the Secured Parties, respectively, hereunder shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:

(a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Financing Documents;

(b) except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other terms of, all or any of the Secured Obligations or any amendment or waiver or other modification, including any increase in the amount thereof, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, of the terms of any Financing Document;

(c) except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, any exchange of any security interest in any Collateral or any other collateral, or any amendment, waiver or other modification, whether in writing or by course of conduct or otherwise, of all or any of the Secured Obligations or any guarantee thereof;

(d) the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of the Company; or

(e) any other circumstances which otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Company in respect of the Secured Obligations or any Secured Party.

A RTICLE 12

M ISCELLANEOUS

Section  12.1. Conflicts . In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any other Financing Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern and control.

 

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Section  12.2. Effectiveness; Continuing Nature of This Agreement; Severability . This Agreement shall become effective when executed and delivered by each of the parties hereto. The terms of this Agreement shall survive, and shall continue in full force and effect, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. Subject to the terms of this Agreement and the terms of any other Financing Document, the Secured Parties may continue, at any time and without notice to any other Secured Party, to extend credit and other financial accommodations and lend monies to or for the benefit of the Company constituting Secured Obligations in reliance hereon.

(b) Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. All references to the Company shall include the Company as debtor and debtor-in-possession and any receiver or trustee for the Company (as the case may be) in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

(c) Subject to Section 10.1 and any other Section hereof that, in accordance with its terms shall survive the expiration or other termination of this Agreement, this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect on the date of Discharge of Secured Obligations.

Section  12.3. Amendments; Waivers . (a) No amendment, modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed on behalf of each party hereto.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 12.3(a), the Company shall not have any right to consent to or approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement.

(c) Information Concerning Financial Condition of the Company . Each Secured Party shall be responsible for keeping itself informed of (a) the financial condition of the Company and all endorsers and/or guarantors of the Secured Obligations and (b) all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Secured Obligations. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in the applicable Financing Documents, no Secured Party shall have any duty to advise any other Secured Party of information known to it or them regarding such condition or any such circumstances or otherwise.

Section  12.4. Submission to Jurisdiction . (a) The Bank Security Agent (on behalf of each Bank Party), each Note Security Agent (on behalf of each Applicable Note Party), the Collateral Agent and the Company hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each such party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such State of New York or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. Each such party agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that any Secured Party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding against the Company or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

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(b) The Bank Security Agent (on behalf of each Bank Party), each Note Security Agent (on behalf of each Applicable Note Party), the Collateral Agent and the Company hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so (i) any objection 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 Section 12.4(a), and (ii) the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding.

(c) The Bank Security Agent (on behalf of each Bank Party), each Note Security Agent (on behalf of each Applicable Note Party), the Collateral Agent and the Company irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 12.5. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any Secured Party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

(d) W AIVER OF J URY T RIAL . T HE B ANK S ECURITY A GENT ( ON BEHALF OF EACH B ANK P ARTY ), EACH N OTE S ECURITY A GENT ( ON BEHALF OF EACH A PPLICABLE N OTE P ARTY ), THE C OLLATERAL A GENT AND THE C OMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS A GREEMENT OR ANY OTHER L OAN D OCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN .

Section  12.5. Notices . All notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by facsimile), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered or, in the case of electronic notice, when received, addressed to the parties hereto at the addresses set forth on the signature pages hereto (or, in the case of an Additional Note Security Agent, on its signature page of the Applicable Joinder Agreement) or at such other address as may be designated by any such party in a written notice to all of the other parties. Each party hereto may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

Section  12.6. A PPLICABLE L AW . T HIS A GREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY , AND CONSTRUED UNDER , THE L AWS O F T HE S TATE O F N EW Y ORK .

Section  12.7. Binding on Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon each of the parties hereto from time to time and the Secured Parties, and their respective successors and assigns.

Section  12.8. Headings . The Section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.

Section  12.9. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile or in

 

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portable document format by e-mail), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement or any document or instrument delivered in connection herewith by facsimile (or in portable document format by e-mail) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement or such other document or instrument, as applicable.

Section  12.10. No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement and the rights and benefits hereof shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties hereto and its respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of each of the Secured Parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the Company shall not be a third-party beneficiary (express, implied or otherwise) of this Agreement.

Section  12.11. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights . The provisions of this Agreement are for the purpose of defining the relative rights, benefits, privileges and immunities of the Secured Parties, respectively. Nothing in this Agreement shall impair the obligations of the Company, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay and perform the Secured Obligations as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms.

Section  12.12. Force Majeure . In no event shall the Collateral Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of any act or obligation hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, force majeure events beyond its control, including without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war, other military disturbances or terrorism, earthquakes, fire, flood, sabotage, epidemics, riots, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, labor disputes, acts of civil or military, authority and governmental action, or the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Board wire systems and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications facilities or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Collateral Agent shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

Section  12.13. Consequential Damages . Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall any of the parties hereto be liable under or in connection with this Agreement for indirect, special, exemplary, incidental, punitive or consequential losses or damages of any kind whatsoever, including but not limited to lost profits, whether or not foreseeable, even if such party has been advised of the possibility thereof and regardless of the form of action in which such damages are sought.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the parties hereto, intending this Agreement to take effect as a sealed instrument, have executed this Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

Address:

  

T HE B ANK O F N OVA S COTIA , not in its

40 King Street West, 55th Floor

  

individual capacity but solely as Bank Security

Toronto, ON

  

Agent

Canada M5H 1H1

     

Attn: Eli Mou

     

Tel: (416) 350-1178

  

By:                                                                       

  

Fax: (416) 350-1161

  

        Name:

  
  

        Title:

  

Address:

  

W ELLS F ARGO B ANK , N ATIONAL A SSOCIATION ,

Corporate Trust Services

  

not in its individual capacity but solely as

150 East 42nd Street

  

Existing 2013 Note Security Agent

40th Floor

     

New York, New York 10017

     

Fax: (917) 260-1593

  

By:                                                                       

  
  

        Name:

  
  

        Title:

  

Address:

  

T HE B ANK OF N EW Y ORK M ELLON , not in its

Corporate Trust Administration-Specialty

  

individual capacity but solely as Existing 2015

101 Barclay Street, 7E

  

Note Security Agent

New York, NY 10286

     

Fax: (732) 667-9221

     
  

By:                                                                       

  
  

        Name:

  
  

        Title:

  

Address:

  

T HE B ANK OF N OVA S COTIA , not in its

40 King Street West, 55th Floor

  

individual capacity but solely as Collateral

Toronto, ON

  

Agent

Canada M5H 1H1

     

Attn: Eli Mou

     

Tel: (416) 350-1178

  

By:                                                                       

  

Fax: (416) 350-1161

  

        Name:

  
  

        Title:

  

Signature Page to Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement - EMO


By signing below, the Company:

(a) acknowledges that the Bank Security Agent, each Note Security Agent and the Collateral Agent have entered into this Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement,

(b) agrees that it shall (i) promptly pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses of each Agent, including reasonable fees and disbursements of special counsel for each Agent, in connection with the preparation, negotiation and closing of this Agreement, any waiver or consent hereunder or any amendment hereof, (ii) indemnify each Agent against any transfer taxes, documentary taxes, assessments or charges made by any governmental authority by reason of the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and (iii) indemnify each Agent and each of their affiliates, officers, directors and employees (each, a “Covered Person” ) and hold each Covered Person harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including counsel fees and disbursements) and disbursements of any kind or nature (collectively, “Liabilities” ) which may be incurred by or asserted or awarded against such Covered Person, in each case arising out of or in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding (whether or not such Covered Person shall be designated a party thereto) relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the Control Agreements, provided that no Covered Person shall have the right to be indemnified hereunder for Liabilities that are determined in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Covered Person’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct; this paragraph shall survive the expiration or other termination of this Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement,

(c) agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement to the extent applicable to the Company including Section 2.7(b), Section 8.1, Section 12.4 and Section 12.6,

(d) agrees that notwithstanding Section 9.1 of this Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement, the Company shall give notice to each Security Agent of any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions of the Financing Documents, the Existing Custody Agreement and the New Custody Agreement, and copies of any related documentation,

(e) acknowledges that the Collateral under each Security Agreement is the same and will remain the same,

(f) agrees to send to each Security Agent each statement referred to in Section 4(c) of the Temporary Control Agreement and Article III Section 5 of the Continuing Control Agreement promptly after the same becomes available from any Intermediary,


(g) agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to appoint a replacement custodian within the 60-day period after the Company receives written notice from State Street Bank and Trust Company of its intention to terminate the Temporary Control Agreement unless the Temporary Control Agreement has been terminated pursuant to Section 10(c) of such agreement,

(h) agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to appoint a replacement custodian within the 60-day period after the Company receives written notice from The Bank of New York Mellon of its intention to terminate the Continuing Control Agreement, and

(i) represents and warrants that (x) Annex A hereto contains a true, correct and complete copy of each Loan Document on and as of the date hereof, (y) Annex B hereto contains a true, correct and complete copy of each Existing 2013 Note Document on and as of the date hereof and (z) Annex C hereto contains a true, correct and complete copy of each Existing 2015 Note Document on and as of the date hereof.

[signature page to acknowledgement follows]

 

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Acknowledgement to Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement.

 

C LEAR B RIDGE  E NERGY  MLP O PPORTUNITY  F UND   I NC .
By  

 

  Name:
  Its:

Signature Page to Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement - EMO


E XHIBIT A

[F ORM O F ]

C USTODY L IQUIDATION N OTICE

[L ETTERHEAD O F S ECURITY A GENT ]

[Date]

T HE B ANK O F N OVA S COTIA , as

    Collateral Agent

40 King Street West, 55th Floor

Toronto, ON

Canada M5H 1H1

Attn: Eli Mou

Fax: (416) 350-1161

 

Re:

C OLLATERAL A GENCY AND I NTERCREDITOR A GREEMENT , dated as of May 29, 2018, by and among T HE B ANK OF N OVA S COTIA , in its capacity as Bank Security Agent, W ELLS F ARGO B ANK , N ATIONAL A SSOCIATION , in its capacity as Existing 2013 Note Security Agent, T HE B ANK OF N EW Y ORK M ELLON , in its capacity as Existing 2015 Note Security Agent, each Additional Note Security Agent that may have become a party thereto, and T HE B ANK OF N OVA S COTIA , in its capacity as Collateral Agent (the “Intercreditor Agreement” ).

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Capitalized terms used herein and not herein defined have the meanings ascribed thereto pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement.

The undersigned hereby certifies that (a) it is [[the Bank] [a Note]] Security Agent under and pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement, and (b) is entitled to deliver this Custody Liquidation Notice to the Collateral Agent.


Pursuant to Section 6.2 of the Intercreditor Agreement, the undersigned hereby directs the Collateral Agent to (a) deliver a copy of hereof (together with all of the attachments hereto) to the other Security Agent, and (b) execute and deliver to each Intermediary an Instruction Letter attaching each of the Entitlement Orders attached hereto.

 

[                                  ], as [[the Bank] [a Note]] Security Agent
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[cc: other Security Agents]

 

-2-


E XHIBIT B

[F ORM O F ]

I NSTRUCTION L ETTER

[L ETTERHEAD O F C OLLATERAL A GENT ]

[Date]

[Name, capacity and address of

    Temporary Intermediary / Continuing Intermediary]

 

Re:

[Control Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Collateral Agent, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, in its capacity as custodian under that certain custody agreement referred to therein (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Temporary Control Agreement” )] / [Control Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Collateral Agent, and The Bank of New York Mellon, in its capacity as custodian under that certain custody agreement referred to therein (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Continuing Control Agreement” ).

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Capitalized terms used herein and not herein defined have the meanings ascribed thereto pursuant to the [Temporary/Continuing] Control Agreement.

Pursuant to the [Temporary/Continuing] Control Agreement, the undersigned hereby orders, instructs and otherwise directs [Temporary Intermediary/Continuing Intermediary] to honor and otherwise comply with each [instruction (within the meaning of Section 9-104(a)(2) of the UCC), entitlement order (within the meaning of Section 8-106(d)(2)of the UCC), and direction to apply any value (within the meaning of Section 9-106(b)(2) of the UCC)] attached hereto.

 

T HE  B ANK   OF  N OVA   S COTIA , as Collateral Agent

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


E XHIBIT C

[F ORM O F ]

O THER L IQUIDATION N OTICE

[L ETTERHEAD O F S ECURITY A GENT ]

[Date]

T HE B ANK OF N OVA S COTIA , as

    Collateral Agent

 

40 King Street West, 55th Floor

Toronto, ON

Canada M5H 1H1

Attn: Eli Mou

Fax: (416) 350-1161

 

Re:

C OLLATERAL A GENCY A ND I NTERCREDITOR A GREEMENT , dated as of May 29, 2018, by and among T HE B ANK OF N OVA S COTIA , in its capacity as Bank Security Agent, W ELLS F ARGO B ANK , N ATIONAL A SSOCIATION , in its capacity as Existing 2013 Note Security Agent, T HE B ANK OF N EW Y ORK M ELLON , in its capacity as Existing 2015 Note Security Agent, each Additional Note Security Agent that may have become a party thereto, and T HE B ANK OF N OVA S COTIA , in its capacity as Collateral Agent (the “Intercreditor Agreement” ).

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Capitalized terms used herein and not herein defined have the meanings ascribed thereto pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement.

The undersigned hereby certifies that (a) it is [[the Bank] [a Note]] Security Agent under and pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement, and (b) it is entitled to deliver this Other Liquidation Notice to the Collateral Agent.

Pursuant to Section 7.2 of the Intercreditor Agreement, the undersigned hereby directs the Collateral Agent to comply with each of the following Delivery Instructions:                              .


[                                  ], as [[the Bank] [a Note]] Security Agent
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[cc: other Security Agents]

 

-2-


E XHIBIT D

[F ORM O F ]

J OINDER A GREEMENT

[Date]

T HE B ANK OF N OVA S COTIA , as

    Collateral Agent

40 King Street West, 55th Floor

Toronto, ON

Canada M5H 1H1

Attn: Eli Mou

Fax: (416) 350-1161

 

Re:

C OLLATERAL A GENCY AND I NTERCREDITOR A GREEMENT , dated as of May 29, 2018, by and among T HE B ANK OF N OVA S COTIA , in its capacity as Bank Security Agent, W ELLS F ARGO B ANK , N ATIONAL A SSOCIATION , in its capacity as Existing 2013 Note Security Agent, T HE B ANK OF N EW Y ORK M ELLON , in its capacity as Existing 2015 Note Security Agent, each Additional Note Security Agent that may have become a party thereto, and T HE B ANK OF N OVA S COTIA , in its capacity as Collateral Agent (the “Intercreditor Agreement” ).

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Capitalized terms used herein and not herein defined have the meanings ascribed thereto pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement. The Intercreditor Agreement relates to certain indebtedness of C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .

By signing below, the Company represents and warrants that (a) immediately before and after giving effect to the issuance by the Company of the senior notes referred to on Attachment A hereto (the “Additional Senior Notes” ) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) Attachment B hereto is a true, correct and complete copy of the Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Additional Senior Notes were issued (the “Additional Note Purchase Agreement” ), and (c) Attachment C hereto is a true, correct and complete copy of the Security Agreement securing the obligations of the Company in respect of the Additional Senior Notes (the “Additional Note Security Agreement” ).

By signing below,                              (a) represents and warrants that it has been duly appointed as security agent (in such capacity, the “Additional Note Security Agent” ) for the Noteholders of the Additional Senior Notes pursuant to an agency agreement dated on or about the date hereof, a true, correct and complete copy of which is attached hereto as Attachment D (the “Additional Note Agency Agreement” ), and (b) agrees to observe and perform all of its obligations as an Additional Note Security Agent under and pursuant to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.


For purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement, (a) the Additional Senior Notes constitute “Additional Senior Notes,” (b) the Additional Note Purchase Agreement constitutes an “Additional Note Purchase Agreement,” (c) the Additional Note Security Agent is an “Additional Note Security Agent,” and (d) the Additional Note Agency Agreement constitutes an “Additional Note Agency Agreement.”

By signing below, the Additional Note Security Agent represents and warrants that immediately after giving effect to this Joinder Agreement, all of the representations and warranties made by the Additional Note Security Agent in the Intercreditor Agreement are true and correct on and as of the date hereof.

 

  

C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .

  

By:                                                                                  

  

       Name:

  

       Title:

Address:

  

[                                       ], as Additional Note Security Agent

                                            
                                            
                                            
  

By:                                                                                  

  

       Name:

  

       Title:

Acknowledged and agreed:

  

[                                       ], as Collateral Agent

  

By:                                                                                  

  

       Name:

  

       Title:

  


A TTACHMENT A TO J OINDER A GREEMENT

L IST OF A DDITIONAL S ENIOR N OTES


A TTACHMENT B TO J OINDER A GREEMENT

[A DDITIONAL N OTE P URCHASE A GREEMENT ]


A TTACHMENT C TO J OINDER A GREEMENT

[A DDITIONAL N OTE S ECURITY A GREEMENT ]


A TTACHMENT D TO J OINDER A GREEMENT

[A DDITIONAL N OTE A GENCY A GREEMENT ]


E XHIBIT E

[F ORM OF ]

D IRECTION

Reference is made to that certain Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, by and among The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Bank Security Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Existing 2013 Note Security Agent, The Bank of New York Mellon, as Existing 2015 Note Security Agent, each Additional Note Security Agent that may become a party thereto from time to time, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Collateral Agent (as the same may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement” ). Capitalized terms used herein and not herein defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 2.10 of the Intercreditor Agreement, each of the undersigned hereby directs the Collateral Agent to execute and deliver the Joinder Agreement in the form attached hereto.

 

T HE B ANK OF N OVA S COTIA , not in its   [O THER S ECURITY A GENT
individual capacity but solely as Bank    
Security Agent    
    By:  

 

      Name:
By:  

 

    Title:]
  Name:    
  Title:    
W ELLS F ARGO B ANK , N ATIONAL    

A SSOCIATION , not in its individual capacity

but solely as Existing 2013 Note Security

   
Agent    
By:  

 

   
  Name:    
  Title:    

T HE B ANK OF N EW Y ORK M ELLON , not in its

individual capacity but solely as Existing

2015 Note Security Agent

   
By:  

 

   
  Name:    
  Title:    


E XHIBIT F

[F ORM OF ]

T RANSFER C OMPLETION C ERTIFICATE

Reference is made to that certain Collateral Agency and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, by and among The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Bank Security Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Existing 2013 Note Security Agent, The Bank of New York Mellon, as Existing 2015 Note Security Agent, each Additional Note Security Agent that may become a party thereto from time to time, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Collateral Agent (as the same may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement” ). Capitalized terms used herein and not herein defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement.

The Company hereby certifies to the Collateral Agent that all of the assets and other property of the Company held by State Street Bank and Trust Company pursuant to the Existing Custody Agreement have been transferred to The Bank of New York Mellon as custodian under the New Custody Agreement.

 

C LEAR B RIDGE E NERGY MLP O PPORTUNITY F UND I NC .

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


A NNEX A

[A TTACH C OPY OF E ACH L OAN D OCUMENT ]


A NNEX B

[A TTACH C OPY OF E ACH E XISTING 2013 N OTE D OCUMENT ]


A NNEX C

[A TTACH C OPY OF E ACH E XISTING 2015 N OTE D OCUMENT ]


A NNEX D-1

[A TTACH C OPY OF THE T EMPORARY C ONTROL A GREEMENT ]


A NNEX D-2

[A TTACH C OPY OF THE C ONTINUING C ONTROL A GREEMENT ]


CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

EXHIBIT O

FORM OF PREFERRED STOCK SUPPLEMENT

PREFERRED STOCK SUPPLEMENT NO.      , dated as of              , to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2018, among ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation, the Lenders party thereto, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Administrative Agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”). Each term that is defined in the Credit Agreement and not herein defined has the meaning ascribed thereto by the Credit Agreement when used herein.

1.        This is Preferred Stock Supplement No.      .

2.        “ New Articles Supplementary ” means the document a copy of which is attached hereto as Annex I .

3.        “Designated Section(s)” means the following Section(s) of the New Articles Supplementary:                      .

4.        “ New Preferred Stock ” means [include a description] , in each case issued pursuant to the New Articles Supplementary and the New Securities Purchase Agreement.

5.        “ New Securities Purchase Agreement ” means the document a copy of which is attached hereto as Annex II .

6.        If the New Articles Supplementary refer therein to “Rating Agency Guidelines”, then such term means the guidelines a copy of which is attached hereto as Annex III .

[ the remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank ]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto duly executed this Preferred Stock Supplement No.      as of the day and year first above written.

 

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

Acknowledged and agreed to:
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA , as
Administrative Agent
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title: