UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 7, 2016

CARDINAL ETHANOL, LLC
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
 
Indiana
000-53036
20-2327916
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
1554 N. County Road 600 E, Union City, IN
47390
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
(765)-964-3137
(Issuer's telephone number)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):

o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
        
On September 7, 2016, Cardinal Ethanol, LLC ("Cardinal") and its primary lender, First National Bank of Omaha, executed an Eighth Amendment of First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement to be effective as of July 31, 2016, which amends the First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement dated June 10, 2013 (the "Amendment"). In connection therewith, Cardinal also executed a Third Amended and Restated Declining Revolving Credit Note (the "Declining Note"), a Term Note (the "Term Note") and a Second Amendment of First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Mortgage, Security Agreement, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Financing Statement.

The Amendment converts $15,000,000 of the principal balance on the Declining Note, which was used for construction advances, to amortizing term debt and reduces the availability of the Declining Note from $20,000,000 to $5,000,000 with such amount to be available for working capital purposes. Pursuant to the Amendment, the interest rate on the Term Note is the 3-month LIBOR plus two hundred ninety basis points. The Amendment provides for monthly installment payments of $282,719.15 commencing on September 1, 2016, with a final maturity date of February 28, 2021.
    
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(a)
None.

(b)
None.

(c)
None.

(d)
Exhibits

Exhibit No.              Description

99.1        FNBO Cardinal Second Amended Mortgage
99.2        FNBO Cardinal Term Note
99.3        FNBO Cardinal Third Amended Declining Revolving Credit Note
99.4        FNBO Cardinal Eighth Amendment of Amended Loan Agreement

SIGNATURES

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

 
CARDINAL ETHANOL, LLC
 
 
Date: September  9, 2016
/s/ William Dartt
 
William Dartt, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
(Principal Financial Officer)










    








[CROSS REFERENCE INSTRUMENT NUMBERS 20066145 AND 20132845]

SECOND AMENDMENT OF FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED CONSTRUCTION LOAN MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS AND FIXTURE FINANCING STATEMENT


This SECOND AMENDMENT OF FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED CONSTRUCTION LOAN MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS AND FIXTURE FINANCING STATEMENT (this “Amendment”) is dated as of July 31, 2016, is by and between CARDINAL ETHANOL, LLC (“Mortgagor”), an Indiana limited liability company whose address is 1554 North 600 E, Union City, Indiana 47390 and FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OMAHA, a national banking association (“Mortgagee”), whose address is 1620 Dodge St., Stop 1029, Omaha, Nebraska 68197, Attention: Brad Brummund and amends that certain First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Mortgage, Security Agreement, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Financing Statement dated June 10, 2013 (as amended, the "Mortgage") to and for the benefit of Mortgagee, encumbering certain property in Randolph County, Indiana legally described on Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof, which Mortgage was recorded with the Randolph County Recorder on June 11, 2013 as Instrument #20132845 and which Mortgage was amended by that certain First Amendment of First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Mortgage, Security Agreement, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Financing Statement dated July 23, 2015 and recorded August 12, 2015 as Instrument #20152956.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Mortgagor and Mortgagee have entered into an Eighth Amendment of First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement dated of even date herewith (the “Amendment”) which amends that certain First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement dated June 10, 2013 (as amended, the "Loan Agreement") and extends the Term Loan to Borrower in the principal amount of $15,000,000;


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WHEREAS, Mortgagor executed the Mortgage to secure the Obligations (as defined in the Mortgage), which included, without limitation, the repayment of Loans under the Loan Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Mortgagor and Mortgagee desire to include the Term Loan as an Obligation secured by the Mortgage.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of Ten Dollars ($10.00) and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. Each of the recitals set forth above are incorporated herein as if set forth verbatim.

2. The term “Mortgage”, as defined in the Mortgage, shall be deemed to mean the Mortgage as amended by this Amendment, as the same may be hereafter further amended, supplemented, restated or modified from time to time. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Loan Agreement.

3. The first sentence of Recital A of the Mortgage is hereby amended by inserting new subsection (v) after the end of subsection (iv) after the clause “between Mortgagor and Mortgagee” as follows: “and (v) a Term Loan in the principal amount of $15,000,000.00”. The defined terms “Loans” and “Obligations” in the Mortgage are hereby amended to include the Term Loan.

4. The Mortgage, as amended by this Amendment, shall remain in full force and effect as originally executed and delivered by Mortgagor, except as expressly modified and amended herein. Mortgagor hereby confirms and reaffirms all of its obligations under the Mortgage, as modified and amended by this Amendment.

5. In the event any provision of this Amendment shall be held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not invalidate or render unenforceable any other provision hereof.

6. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all of the parties hereto had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one instrument.



[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Mortgagor and Mortgagee have executed and delivered this Amendment as of the date first written above.

IMPORTANT: READ BEFORE SIGNING. THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BECAUSE ONLY THOSE TERMS IN WRITING ARE ENFORCEABLE. NO OTHER TERMS OR ORAL PROMISES NOT CONTAINED IN THIS WRITTEN CONTRACT MAY BE LEGALLY ENFORCED. YOU MAY CHANGE THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT ONLY BY ANOTHER WRITTEN AGREEMENT.

MORTGAGOR:

CARDINAL ETHANOL, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company


By:
/s/ William Dartt                    

Title:
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer        


FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OMAHA


By:
/s/ Chris Kalokowski                

Title:
Vice President                    


Prepared by and after recording return to:

James M. Pfeffer
Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP
8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300
Omaha, Nebraska 68114

I affirm, under penalties for perjury that I have taken reasonable care to redact each Social Security Number in this document, unless required by law.

__________________________
James M. Pfeffer

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CERTIFICATE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT

STATE OF INDIANA            )
) ss.
COUNTY OF RANDOLPH        )

Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the county aforesaid, on this 31 st day of July, 2016, personally appeared September 2, 2016         , to me known personally, and who, being by me duly sworn, deposes and says that he is the          CFO         of CARDINAL ETHANOL, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company, and that said instrument was signed on behalf of said limited liability company by authority of its board of directors and members, and said officer acknowledged said instrument to be the free act and deed of said limited liability company.



                        
/s/ Jacqueline Suzanne Peed            
Notary Public
My commission expires:

Sept. 11, 2022            

My County of Residence: Randolph    



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CERTIFICATE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT

STATE OF NEBRASKA        )
) ss.
COUNTY OF DOUGLAS        )

Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the county aforesaid, on this 31 st day of July, 2016, personally appeared Christopher Kalkowski , to me known personally, and who, being by me duly sworn, deposes and says that he is a Vice President         of First National Bank of Omaha, a national banking association, and that said instrument was signed on behalf of said association by authority of its board of directors, and said officer         acknowledged said instrument to be the free act and deed of said association.



                        
/s/ Catherine A. Kienow            
Notary Public
My commission expires:

September 8, 2016        

My County of Residence: Sarpy            








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EXHIBIT A

LEGAL DESCRIPTION


Tract I, containing 207.623 acres

Situated in the Northeast and Southeast Quarters, both being in Section 17, Township 20 North, Range 15 East, Wayne Township, Randolph County, Indiana, being more particularly described as follows:

Beginning at a mag nail found at the southeast corner of the Southeast Quarter in Indiana State Highway No. 32;

Thence North 89°50’43” West 1993.12 feet (bearing base established from State Plan Coordinates) along the south line of said Southeast Quarter, Indiana State Highway No. 32, to a mag nail set, witness an iron rod set North 00°09’17” East 30.00 feet (all iron rods set are 5/8” rebar with plastic cap stamped “RLS 20400025”);

Thence North 00°09’17” East 332.46 feet, to an iron rod set;

Thence North 89°50’43” West 298.90 feet, to an iron rod set;

Thence South 00°09’17” West 332.46 feet, to a mag nail set on the south line of said Southeast Quarter, witness an iron rod set North 00°09’17” East 30.00 feet;

Thence North 89°50’43” West 502.27 feet, along said south line, in said highway, to a mag nail found at said southwest corner of said Southeast Quarter, witness a concrete post found North 01°31’35” East 30.52 feet;

Thence North 01°31’35” East 2649.53 feet along the west line of said Southeast Quarter, to an iron rod set at the northwest corner of said Quarter (all iron rods set are 5/8” rebar with plastic cap stamped “RLS 20400025”);

Thence North 01°31’35” East 378.81 feet along the west line of said Northeast Quarter, to an iron rod set on the south right-of-way of the New York Central Lines Railroad;


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Thence North 77°15’15” East 2775.43 feet along said south right-of-way, to a mag nail set on the east line of said Northeast Quarter, in Randolph County Road 600 East, witness a concrete end post found South 77°15’15” West 21.33 feet;

Thence South 00°40’05” West 1012.22 feet along the east line of said Northeast Quarter, in said County Road to an iron rod found at the southeast corner of said Northeast Quarter;

Thence South 00°23’58” West 2635.04 feet along the east line of said Southeast Quarter, in said road, to the point of beginning, containing 207.623 acres, more or less, there being 43.128 acres, more or less, in the Northeast Quarter and 164.495 acres, more or less, in the Southeast Quarter.






Tract II, containing 87.598 acres

Situated in the Northwest and Southwest Quarters, both in Section 17, Township 20 North, Range 15 East, Wayne Township, Randolph County, Indiana, being more particularly described as follows:

Beginning at a mag nail found at the southeast corner of the Southwest Quarter, in Indiana State Highway No.32, witness a concrete end post found North 01°31’35” East 30.52 feet;

Thence North 89°42’11” West 1320.67 feet (bearing base established from State Plan Coordinates) along the south line of said Southwest Quarter, in said State Highway, to a mag nail set at the Southeast corner of a 63.39 acre tract as recorded in Instrument 0002247, witness a concrete end post found North 01°12’42” East 30.49 feet;

Thence North 01°12’42” East 2652.77 feet along the east line of said 63.39 acre tract, to an iron rod set on the North line of said Southwest Quarter;

Thence North 01°12’42” East 64.26 feet, entering into the Northwest Quarter, to an iron rod set on the south right-of-way of the New York Central Lines Railroad (all iron rods set with plastic cap stamped 7955);

Thence North 77°15’15” East 1377.82 feet along said right-of-way, to an iron rod set on the east line of said Northwest Quarter;

Thence South 01°31’35” West 378.81 feet along the east line of said Northwest Quarter, to an iron rod set at the southeast corner of said Quarter;


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Thence South 01°31’35” West 2649.53 feet along the east line of said Southwest Quarter, to the point of beginning, containing 87.598 acres, more or less, there being 80.807 acres, more or less, in the Southwest Quarter and 6.791 acres, more or less, in the Northwest Quarter.


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TERM NOTE
$15,000,000.00                                          July 31, 2016
For value received, the undersigned, CARDINAL ETHANOL, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company (the " Borrower "), promises to pay to the order of FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OMAHA (the " Lender "; which term shall include any subsequent holder hereof), in lawful money of the United States of America, at such address as is required by the Lender, the principal sum of Fifteen Million and 00/100 Dollars ($15,000,000.00), or, if different, the principal amount outstanding under Section 2.01(a)(v) of the Credit Agreement referred to below.
This Term Note (the " Note ") is the Term Note referred to in, is issued pursuant to, and is subject to the terms and conditions of, the First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement, dated June 10, 2013 between the Borrower and the Lender (as the same may be amended, renewed, restated, replaced, consolidated or otherwise modified from time to time (the " Credit Agreement ")). To the extent of any conflict between the terms and conditions of this Note and the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement shall prevail and govern. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Note have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Interest shall accrue on the outstanding principal balance of this Note as provided in the Credit Agreement. Principal, interest and all other amounts, if any, payable in respect of this Note shall be payable as provided in the Credit Agreement.
The termination of the Credit Agreement or the occurrence of an Event of Default shall entitle the Lender, consistent with the terms of the Credit Agreement, to declare the then outstanding principal balance hereof, all accrued interest thereon, and all other amounts, if any, payable in respect of this Note to be, and the same shall thereupon become, immediately due and payable without notice to or demand on the Borrower, all of which the Borrower waives.
Time is of the essence with respect to this Note. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower, for itself and its successors and assigns, waives presentment, demand, protest, notice of dishonor, and any and all other notices, demands and consents in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note, and consents to any extensions of time, renewals, releases of any parties to or guarantors of this Note, waivers and any other modifications that may be granted or consented to by the Lender from time to time in respect of the time of payment or any other provision of this Note.
This Note shall be governed by the laws of the State of Nebraska, without regard to any choice of law rule thereof giving effect to the laws of any other jurisdiction.

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

CARDINAL ETHANOL, LLC


By:      /s/ William Dartt            
Title      Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer




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THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLINING REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
$5,000,000.00                                          July 31, 2016
For value received, the undersigned, CARDINAL ETHANOL, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company (the " Borrower "), promises to pay to the order of FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OMAHA (the " Lender "; which term shall include any subsequent holder hereof), in lawful money of the United States of America, at such address as is required by the Lender, the principal sum of Five Million and 00/100 Dollars ($5,000,000.00), or, if different, the principal amount outstanding under Section 2.01(a)(ii) of the Credit Agreement referred to below.
This Third Amended and Restated Declining Revolving Credit Note (the " Note ") is the Declining Revolving Credit Note referred to in, is issued pursuant to, and is subject to the terms and conditions of, the First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement, dated June 10, 2013 between the Borrower and the Lender (as the same may be amended, renewed, restated, replaced, consolidated or otherwise modified from time to time (the " Credit Agreement ")). To the extent of any conflict between the terms and conditions of this Note and the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement shall prevail and govern. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Note have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement. This Note amends and restates that certain Second Amended and Restated Declining Revolving Credit Note dated July 23, 2015 executed and delivered by the Borrower in favor of the Lender, but is not a novation thereof.
Borrower may request advances on this Note as provided for in the Credit Agreement. Interest shall accrue on the outstanding principal balance of this Note as provided in the Credit Agreement. Principal, interest and all other amounts, if any, payable in respect of this Note shall be payable as provided in the Credit Agreement.
The termination of the Credit Agreement or the occurrence of an Event of Default shall entitle the Lender, consistent with the terms of the Credit Agreement, to declare the then outstanding principal balance hereof, all accrued interest thereon, and all other amounts, if any, payable in respect of this Note to be, and the same shall thereupon become, immediately due and payable without notice to or demand on the Borrower, all of which the Borrower waives.
Time is of the essence with respect to this Note. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower, for itself and its successors and assigns, waives presentment, demand, protest, notice of dishonor, and any and all other notices, demands and consents in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note, and consents to any extensions of time, renewals, releases of any parties to or guarantors of this Note, waivers and any other modifications that may be granted or consented to by the Lender from time to time in respect of the time of payment or any other provision of this Note.
This Note shall be governed by the laws of the State of Nebraska, without regard to any choice of law rule thereof giving effect to the laws of any other jurisdiction.

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

CARDINAL ETHANOL, LLC


By:      /s/ William Dartt            
Title      Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer




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EIGHTH AMENDMENT OF
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED CONSTRUCTION LOAN AGREEMENT


THIS EIGHTH AMENDMENT OF FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED CONSTRUCTION LOAN AGREEMENT (“Amendment”) is made this 31 st day of July, 2016 between FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OMAHA, a national banking association ("Lender") and CARDINAL ETHANOL, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company (“Borrower”). This Amendment amends that certain First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement dated June 10, 2013 between Lender and Borrower (as amended, the "Loan Agreement”).

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Lender extended the Loans described in the Loan Agreement to Borrower;

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain First Amendment of First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement dated October 8, 2013, the date on which the Declining Revolving Credit Loan began to revolve was amended from April 8, 2014 to October 8, 2013, the Maximum Availability of the Declining Revolving Credit Loan was modified and the Loan Agreement was otherwise modified as provided for therein;

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Second Amendment of First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement dated February 27, 2014, the Maximum Availability of the Declining Revolving Credit Loan was fixed at $5,000,000, the Reduction Dates applicable to the Declining Revolving Credit Loan were deleted, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio covenant was deleted, the distribution covenant was deleted, the Termination Date of the Revolving Credit Loan was extended to February 28, 2015 and the Loan Agreement was otherwise amended as provided for therein; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Third Amendment of First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement dated February 28, 2015, the Termination Date of the Revolving Credit Loan was extended to March 31, 2015;

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Fourth Amendment of First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement dated March 31, 2015, the Termination Date of the Revolving Credit Loan was extended to February 28, 2016 and the interest rate and Non-Use Fee applicable to the Revolving Credit Loan were modified;

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Fifth Amendment of First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement dated July 23, 2015 (the “Fifth Amendment”), the maximum principal amount of the Declining Revolving Credit Loan was increased to finance the Improvements and permit Construction Advances up to May 31, 2016 to fund such Improvements, the Termination Date of the Declining Revolving Credit Loan was extended to February 28, 2021, the interest rate applicable to the Declining Revolving Credit Loan was modified, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio was modified, the Capital

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Expenditures covenant was modified and the Loan Agreement was otherwise amended as provided for therein;

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Sixth Amendment of First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement dated February 28, 2016, the Termination Date
of the Revolving Credit Loan was extended to February 28, 2017;

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Seventh Amendment of First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement dated May 6, 2016, the Completion Date was extended to July 31, 2016, the definition of Permitted Liens was modified and the Loan Agreement was otherwise amended as provided for therein;

WHEREAS, the Project described in the Fifth Amendment has achieved Substantial Completion and the parties desire to convert the Construction Advances to amortizing term debt and reduce the maximum principal amount of the Declining Revolving Credit to Loan to $5,000,000, all as contemplated in the Fifth Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the amendments of the Loan Agreement set forth below, the mutual covenants herein and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree to amend the Loan Agreement as follows:

1.    Capitalized terms used in this Amendment which are defined in the Loan Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement, as such definitions may be amended by this Amendment.

2.    The fourth Recital to the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the reference to $20,000,000.00 as the principal amount of the Declining Revolving Credit Loan and inserting in lieu thereof $5,000,000.00 and inserting the following at the end of such fourth Recital: “and a term loan in the principal amount of $15,000,000 (the “Term Loan”). All references in the Loan Agreement and other Loan Documents to the principal amount of the Declining Revolving Credit Loan are hereby amended to $5,000,000.00. The parties agree that from and after the date of this Amendment, Borrower may only request, and Lender will only fund, Working Capital Advances on
the Declining Revolving Credit Loan.

3.    To further evidence the decrease in the principal amount of the Declining Revolving Credit Loan and modifications to the Declining Revolving Credit Loan provided for in this Amendment, Borrower will execute in favor of and deliver to Lender a Third Amended and Restated Declining Revolving Credit Note. The definition of the term “Declining Revolving Credit Note” in the Loan Agreement is hereby amended to refer to and mean such Third Amended and Restated Declining Revolving Credit Note.

4.    To evidence the Term Loan, Borrower will execute in favor of and deliver to Lender a Term Note.


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5.    Exhibit A of the Loan Agreement referencing the Commitments is hereby deleted in its entirety and the Exhibit A attached to this Amendment is inserted in lieu thereof.

6.    The definition of Applicable Margin in Section 1.01 of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following is inserted in lieu thereof:

Applicable Margin ” means, at any date, (a) in the case of the Revolving Credit Loan Advances, 2.9%, (b) in the case of Declining Revolving Credit Loans, 2.9%, (c) in the case of the Term Loan, 2.9% and (d) in the case of the Non-Use Fee, 0.25%.

7.    The definition of the term LIBOR Rate in Section 1.01 of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following is inserted in lieu thereof:

LIBOR Rate ” means the London Interbank Offered Rate for U.S. Dollar deposits published in The Wall Street Journal as the Three (3) Month LIBOR
Rate with respect to the Declining Revolving Credit Loan and Term Loan and as the One (1) Month LIBOR Rate with respect to the Revolving Credit Loan. The LIBOR Rate will be adjusted and determined without notice to the Borrower as set forth herein, as of the date of the Revolving Credit Note, Term Note and Declining Revolving Credit Note, and on the first (1st) day of every third calendar month thereafter with respect to the Declining Revolving Credit Note and Term Note and on the first day of each calendar month thereafter with respect to the Revolving Credit Note (each such date, an “Interest Rate Change Date”) to the Three (3) Month LIBOR Rate with respect to the Declining Revolving Credit Note and Term Note and to the One (1) Month LIBOR Rate with respect to the Revolving Credit Note, which is published in The Wall Street Journal as the reported rate for the date that is two London Banking Days prior to each Interest Rate Change Date. The published LIBOR Rate will be rounded upwards to the next higher one one hundredth (1/100th) of one percent (1%). If the initial Advance under the Revolving Credit Note or the initial funding of the Declining Revolving Credit Note and Term Note occurs on any day other than the first London Banking Day of a month, the initial LIBOR Rate to be in effect until the beginning of the next succeeding month shall be that Three (3) Month LIBOR Rate or One (1) Month LIBOR Rate, as applicable, in effect on the date that is two London Banking Days prior to the first day of the month in which the Revolving Credit Note, Term Note and Declining Revolving Credit Note are dated. If for any reason the LIBOR Rate published by The Wall Street Journal is no longer available and/or the Lender is unable to determine the LIBOR Rate for any Interest Rate Change Date, the Lender may, in its sole discretion, select an alternate source to determine the LIBOR Rate and will provide notice to Borrower of the source selected. The LIBOR Rate determined as set forth above shall be referred to herein as (the “Index”). The Index is not necessarily the lowest rate charged by Lender on its loans. If the Index becomes unavailable during the term of the Loans, the Lender and Borrower will agree upon a

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substitute index. Lender will tell Borrower the current Index rate upon Borrower’s request. The interest rate change will not occur more often than each month on the first (1st) day of each month with respect to the Revolving Credit Loan and once every three months on the first (1st) day of the applicable month with respect to the Declining Revolving Credit Loan and Term Loan. Borrower understands that Lender may make loans based on other rates as well. The Index for the one month LIBOR Rate currently is 0.500% per annum and the Index for the three month LIBOR Rate currently is 0.760% per annum. If at any time the Index is less than zero, then it shall be deemed zero for purposes of calculating the interest rate on the Loans.

8.    The definition of the term Loans in Section 1.01 of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following is inserted in lieu thereof:

" Loans " means, collectively, the Revolving Credit Loan and Advances thereunder, the Declining Revolving Credit Loans, the Term Loan and any letters of credit issued for the account of Borrower.

9.    The definition of the term Notes in Section 1.01 of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following is inserted in lieu thereof:

" Notes " means, collectively, the Revolving Credit Note, the Term Note and the Declining Revolving Credit Note, and all amendments, restatements, renewals, replacements and other modifications of the foregoing.

10.    Section 1.01 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following definitions, in the appropriate alphabetical order:

" Maturity Date " means February 28, 2021 or the earlier date of acceleration of the Term Loan pursuant to Section 6.02 or any other applicable provision of this Agreement, when the outstanding principal balance and all accrued and unpaid interest on the Term Loan is due and payable in full.

Term Loan Commitment ” means the amount set opposite Lender’s name under the column entitled Term Loan Commitment on Exhibit A hereto.

Term Note ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.03(c) of this Agreement.

11.    Section 2.01(a) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by inserting new subsection (v) as follows:

(v)     Term Loan . On the Conversion Date, Lender agrees to extend the Term Loan to Borrower in the principal amount of $15,000,000.00 to refinance and amortized the Construction Advances outstanding on the Declining Revolving Term Loan.

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12.    The first sentence of Section 2.01(a)(iv) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by inserting new subsection (4) at the end thereof as follows:

and (4) with respect to the Term Loan, to refinance and amortized the Construction Advances outstanding on the Declining Revolving Term Loan.


13.    Section 2.03 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by inserting new subsection (c) at the end thereof as follows:

(c)    The Term Loan shall be evidenced by the term note, in form and substance acceptable to Lender (as amended, renewed, restated, replaced, consolidated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Term Note”).

14.    Section 2.04 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by inserting new subsection (c) after subsection (b) as follows:

(c)    The principal balance of the Term Loan shall be payable in equal monthly installments of $282,719.15 commencing on September 1, 2016 and continuing on the first day of each month thereafter until the Maturity Date of the Term Loan, when the outstanding principal balance and all accrued and unpaid interest shall be due and payable in full. Interest on the Term Loan shall be paid monthly, in arrears, on the same dates that the principal installments are due.

15.    Section 2.07 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by inserting new subsection (d) at the end thereof as follows:

(d)    Borrower may prepay in full or in part principal on the Term Loan without penalty or premium, provided that partial prepayments will be applied to the principal installments due in the inverse order of their due dates.

16.    Section 2.14 of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following is inserted in lieu thereof:

Allocation of Collateral Proceeds . Lender and the Borrower acknowledge and agree that the Collateral secures the Obligations on a cross-collateralization basis. However, the Borrower and Lender agree that the proceeds from any realization on the Mortgaged Property (other than inventory and accounts receivable and the proceeds thereof) as defined in the Mortgage, equipment and fixtures will be first applied to the Lender's costs and expenses payable by Borrower pursuant to Section 7.05 and any other costs and expenses of foreclosure or otherwise realizing on such Mortgaged Property, equipment and fixtures, next to the Borrower’s obligations to Lender under the Term Loan, next to Borrower’s obligations to Lender under the Declining Revolving Credit Loan, next to the Borrower’s obligations to Lender under the Revolving Credit Loan and last to any other Obligations which remain outstanding. Proceeds from any

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realization on such Mortgaged Property, equipment and fixtures will only be applied to the Revolving Credit Loan if any proceeds remain after the full and indefeasible payment of the Term Loan and Declining Revolving Credit Loan. In addition, the Borrower and Lender acknowledge and agree that the proceeds from any realization on Collateral consisting of inventory, accounts receivable, Margin Account Equity and the products and proceeds thereof will be applied first to the Lender's costs and expenses payable by Borrower pursuant to Section 7.05 and any other costs and expenses of foreclosure or otherwise realizing on such inventory, accounts receivable and Margin Account Equity Collateral, next to the Borrower’s obligations to Lender under the Revolving Credit Loan, next to the Borrower’s obligations to Lender under the Declining Revolving Credit Loan, next to the Borrower’s obligations to Lender under the Term Loan and last to any other Obligations which remain outstanding. With respect to the proceeds of any other Collateral not specified in this Section above, the proceeds of such Collateral will be applied first to the Lender's costs and expenses payable by Borrower pursuant to Section 7.05 and any other costs and expenses of foreclosure or otherwise realizing on such Collateral and next to the Obligations in such order and priority as is determined by Lender or required by applicable law.

17.    Except as modified in this Amendment, all other terms, provisions, conditions and obligations imposed under the terms of the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified, affirmed and certified by Borrower and Lender. Borrower hereby ratifies and affirms the accuracy and completeness of all representations and warranties contained in the Loan Documents. Borrower represents and warrants to the Lender that the representations and warranties set forth in the Loan Agreement, and each of the other Loan Documents, are true and complete on the date hereof as if made on and as of the date hereof (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific date, such representation or warranty shall be true and correct as of such specific date), and as if each reference in the Loan Agreement to “this Agreement” included references to this Amendment. Borrower represents, warrants and confirms to the Lender that no Default or Events of Default is now existing under the Loan Documents and that no event or condition exists which would constitute a Default or an Event of Default under the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document. Nothing contained in this Amendment either before or after giving effect thereto, will cause or trigger a Default or an Event of Default under any Loan Document. To the extent necessary, the Loan Documents are hereby amended consistent with the amendments provided for in this Amendment.

18.    This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same instrument. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nebraska, exclusive of its choice of laws rules.

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19.    The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not, except as expressly provided in this Amendment, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Lender under any of the Loan Documents, nor, except as expressly provided in this Amendment, constitute a waiver or amendment of any provision of any of the Loan Documents. Upon and after the execution of this Amendment by each of the parties hereto, each reference in the Loan Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof” or words or phrases of like import referring to the Loan Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to the “Loan Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words or phrases of like import referring to the Loan Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Loan Agreement as modified by this Amendment. This Amendment and the rights evidenced by this Amendment shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto, and shall be enforceable by any such successors and assigns. Borrower will pay on demand all costs and expenses incurred by Lender in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, filing, and administration of this Amendment (including, without limitation, legal fees incurred in connection with the preparation of this Amendment and advising Lender as to its rights, and the cost of any credit verification reports or field examinations of Borrower's properties or books and records). Borrower's obligations to Lender under this Section shall survive the termination of this Amendment or the Loan Agreement and the repayment of Borrower's Obligations to Lender under the Loan Agreement and other Loan Documents.







[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]



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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Amendment on the date first written above.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OMAHA


By:
/s/ Chris Kalokowski                

Title:
Vice President                    


CARDINAL ETHANOL, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company


By:
/s/ William Dartt                    

Title:
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer        






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Exhibit A

COMMITMENTS


Lender
Revolving Credit Loan Commitments
Declining Revolving Credit Loan Commitment
Term Loan Commitment
Lender's Total Commitment
First National Bank of Omaha
$15,000,000
$5,000,000.00
$15,000,000.00
$35,000,000.00
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




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