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): June 5, 2019
ACRE8KRECNBFACILITYEX_IMAGE2.JPG  
Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Maryland
 
001-35517
 
45-3148087
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
245 Park Avenue, 42 nd  Floor, New York, NY
 
10167
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (212) 750-7300
 
N/A
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( 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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
ACRE
New York Stock Exchange

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

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



Item 1.01  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On June 5, 2019, ACRC Lender LLC (“ACRC Lender”), a subsidiary of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (the “Company”), entered into an amendment to its $50.0 million secured revolving funding facility (the “CNB Facility”) with City National Bank (“CNB”). The purpose of the amendment was to, among other things: (1) decrease the interest rate on advances under the CNB Facility to a per annum rate equal to the sum of, at the ACRC Lender’s option, either (a) LIBOR for a one, two, three, six or, if available to all lenders, 12-month interest period plus 2.65% or (b) a base rate (which is the highest of a prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, or one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%) plus 1.00%, provided that in no event shall the interest rate be less than 2.65%; (2) permit ACRC Lender to request that CNB increase the commitment amount of the CNB Facility from $50.0 million to $75.0 million once per calendar year for a period of 120 days, which increase in the commitment amount is subject to CNB’s approval; and (3) extend the initial maturity date of the CNB Facility to March 11, 2020. In addition, ACRC Lender has two 12-month extensions at its option provided that certain conditions are met and applicable extension fees are paid, which, if exercised, would extend the maturity date of the CNB Facility to March 10, 2022. Borrowings under the CNB Facility are subject to the maintenance of a minimum borrowing base of pledged investments. The CNB Facility is guaranteed by the Company.

The foregoing description is only a summary of certain material provisions of the amendment to the CNB Facility and is qualified in its entirety by reference to a copy of such agreement, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1.

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

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

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d)                           Exhibits:

Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit Description
 
Amendment Number Seven to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2019, by and among ACRC Lender LLC, as borrower, City National Bank, a national banking association, as arranger and administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto.






SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
Date:       June 6, 2019
 
 
ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Anton Feingold
 
Name:
Anton Feingold
 
Title:
General Counsel, Vice President and Secretary
 




































Exhibit 10.1
AMENDMENT NUMBER SEVEN TO CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDMENT NUMBER SEVEN TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”), dated as of June 5, 2019 is entered into by and among, on the one hand, the several banks and other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party hereto (such lenders, together with their respective successors and permitted assigns, are referred to hereinafter each individually as a “ Lender ” and, collectively, as the “ Lenders ”), and CITY NATIONAL BANK , a national banking association, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “ Agent ”), and, on the other hand, ACRC LENDER LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), and in light of the following:
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS , Borrower, Lenders, and Agent are parties to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2014 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”);
WHEREAS , Borrower has requested that Agent and Lenders make certain amendments to the Credit Agreement; and
WHEREAS, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, Agent and Lenders are willing to make certain amendments to the Credit Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms . All initially capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein (including the preamble and recitals hereof) shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement.
2. Amendments to the Credit Agreement .
(a)     Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and modified by adding or amending and restating in their entirety, as the case may be, the following definitions in the appropriate alphabetical order:
““ Borrowing Base ” means, (I) during any Temporary Increase Period, the Borrowing Base shall be the Temporary Increase Borrowing Base and (II) as of any other date, (a) if on such date there are three (or such lesser number as otherwise agreed to by Agent) or more Pledged Investments (the “ Minimum Investment Condition ”), the Borrowing Base shall be 50% of the Fair Market Value of the then extant Pledged Investments, (b) if on any date the Minimum Investment Condition does not apply and any Pledged Investment includes Stock issued by FL3 Holder and (i) the securities issued by FL3 LLC and FL3 Ltd that are held by FL3 Holder constitute Performing Obligations, (ii) 100% of the Stock issued by FL3 Holder constitutes a Pledged Investment, (iii) FL3 Holder holds 100% of the Stock issued by each of FL3 LLC and FL3 Ltd, (iv) no Lien (other than Permitted Liens on the Assets of any Subsidiary of Borrower or Liens securing Debt evidenced by, or Liens permitted under, the FL3 Indenture) exists with respect to any of the Assets of any FL3 Entity, whether then owned or thereafter acquired by such FL3 Entity, or any income or profits therefrom, and (v) no FL3 Entity has any Debt outstanding other than Debt evidenced by or permitted under the FL3 Indenture (subclauses (i)-(v), collectively, the “ FL3 Conditions ”), the Borrowing Base shall be (1) if the Fair

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Market Value of the Stock issued by FL3 Holder and held by Borrower is greater than or equal to $100,000,000, $50,000,000, or (2) if the Fair Market Value of the Stock issued by FL3 Holder and held by Borrower is less than $100,000,000, 50% of the Fair Market Value of the then extant Pledged Investments (including the Stock of FL3 Holder) or (c) if on any date the Minimum Investment Condition does not apply and any of the FL3 Conditions are not satisfied on such date, the Borrowing Base shall be $0. For the avoidance of doubt, the Fair Market Value of the Stock issued by FL3 Holder and held by Borrower shall equal the Fair Market Value of the securities issued by FL3 LLC, FL3 Ltd or any other Subsidiary of FL3 Holder, that are held by FL3 Holder.”
““ Maximum Revolver Amount ” means (a) if during the Temporary Increase Period, the Temporary Increase Revolver Amount and (b) at all other times, $50,000,000.”
““ Temporary Increase Borrowing Base ” means as of any date, (a) if on such date (i) there are three (or such lesser number as otherwise agreed to by Agent) or more Pledged Investments or (ii) any Pledged Investment includes Stock issued by FL3 Holder and (1) the securities issued by FL3 LLC and FL3 Ltd that are held by FL3 Holder constitute Performing Obligations, (2) 100% of the Stock issued by FL3 Holder constitutes a Pledged Investment, (3) FL3 Holder holds 100% of the Stock issued by each of FL3 LLC and FL3 Ltd, (4) no Lien (other than Permitted Liens on the Assets of any Subsidiary of Borrower or Liens securing Debt evidenced by, or Liens permitted under, the FL3 Indenture) exists with respect to any of the Assets of any FL3 Entity, whether then owned or thereafter acquired by such FL3 Entity, or any income or profits therefrom, and (5) no FL3 Entity has any Debt outstanding other than Debt evidenced by or permitted under the FL3 Indenture (subclauses (1)-(5), collectively, the “ Temporary Borrowing Base Conditions ”), the Temporary Increase Borrowing Base shall be 67.33% of the Fair Market Value of the then extant Pledged Investments (including the Stock of FL3 Holder) and (b) if on any date any of the Temporary Borrowing Base Conditions are not satisfied on such date, the Temporary Increase Borrowing Base shall be $0. For the avoidance of doubt, the Fair Market Value of the Stock issued by FL3 Holder and held by Borrower shall equal the Fair Market Value of the securities issued by FL3 LLC, FL3 Ltd or any other Subsidiary of FL3 Holder, that are held by FL3 Holder.”
““ Temporary Increase Period ” means, during any calendar year, the period commencing on the date Agent’s approves Borrower’s request to increase the Maximum Revolver Amount to the Temporary Increase Revolver Amount, as provided for in Section 2.6(d) , and ending on the date which is one hundred twenty (120) days after such date; provided , however , unless approved in writing by the Agent, that there shall be no more than one Temporary Increase Period during any calendar year and no Temporary Increase Period may extend beyond the Maturity Date.
““ Temporary Increase Revolver Amount ” means $75,000,000.”
(b)     Section 2.3(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and modified by amending and restating Section 2.3(b) as follows:
“(b)    Subject to Section 2.4 , each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest upon the unpaid principal balance thereof, from and including the date advanced or converted, to but excluding the date of conversion or repayment thereof, at a fluctuating rate, per annum, equal to the lesser of (i) the greater of (A) the Base Rate plus 1.00 percentage point and (B) 2.65 percentage points, and (ii) the Highest Lawful Rate. Any change in the interest rate resulting from a change in the Base Rate will become effective on the day on which each change in the Base Rate is announced by Agent. Interest due with respect to Base Rate Loans shall be due and payable, in arrears, commencing on the first Interest Payment Date following the Closing Date, and continuing on each Interest Payment Date thereafter up to and including the Interest Payment Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date, and on the Maturity Date.”

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(c)     Section 2.3(c) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and modified by amending and restating Section 2.3(c) as follows:
“(c)    Subject to Section 2.4, each LIBOR Rate Loan shall bear interest upon the unpaid principal balance thereof, from the date advanced, converted, or continued, at a rate, per annum, equal to the lesser of (i) the greater of (A) the LIBOR Rate plus 2.65 percentage points and (B) 2.65 percentage points, and (ii) the Highest Lawful Rate. Interest due with respect to each LIBOR Rate Loan shall be due and payable, in arrears, on each Interest Payment Date applicable to that LIBOR Rate Loan and on the Maturity Date. Anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement notwithstanding, Borrower may not have more than 8 LIBOR Rate Loans outstanding at any one time.”
    
(d)     Section 2.6(d) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and modified by amending and restating Section 2.6(d) as follows:

“(d)    To request that a Temporary Increase Period commence, Borrower shall give Agent written notice of such request, which written notice shall be irrevocable and shall be given by telefacsimile, mail, electronic mail (in a format bearing a copy of the signature(s) required thereon), or personal service, and delivered to Agent at 555 S. Flower Street, 24th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071, telefacsimile number (213) 673-9801, e-mail address brandon.feitelson@cnb.com, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date when Borrower requests that such Temporary Increase Period commences, provided that Agent may, at its sole discretion, deny such request to commence such Temporary Increase Period; provided further that a Temporary Increase Period may only occur once during any calendar year and may not in any event extend beyond the Maturity Date.”
(e)     Section 2.11(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and modified by amending and restating Section 2.11(a) as follows:
“(a)      Unused Line Fee . An unused line fee shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of each fiscal quarter in an amount equal to 0.375% per annum times the result of (i) $50,000,000, less (ii) the sum of (A) the average Daily Balance of Advances that were outstanding during the immediately preceding fiscal quarter, plus (B) the average Daily Balance of the Letter of Credit Usage during the immediately preceding fiscal quarter; provided that no unused line fee shall be due and payable if the average Daily Balance of Advances that were outstanding during the immediately preceding fiscal quarter was greater than 75% of the Maximum Revolver Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no unused line fee shall accrue or be payable with respect to the unused Revolver Commitments of any Defaulting Lender for the period for which it is a Defaulting Lender.”
(f)     Section 3.3 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and modified by amending and restating Section 3.3 as follows:
“3.3     Maturity Date . This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect for a term ending on the earlier of (the “ Initial Maturity Date ”): (a) March 11, 2020, and (b) such earlier date on which the Loans shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided , however , that to the extent no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at any time on or after December 31, 2019, Borrower shall have the option at any time prior to the Initial Maturity Date (the “ One Year Extension Option ”) to extend the term of this Agreement for a one (1) year period beyond the Initial Maturity Date (the “ Extended Maturity Date ”) to March 10, 2021, so long as Borrower (i) pays any and all fees that are required to be paid in connection therewith pursuant to the terms of the Fee Letter, and (ii) provides written notice to Agent of the exercise by Borrower of the One Year Extension Option; provided further that in the case that Borrower exercises the One Year Extension

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Option in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.3 , and to the extent no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at any time on or after December 31, 2020, Borrower shall have the option at any time prior to the Extended Maturity Date (the “ Second One Year Extension Option ”) to extend the term of this Agreement for a one (1) year period beyond the First Extended Maturity Date (the “ Second Extended Maturity Date ”) to March 10, 2022, so long as Borrower (i) pays any and all fees that are required to be paid in connection therewith pursuant to the terms of the Fee Letter, and (ii) provides written notice to Agent of the exercise by Borrower of the Second One Year Extension Option.”
3. Conditions Precedent to Amendment . The satisfaction of each of the following shall constitute conditions precedent to the effectiveness of the Amendment (such date being the “ Seventh Amendment Effective Date ”):
(a)      Agent shall have received this Amendment, duly executed by the parties hereto, and the same shall be in full force and effect.
(b)      Agent shall have received the reaffirmation and consent of Guarantor attached hereto as Exhibit A , duly executed and delivered by an authorized officer of Guarantor.
(c)      Agent shall have received the Third Amended and Restated Fee Letter, dated as of the date hereof (the “ Third A&R Fee Letter ”), duly executed by the parties hereto and shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent.
(d)      After giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties herein and in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that are already qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the date hereof as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date).
(e)      No litigation, inquiry, other action or proceeding (governmental or otherwise), or injunction or other restraining order prohibiting, directly or indirectly, the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein shall be pending or, to Borrower’s knowledge, overtly threatened that could reasonably be expected to have: (i) a material adverse effect on Borrower’s ability to repay the Loans or (ii) a Material Adverse Effect on Borrower.
(f)      After giving effect to this Amendment, no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein.
(g)      All other documents and legal matters in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Amendment shall have been delivered, executed, or recorded and shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent.
4. Representations and Warranties . Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Agent and the Lenders as follows:
(a) Each condition set forth in clauses (i) through (v) of the definition of “Borrowing Base” are satisfied as of the date hereof; and for the avoidance of doubt, (x) Agent holds a first priority perfected Lien on 100% of the Stock issued by FL3 Holder and (y) FL3 Holder holds 100% of the securities issued by FL3 LLC and FL3 Ltd.

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(b) It a duly organized and validly existing limited liability company in good standing under the law of the State of Delaware and is duly qualified to conduct business in all jurisdictions where its failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Borrower.
(c) It has all requisite limited liability company power to execute and deliver this Amendment and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, and to borrow the sums provided for in the Credit Agreement. Borrower has all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents, and approvals necessary to own and operate its Assets and to carry on its businesses as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, other than licenses, authorizations, consents, and approvals that are not currently required or the failure to obtain which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by Borrower and all necessary limited liability company action in respect thereof has been taken, and the execution, delivery, and performance thereof do not require any consent or approval of any other Person that has not been obtained (except for such consents or approvals as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole).
(d) The execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, do not and will not: (i) violate (A) any provision of any federal (including the Exchange Act), state, or local law, rule, or regulation (including Regulations T, U, and X of the Federal Reserve Board) binding on any Loan Party, (B) any order of any domestic Governmental Authority, court, arbitration board, or tribunal binding on any Loan Party, or (C) the Governing Documents of any Loan Party, or (ii) contravene any provisions of, result in a breach of, constitute (with the giving of notice or the lapse of time) a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon any of the Assets of any Loan Party pursuant to, any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party, or (iii) require termination of any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party, or (iv) constitute a tortious interference with any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party, in each case, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole.
(e) Other than such as may have previously been obtained, filed, or given, as applicable, no consent, license, permit, approval, or authorization of, exemption by, notice to, report to or registration, filing, or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery, and performance by the Loan Parties of this Amendment or the Loan Documents to which they are a party, in each case, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole.
(f) This Amendment and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party, when executed and delivered by Borrower, will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligations of Borrower, enforceable against Borrower in accordance with their terms except as the enforceability hereof or thereof may be affected by: (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) equitable principles of general applicability (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law).
(g) No litigation, inquiry, other action or proceeding (governmental or otherwise), or injunction or other restraining order prohibiting, directly or indirectly, the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein shall be pending or, to Borrower’s knowledge, overtly threatened that could reasonably be expected to have: (i) a material adverse effect on Borrower’s ability to repay the Loans or (ii) a Material Adverse Effect on Borrower.

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(h) No Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date of the effectiveness of this Amendment.
(i) No event or development has occurred as of the date of the effectiveness of this Amendment which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to any Loan Party.
(j) The representations and warranties set forth in this Amendment, in the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment and after giving effect to this Amendment, and the other Loan Documents to which Borrower is a party are true, correct and complete in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the date hereof, as though made on such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date).
(k) This Amendment has been entered into without force or duress, of the free will of Borrower, and the decision of Borrower to enter into this Amendment is a fully informed decision and Borrower is aware of all legal and other ramifications of each such decision.
(l) It has read and understands this Amendment, has consulted with and been represented by independent legal counsel of its own choosing in negotiations for and the preparation of this Amendment, has read this Amendment in full and final form, and has been advised by its counsel of its rights and obligations hereunder.
5. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION AND VENUE; WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY . THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING GOVERNING LAW, JURISDICTION AND VENUE, AND WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 11.6 – 11.8 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS .
6. Counterpart Execution . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Amendment by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Amendment. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Amendment by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Amendment, but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Amendment.
7. [Intentionally omitted] .
8. Effect on Loan Documents .
(a)      The Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, and each of the other Loan Documents shall be and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms and hereby are ratified and confirmed in all respects. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Amendment shall not operate, except as expressly set forth herein, as a modification or waiver of any right, power, or remedy of Agent or any Lender under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document. Except for the amendments to the Credit Agreement expressly set forth herein, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect. The modifications set forth herein are limited to the specifics

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hereof (including facts or occurrences on which the same are based), shall not apply with respect to any facts or occurrences other than those on which the same are based, shall neither excuse any future non-compliance with the Loan Documents nor operate as a waiver of any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default, shall not operate as a consent to any waiver, consent or further amendment or other matter under the Loan Documents, and shall not be construed as an indication that any future waiver or amendment of covenants or any other provision of the Credit Agreement will be agreed to, it being understood that the granting or denying of any waiver or amendment which may hereafter be requested by Borrower remains in the sole and absolute discretion of Agent and the Lenders. To the extent that any terms or provisions of this Amendment conflict with those of the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, the terms and provisions of this Amendment shall control.
(b)      Upon and after the effectiveness of this Amendment, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “herein”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to “the Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “therein”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as modified and amended hereby.
(c)      To the extent that any of the terms and conditions in any of the Loan Documents shall contradict or be in conflict with any of the terms or conditions of the Credit Agreement, after giving effect to this Amendment, such terms and conditions are hereby deemed modified or amended accordingly to reflect the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement as modified or amended hereby.
(d)      This Amendment is a Loan Document.
(e)      The rules of construction set forth in Section 1.2 of the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis .
9. Entire Agreement . This Amendment, and the terms and provisions hereof, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire understanding and agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all prior or contemporaneous amendments or understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether express or implied, oral or written.
10. Integration . This Amendment, together with the other Loan Documents, incorporates all negotiations of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and is the final expression and agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
11. Reaffirmation of Obligations . Borrower hereby reaffirms its obligations under each Loan Document to which it is a party. Borrower hereby further ratifies and reaffirms the validity and enforceability of all of the liens and security interests heretofore granted, pursuant to and in connection with the Security Agreement or any other Loan Document to Agent, on behalf and for the benefit of each member of the Lender Group, as collateral security for the obligations under the Loan Documents in accordance with their respective terms, and acknowledges that all of such liens and security interests, and all collateral heretofore pledged as security for such obligations, continues to be and remain collateral for such obligations from and after the date hereof. Borrower hereby further does grant to Agent, a security interest in the Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement) in order to secure all of its present and future Obligations.
12. Ratification . Borrower hereby restates, ratifies and reaffirms each and every term and condition set forth in the Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents to which it is a party effective as of the date hereof and as amended hereby.

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13. Severability . In case any provision in this Amendment shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be severable from the remainder of this Amendment and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
[signature pages follow]


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

ACRC LENDER LLC ,
a Delaware limited liability company, as Borrower


By /s/ Anton Feingold                
Name: Anton Feingold
Title: General Counsel, Vice President and Secretary



[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NUMBER SEVEN TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]





CITY NATIONAL BANK ,
a national banking association,
as Agent and as a Lender

By /s/ Brandon Feitelson                
Name: Brandon Feitelson
Title: Senior Vice President




[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NUMBER SEVEN TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]




Exhibit A
REAFFIRMATION AND CONSENT
Reference is hereby made to that certain AMENDMENT NUMBER SEVEN TO CREDIT AGREEMENT , dated as of June 5, 2019 (the “ Amendment ”), by and among on the one hand, the lenders from time to time party thereto (such lenders, together with their respective successors and permitted assigns, are referred to hereinafter each individually as a “ Lender ” and collectively as the “ Lenders ”) and CITY NATIONAL BANK , a national banking association, as the arranger and administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “ Agent ”), and, on the other hand, ACRC LENDER LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ Borrower ”). All capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in that certain Credit Agreement dated as of March 12, 2014 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among Borrower, Agent, and Lenders. The undersigned Guarantor hereby (a) represents and warrants to Agent that the execution, delivery, and performance of this Reaffirmation and Consent have been duly authorized by Guarantor and all necessary corporate action in respect thereof has been taken, and the execution, delivery, and performance of this Reaffirmation and Consent does not require any consent or approval of any other Person that has not been obtained (except for such consents or approvals as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Loan Parties, taken as a whole); (b) consents to the amendment of the Credit Agreement as set forth in the Amendment; (c) acknowledges and reaffirms its obligations owing to the Agent and the Lenders under any Loan Documents to which it is a party; (d) restates, ratifies and reaffirms each and every term and condition set forth in the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents to which it is a party effective as of the date of the Amendment; (e) confirms that all Debt of the Guarantor evidenced by the Loan Documents to which it is a party is unconditionally owing by it to Agent and the Lenders, without offset, defense, withholding, counterclaim or deduction of any kind, nature or description whatsoever; and (f) agrees that each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party is and shall remain in full force and effect.
Although the undersigned has been informed of the matters set forth herein and has acknowledged and agreed to same, the undersigned understands that neither Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to inform it of such matters in the future or to seek its acknowledgment or agreement to future amendments, and nothing herein shall create such a duty.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Reaffirmation and Consent by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Reaffirmation and Consent. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Reaffirmation and Consent by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Reaffirmation and Consent but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Reaffirmation and Consent.
The validity of this Reaffirmation and Consent, its construction, interpretation and enforcement, and the rights of the parties hereunder, shall be determined under, governed by, and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Reaffirmation and Consent to be executed as of the date of the Amendment.
 
ARES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
 
a Maryland corporation
 
 
 
 
By:
 
 
Name:
 
 
Title:
 





[SIGNATURE PAGE TO REAFFIRMATION AND CONSENT TO AMENDMENT NUMBER SEVEN TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]