DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 12 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
The following description of our ordinary shares, our 8.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares (the “Series A Preferred Shares”), our 8.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series B Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares (the “Series B Preferred Shares”), our 8.25% Fixed-Rate Reset Series C Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares (the “Series C Preferred Shares”) and certain provisions of Cayman Islands law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (as amended from time to time, the “Articles”) does not purport to be complete and is in all respects subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of our Articles and Cayman Islands law.
For purposes of this summary, (i) the term “Company” refers only to FTAI Aviation Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company, and not to any of its subsidiaries and (ii) the terms “our”, “us”, and “we” refer to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.
Authorized Shares
Under the Articles, our authorized share capital consists of:
•2,000,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share (“ordinary shares”); and
•200,000,000 preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share (“preferred shares”), 4,180,000 of which are designated as Series A Preferred Shares, 4,940,000 of which are designated as Series B Preferred Shares and 4,200,000 of which are designated as Series C Preferred Shares.
All of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares and our Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares and Series C Preferred Shares are fully paid and non-assessable.
Ordinary shares
No holder of ordinary shares is entitled to preemptive, preferential or similar rights or redemption or conversion rights. Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of ordinary shares. Unless a different majority is required by law or by our Articles, resolutions to be approved by holders of ordinary shares require approval by a simple majority of votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
Each holder of ordinary shares is entitled to one vote for each ordinary share held on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of shares, the holders of our ordinary shares will possess the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and for all other purposes. Our Articles do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares can elect all of the directors standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares are not able to elect any directors.
Although we currently intend to pay regular quarterly dividends to holders of our ordinary shares, we may change our dividend policy at any time. Our net cash provided by operating activities has been less than the amount of distributions to our shareholders. The declaration and payment of dividends to holders of our ordinary shares will be at the discretion of our board of directors in accordance with applicable law after taking into account various factors, including actual results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, net cash provided by operating activities, restrictions imposed by applicable law, our taxable income, our operating expenses and other factors our board of directors deem relevant. In addition, while any Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares or Series C Preferred Shares remain outstanding, unless the full cumulative distributions on past distribution periods for such shares have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those distributions set aside, we are generally prohibited from declaring and paying or setting aside any dividends on our ordinary shares. See “Series A Preferred Shares—Priority Regarding Distributions,” “Series B Preferred Shares—Priority Regarding Distributions” and “Series C Preferred Shares—Priority Regarding Distributions.” Any rights of holders of our ordinary shares to receive dividends, if any, declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds will also be subject to any preferred rights of holders of any additional preferred shares that we may issue in the future.
There can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends in amounts or on a basis consistent with prior distributions to our investors, if at all. Because we are a holding company and have no direct operations, we will only be able to pay dividends from our available cash on hand and any funds we receive from our subsidiaries and our ability to receive distributions from our subsidiaries may be limited by the financing agreements to which they are subject, including the indentures governing our senior notes and the amended and restated revolving credit facility. In addition, pursuant to a the Services and Profit Sharing Agreement with our subsidiary FTAI Aviation Holdco Ltd. and Fortress Worldwide Transportation and Infrastructure Master GP LLC (the “Master GP”), Master GP will be entitled to receive incentive payments before any amounts are distributed by the Company based both on our consolidated net income and capital gains income in each fiscal quarter and for each fiscal year, respectively.
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after the payment of liabilities, subject to any rights of holders of our preferred shares prior to distribution.
Our ordinary shares trade on Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “FTAI”.
Series A Preferred Shares
General
The Articles authorize the Company to issue up to 200,000,000 preferred shares in one or more series, and the Company’s board of directors is authorized to fix the number of shares of each series and determine the rights, designations, preferences, powers and duties of any such series. The “8.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares” are designated as one series of our authorized preferred shares, consisting of 4,180,000 Series A Preferred Shares.
The Series A Preferred Shares represent perpetual equity interests in us and, unlike our indebtedness, do not give rise to a claim for payment of a principal amount at a particular date. As such, the Series A Preferred Shares rank junior to all of our current and future indebtedness and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against us. The Series A Preferred Shares have a fixed liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series A Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of payment, whether or not declared; provided that the rights of the holders of Series A Preferred Shares to receive the liquidation preference will be subject to the proportional rights of holders of Parity Securities (as defined below) and to the other matters described under “—Liquidation Rights”.
Our Series A Preferred Shares trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “FTAIP”.
Ranking
With respect to the payment of distributions and rights (including redemption rights) upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the Series A Preferred Shares rank (i) senior and prior to our ordinary shares and any class or series of preferred shares that by its terms is designated as ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Shares, (ii) pari passu with any class or series of preferred shares that by its terms is designated as ranking equal to the Series A Preferred Shares or does not state it is junior or senior to the Series A Preferred Shares (including our Series B Preferred Shares and Series C Preferred Shares), (iii) junior to any class or series of preferred shares that is expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Shares (subject to receipt of any requisite consents prior to issuance) and (iv) effectively junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible into our ordinary shares or preferred shares) and other liabilities and to all liabilities and any preferred equity of our existing subsidiaries and any future subsidiaries.
The Series A Preferred Shares are not convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or series of our share capital or other securities and are not subject to any sinking fund or other obligation to redeem or repurchase the Series A Preferred Shares. The Series A Preferred Shares are not secured, are not guaranteed by us or any of our affiliates and are not subject to any other arrangement that legally or economically enhances the ranking of the Series A Preferred Shares.
Distributions
Holders of the Series A Preferred Shares are entitled to receive, only when, as, and if declared by our board of directors, out of funds legally available for such purpose, cumulative cash distributions based on the stated liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series A Preferred Share at a rate equal to (i) from, and including, the original issue date of the Series A Preferred Shares, being the date of the completion of the merger, to, but excluding, September 15, 2024 (the “Series A Fixed Rate Period”), 8.25% per annum, and (ii) beginning September 15, 2024 (the “Series A Floating Rate Period”), Three-Month LIBOR (as defined below) plus a spread of 688.6 basis points per annum and that sum will be the distribution rate for the applicable Distribution Period. A “Distribution Period” means the period from, and including, each Distribution Payment Date (as defined below) to, but excluding, the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date, except for the initial Distribution Period, which is the period from, and including, the original issue date of the Series A Preferred Shares, being the date of the completion of the merger, to, but excluding, the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date.
When, as, and if declared by our board of directors, we pay cash distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares quarterly, in arrears, on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year (each such date, a “Distribution Payment Date”), which payments began on December 15, 2022. We pay cash distributions to the
holders of record of Series A Preferred Shares as they appear on our share register on the applicable record date, which for any Distribution Payment Date shall be the 1st calendar day of the month of such Distribution Payment Date or such other record date fixed by our board of directors as the record date for such Distribution Payment Date that is not more than 60 nor less than 10 days prior to such Distribution Payment Date.
Distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares are not mandatory. However, distributions on the Series A Preferred Shares accrue from and including, the most recent Distribution Payment Date on which all accrued distributions have been paid, whether or not we have earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of those distributions and whether or not those distributions are declared. No interest, or sum in lieu of interest, is payable in respect of any distribution payment or payments on the Series A Preferred Shares which may be in arrears, and holders of the Series A Preferred Shares are not entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property, or shares, in excess of full cumulative distributions described above.
If in the future we issue additional shares of the Series A Preferred Shares, distributions on those additional shares will accrue from the most recent Distribution Payment Date at the then-applicable distribution rate.
The distribution rate for each Distribution Period in the Series A Floating Rate Period will be determined by the calculation agent using Three-Month LIBOR as in effect on the second London banking day prior to the beginning of the Distribution Period, which date is referred to as the “distribution determination date” for the relevant Distribution Period. The calculation agent then will add Three-Month LIBOR as determined on the distribution determination date and the spread of 688.6 basis points per annum. Once the distribution rate for the Series A Preferred Shares is determined, the calculation agent will deliver that information to us and the transfer agent for the Series A Preferred Shares. Absent manifest error, the calculation agent’s determination of the distribution rate for a Distribution Period for the Series A Preferred Shares will be final. A “London banking day” is any day on which commercial banks are open for dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars in the London interbank market.
As used in this description of Series A Preferred Shares, the term “Three-Month LIBOR” means the London interbank offered rate for deposits in U.S. dollars for a three month period (the “three-month LIBOR rate”), as that rate is displayed on Bloomberg on page BBAM1 (or any successor or replacement page) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the relevant distribution determination date, provided that:
(i)If no offered rate is displayed on Bloomberg on page BBAM1 (or any successor or replacement page) on the relevant distribution determination date at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, then the calculation agent, in consultation with us, will select four major banks in the London interbank market and will request each of their principal London offices to provide a quotation of the rate at which three-month deposits in U.S. dollars in amounts of at least $1,000,000 are offered by it to prime banks in the London interbank market, on that date and at that time. If at least two quotations are provided, Three-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic average (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest 0.00001 of 1%) of the quotations provided.
(ii)Otherwise, the calculation agent in consultation with us will select three major banks in New York City and will request each of them to provide a quotation of the rate offered by it at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the distribution determination date for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks for a three month period for the applicable Distribution Period in an amount of at least $1,000,000. If three quotations are provided, Three-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic average (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest 0.00001 of 1%) of the quotations provided.
(iii)Otherwise, Three-Month LIBOR for the next Distribution Period will be equal to Three-Month LIBOR in effect for the then-current Distribution Period or, in the case of the first Distribution Period in the Series A Floating Rate Period, the most recent three-month LIBOR rate on which Three-Month LIBOR could have been determined in accordance with the first sentence of this paragraph had the distribution rate been a floating rate during the Series A Fixed Rate Period.
In the event that Three-Month LIBOR is less than zero, Three-Month LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero.
Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii):
(a)If the calculation agent determines on the relevant distribution determination date that LIBOR has been discontinued or is no longer viewed as an acceptable benchmark for securities like the Series A Preferred Shares (a “Series A LIBOR Event”), then the calculation agent will use a substitute or successor base rate that it has determined, in consultation with us, is the most comparable to LIBOR; provided that if the calculation agent determines there is an industry-accepted substitute or successor base rate, then the calculation agent shall use such substitute or successor base rate.
(b)If the calculation agent has determined a substitute or successor base rate in accordance with the foregoing, the calculation agent, in consultation with us, may determine what business day convention to use, the definition of business day, the distribution determination date to be used and any other relevant methodology for calculating such substitute or successor base rate, including any adjustment factor needed to make such substitute or successor base rate comparable to LIBOR, or any adjustment to the applicable spread thereon, in a manner that is consistent with industry-accepted practices for such substitute or successor base rate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the calculation agent determines in its sole discretion that there is no alternative rate that is a substitute or successor base rate for LIBOR, the calculation agent may, in its sole discretion, or if the calculation agent fails to do so, the Company may, appoint an independent financial advisor (“IFA”) to determine an appropriate alternative rate and any adjustments, and the decision of the IFA will be binding on the Company, the calculation agent and the holders of Series A Preferred Shares. If a Series A LIBOR Event has occurred, but for any reason an alternative rate has not been determined, an IFA has not determined an appropriate alternative rate and adjustments or an IFA has not been appointed, Three-Month LIBOR for the next Distribution Period to which the determination date relates shall be Three-Month LIBOR as in effect for the then-current Distribution Period; provided, that if this sentence is applicable with respect to the first Distribution Period in the Series A Floating Rate Period, the interest rate, business day convention and manner of calculating interest applicable during the Series A Fixed Rate Period will remain in effect during the Series A Floating Rate Period.
Priority Regarding Distributions
While any Series A Preferred Shares remain outstanding, unless the full cumulative distributions for all past Distribution Periods on all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those distributions has been set aside:
(1)no distribution will be declared and paid or set aside for payment on any Junior Securities (as defined below) (other than a distribution payable solely in shares of Junior Securities);
(2)no shares of Junior Securities will be repurchased, redeemed, or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly (other than as a result of a reclassification of Junior Securities for or into other Junior Securities, or the exchange for or conversion into Junior Securities, through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Junior Securities or pursuant to a contractually binding requirement to buy Junior Securities pursuant to a binding agreement existing prior to the original issue date of the Series A Preferred Shares), nor will any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and
(3)no shares of Parity Securities will be repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (other than pursuant to pro rata offers to purchase or exchange all, or a pro rata portion of Series A Preferred Shares and such Parity Securities or as a result of a reclassification of Parity Securities for or into other Parity Securities, or by conversion into or exchange for other Parity Securities or Junior Securities).
The foregoing limitations do not apply to (i) purchases or acquisitions of, or cash settlement in respect of, Junior Securities pursuant to any employee or director incentive or benefit plan or arrangement (including any of our employment, severance, or consulting agreements) of ours or of any of our subsidiaries and (ii) any distribution in connection with the implementation of a shareholder rights plan or the redemption or repurchase of any rights under such a plan, including with respect to any successor shareholder rights plan.
Accumulated distributions in arrears for any past Distribution Period may be declared by the board of directors and paid on any date fixed by the board of directors, whether or not a Distribution Payment Date, to holders of the Series A Preferred Shares on the record date for such payment, which may not be less than 10 days before such distribution. To the extent a distribution period applicable to a class of Junior Securities or Parity Securities is shorter than the Distribution Period applicable to the Series A Preferred Shares (e.g., monthly rather than quarterly), the board of directors may declare and pay regular distributions with respect to such Junior Securities or Parity Securities so long as, at the time of declaration of such distribution, the board of directors expects to have sufficient funds to pay the full cumulative distributions in respect of the Series A Preferred Shares on the next Distribution Payment Date.
Subject to the next succeeding sentence, if all accumulated distributions in arrears on all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities have not been declared and paid, or sufficient funds for the payment thereof have not been set apart, payment of accumulated distributions in arrears will be made in order of their respective distribution payment dates, commencing with the earliest distribution payment date. If less than all distributions payable with respect to all Series A Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities are paid, any partial
payment will be made pro rata with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities entitled to a distribution payment at such time in proportion to the aggregate amounts remaining due in respect of such Series A Preferred Shares and Parity Securities at such time.
As used in this description of Series A Preferred Shares, (i) “Junior Securities” means our ordinary shares and any other class or series of our share capital over which the Series A Preferred Shares has preference or priority in the payment of distributions or in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (ii) “Parity Securities” means any other class or series of our share capital that ranks equally with the Series A Preferred Shares in the payment of distributions and in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up (including our Series B Preferred Shares and Series C Preferred Shares) and (iii) “Senior Securities” means any other class or series of our share capital that has preference or priority over the Series A Preferred Shares in the payment of distributions or in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Subject to the conditions described above, and not otherwise, distributions (payable in cash, shares, or otherwise), as may be determined by our board of directors, may be declared and paid on our ordinary shares and any Junior Securities from time to time out of any funds legally available for such payment, and the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares will not be entitled to participate in those distributions.
Liquidation Rights
Upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up (“Liquidation”), the holders of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares are entitled to be paid out of our assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of ordinary shares or any other Junior Securities, a liquidating distribution in the amount of a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of such liquidation distribution, whether or not declared, plus the sum of any declared and unpaid distributions for Distribution Periods prior to the Distribution Period in which the liquidation distribution is made and any declared and unpaid distributions for the then current Distribution Period in which the liquidation distribution is made to the date of such liquidation distribution. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.
Conversion; Exchange and Preemptive Rights
The Series A Preferred Shares are not entitled to any preemptive rights or other rights to purchase or subscribe for our ordinary shares or any other security, and are not convertible into or exchangeable for our ordinary shares or any other security or property at the option of the holder.
Redemption
The Series A Preferred Shares are not subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or other similar provisions.
Holders of Series A Preferred Shares do not have the right to require the redemption or repurchase of the Series A Preferred Shares.
Optional Redemption on or after September 15, 2024
We may redeem the Series A Preferred Shares, in whole or in part, at our option, at any time or from time to time on or after September 15, 2024 (“Series A Optional Redemption”), at the redemption price equal to $25.00 per Series A Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. We may undertake multiple Series A Optional Redemptions. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
Optional Redemption upon a Rating Event
At any time within 120 days after the conclusion of any review or appeal process instituted by us following the occurrence of a Series A Rating Event (as defined below), we may, at our option, redeem the Series A Preferred Shares in whole, but not in part, prior to September 15, 2024, at a redemption price per Series A Preferred Share equal to $25.50 (102% of the liquidation preference of $25.00), plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would
be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
“Series A Rating Event” means a change by any rating agency to the criteria employed by such rating agency as of September 12, 2019 for purposes of assigning ratings to securities with features similar to the Series A Preferred Shares, which change results in (i) any shortening of the length of time for which the criteria in effect as of September 12, 2019 are scheduled to be in effect with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares, or (ii) a lower equity credit being given to the Series A Preferred Shares than the equity credit that would have been assigned to the Series A Preferred Shares by such rating agency pursuant to the criteria in effect as of September 12, 2019.
Optional Redemption upon a Change of Control
If a Change of Control (as defined in the Series A Share Designation) occurs, we may, at our option, redeem the Series A Preferred Shares, in whole but not in part, prior to September 15, 2024 and within 60 days after the occurrence of such Change of Control, at a price of $25.25 per Series A Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
If (i) a Change of Control occurs (whether before, on or after September 15, 2024) and (ii) we do not give notice prior to the 31st day following the Change of Control to redeem all the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares, the distribution rate per annum on the Series A Preferred Shares will increase by 5.00%, beginning on the 31st day following such Change of Control.
Optional Redemption upon a Tax Redemption Event
If a Series A Tax Redemption Event (as defined in the Series A Share Designation) occurs, we may, at our option, redeem the Series A Preferred Shares, in whole but not in part, prior to September 15, 2024 and within 60 days after the occurrence of such Series A Tax Redemption Event, at a price of $25.25 per Series A Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
Voting Rights
Owners of Series A Preferred Shares do not have any voting rights, except as set forth below or as otherwise required by applicable law. To the extent that owners of Series A Preferred Shares are entitled to vote, each holder of Series A Preferred Shares will have one vote per share, except that when shares of any class or series of Parity Securities have the right to vote with the Series A Preferred Shares as a single class on any matter, the Series A Preferred Shares and the shares of each such Parity Securities will have one vote for each $25.00 of liquidation preference (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding accumulated distributions).
Whenever dividends on any shares of the Series A Preferred Shares are in arrears for six or more quarterly Distribution Periods, whether or not consecutive, the upper limit of the number of directors then constituting our board of directors will be automatically increased by two (if not already increased by two by reason of the election of directors by the holders of any Other Voting Preferred Shares (as defined below) and the holders of Series A Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class). The holders of the Series A Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class with the holders of any series of Parity Securities then outstanding upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (any such series, the “Other Voting Preferred Shares”), will be entitled to vote, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast, for the appointment of two additional directors at a special meeting of the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and such Other Voting Preferred Shares and at each subsequent annual meeting of the holders of our ordinary shares at which such directors are up for re-appointment; provided that when all distributions accumulated on the Series A Preferred Shares for all past Distribution Periods and the then current Distribution Period shall have been fully paid, the right of holders of the Series A Preferred Shares to appoint any directors will cease and, unless there are any Other Voting Preferred Shares entitled to vote for the election of directors, the term of office of those two directors will forthwith terminate, the office of any directors appointed by holders of the Series A Preferred Shares shall automatically be vacated and the upper limit of the number of directors constituting the board of directors shall be automatically reduced by two. However, the right of the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and any Other Voting Preferred Shares to appoint two additional directors will again vest if and whenever six additional quarterly distributions have not been declared and paid, as described above. In no event shall the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares be entitled pursuant to these voting rights to elect a director that would cause us to fail to satisfy a requirement relating to director
independence of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which any class or series of our share capital is listed or quoted. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the total number of directors elected by holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and any Other Voting Preferred Shares exceed two.
While any Series A Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the following actions will be deemed a variation of the rights of the Series A Preferred Shares and all Other Voting Preferred Shares, acting as a single class, (i) authorize, create or issue any Senior Securities or reclassify any authorized share capital into any Senior Securities or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any Senior Securities or (ii) amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Articles, including by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Preferred Shares, and shall in each case of clause (i) and (ii) require the approval of the holders of at least 66 2/3% in voting power of the Series A Preferred Shares and all Other Voting Preferred Shares; provided that in the case of the foregoing clause (ii), if such amendment affects materially and adversely the rights, designations, preferences, powers and duties of one or more but not all of the Other Voting Preferred Shares (including the Series A Preferred Shares for this purpose), the holders of the outstanding shares of the classes or series so affected, voting as a class, is required in lieu of (or, if such consent is required by law, in addition to) the consent of the holders of 66 2/3% of the Other Voting Preferred Shares (including the Series A Preferred Shares for this purpose) as a class. However, we may create additional series or classes of Parity Securities and Junior Securities and issue additional classes or series of Parity Securities and Junior Securities without notice to or the consent of any holder of the Series A Preferred Shares; provided, however, that, in the case of Parity Securities, the full cumulative distributions for all past Distribution Periods on all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those distributions has been set aside.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the following will be deemed to affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Preferred Shares:
•any increase in the amount of authorized ordinary shares or authorized preferred shares, or any increase or decrease in the number of shares of any series of preferred shares, or the authorization, creation and issuance of other classes or series of share capital, in each case ranking on parity with or junior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to distributions or distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up;
•a merger or consolidation of us with or into another entity in which the Series A Preferred Shares remain outstanding with identical terms as existing immediately prior to such merger or consolidation; and
•a merger or consolidation of us with or into another entity in which the Series A Preferred Shares are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving entity or any entity, directly or indirectly, controlling such surviving entity and such new preference securities have terms identical (other than the identity of the issuer) to the terms of the Series A Preferred Shares.
The foregoing voting rights of the holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which the vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and we shall have set aside sufficient funds for the benefit of holders of Series A Preferred Shares to effect the redemption.
Forum Selection
The Articles provide for submission to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Cayman Islands in connection with any claim or dispute arising out of or in connection with the constitutional documents of the Company or otherwise related in any way to each Company shareholder’s shareholding in the Company, other than any action or suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Exchange Act, or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are, as a matter of the laws of the United States, the sole and exclusive forum for determination of such a claim.
Series B Preferred Shares
General
The Articles authorize the Company to issue up to 200,000,000 preferred shares in one or more series, and the Company’s board of directors is authorized to fix the number of shares of each series and determine the rights, designations, preferences, powers and duties of any such series. The “8.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series B Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares” are designated as one series of our authorized preferred shares, consisting of 4,940,000 Series B Preferred Shares.
The Series B Preferred Shares represent perpetual equity interests in us and, unlike our indebtedness, do not give rise to a claim for payment of a principal amount at a particular date. As such, the Series B Preferred Shares rank junior to all of our current and future indebtedness and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against us. The Series B Preferred Shares have a fixed liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series B Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of payment, whether or not declared; provided that the rights of the holders of Series B Preferred Shares to receive the liquidation preference will be subject to the proportional rights of holders of Parity Securities (as defined below) and to the other matters described under “—Liquidation Rights”.
Our Series B Preferred Shares trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “FTAIO”.
Ranking
With respect to the payment of distributions and rights (including redemption rights) upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the Series B Preferred Shares rank (i) senior and prior to our ordinary shares and any class or series of preferred shares that by its terms is designated as ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Shares, (ii) pari passu with any class or series of preferred shares that by its terms is designated as ranking equal to the Series B Preferred Shares or does not state it is junior or senior to the Series B Preferred Shares (including our Series A Preferred Shares and Series C Preferred Shares), (iii) junior to any class or series of preferred shares that is expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Shares (subject to receipt of any requisite consents prior to issuance) and (iv) effectively junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible into our ordinary shares or preferred shares) and other liabilities and to all liabilities and any preferred equity of our existing subsidiaries and any future subsidiaries.
The Series B Preferred Shares are not convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or series of our share capital or other securities and are not subject to any sinking fund or other obligation to redeem or repurchase the Series B Preferred Shares. The Series B Preferred Shares are not secured, are not guaranteed by us or any of our affiliates and are not subject to any other arrangement that legally or economically enhances the ranking of the Series B Preferred Shares.
Distributions
Holders of the Series B Preferred Shares are entitled to receive, only when, as, and if declared by our board of directors, out of funds legally available for such purpose, cumulative cash distributions based on the stated liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series B Preferred Share at a rate equal to (i) from, and including, the original issue date of the Series B Preferred Shares, being the date of the completion of the merger, to, but excluding, December 15, 2024 (the “Series B Fixed Rate Period”), 8.00% per annum, and (ii) beginning December 15, 2024 (the “Series B Floating Rate Period”), Three-Month LIBOR (as defined below) plus a spread of 644.7 basis points per annum. A “Distribution Period” means the period from, and including, each Distribution Payment Date to, but excluding, the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date, except for the initial Distribution Period, which is the period from, and including, the original issue date of the Series B Preferred Shares, being the date of the completion of the merger, to, but excluding, the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date.
When, as, and if declared by our board of directors, we pay cash distributions on the Series B Preferred Shares quarterly, in arrears, on each Distribution Payment Date, which payments began on December 15, 2022. We pay cash distributions to the holders of record of Series B Preferred Shares as they appear on our share register on the applicable record date, which for any Distribution Payment Date shall be the 1st calendar day of the month of such Distribution Payment Date or such other record date fixed by our board of directors as the record date for such Distribution Payment Date that is not more than 60 nor less than 10 days prior to such Distribution Payment Date.
Distributions on the Series B Preferred Shares are not mandatory. However, distributions on the Series B Preferred Shares accrue from and including, the most recent Distribution Payment Date on which all accrued distributions have been paid, whether or not we have earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of those distributions and whether or not those distributions are declared. No interest, or sum in lieu of interest, is payable in respect of any distribution payment or payments on the Series B Preferred Shares which may be in arrears, and holders of the Series B Preferred Shares are not entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property, or shares, in excess of full cumulative distributions described above.
If in the future we issue additional shares of the Series B Preferred Shares, distributions on those additional shares will accrue from the most recent Distribution Payment Date at the then-applicable distribution rate.
The distribution rate for each Distribution Period in the Series B Floating Rate Period will be determined by the calculation agent using Three-Month LIBOR as in effect on the second London banking day prior to the beginning of the Distribution Period, which date is referred to as the “distribution determination date” for the relevant Distribution Period. The calculation agent then will add Three-Month LIBOR as determined on the distribution determination date and the spread of 644.7 basis points per annum, and that sum will be the distribution rate for the applicable Distribution Period. Once the distribution rate for the Series B Preferred Shares is determined, the calculation agent will deliver that information to us and the transfer agent for the Series B Preferred Shares. Absent manifest error, the calculation agent’s determination of the distribution rate for a Distribution Period for the Series B Preferred Shares will be final. A “London banking day” is any day on which commercial banks are open for dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars in the London interbank market.
As used in this description of Series B Preferred Shares, the term “Three-Month LIBOR” means the London interbank offered rate for deposits in U.S. dollars for a three month period (the “three-month LIBOR rate”), as that rate is displayed on Bloomberg on page BBAM1 (or any successor or replacement page) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the relevant distribution determination date, provided that:
(i)If no offered rate is displayed on Bloomberg on page BBAM1 (or any successor or replacement page) on the relevant distribution determination date at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, then the calculation agent, in consultation with us, will select four major banks in the London interbank market and will request each of their principal London offices to provide a quotation of the rate at which three-month deposits in U.S. dollars in amounts of at least $1,000,000 are offered by it to prime banks in the London interbank market, on that date and at that time. If at least two quotations are provided, Three-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic average (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest 0.00001 of 1%) of the quotations provided.
(ii)Otherwise, the calculation agent in consultation with us will select three major banks in New York City and will request each of them to provide a quotation of the rate offered by it at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the distribution determination date for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks for a three month period for the applicable Distribution Period in an amount of at least $1,000,000. If three quotations are provided, Three-Month LIBOR will be the arithmetic average (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest 0.00001 of 1%) of the quotations provided.
(iii)Otherwise, Three-Month LIBOR for the next Distribution Period will be equal to Three-Month LIBOR in effect for the then-current Distribution Period or, in the case of the first Distribution Period in the Series B Floating Rate Period, the most recent three-month LIBOR rate on which Three-Month LIBOR could have been determined in accordance with the first sentence of this paragraph had the distribution rate been a floating rate during the Series B Fixed Rate Period.
In the event that Three-Month LIBOR is less than zero, Three-Month LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero.
Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii):
(a)If the calculation agent determines on the relevant distribution determination date that LIBOR has been discontinued or is no longer viewed as an acceptable benchmark for securities like the Series B Preferred Shares (a “Series B LIBOR Event”), then the calculation agent will use a substitute or successor base rate that it has determined, in consultation with us, is the most comparable to LIBOR; provided that if the calculation agent determines there is an industry-accepted substitute or successor base rate, then the calculation agent shall use such substitute or successor base rate.
(b)If the calculation agent has determined a substitute or successor base rate in accordance with the foregoing, the calculation agent, in consultation with us, may determine what business day convention to use, the definition of business day, the distribution determination date to be used and any other relevant methodology for calculating such substitute or successor base rate, including any adjustment factor needed to make such substitute or successor base rate comparable to LIBOR, or any adjustment to the applicable spread thereon, in a manner that is consistent with industry-accepted practices for such substitute or successor base rate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the calculation agent determines in its sole discretion that there is no alternative rate that is a substitute or successor base rate for LIBOR, the calculation agent may, in its sole discretion, or if the calculation agent fails to do so, the Company may, appoint an IFA to determine an appropriate alternative rate and any adjustments, and the decision of the IFA will be binding on the Company, the calculation agent and the holders of Series B Preferred Shares. If a Series B LIBOR Event has occurred, but for any reason an alternative rate has not been determined, an IFA has not determined an appropriate alternative rate and adjustments or an IFA has not been appointed, Three-Month LIBOR for the next Distribution Period to which the determination date relates shall be Three-Month LIBOR as in effect for the then-current Distribution Period; provided, that if this sentence is applicable with respect to the first Distribution Period in the Series B Floating Rate Period, the interest rate, business
day convention and manner of calculating interest applicable during the Series B Fixed Rate Period will remain in effect during the Series B Floating Rate Period.
Priority Regarding Distributions
While any Series B Preferred Shares remain outstanding, unless the full cumulative distributions for all past Distribution Periods on all outstanding Series B Preferred Shares have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those distributions has been set aside:
(1)no distribution will be declared and paid or set aside for payment on any Junior Securities (as defined below) (other than a distribution payable solely in shares of Junior Securities);
(2)no shares of Junior Securities will be repurchased, redeemed, or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly (other than as a result of a reclassification of Junior Securities for or into other Junior Securities, or the exchange for or conversion into Junior Securities, through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Junior Securities or pursuant to a contractually binding requirement to buy Junior Securities pursuant to a binding agreement existing prior to the original issue date of the Series B Preferred Shares), nor will any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and
(3)no shares of Parity Securities will be repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (other than pursuant to pro rata offers to purchase or exchange all, or a pro rata portion of Series B Preferred Shares and such Parity Securities or as a result of a reclassification of Parity Securities for or into other Parity Securities, or by conversion into or exchange for other Parity Securities or Junior Securities).
The foregoing limitations do not apply to (i) purchases or acquisitions of, or cash settlement in respect of, Junior Securities pursuant to any employee or director incentive or benefit plan or arrangement (including any of our employment, severance, or consulting agreements) of ours or of any of our subsidiaries and (ii) any distribution in connection with the implementation of a shareholder rights plan or the redemption or repurchase of any rights under such a plan, including with respect to any successor shareholder rights plan.
Accumulated distributions in arrears for any past Distribution Period may be declared by the board of directors and paid on any date fixed by the board of directors, whether or not a Distribution Payment Date, to holders of the Series B Preferred Shares on the record date for such payment, which may not be less than 10 days before such distribution. To the extent a distribution period applicable to a class of Junior Securities or Parity Securities is shorter than the Distribution Period applicable to the Series B Preferred Shares (e.g., monthly rather than quarterly), the board of directors may declare and pay regular distributions with respect to such Junior Securities or Parity Securities so long as, at the time of declaration of such distribution, the board of directors expects to have sufficient funds to pay the full cumulative distributions in respect of the Series B Preferred Shares on the next Distribution Payment Date.
Subject to the next succeeding sentence, if all accumulated distributions in arrears on all outstanding Series B Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities have not been declared and paid, or sufficient funds for the payment thereof have not been set apart, payment of accumulated distributions in arrears will be made in order of their respective distribution payment dates, commencing with the earliest distribution payment date. If less than all distributions payable with respect to all Series B Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities are paid, any partial payment will be made pro rata with respect to the Series B Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities entitled to a distribution payment at such time in proportion to the aggregate amounts remaining due in respect of such Series B Preferred Shares and Parity Securities at such time.
As used in this description of Series B Preferred Shares, (i) “Junior Securities” means our ordinary shares and any other class or series of our share capital over which the Series B Preferred Shares has preference or priority in the payment of distributions or in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (ii) “Parity Securities” means any other class or series of our share capital that ranks equally with the Series B Preferred Shares in the payment of distributions and in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up (including our Series A Preferred Shares and Series C Preferred Shares) and (iii) “Senior Securities” means any other class or series of our share capital that has preference or priority over the Series B Preferred Shares in the payment of distributions or in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Subject to the conditions described above, and not otherwise, distributions (payable in cash, shares, or otherwise), as may be determined by our board of directors, may be declared and paid on our ordinary shares and any Junior Securities from time to time out of any funds legally available for such payment, and the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares will not be entitled to participate in those distributions.
Liquidation Rights
Upon our voluntary or involuntary Liquidation, the holders of the outstanding Series B Preferred Shares are entitled to be paid out of our assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of ordinary shares or any other Junior Securities, a liquidating distribution in the amount of a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of such liquidation distribution, whether or not declared, plus the sum of any declared and unpaid distributions for Distribution Periods prior to the Distribution Period in which the liquidation distribution is made and any declared and unpaid distributions for the then current Distribution Period in which the liquidation distribution is made to the date of such liquidation distribution. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series B Preferred Shares will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.
Conversion; Exchange and Preemptive Rights
The Series B Preferred Shares are not entitled to any preemptive rights or other rights to purchase or subscribe for our ordinary shares or any other security, and are not convertible into or exchangeable for our ordinary shares or any other security or property at the option of the holder.
Redemption
The Series B Preferred Shares are not subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or other similar provisions.
Holders of Series B Preferred Shares do not have the right to require the redemption or repurchase of the Series B Preferred Shares.
Optional Redemption on or after December 15, 2024
We may redeem the Series B Preferred Shares, in whole or in part, at our option, at any time or from time to time on or after December 15, 2024 (“Series B Optional Redemption”), at the redemption price equal to $25.00 per Series B Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. We may undertake multiple Series B Optional Redemptions. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
Optional Redemption upon a Rating Event
At any time within 120 days after the conclusion of any review or appeal process instituted by us following the occurrence of a Series B Rating Event (as defined below), we may, at our option, redeem the Series B Preferred Shares in whole, but not in part, prior to December 15, 2024, at a redemption price per Series B Preferred Share equal to $25.50 (102% of the liquidation preference of $25.00), plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
“Series B Rating Event” means a change by any rating agency to the criteria employed by such rating agency as of November 27, 2019 for purposes of assigning ratings to securities with features similar to the Series B Preferred Shares, which change results in (i) any shortening of the length of time for which the criteria in effect as of November 27, 2019 are scheduled to be in effect with respect to the Series B Preferred Shares, or (ii) a lower equity credit being given to the Series B Preferred Shares than the equity credit that would have been assigned to the Series B Preferred Shares by such rating agency pursuant to the criteria in effect as of November 27, 2019.
Optional Redemption upon a Change of Control
If a Change of Control (as defined in the Series B Share Designation) occurs, we may, at our option, redeem the Series B Preferred Shares, in whole but not in part, prior to December 15, 2024 and within 60 days after the occurrence of such Change of Control, at a price of $25.25 per Series B Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
If (i) a Change of Control occurs (whether before, on or after December 15, 2024) and (ii) we do not give notice prior to the 31st day following the Change of Control to redeem all the outstanding Series B Preferred Shares, the distribution rate per annum on the Series B Preferred Shares will increase by 5.00%, beginning on the 31st day following such Change of Control.
The Change of Control redemption feature of the Series B Preferred Shares may, in certain circumstances, make more difficult or discourage a sale or takeover of our limited liability company or a member of the Company and, thus, the removal of incumbent management. We have no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a Change of Control, although it is possible that we could decide to do so in the future.
Optional Redemption upon a Tax Redemption Event
If a Series B Tax Redemption Event (as defined in the Series B Share Designation) occurs, we may, at our option, redeem the Series B Preferred Shares, in whole but not in part, prior to December 15, 2024, and within 60 days after the occurrence of such Series B Tax Redemption Event, at a price of $25.25 per Series B Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
Voting Rights
Owners of Series B Preferred Shares do not have any voting rights, except as set forth below or as otherwise required by applicable law. To the extent that owners of Series B Preferred Shares are entitled to vote, each holder of Series B Preferred Shares will have one vote per share, except that when shares of any class or series of Parity Securities have the right to vote with the Series B Preferred Shares as a single class on any matter, the Series B Preferred Shares and the shares of each such Parity Securities will have one vote for each $25.00 of liquidation preference (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding accumulated distributions).
Whenever dividends on any shares of the Series B Preferred Shares are in arrears for six or more quarterly Distribution Periods, whether or not consecutive, the upper limit of the number of directors then constituting our board of directors will be automatically increased by two (if not already increased by two by reason of the election of directors by the holders of any Other Voting Preferred Shares (as defined below) and the holders of Series B Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class). The holders of the Series B Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class with the holders of any series of Parity Securities then outstanding upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (any such series, the “Other Voting Preferred Shares”), will be entitled to vote, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast, for the appointment of two additional directors at a special meeting of the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares and such Other Voting Preferred Shares and at each subsequent annual meeting of the holders of our ordinary shares at which such directors are up for re-appointment; provided that when all distributions accumulated on the Series B Preferred Shares for all past Distribution Periods and the then current Distribution Period shall have been fully paid, the right of holders of the Series B Preferred Shares to appoint any directors will cease and, unless there are any Other Voting Preferred Shares entitled to vote for the election of directors, the term of office of those two directors will forthwith terminate, the office of any directors appointed by holders of the Series B Preferred Shares shall automatically be vacated and the upper limit of the number of directors constituting the board of directors shall be automatically reduced by two. However, the right of the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares and any Other Voting Preferred Shares to appoint two additional directors will again vest if and whenever six additional quarterly distributions have not been declared and paid, as described above. In no event shall the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares be entitled pursuant to these voting rights to elect a director that would cause us to fail to satisfy a requirement relating to director independence of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which any class or series of our share capital is listed or quoted. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the total number of directors elected by holders of the Series B Preferred Shares and any Other Voting Preferred Shares exceed two.
While any Series B Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the following actions will be deemed a variation of the rights of the Series B Preferred Shares and all Other Voting Preferred Shares, acting as a single class, (i) authorize, create or issue any Senior Securities or reclassify any authorized share capital into any Senior Securities or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any Senior Securities or (ii) amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Articles, including by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series B Preferred Shares, and shall in each case of clause (i) and (ii) require the approval of the holders of at least 66 2/3% in voting power of the Series B Preferred Shares and all Other Voting Preferred Shares; provided that in the case of the foregoing clause (ii), if such amendment affects materially and adversely the rights, designations, preferences, powers and duties of one or more but not all of the Other Voting Preferred Shares (including the Series B Preferred Shares for this purpose), the
holders of the outstanding shares of the classes or series so affected, voting as a class, is required in lieu of (or, if such consent is required by law, in addition to) the consent of the holders of 66 2/3% of the Other Voting Preferred Shares (including the Series B Preferred Shares for this purpose) as a class. However, we may create additional series or classes of Parity Securities and Junior Securities and issue additional classes or series of Parity Securities and Junior Securities without notice to or the consent of any holder of the Series B Preferred Shares; provided, however, that, in the case of Parity Securities, the full cumulative distributions for all past Distribution Periods on all outstanding Series B Preferred Shares shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those distributions has been set aside.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the following will be deemed to affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series B Preferred Shares:
•any increase in the amount of authorized ordinary shares or authorized preferred shares, or any increase or decrease in the number of shares of any series of preferred shares, or the authorization, creation and issuance of other classes or series of share capital, in each case ranking on parity with or junior to the Series B Preferred Shares as to distributions or distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up;
•a merger or consolidation of us with or into another entity in which the Series B Preferred Shares remain outstanding with identical terms as existing immediately prior to such merger or consolidation; and
•a merger or consolidation of us with or into another entity in which the Series B Preferred Shares are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving entity or any entity, directly or indirectly, controlling such surviving entity and such new preference securities have terms identical (other than the identity of the issuer) to the terms of the Series B Preferred Shares.
The foregoing voting rights of the holders of Series B Preferred Shares shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which the vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding Series B Preferred Shares shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and we shall have set aside sufficient funds for the benefit of holders of Series B Preferred Shares to effect the redemption.
Forum Selection
The Articles provide for submission to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Cayman Islands in connection with any claim or dispute arising out of or in connection with the constitutional documents of the Company or otherwise related in any way to each Company shareholder’s shareholding in the Company, other than any action or suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are, as a matter of the laws of the United States, the sole and exclusive forum for determination of such a claim.
Series C Preferred Shares
General
The Articles authorize the Company to issue up to 200,000,000 preferred shares in one or more series, and the Company’s board of directors is authorized to fix the number of shares of each series and determine the rights, designations, preferences, powers and duties of any such series. The “8.25% Fixed-Rate Reset Series C Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares” are designated as one series of our authorized preferred shares, consisting of 4,200,000 Series C Preferred Shares.
The Series C Preferred Shares represent perpetual equity interests in us and, unlike our indebtedness, do not give rise to a claim for payment of a principal amount at a particular date. As such, the Series C Preferred Shares rank junior to all of our current and future indebtedness and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against us. The Series C Preferred Shares have a fixed liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series C Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of payment, whether or not declared; provided that the rights of the holders of Series C Preferred Shares to receive the liquidation preference will be subject to the proportional rights of holders of Parity Securities (as defined below) and to the other matters described under “—Liquidation Rights”.
Our Series C Preferred Shares trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “FTAIN”.
Ranking
With respect to the payment of distributions and rights (including redemption rights) upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the Series C Preferred Shares rank (i) senior and prior to our ordinary shares and any class or series of preferred shares that by its terms is designated as ranking junior to the Series C Preferred Shares, (ii) pari passu with any class or series of preferred shares that by its terms is designated as ranking equal to the Series C Preferred Shares or does not state it is junior or senior to the Series C Preferred Shares (including our Series A Preferred Shares and Series B Preferred Shares), (iii) junior to any class or series of preferred shares that is expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Shares (subject to receipt of any requisite consents prior to issuance) and (iv) effectively junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible into our ordinary shares or preferred shares) and other liabilities and to all liabilities and any preferred equity of our existing subsidiaries and any future subsidiaries.
The Series C Preferred Shares are not convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or series of our share capital or other securities and are not subject to any sinking fund or other obligation to redeem or repurchase the Series C Preferred Shares. The Series C Preferred Shares are not secured, are not guaranteed by us or any of our affiliates and are not subject to any other arrangement that legally or economically enhances the ranking of the Series C Preferred Shares.
Distributions
Holders of the Series C Preferred Shares are entitled to receive, only when, as, and if declared by our board of directors, out of funds legally available for such purpose, cumulative cash distributions based on the stated liquidation preference of $25.00 per Series C Preferred Share at a rate equal to (i) from, and including, the original issue date of the Series C Preferred Shares, being the date of the completion of the merger, to, but excluding, June 15, 2026 (the “Series C Reset Rate Period”), 8.25% per annum, and (ii) beginning June 15, 2026 (the “Series C Fixed Rate Period”), the Five-Year Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus a spread of 737.8 basis points per annum; provided that if the Five-Year Treasury Rate for any Distribution Period (as defined below) described in this clause (ii) cannot be determined pursuant to the definition of “Five-Year Treasury Rate,” the distribution rate for such Distribution Period will be the same as the distribution rate determined for the immediately preceding Distribution Period. A “Distribution Period” means the period from, and including, each Distribution Payment Date to, but excluding, the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date, except for the initial Distribution Period, which is the period from, and including, the original issue date of the Series C Preferred Shares, being the date of the completion of the merger, to, but excluding, the next succeeding Distribution Payment Date.
For purposes of calculating the distribution rate for a given Series C Fixed Rate Period, the calculation agent shall determine the “Five-Year Treasury Rate” (for any Reset Period (as defined below) commencing on or after the First Reset Date), based on the rate on the Reset Distribution Determination Date (as defined below) and equal to:
(i)The average of the yields to maturity on actively traded U.S. treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity, for five-year maturities, for the five Business Days appearing under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities” in the most recently published statistical release designated H.15 Daily Update or any successor publication which is published by the Federal Reserve Board, as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion; or
(ii)If no calculation is provided as described in clause (i), then the calculation agent, after consulting such sources as it deems comparable to any of the foregoing calculations, or any such source as it deems reasonable from which to estimate the Five-Year Treasury Rate, shall determine the Five-Year Treasury Rate in its sole discretion, provided that if the calculation agent determines there is an industry-accepted successor Five-Year Treasury Rate, then the Calculation Agent shall use such successor rate. If the calculation agent has determined a substitute or successor rate in accordance with the foregoing, the calculation agent, in its sole discretion, may determine the “business day” convention, the definition of “business day” and the Reset Distribution Determination Date to be used and any other relevant methodology for calculating such substitute or successor rate, including any adjustment factor needed to make such substitute or successor rate comparable to the rate described in clause (i), in a manner that is consistent with industry-accepted practices for such substitute or successor rate.
As used herein, “Reset Period” means the period from, and including, June 15, 2026 to, but excluding, the fifth-year anniversary of said date, and thereafter from, and including, the fifth-year anniversary of June 15, 2026 but excluding the following fifth-year anniversary of said date (each five-year period, commencing with June 15, 2026, a “Reset Period”).
As used herein, “Reset Distribution Determination Date” means, in respect of any Reset Period, the day falling three business days prior to the beginning of such Reset Period.
When, as, and if declared by our board of directors, we pay cash distributions on the Series C Preferred Shares quarterly, in arrears, on each Distribution Payment Date, which payments began on December 15, 2022. We pay cash distributions to the holders of record of Series C Preferred Shares as they appear on our share register on the applicable record date, which for any Distribution Payment Date shall be the 1st calendar day of the month of such Distribution Payment Date or such other record date fixed by our board of directors as the record date for such Distribution Payment Date that is not more than 60 nor less than 10 days prior to such Distribution Payment Date.
Distributions on the Series C Preferred Shares are not mandatory. However, distributions on the Series C Preferred Shares accrue from and including, the most recent Distribution Payment Date on which all accrued distributions have been paid, as applicable, whether or not we have earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of those distributions and whether or not those distributions are declared. No interest, or sum in lieu of interest, is payable in respect of any distribution payment or payments on the Series C Preferred Shares which may be in arrears, and holders of the Series C Preferred Shares are not entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property, or shares, in excess of full cumulative distributions described above.
If in the future we issue additional shares of the Series C Preferred Shares, distributions on those additional shares will accrue from the most recent Distribution Payment Date at the then-applicable distribution rate.
Priority Regarding Distributions
While any Series C Preferred Shares remain outstanding, unless the full cumulative distributions for all past Distribution Periods on all outstanding Series C Preferred Shares have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those distributions has been set aside:
(1)no distribution will be declared and paid or set aside for payment on any Junior Securities (as defined below) (other than a distribution payable solely in shares of Junior Securities);
(2)no shares of Junior Securities will be repurchased, redeemed, or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly (other than as a result of a reclassification of Junior Securities for or into other Junior Securities, or the exchange for or conversion into Junior Securities, through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Junior Securities or pursuant to a contractually binding requirement to buy Junior Securities pursuant to a binding agreement existing prior to the original issue date of the Series C Preferred Shares), nor will any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and
(3)no shares of Parity Securities will be repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (other than pursuant to pro rata offers to purchase or exchange all, or a pro rata portion of Series C Preferred Shares and such Parity Securities or as a result of a reclassification of Parity Securities for or into other Parity Securities, or by conversion into or exchange for other Parity Securities or Junior Securities).
The foregoing limitations do not apply to (i) purchases or acquisitions of, or cash settlement in respect of, Junior Securities pursuant to any employee or director incentive or benefit plan or arrangement (including any of our employment, severance, or consulting agreements) of ours or of any of our subsidiaries and (ii) any distribution in connection with the implementation of a shareholder rights plan or the redemption or repurchase of any rights under such a plan, including with respect to any successor shareholder rights plan.
Accumulated distributions in arrears for any past Distribution Period may be declared by the board of directors and paid on any date fixed by the board of directors, whether or not a Distribution Payment Date, to holders of the Series C Preferred Shares on the record date for such payment, which may not be less than 10 days before such distribution. To the extent a distribution period applicable to a class of Junior Securities or Parity Securities is shorter than the Distribution Period applicable to the Series C Preferred Shares (e.g., monthly rather than quarterly), the board of directors may declare and pay regular distributions with respect to such Junior Securities or Parity Securities so long as, at the time of declaration of such distribution, the board of directors expects to have sufficient funds to pay the full cumulative distributions in respect of the Series C Preferred Shares on the next Distribution Payment Date.
Subject to the next succeeding sentence, if all accumulated distributions in arrears on all outstanding Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities have not been declared and paid, or sufficient funds for the payment thereof have not been set apart, payment of accumulated distributions in arrears will be made in order of their respective distribution payment dates, commencing with the earliest distribution payment date. If less than all
distributions payable with respect to all Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities are paid, any partial payment will be made pro rata with respect to the Series C Preferred Shares and any Parity Securities entitled to a distribution payment at such time in proportion to the aggregate amounts remaining due in respect of such Series C Preferred Shares and Parity Securities at such time.
As used in this description of Series C Preferred Shares, (i) “Junior Securities” means our ordinary shares and any other class or series of our share capital over which the Series C Preferred Shares has preference or priority in the payment of distributions or in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (ii) “Parity Securities” means any other class or series of our share capital that ranks equally with the Series C Preferred Shares in the payment of distributions and in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up (including our Series A Preferred Shares and Series B Preferred Shares) and (iii) “Senior Securities” means any other class or series of our share capital that has preference or priority over the Series C Preferred Shares in the payment of distributions or in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Subject to the conditions described above, and not otherwise, distributions (payable in cash, shares, or otherwise), as may be determined by our board of directors, may be declared and paid on our ordinary shares and any Junior Securities from time to time out of any funds legally available for such payment, and the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares will not be entitled to participate in those distributions.
Liquidation Rights
Upon our voluntary or involuntary Liquidation, the holders of the outstanding Series C Preferred Shares are entitled to be paid out of our assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of ordinary shares or any other Junior Securities, a liquidating distribution in the amount of a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of such liquidating distribution, whether or not declared, plus the sum of any declared and unpaid distributions for Distribution Periods prior to the Distribution Period in which the liquidating distribution is made and any declared and unpaid distributions for the then current Distribution Period in which the liquidating distribution is made to the date of such liquidating distribution. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series C Preferred Shares will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.
Conversion; Exchange and Preemptive Rights
The Series C Preferred Shares are not entitled to any preemptive rights or other rights to purchase or subscribe for our ordinary shares or any other security, and are not convertible into or exchangeable for our ordinary shares or any other security or property at the option of the holder.
Redemption
The Series C Preferred Shares are not subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or other similar provisions.
Holders of Series C Preferred Shares do not have the right to require the redemption or repurchase of the Series C Preferred Shares.
Optional Redemption on or after June 15, 2026
We may redeem the Series C Preferred Shares, in whole or in part, at our option, at any time or from time to time on or after June 15, 2026 (“Series C Optional Redemption”), at the redemption price equal to $25.00 per Series C Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. We may undertake multiple Series C Optional Redemptions. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
Optional Redemption upon a Rating Event
At any time within 120 days after the conclusion of any review or appeal process instituted by us following the occurrence of a Series C Rating Event (as defined below), we may, at our option, redeem the Series C Preferred Shares in whole, but not in part, prior to June 15, 2026, at a redemption price per Series C Preferred Share equal to $25.50 (102% of the liquidation preference of $25.00), plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would
be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
“Series C Rating Event” means a change by any rating agency to the criteria employed by such rating agency as of March 25, 2021 for purposes of assigning ratings to securities with features similar to the Series C Preferred Shares, which change results in (i) any shortening of the length of time for which the criteria in effect as of March 25, 2021 are scheduled to be in effect with respect to the Series C Preferred Shares, or (ii) a lower equity credit being given to the Series C Preferred Shares than the equity credit that would have been assigned to the Series C Preferred Shares by such rating agency pursuant to the criteria in effect as of March 25, 2021.
Optional Redemption upon a Change of Control
If a Change of Control (as defined in the Series C Share Designation) occurs, we may, at our option, redeem the Series C Preferred Shares, in whole but not in part, prior to June 15, 2026 and within 60 days after the occurrence of such Change of Control, at a price of $25.25 per Series C Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
If (i) a Change of Control occurs (whether before, on or after June 15, 2026) and (ii) we do not give notice prior to the 31st day following the Change of Control to redeem all the outstanding Series C Preferred Shares, the distribution rate per annum on the Series C Preferred Shares will increase by 500 basis points, beginning on the 31st day following such Change of Control.
Optional Redemption upon a Tax Redemption Event
If a Series C Tax Redemption Event (as defined in the Series C Share Designation) occurs, we may, at our option, redeem the Series C Preferred Shares, in whole but not in part, prior to June 15, 2026, and within 60 days after the occurrence of such Series C Tax Redemption Event, at a price of $25.25 per Series C Preferred Share, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. Any such redemption would be effected only out of funds legally available for such purpose and would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the instruments governing our outstanding indebtedness.
Voting Rights
Owners of Series C Preferred Shares do not have any voting rights, except as set forth below or as otherwise required by applicable law. To the extent that owners of Series C Preferred Shares are entitled to vote, each holder of Series C Preferred Shares will have one vote per share, except that when shares of any class or series of Parity Securities have the right to vote with the Series C Preferred Shares as a single class on any matter, the Series C Preferred Shares and the shares of each such Parity Securities will have one vote for each $25.00 of liquidation preference (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding accumulated distributions).
Whenever dividends on any shares of the Series C Preferred Shares are in arrears for six or more quarterly Distribution Periods, whether or not consecutive, the upper limit of the number of directors then constituting our board of directors will be automatically increased by two (if not already increased by two by reason of the election of directors by the holders of any Other Voting Preferred Shares (as defined below) and the holders of Series C Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class). The holders of the Series C Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class with the holders of any series of Parity Securities then outstanding upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (any such series, the “Other Voting Preferred Shares”), will be entitled to vote, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast, for the appointment of two additional directors at a special meeting of the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares and such Other Voting Preferred Shares and at each subsequent annual meeting of the holders of our ordinary shares at which such directors are up for re-appointment; provided that when all distributions accumulated on the Series C Preferred Shares for all past Distribution Periods and the then current Distribution Period shall have been fully paid, the right of holders of the Series C Preferred Shares to appoint any directors will cease and, unless there are any Other Voting Preferred Shares entitled to vote for the election of directors, the term of office of those two directors will forthwith terminate, the office of any directors appointed by holders of the Series C Preferred Shares shall automatically be vacated and the upper limit of the number of directors constituting the board of directors shall be automatically reduced by two. However, the right of the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares and any Other Voting Preferred Shares to appoint two additional directors will again vest if and whenever six additional quarterly distributions have not been declared and paid, as described above. In no event shall the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares be entitled pursuant to these voting rights to elect a director that would cause us to fail to satisfy a requirement relating to director
independence of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which any class or series of our share capital is listed or quoted. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the total number of directors elected by holders of the Series C Preferred Shares and any Other Voting Preferred Shares exceed two.
While any Series C Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the following actions will be deemed a variation of the rights of the Series C Preferred Shares and all Other Voting Preferred Shares, acting as a single class, (i) authorize, create or issue any Senior Securities or reclassify any authorized share capital into any Senior Securities or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any Senior Securities or (ii) amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Articles, including by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series C Preferred Shares, and shall in each case of clause (i) and (ii) require the approval of the holders of at least 66 2/3% in voting power of the Series C Preferred Shares and all Other Voting Preferred Shares; provided that in the case of the foregoing clause (ii), if such amendment affects materially and adversely the rights, designations, preferences, powers and duties of one or more but not all of the Other Voting Preferred Shares (including the Series C Preferred Shares for this purpose), the holders of the outstanding shares of the classes or series so affected, voting as a class, is required in lieu of (or, if such consent is required by law, in addition to) the consent of the holders of 66 2/3% of the Other Voting Preferred Shares (including the Series C Preferred Shares for this purpose) as a class. However, we may create additional series or classes of Parity Securities and Junior Securities and issue additional classes or series of Parity Securities and Junior Securities without notice to or the consent of any holder of the Series C Preferred Shares; provided, however, that, in the case of Parity Securities, the full cumulative distributions for all past Distribution Periods on all outstanding Series C Preferred Shares shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those distributions has been set aside.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the following will be deemed to affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series C Preferred Shares:
•any increase in the amount of authorized ordinary shares or authorized preferred shares, or any increase or decrease in the number of shares of any series of preferred shares, or the authorization, creation and issuance of other classes or series of share capital, in each case ranking on parity with or junior to the Series C Preferred Shares as to distributions or distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up;
•a merger or consolidation of us with or into another entity in which the Series C Preferred Shares remain outstanding with identical terms as existing immediately prior to such merger or consolidation; and
•a merger or consolidation of us with or into another entity in which the Series C Preferred Shares are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving entity or any entity, directly or indirectly, controlling such surviving entity and such new preference securities have terms identical (other than the identity of the issuer) to the terms of the Series C Preferred Shares.
The foregoing voting rights of the holders of Series C Preferred Shares shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which the vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding Series C Preferred Shares shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and we shall have set aside sufficient funds for the benefit of holders of Series C Preferred Shares to effect the redemption.
Forum Selection
The Articles provide for submission to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Cayman Islands in connection with any claim or dispute arising out of or in connection with the constitutional documents of the Company or otherwise related in any way to each Company shareholder’s shareholding in the Company, other than any action or suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are, as a matter of the laws of the United States, the sole and exclusive forum for determination of such a claim.
Dividends
Dividends are recorded if and when declared by the board of directors. The then board of directors of FTAI declared cash dividends of $1.26, $1.32 and $1.32 per ordinary share during each of the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Additionally, the then board of directors of FTAI declared cash dividends on the FTAI Series A Preferred Shares of $2.06, $2.06 and $2.06 per share for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively, the Series B Preferred Shares of $2.00, $2.00 and $2.10 per share for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and
2020, respectively, and the Series C Preferred Shares of $2.06 and $1.49 per share for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Exempted Company
The Company is an exempted company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands. The Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands (the “Cayman Companies Act”) distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except for the exemptions and privileges listed below:
•an exempted company does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands;
•an exempted company’s register of members is not open to inspection;
•an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting;
•an exempted company may issue no par value shares;
•an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance);
•an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;
•an exempted company may register as a limited duration company; and
•an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio company.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Cayman Islands Law and Our Articles
The following is a summary of certain provisions of our Articles that may function to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a shareholder might consider to be in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by shareholders.
Authorized but Unissued Shares
Our authorized but unissued ordinary shares and preferred shares will be available for future issuance without obtaining shareholder approval. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital and corporate acquisitions. The existence of authorized but unissued ordinary shares and preferred shares could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control over us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Other Provisions of Our Articles
Our Articles provides that our board shall consist of not fewer than three and not more than nine directors as the board of directors may from time to time determine. Our board of directors consists of seven directors and is divided into three classes that are, as nearly as possible, of equal size. Each class of directors is elected for a three-year term of office, but the terms are staggered so that the term of only one class of directors expires at each annual general meeting. We believe that classification of our board of directors helps to assure the continuity and stability of our business strategies and policies as determined by our board of directors. Additionally, there is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. This classified board provision could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent directors more time consuming and difficult. At least two annual meetings of shareholders, instead of one, are generally required to effect a change in a majority of our board of directors.
The classified board provision could increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions. The staggered terms of directors may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or an attempt to change control of us, even though a tender offer or change in control might be believed by our shareholders to be in their best interest.
In addition, our Articles provides that a director may be removed, only for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the then issued and outstanding ordinary shares entitled to vote in the election of directors.
In addition, our board of directors has the power to appoint a person as a director to fill a vacancy on our board occurring as a result of the death, disability, disqualification removal or resignation of a director, or as a result of an increase in the size of our board of directors.
Pursuant to our Articles, preferred shares may be issued from time to time, and the board of directors is authorized to determine and alter all designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties without limitation. Our Articles do not provide our shareholders with the ability to call general meetings of the shareholders.
See also, “Series A Preferred Shares-Optional Redemption upon a Change of Control,” “Series B Preferred Shares-Optional Redemption upon a Change of Control” and “Series C Preferred Shares-Optional Redemption upon a Change of Control.”
Ability of Our Shareholders to Act
Our Articles do not permit our shareholders to call general meetings. General meetings of shareholders may be called by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chairperson or a committee of the Board of Directors that has been duly designated by the Board of Directors and whose powers include the authority to call such meetings. Written notice of any general meeting so called shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting not less than 10 or more than 60 days before the date of such meeting, unless otherwise required by law.
Our Articles do not permit our shareholders to pass resolutions in writing.
Our Articles provide that nominations of persons for election to our board of directors at any annual general meeting, or at any extraordinary meeting of our shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors, may be made (a) by or at the direction of our board of directors or (b) by certain shareholders. In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual general meeting by a shareholder, such shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at our registered office (i) in the case of an annual general meeting, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual general meeting; and (ii) in the case of an extraordinary meeting, not later than the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the extraordinary meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the extraordinary meeting was made, whichever first occurs.
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our Articles provides that our directors shall not, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be liable to us for any loss or damage incurred by us as a result (whether direct or indirect) of the carrying out of their functions unless that liability arises through the actual fraud, willful neglect or willful default of such director, and provided further that such director acted in good faith and in a manner such director reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interests and had no reasonable cause to believe such director’s conduct was unlawful.
Our Articles provide that we indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law. We are also expressly authorized to advance certain expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements and court costs) to our directors and officers and carry directors’ and officers’ insurance providing indemnification for our directors and officers for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and officers.
We have entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Each indemnification agreement provides, among other things, for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law and our Articles against (i) any and all expenses and liabilities, including judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement of any claim with our approval and counsel fees and disbursements, (ii) any liability pursuant to a loan guarantee, or otherwise, for any of our indebtedness, and (iii) any liabilities incurred as a result of acting on our behalf (as a fiduciary or otherwise) in connection with an employee benefit plan. The indemnification agreements provide for the advancement or payment of all expenses to the indemnitee and for reimbursement to us if it is found that such indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law and our Articles.
Corporate Opportunity
Under our Articles, to the extent permitted by law:
•Fortress and its respective affiliates, including Fortress Investment Group LLC (the “Manager”) and Master GP, have the right to, and have no duty to abstain from, exercising such right to, engage or invest in the same or similar business as us, do business with any of our clients, customers or vendors or employ or otherwise engage any of our officers, directors or employees;
•if Fortress and its respective affiliates, including the Manager and Master GP, or any of their officers, directors or employees acquire knowledge of a potential transaction that could be a corporate opportunity, it has no duty to offer such corporate opportunity to us, our shareholders or affiliates;
•we have renounced any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, such corporate opportunities; and in the event that any of our directors and officers who is also a director, officer or employee of Fortress and their respective affiliates, including the Manager and Master GP, acquire knowledge of a corporate opportunity or is offered a corporate opportunity, provided that this knowledge was not acquired solely in such person’s capacity as our director or officer and such person acted in good faith, then such person is deemed to have fully satisfied such person’s fiduciary duty and is not liable to us if Fortress and their respective affiliates, including the Manager and Master GP, pursues or acquires the corporate opportunity or if such person did not present the corporate opportunity to us.
The Company’s Transfer Agent
The transfer agent for the Company’s shares is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.
FTAI AVIATION LTD.
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AND
INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
Adopted by Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors, LLC as of May 11, 2015 and assumed by the Company as of November 10, 2022
Amended on February 23, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
FTAI AVIATION LTD.
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
SECTION 1
PURPOSE OF PLAN; DEFINITIONS
1.1Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is (a) to reinforce the long-term commitment to the Company’s success of those Non-Officer Directors, officers, directors, employees, advisors, service providers, consultants and other personnel who are or will be responsible for such success; to facilitate the ownership of the Company’s Shares by such individuals, thereby reinforcing the identity of their interests with those of the Company’s shareholders; to assist the Company in attracting and retaining individuals with experience and ability, (b) to compensate the Manager for its successful efforts in raising capital for the Company and to provide performance-based compensation in order to provide incentive to the Manager to enhance the value of the Company’s Shares and (c) to benefit the Company’s shareholders by encouraging high levels of performance by individuals whose performance is a key element in achieving the Company’s continued success.
1.2Definitions. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
(a)“Award” or “Awards” means an award described in Section 5 hereof.
(b)“Award Agreement” means an agreement described in Section 6 hereof entered into between the Company and a Participant, setting forth the terms, conditions and any limitations applicable to the Award granted to the Participant.
(c)“Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
(d)“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e)“Change in Control” of the Company shall be deemed to have occurred if an event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs (i)-(iii) shall have occurred unless prior to the occurrence of such event, the Board determines that such event shall not constitute a Change in Control:
(i)any Person is or becomes a Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company, excluding (A) any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (x) of paragraph (ii) below, and (B) any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner through the issuance of such securities with respect to purchases made directly from the Company; or
(ii)there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other corporation, other than (x) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof) fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (y) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company; or
(iii)the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
For each Award that constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, to the extent required to avoid additional tax or other penalty, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred under the Plan with respect to such Award only if a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or a change in ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company shall also be deemed to have occurred under Section 409A of the Code.
(f)“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto.
(g)“Commission” means Securities and Exchange Commission.
(h)“Committee” means any committee the Board may appoint to administer the Plan. To the extent necessary and desirable, the Committee shall be composed entirely of individuals who meet the qualifications referred to in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. If at any time or to any extent the Board shall not administer the Plan, then the functions of the Board specified in the Plan shall be exercised by the Committee.
(i)“Company” means FTAI Aviation Ltd. (f/k/a FTAI Finance Holdco Ltd.), a Cayman Islands exempted company.
(j)“Disability” means, with respect to any Participant, that such Participant (i) as determined by the Participant’s employer or service recipient (such determination to be approved by the Committee) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering such Participant.
(k)“Effective Date” means the date provided pursuant to Section 11 hereof.
(l)“Equity Security Factor” means a number of Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share) equal to (i) the gross capital raised in an equity issuance of equity securities other than Shares during the term of the Plan (as determined by the Committee), divided by (ii) the Fair Market Value of a Share as of the date of such equity issuance.
(m)“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(n)“Fair Market Value” means, as of any given date, except as otherwise determined by the Committee (i) the closing price of a Share on the principal exchange on which Shares are then trading, if any, on the trading day previous to such date, or, if shares were not traded on the trading day previous to such date, then on the next preceding trading day during which a sale occurred; or (ii) if such Shares are not publicly traded on an exchange, the mean between the closing bid and asked prices for the Shares, on the day previous to such date, as determined in good faith by the Committee; or (iii) if the Shares are not publicly traded, the fair market value established by the Committee using any reasonable method and acting in good faith.
(o)“Manager” means FIG LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“FIG LLC”), or any Person who shall succeed as manager as permitted by that certain Management and Advisory Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2022, by and among Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors LLC (“FTAI”), FTAI Finance Holdco Ltd., the subsidiaries of FTAI party thereto and FIG LLC, as may be amended and/or restated from time to time.
(p)“Manager Awards” means the Awards granted to the Manager as described in Section 5.5 hereof.
(q)“Non-Officer Director” means a director of the Company who is not an officer or employee of the Company.
(r)“Non-Officer Director Stock Option” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(a) hereof.
(s)“Participant” means any Person selected by the Committee, pursuant to the Committee’s authority in Section 2 hereof, to receive Awards, including but not limited to (i) any Non-Officer Director, (ii) the Manager and its affiliates and (iii) any director, officer or employee of the Company, any parent, affiliate or subsidiary of the Company, or the Manager or any of its affiliates and (iv) any consultant, service provider or advisor to the Company, any parent, affiliate or subsidiary of the Company, or the Manager or any of its affiliates.
(t)“Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof.
(u)“Plan” means this FTAI Aviation Ltd. Nonqualified Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan.
(v)“Restricted Stock” means Shares as described in Section 5.3 hereof.
(w)“Securities Act” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(h) hereof.
(x)“Shares” means the ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.
(y)“Stock Appreciation Right” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2 hereof.
(z)“Stock Option” means any option to purchase Shares granted pursuant to the Plan. The Stock Options granted hereunder are not intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(aa)“Tandem Awards” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.5 hereof.
SECTION 2
ADMINISTRATION
1.1Administration. The Plan shall, to the extent applicable, be administered in accordance with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (“Rule 16b-3”), by the Board or, at the Board’s sole discretion, by the Committee, which shall be appointed by the Board, and which shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Plan is intended to be exempt from, or to comply with, and shall be administered in a manner that is intended to be exempt from, or comply with, Sections 409A and 457A of the Code and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent, to the extent subject thereto. To the extent that an Award and/or issuance and/or payment of an Award is subject to Section 409A or 457A of the Code, it shall be awarded and/or issued or paid in a manner that will comply with Section 409A or 457A of the Code, as applicable, including any applicable regulations or guidance issued by the Secretary of the United States Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto.
1.2Duties and Powers of Committee. The Committee shall have the power and authority to grant Awards to Participants pursuant to the terms of the Plan, and, in its discretion, to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it shall from time to time deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any agreements relating thereto); and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan. All decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all Persons.
In particular, the Committee shall have the authority to determine, in a manner consistent with the terms of the Plan:
(a)in addition to the Manager and the Non-Officer Directors, those Participants who shall receive Awards under the Plan;
(b)subject to Section 3 hereof, the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(c)the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder, including, subject to the requirements of Sections 409A and 457A of the Code, the waiver or modification of any such terms or conditions, consistent with the provisions of the Plan (including, but not limited to, Section 8 hereof); and
(d)the terms and conditions which shall govern all the Award Agreements, including the waiver or modification of any such terms or conditions.
1.3Majority Rule. The Committee shall act by a majority of its members in attendance at a meeting at which a quorum is present or by a memorandum or other written instrument signed by all members of the Committee.
1.4Delegation of Authority. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee or the Board may from time to time delegate to one or more Persons the authority to take administrative actions pursuant to this Section 2. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limitations that the Committee specifies at the time of such delegation, and the Committee may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee.
1.5Compensation; Professional Assistance; Good Faith Actions. Members of the Committee may receive such compensation for their services as members as may be determined by the Board. All expenses and liabilities that members of the Committee or Board may incur in connection with the administration of this Plan shall be borne by the Company. The Committee may, with the approval of the Board, employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers or other Persons. The Committee, the Board, the Company and any officers and directors of the Company shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or valuations of any such Persons. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee or Board in good faith shall be final and binding upon all Participants, the Company and all other interested Persons. No member of the Committee or Board shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Award, and all members of the Committee and Board shall be fully protected and indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by law, by the Company, in respect of any such action, determination or interpretation.
SECTION 3
SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN
1.1Number of and Source of Shares. The maximum number of Shares reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be 30,000,000, as increased on the date of any equity issuance by the Company during the term of the Plan by a number of Shares equal to 10% of (i) the number of Shares issued by the Company in such equity issuance or (ii) if such equity issuance relates to equity securities other than Shares, the number of Shares equal to the Equity Security Factor. The Shares which may be issued pursuant to an Award under the Plan may be treasury Shares, authorized but unissued Shares, or Shares acquired, subsequently or in anticipation of the transaction, in the open market to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. Awards may consist of any combination of such Shares, or, at the election of the Company, cash.
1.2Unrealized and Tandem Awards. If any Shares subject to an Award are forfeited, cancelled, exchanged or surrendered or if an Award otherwise terminates or expires without a distribution of shares to the Participant, the Shares with respect to such Award shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, cancellation, exchange, surrender, termination or expiration, again be available for grants under the Plan. The grant of a Tandem Award (as defined herein) shall not reduce the number of Shares reserved and available for issuance under the Plan. The Company reserves the right to cancel any Stock Option which has a per-share exercise price that is equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of an underlying Share as of the date of such cancellation, and any Shares which were subject to such cancelled Stock Option shall again be available for the issuance of Stock Options, including issuance to the Person that held the cancelled Stock Option, irrespective of whether such issuance would be deemed a repricing of such Stock Option.
1.3Adjustment of Awards. Upon the occurrence of any event which affects the Shares in such a way that an adjustment of outstanding Awards is appropriate in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of rights under the Awards (including, without limitation, any extraordinary dividend or other distribution (whether in cash or in kind), recapitalization, stock or share split, reverse split or share consolidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or share exchange, or other similar corporate transaction or event), the Committee shall make appropriate equitable adjustments, which may include, without limitation, adjustments to any or all of the number and kind of Shares (or other securities) which may thereafter be issued in connection with such outstanding Awards and adjustments to any exercise price specified in the outstanding Awards and shall also make appropriate equitable adjustments to the number and kind of Shares (or other securities) authorized by or to be granted under the Plan. Such other substitutions or adjustments shall be made respecting Awards hereunder as may
be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. In connection with any event described in this paragraph, the Committee may provide, in its discretion, for the cancellation of any outstanding Award and payment in cash or other property in exchange therefor, equal to the difference, if any, between the fair market value of the Shares or other property subject to the Award, and the exercise price, if any.
SECTION 4
ELIGIBILITY
Each Participant shall be eligible to receive Awards under the Plan. Additional Participants under the Plan may be selected from time to time by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion, the number of shares covered by each Award.
SECTION 5
AWARDS
Awards may include, but are not limited to, those described in this Section 5. The Committee may grant Awards singly, in tandem or in combination with other Awards, as the Committee may in its sole discretion determine.
1.1Stock Options. A Stock Option is a right to purchase a specified number of Shares, at a specified price during such specified time as the Committee shall determine.
(a)A Stock Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company, specifying the number of Shares to be purchased.
(b)The exercise price of the Stock Option may be paid in cash or its equivalent, as determined by the Committee. As determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, or as otherwise set forth in Sections 5.5(b) and 5.5(c) below, payment in whole or in part may also be made (i) by means of any cashless exercise procedure approved by the Committee (including the withholding of Shares otherwise issuable on exercise), or (ii) in the form of unrestricted Shares already owned by the Participant which has a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate option price of the Shares as to which such Stock Option shall be exercised. No fractional Shares will be issued or accepted.
1.2Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right is a right to receive, upon surrender of the right, an amount payable in cash and/or Shares under such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine.
(a)A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted in tandem with part or all of (or in addition to, or completely independent of) a Stock Option or any other Award under this Plan. A Stock Appreciation Right issued in tandem with a Stock Option may be granted at the time of grant of the related Stock Option or at any time thereafter during the term of the Stock Option.
(b)The amount payable in cash and/or Shares with respect to each right shall be equal in value to a percentage (including up to 100%) of the amount by which the Fair Market Value per Share on the exercise date exceeds the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right. The applicable percentage shall be established by the Committee. The Award Agreement may state whether the amount payable is to be paid wholly in cash, wholly in Shares, or in any combination of the foregoing; if the Award Agreement does not so state the manner of payment, the Committee shall determine such manner of payment at the time of payment. The amount payable in Shares, if any, is determined with reference to the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of exercise.
(c)Stock Appreciation Rights issued in tandem with Stock Options shall be exercisable only to the extent that the Stock Options to which they relate are exercisable. Upon exercise of the tandem Stock Appreciation Right, and to the extent of such exercise, the Participant’s underlying Stock Option shall automatically terminate. Similarly, upon the exercise of the tandem Stock Option, and to the extent of such exercise, the Participant’s related Stock Appreciation Right shall automatically terminate.
1.3Restricted Stock. Restricted Stock are Shares that are issued to a Participant and is subject to such terms, conditions and restrictions as the Committee deems appropriate, which may include, but are not limited to, restrictions upon the sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of the Restricted Stock and the
requirement of surrender or forfeiture of the Restricted Stock upon termination of employment or service under certain specified conditions. The Committee may provide for the lapse of any such term or condition or waive any term or condition based on such factors or criteria as the Committee may determine. Subject to the restrictions stated in this Section 5.3 and in the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant shall have, with respect to Awards of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a shareholder of the Company, including the right to vote the Restricted Stock and the right to receive any cash or share dividends on such Shares. The Company may require that the certificates evidencing Restricted Stock granted hereunder be held in the custody of the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that, as a condition of any award of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall have delivered a blank duly executed share transfer form, relating to the Shares covered by such award.
1.4Performance Awards. Performance Awards may be granted under this Plan from time to time based on such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate provided that such Awards shall not be inconsistent with the terms and purposes of this Plan. Performance Awards are Awards which are contingent upon the performance of all or a portion of the Company and/or its subsidiaries and/or which are contingent upon the individual performance of a Participant. Performance Awards may be in the form of performance units, performance shares and such other forms of Performance Awards as the Committee shall determine. The Committee shall determine the performance measurements and criteria for such Performance Awards. The Company may require that the certificates evidencing Performance Awards granted hereunder be held in the custody of the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that, as a condition of any award of Performance Awards, the Participant shall have delivered a blank duly executed share transfer form, relating to the Shares covered by such award.
1.5Manager Awards and Tandem Awards.
(a)Grant of Compensatory Stock Options. As consideration for the Manager’s role in raising capital for the Company, the Manager may be awarded Stock Options in connection with any equity issuance by the Company, to acquire that number of Shares up to ten percent (10%) of (i) the number of Shares issued by the Company in such equity issuance or (ii) if such equity issuance relates to equity securities other than Shares, a number of Shares equal to the Equity Security Factor, in each case subject to the proviso contained in Section 5.5(f) hereof.
(b)Terms of Manager Awards. The Stock Options referred to in clause (a) above shall be 100% vested as of the date of grant and become exercisable as to 1/30th of the Shares subject to the Stock Options on the first day of each of the following 30 calendar months following the date of grant. Such Stock Options shall expire on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant. Such Stock Options shall have a per share price equal to the offering price of the equity issuance in connection with which such Stock Options are awarded (as determined by the Committee), or in the event that such equity issuance relates to equity securities other than Shares, the Fair Market Value of a Share as of the date of the equity issuance, in each case subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 3.3 hereof. The exercise price of such Stock Options may be paid in cash or its equivalent, as determined by the Committee. Payment in whole or in part may also be made by the following cashless exercise procedures: (i) by withholding from Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of such Stock Option, (ii) in the form of unrestricted Shares already owned by the Manager which has a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate option price of the Shares as to which such Stock Option shall be exercised or (iii) by means of any other cashless exercise procedure approved by the Committee. No fractional Shares will be issued or accepted. The Award Agreement with respect to such Stock Options shall also set forth the vesting and exercise schedule of such Stock Options and such other terms and conditions with respect to such Stock Options and the delivery of Shares subject to such Stock Options as the Committee may determine.
(c)Each of the Committee and/or the Manager shall have the authority to direct awards of Stock Options to such employees of the Manager who act as officers of or perform other services for the Company, which options shall be tandem to the Stock Options that are the subject of outstanding Manager Awards designated by the Manager—i.e., Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Stock Options that are subject to certain designated Manager Awards would alternatively be issuable pursuant to the exercise of Stock Options that are the subject of the tandem awards granted to Persons who perform services for or on behalf of the Company, provided that such Shares may be issued pursuant to the exercise of either the designated Manager Awards or the tandem awards but not both (the “Tandem Awards”). As determined by the Manager, in its sole discretion, payment of the exercise price of such Tandem Award in whole or in part may be made by the following cashless exercise procedures: (i) by withholding from Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of such Tandem Award, (ii) in the form of unrestricted Shares already owned by the holder of such Tandem Award which has a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate option price of the Shares as to which such Tandem Award shall be exercised or (iii) by means of any other cashless exercise procedure approved by the Committee.
(d)As a condition to the grant of Tandem Awards, the Manager shall be required to agree that so long as such Tandem Awards remain outstanding, it will not exercise any Stock Options under any designated Manager Award that are related to the options under such outstanding Tandem Awards. If Stock Options under a Tandem Award are forfeited, expire or are cancelled without being exercised, the related Stock Options under the designated Manager Award shall again become exercisable in accordance with its terms. Upon the exercise of Stock Options under a Tandem Award, the related Stock Options under the designated Manager Award shall terminate.
(e)The terms and conditions of each such Tandem Awards (e.g., the per share exercise price, the schedule of vesting, exercisability and delivery, etc.) shall be determined by the Committee or the Manager, as the case may be, in its sole discretion and shall be included in an Award Agreement, provided, that the term of such award may not be greater than the term of its related Manager Award.
(f)Other Awards. The Committee may, from time to time, grant such Awards to the Manager as the Committee deems advisable in order to provide additional incentive to the Manager to enhance the value of the Company’s Shares; provided, however, that no Award shall be awarded to the Manager (or its designee) in connection with any equity issuance by the Company which provides for the acquisition of a number of Shares in excess of ten percent (10%) of (i) the maximum number of Shares being proposed to be issued by the Company in such equity issuance or (ii) if such equity issuance relates to equity securities other than Shares, the maximum number of Shares determined in accordance with the Equity Security Factor.
(g)Change in Control and Termination Provisions. Notwithstanding anything herein, unless otherwise provided in any Award Agreement to the contrary, upon a Change in Control or a termination of the Manager’s services to the Company for any reason, all Awards granted to the Manager pursuant to this Plan shall become immediately and fully exercisable, and all Tandem Awards shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreements.
(h)Registration Rights Agreement. The Company shall, upon the Manager’s reasonable request, (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) the securities that may be issued and sold under the Plan or the resale of such securities issued and sold pursuant to the Plan or (ii) enter into a registration rights agreement with the Manager on terms to be mutually agreed upon between the parties.
1.6Automatic Non-Officer Director Awards.
(a)Initial Grant of Non-Officer Director Stock Options. Each Non-Officer Director shall be granted a Stock Option, which shall be fully vested as of the date of the grant, relating to 5,000 Shares (each, a “Non-Officer Director Stock Option”), upon the date of the first Board of Director’s meeting attended by such Non-Officer Director after effectiveness of the Plan. The option price per Share under the Non-Officer Director Stock Option shall be one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant.
(b)Share Availability. In the event that the number of Shares available for grant under the Plan is not sufficient to accommodate the Awards of Non-Officer Director Stock Options, then the remaining Shares available for such automatic awards shall be granted to each Non-Officer Director who is to receive such an award on a pro-rata basis. No further grants shall be made until such time, if any, as additional Shares become available for grant under the Plan through action of the Board or the shareholders of the Company to increase the number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan or through cancellation or expiration of Awards previously granted hereunder.
(c)Term; Method of Exercise of Non-Officer Director Stock Option. Each Non-Officer Director Stock Option shall cease to be exercisable no later than the date that is ten (10) years following the date of grant. If settled in Shares, the exercise price of such Stock Options may be paid in cash or its equivalent, as determined by the Committee. As determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, payment in whole or in part may also be made (i) by means of any cashless exercise procedure approved by the Committee (including the withholding of Shares otherwise issuable on exercise), or (ii) in the form of unrestricted Shares already owned by the Non-Officer Director which has a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate option price of the Shares as to which such Stock Option shall be exercised. No fractional Shares will be issued or accepted.
(d)Award Agreements. Each recipient of a Non-Officer Director Stock Option shall enter into an Award Agreement with the Company, which agreement shall set forth, among other things, the exercise price, the term and provisions regarding exercisability and form of settlement of the Non-Officer Director Stock Option, which provisions shall not be inconsistent with the terms of this Section 5.6 and Section 6.1 hereof.
The Award Agreement with respect to such Non-Officer Director Stock Option shall also set forth such other terms and conditions with respect to Awards to the Non-Officer Director as the Committee may determine.
1.7Other Awards.
The Committee may from time to time grant to its Non-Officer Directors, or any other Participant, Shares, other Share-based and non-Share-based Awards under the Plan, including without limitation those Awards pursuant to which Shares are or may in the future be acquired, Awards denominated in Shares, securities convertible into Shares, phantom securities, dividend equivalents and cash. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such other Shares, Share-based and non-Share-based Awards provided that such Awards shall not be inconsistent with the terms and purposes of this Plan.
SECTION 6
AWARD AGREEMENTS
Each Award under this Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement setting forth the number of Shares or other securities, and such other terms and conditions applicable to the Award (and not inconsistent with this Plan) as are determined by the Committee.
1.1Terms of Award Agreements. Award Agreements may include the following terms:
(a)Term. The term of each Award (as determined by the Committee); provided that, no Award with an exercise period shall be exercisable more than ten years after the date such Award is granted.
(b)Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share purchasable under an Award (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion at the time of grant); provided that, the exercise price shall not be less than the par value of the Shares and, for Awards intended to be exempt from application of Sections 409A and 457A of the Code under Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(A), shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on such date.
(c)Exercisability. Provisions regarding the exercisability of Awards (which shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at or after grant).
(d)Method of Exercise. Provisions describing the method of exercising Awards.
(e)Delivery. Provisions regarding the timing of the delivery of Shares subject to Awards. The Award Agreements may provide that such delivery will be delayed to the extent required to avoid the imposition of a tax under Section 409A of the Code.
(f)Termination of Employment or Service. Provisions describing the treatment of an Award in the event of Disability, death or other termination of a Participant’s employment or service with the Company, including but not limited to, terms relating to the vesting, time for exercise, forfeiture and cancellation of an Award in such circumstances.
(g)Rights as Shareholder. A provision that a Participant shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any securities covered by an Award until the date the Participant becomes the holder of record. Except as provided in Section 3.3 hereof, no adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights, unless the Award Agreement specifically requires such adjustment, in which case, grants of dividend equivalents or similar rights shall not be considered to be a grant of any other shareholder right.
(h)Nontransferability. A provision that except under the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise permitted by the Committee, in its sole discretion, or, in respect of Manager Awards, grants of Tandem Awards, the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge or assign any Award, and all Awards shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant; provided, however, that the Participant shall be permitted to transfer one or more Stock Options to a trust controlled by the Participant during the Participant’s lifetime for estate planning purposes.
(i)Other Terms. Such other terms as are necessary and appropriate to effectuate an Award to the Participant, including but not limited to, (1) vesting provisions, (2) deferral elections, (3) any requirements for continued employment or service with the Company, (4) any requirement to execute a general
release of claims in a form acceptable to the Company prior to the lapse of any restrictions or conditions on such Award or such Award becoming exercisable, (5) any other restrictions or conditions (including performance requirements) on the Award and the method by which restrictions or conditions lapse, (6) effect on the Award of a Change in Control, (7) the right of the Company and such other Persons as the Committee shall designate (“Designees”) to repurchase from a Participant, and such Participant’s permitted transferees, all Shares issued or issuable to such Participant in connection with an Award in the event of such Participant’s termination of employment or service, (8) rights of first refusal granted to the Company and its Designees, if any, (9) holdback and other registration right restrictions in the event of a public registration of any equity securities of the Company and (10) any other terms and conditions which the Committee shall deem necessary and desirable.
SECTION 7
LOANS
To the extent permitted by applicable law, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company may make loans available to Stock Option holders in connection with the exercise of outstanding Stock Options granted under the Plan, as the Committee, in its discretion, may determine. Such loans shall (i) be evidenced by promissory notes entered into by the Stock Option holders in favor of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company, (ii) be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7 and such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Committee shall determine, (iii) bear interest, if any, at such rate as the Committee shall determine, and (iv) be subject to Board approval (or to approval by the Committee to the extent the Board may delegate such authority). In no event may the principal amount of any such loan exceed the sum of (x) the exercise price less the par value of the Shares covered by the Stock Option, or portion thereof, exercised by the holder, and (y) any federal, state, and local income tax attributable to such exercise. The initial term of the loan, the schedule of payments of principal and interest under the loan, the extent to which the loan is to be with or without recourse against the holder with respect to principal or interest and the conditions upon which the loan will become payable in the event of the holder’s termination of employment or service shall be determined by the Committee. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, when a loan is made, Shares having a Fair Market Value at least equal to the principal amount of the loan shall be pledged by the holder to the Company as security for payment of the unpaid balance of the loan, and such pledge shall be evidenced by a pledge agreement, the terms of which shall be determined by the Committee, in its discretion; provided that, each loan shall comply with all applicable laws, and all regulations and rules of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and any other governmental agency having jurisdiction.
SECTION 8
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
The Board may at any time and from time-to-time alter, amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan in whole or in part; provided that, no amendment which requires shareholder approval in order for the Plan to comply with a rule or regulation deemed applicable by the Committee, shall be effective unless the same shall be approved by the requisite vote of the shareholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment shall affect adversely any of the rights of any Participant, without such Participant’s consent, under any Award or Loan theretofore granted under the Plan.
SECTION 9
UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN
The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company.
SECTION 10
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.1Securities Laws Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise or settlement of any Award granted hereunder unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
1.2Certificate Legends. The Committee may require each Person purchasing Shares pursuant to a Stock Option to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such Person is acquiring the Shares subject thereto without a view to distribution thereof. The certificates for such Shares may include any legend which the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer.
1.3Transfer Restrictions. All Shares issued under the Plan and certificates issued with respect thereto shall be subject to such share or stock-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then listed, and any applicable federal or state securities law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
1.4Company Actions; No Right to Employment or Service. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to shareholder approval if such approval is necessary and desirable; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. The adoption of the Plan shall not confer upon any employee, consultant, service provider or advisor of the Company any right to continued employment or service with the Company, as the case may be, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company to terminate the employment or service of any of its employees, consultants or advisors at any time.
1.5Sections 409A and 457A of the Code. The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under the Plan be exempt from, or comply with Sections 409A and 457A of the Code to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted and be administered to be in compliance therewith. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the “short-term deferral period” as defined in Sections 409A and 457A of the Code shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless applicable law requires otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent required in order to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Plan during the six (6) month period immediately following the Participant’s termination of employment shall instead be paid on the first business day after the date that is six (6) months following the Participant’s separation from service (or upon the Participant’s death, if earlier). In addition, for purposes of the Plan, each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided to the Participant pursuant to the Plan, which constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of 457A of the Code, shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Section 409A or 457A of the Code, as applicable.
1.6Payment of Taxes. Each Participant shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award first becomes includible in the gross income of the Participant for federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee regarding payment of, any federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to the Award. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional on the making of such payments or arrangements, and the Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant.
1.7Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by the and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law of such state.
SECTION 11
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN
The Plan was adopted by the board of directors of FTAI on May 11, 2015, and became effective without further action as of the later of (a) the effectiveness of FTAI’s registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 2015, as amended, and (b) the shares of common stock of FTAI being listed or approved for listing upon notice of issuance on the New York Stock Exchange (the date of such effectiveness, the “Effective Date”). The Plan was adopted and assumed by the Company and renamed as the “FTAI Aviation Ltd. Nonqualified Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan” on November 10, 2022 in connection with the merger discussed in the Company’s proxy statement/prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 11, 2022, and amended on February 23, 2023.
SECTION 12
TERM OF PLAN
No Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, but Awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that date.
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO SECOND AMENDED & RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT NO. 1, dated as of November 22, 2022 (this “Amendment”), to the SECOND AMENDED & RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of September 20, 2022 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement” and, as amended by this Amendment, the “Amended Credit Agreement”), by and among FORTRESS TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTORS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”), the issuing banks from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”).
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.11 of the Existing Credit Agreement, the Borrower desires to obtain a Commitment Increase in an aggregate principal amount of $75,000,000 (the “Incremental Commitment”, and any Loans made thereunder, the “Incremental Loans”) in the form of new commitments by the Incremental Lenders (as defined below), which Commitment Increase will be incurred in reliance on Section 2.11 of the Existing Credit Agreement, as an increase to, and on identical terms as the Existing Commitments (as defined below), after giving effect to this Amendment;
WHEREAS, each of the institutions listed on Part A of Schedule 1.1A hereto as an Incremental Lender (the “Incremental Lenders”) is willing to (a) provide the Incremental Commitment to the Borrower on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date (as defined below) and (b) become an Issuing Bank, in each case, subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Existing Credit Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank is willing to consent to the Incremental Lenders’ providing the Incremental Commitments and the terms of the other amendments contemplated herein;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.11 of the Existing Credit Agreement, the Existing Credit Agreement may be amended in connection with and to facilitate the incurrence of the Incremental Commitment through an Incremental Amendment executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Incremental Lenders;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Existing Credit Agreement. The rules of interpretation set forth in Section 1.2 of the Existing Credit Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference herein, mutatis mutandis.
SECTION 2. Incremental Commitments; Amendments to the Existing Credit Agreement.
(a)Incremental Commitments.
(i)As of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date:
(A)each Lender shall hold commitments in respect of the Revolving Loan Facility as set forth on Part B of Schedule 1.1A hereto and each Issuing Bank’s LC Commitment shall be as set forth on Part C of Schedule 1.1A hereto, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth below and in the Amended Credit Agreement;
(B)each of the Lenders, immediately prior to giving effect to this Amendment (the “Existing Lenders”), shall be deemed to have assigned to each of the Incremental Lenders, and each of the Incremental Lenders shall be deemed to have assumed from each of the Existing Lenders, at the principal amount thereof, such interests in the Loans outstanding on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date such that, after giving effect to each such deemed assignment and assumption of participations and to the Incremental Lenders becoming Lenders, the percentage of the aggregate
outstanding Loans held by each Lender will equal such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Commitments;
(C)each Incremental Commitment shall be deemed, for all purposes, a “Commitment” under the Amended Credit Agreement and each Incremental Loan shall be deemed, for all purposes, a “Loan”;
(D)after giving effect to the Incremental Commitments, the LC Commitments of each Lender shall be reallocated such that the percentage LC Commitments of each Lender will equal such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Commitments;
(E)each Incremental Lender agrees to make the Incremental Commitments available under and subject to the terms and conditions of the Amended Credit Agreement as an increase to, and on identical terms as the Commitments (as amended hereby) and shall become an “Issuing Bank”, “Secured Party” and a “Lender” under the Amended Credit Agreement with respect to the Incremental Commitments and all matters relating thereto; and
(F)in accordance with Section 2.11 of the Amended Credit Agreement, each of the Existing Lenders will automatically and without further act be deemed to have assigned to each Incremental Lender, and each such Incremental Lender will automatically and without further act be deemed to have assumed, a portion of such Existing Lender’s participations in outstanding Letters of Credit, such that, after giving effect to each such deemed assignment and assumption of participations and to the Incremental Lenders becoming Lenders, the percentage of the aggregate outstanding participations in Letters of Credit by each Lender will equal such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Commitments.
(ii)Each Incremental Lender:
(A)confirms that it received a copy of this Amendment, the Existing Credit Agreement and such other documents and information it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Amendment and to provide its Incremental Commitment hereunder and make the Incremental Loans with respect thereto on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any Lender;
(B)confirms that it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make loans similar to those contemplated to be made hereunder and that it is experienced in making loans of such type;
(C)appoints, authorizes and instructs the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto as are delegated to the Administrative Agent, by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and
(D)acknowledges and agrees that it shall be an “Issuing Bank”, “Secured Party” and “Lender” under, and for all purposes of, the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, be subject to and bound by the term thereof and perform all the obligations of and shall have all the rights of a Lender.
(iii)The Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank hereby consents to the Incremental Lenders’ providing the Incremental Commitments.
(b)Amendments to the Existing Credit Agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Amendment, including, without limitation, conditions to effectiveness set forth in Section 4 below, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower hereby agree as follows:
(i)Section 1.1 of the Existing Credit Agreement, is hereby amended by adding the following new definitions, each in proper alphabetical order:
“Amendment No. 1”: the Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended & Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, by and among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party thereto.
“Amendment No. 1 Arranger”: Citizens Bank, National Association, in its capacity as lead arranger and bookrunner for Amendment No. 1.
“Amendment No. 1 Syndication Agent”: Citizens Bank, National Association, in its capacity as syndication agent for Amendment No. 1.
“Amendment No. 1 Effective Date”: November 22, 2022.
“Incremental Commitments”: as defined in Amendment No. 1.
“Incremental Loans”: as defined in Amendment No. 1.
(ii)Section 1.1 of the Existing Credit Agreement, is hereby amended by amending and restating each of the following definitions in their entirety as follows:
“Arrangers”: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., in their capacities as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners under this Agreement. On and after the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, the term “Arrangers” shall include the Amendment No. 1 Arranger.
“Commitment”: the commitment of a Lender to make Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum possible aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.8 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.6; and “Commitments” means such commitments of all Lenders in the aggregate. The initial amount of each Lender’s Commitment is set forth on Schedule 1.1A to Amendment No. 1 or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as applicable. The aggregate amount of the Commitments as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date is $300,000,000. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) from and after the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, the Incremental Loans shall be part of the same “class” as the Loans and the Incremental Commitments shall be part of the same “class” as the Commitments, it being understood and agreed that on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, there is only one “class” of Commitments.
“Issuing Bank”: each of (a) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and Citizens Bank, National Association (it being understood and agreed that such entities can only issue standby Letters of Credit) and (b) each Lender that shall have become an Issuing Bank hereunder as provided in Section 2.3(j) (other than any Person that shall have ceased to be an Issuing Bank as provided in Section 2.3(k) or Section 2.3(l), in each case except as otherwise provided in such Section), and each Lender that shall have become an Issuing Bank hereunder as provided in Section 2.11, each in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder. Each Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate (it being agreed that such Issuing Bank shall, or shall cause such Affiliate to, comply with the requirements of Section 2.3 with respect to such Letters of Credit).
“LC Commitment”: with respect to each Issuing Bank, the commitment of such Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder. The initial amount of each Issuing Bank’s LC Commitment is set forth on Schedule 1.1A to Amendment No. 1, or if an Issuing Bank has entered into an Assignment and Acceptance or has been designated in accordance with Section 2.3(j), the amount set forth for such Issuing Bank as its LC Commitment in the Register.
“Loan Documents”: this Agreement, the Security Documents, the Guarantee Agreements, the Loan Notes, any Incremental Amendment and Amendment No. 1.
“Syndication Agents”: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., in their capacities as syndication agents under this Agreement. On and after the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, the term “Syndication Agents” shall include the Amendment No. 1 Syndication Agent.
(iii)Section 2.1(a) of the Existing Credit Agreement, is hereby amended by adding following sentence at the end thereof:
From and after the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date (x) the Incremental Loans shall be deemed to be “Loans” and (y) the Incremental Commitments shall be deemed “Commitments.”
SECTION 3. Representations and Warranties. To induce the other parties hereto to enter into this Agreement, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each of the other parties hereto that:
(a)The Borrower has the requisite corporate or other organizational power and authority to make, deliver and perform this Amendment. The Borrower has taken all necessary corporate or other organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment. This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, 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).
(b)As of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, (i) the representations and warranties set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement and in the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects, except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties were true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date; provided that, in each case, such materiality qualifier is not applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
SECTION 4. Conditions to Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Amendment is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions precedent (the date on which all such conditions are satisfied or waived, the “Amendment No. 1 Effective Date”):
(a)The Administrative Agent shall have received from the Borrower, each Incremental Lender, each Lender and each Issuing Bank either (i) a counterpart of this Amendment signed on behalf of such parties or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or other electronic transmission of a signed signature page of this Amendment) that such parties have signed a counterpart of this Amendment.
(b)Prior to and after giving effect to this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default shall exist.
(c)The Borrower shall be in compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 6.10 of the Existing Credit Agreement determined on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period as if the Commitments, after giving effect to the Commitment Increase, had been fully drawn on the last day of the applicable Test Period (assuming for such purpose that such covenants applied as of the end of such Test Period, whether or not such last day of such Test Period is prior to the first date that any such covenant is otherwise tested pursuant to the terms of Section 6.10 of the Existing Credit Agreement).
(d)The Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent incurred in connection with this Amendment, any other documents prepared in connection herewith and the transactions contemplated hereby.
(e)The Borrower shall have paid to Citizens Bank, National Association all fees and expenses owing by the Borrower referred to in the Fee Letter, dated as of November 22, 2022, between the Borrower and Citizens Bank, National Association, entered into in connection herewith.
The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.
SECTION 5. Consent and Reaffirmation; Liens Unimpaired.
(a)The Borrower hereby (i) consents to this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby and (ii) agrees that, notwithstanding the effectiveness of this Amendment, its Obligations under each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party continues to be in full force and effect. The parties hereto expressly acknowledge that it is not their intention that this Amendment or any of the other Loan Documents executed or delivered pursuant hereto constitute a novation of any of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Amended Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, but a modification thereof pursuant to the terms contained herein.
(b)The Borrower, on behalf of itself and the other Loan Parties, confirms that, after giving effect to this Amendment, neither the modification of the Existing Credit Agreement effected pursuant to this Amendment nor the execution, delivery, performance or effectiveness of this Amendment:
(i)impairs the validity, effectiveness or priority of the Liens granted pursuant to any Loan Document, and such Liens continue unimpaired with the same priority to secure repayment of all Obligations, whether heretofore or hereafter incurred; or
(ii)requires that any new filings be made or other action taken to perfect or to maintain the perfection of such Liens.
SECTION 6. Loan Documents. This Amendment shall constitute a “Loan Document” for all purposes of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
SECTION 7. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Amendment. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent to accept electronic signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent.
SECTION 8. Governing Law. THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SECTION 9. Headings. Section headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Amendment and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Amendment.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers or representatives as of the day and year first above written.
| | | | | |
FORTRESS TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTORS LLC, as the Borrower |
By: | /s/ Joseph P. Adams Jr. |
| Name: Joseph P. Adams, Jr. |
| Title: Chief Executive Officer |
| | | | | | | | |
CITIZENS BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as an Incremental Lender and Issuing Bank |
By: | /s/ Darran Wee |
| Name: Darran Wee |
| Title: Senior Vice President |
| | | | | | | | |
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent, a Lender and an Issuing Bank |
By: | /s/ Cristina Caviness |
| Name: Cristina Caviness |
| Title: Executive Director |
| | | | | | | | |
BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as a Lender and an Issuing Bank |
By: | /s/ Craig J Malloy |
| Name: Craig J Malloy |
| Title: Director |
| | | | | | | | |
MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as a Lender and an Issuing Bank |
/s/ Jack Kuhns | |
Name: Jack Kuhns | |
Title: Vice President | |
Schedule 1.1A
Part A: Incremental Commitments
| | | | | |
Incremental Lender | Incremental Commitment |
Citizens Bank, National Association | $75,000,000.00 |
Total Incremental Commitments | $75,000,000.00 |
Part B: Commitments
| | | | | |
Lender | Commitment |
Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. | $75,000,000.00 |
Barclays Bank PLC | $75,000,000.00 |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | $75,000,000.00 |
Citizens Bank, National Association | $75,000,000.00 |
Total Commitments | $300,000,000.00 |
Part C: LC Commitments
| | | | | |
Issuing Bank | LC Commitment |
Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. | $6,250,000.00 |
Barclays Bank PLC | $6,250,000.00 |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | $6,250,000.00 |
Citizens Bank, National Association | $6,250,000.00 |
Total LC Commitments | $25,000,000.00 |